Worst statistical performances by winning QB in last 20 Super Bowls
With a mediocre performance in Super Bowl 50, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning joined a list of quarterbacks to win the Super Bowl without posting impressive numbers in the NFL's title game over the past 20 years.
Manning, whose team defeated the Carolina Panthers 24–10 in Sunday’s Super Bowl, was 13 of 23 passing or 141 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.
Check out the worst performances by winning quarterbacks in the last 20 Super Bowls.
John Elway
Super Bowl XXXII
With three title game losses under his belt to date, a 37-year-old Elway posted the worst statistical performance of his career in a 31–24 win against the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII.
Despite finishing the game 12 of 22 passing for 123 yards, no touchdowns and one interception, Elway delivered perhaps the most memorable play of the game in the third quarter. Known as “The Helicopter” play, Elway sacrificed his body on third down at the Green Bay 12-yard line to earn the first down and set up a 1-yard touchdown by eventual-Super Bowl MVP Terrell Davis, which gave the Broncos a 24–17 lead.
The win marked Denver’s first Super Bowl victory in team history after losing in its first four chances.
Trent Dilfer
Super Bowl XXXV
After taking over as the Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback mid-season, Dilfer led his team to a Super Bowl XXXV berth against the New York Giants.
Dilfer, then 29, finished the title game just 12 of 25 passing for 153 yards and one touchdown.
Dilfer did shine, however, at the start of the game when he hit Brandon Stokley with a 38-yard pass to give the Ravens the first score of the contest.
The 34–7 victory gave the Ravens their first title in franchise history.
Tom Brady
Super Bowl XXXVI
Though he was named the MVP of Super Bowl XXXVI in a 20–17 win against the St. Louis Rams, Tom Brady finished the game just 16 of 27 passing for 145 yards and one touchdown.
Despite his modest numbers, Brady did lead his team down the field with no timeouts to set up a game-winning 48-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri as time expired.
The win gave Brady, then 25, his first Super Bowl title in just his second NFL season.
Brad Johnson
Super Bowl XXXVII
In his first and only Super Bowl appearance, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Brad Johnson had an underwhelming performance, completing just 18 of 34 passes for 215 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in Super Bowl XXXVII.
The Bucs went on to defeat the Oakland Raiders 48–21, as safety Dexter Johnson was eventually named MVP of The Big Game.
[youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhf6kZCh1p4]
Peyton Manning
Super Bowl 50
Manning certainly didn't have his best game in Super Bowl 50, finishing the contest 13 of 23 for 141 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Denver's defense carried the Broncos to a title, and Manning's offense did just enough to overcome the favored Panthers.
After winning Super Bowl 50, Manning said he would take some time to consider his NFL future before announcing whether he would retire.
