The 10 Most Suspenseful Super Bowls of All Time (And Where to Stream Them)
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Senior Staff Writer Randy Harward, our editorial lead with over 25 years of experience covering TV and entertainment.
The Super Bowl has evolved from a simple championship game into a global cultural phenomenon. While many games end in blowouts, the “Best of All Time” lists are dominated by the modern era, where rule changes favoring the passing game have led to more frequent late-game heroics. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer, these games are the statistical and dramatic gold standard for football.
Most of these classics are available for a full Super Bowl rewatch via NFL+ or on the official NFL YouTube channel. To get you started, here are my top picks for the most heart-pounding NFL championship games.
1. Super Bowl LI (2017)
When choosing the best Super Bowl comeback, how can you select anything other than the first Super Bowl to go to overtime? I still get chills thinking about the Atlanta Falcons’ 28–3 lead and the absolute stuff of nightmares that followed for them in the final 23 minutes. Tom Brady led the Patriots to score 31 unanswered points, cementing this as the largest comeback in Super Bowl history. Julian Edelman’s miraculous shoestring catch kept the drive alive in a way that defied logic.
2. Super Bowl LIX (2015)
This game is one of the best to rewatch because it featured two teams at their absolute physical peak. It culminated in the most debated coaching decision in history: the Seahawks’ choice to throw a slant from the one-yard line instead of handing it to Marshawn Lynch. Malcolm Butler’s interception at the goal line remains the most iconic defensive play in Super Bowl lore. It’s a masterclass in tension that never lets up until the final whistle.
3. Super Bowl XLII (2008)
This was the ultimate “David vs. Goliath” story as the upstart Giants took on an 18–0 Patriots team seeking perfection. I love rewatching this just for the “Helmet Catch”—David Tyree pinning the ball against his helmet while Eli Manning escaped a certain sack. The Giants’ defensive front was relentless, pressuring Tom Brady all night and disrupting one of the greatest offenses ever assembled. It’s perhaps the most improbable upset in NFL history.
4. Super Bowl LVIII (2024)
This was only the second Super Bowl to ever go into overtime, and it was a strategic chess match from start to finish. I watched Patrick Mahomes calmly lead the Chiefs on a 75-yard touchdown drive in the extra period to seal the win against the 49ers. This game solidified the Mahomes Era and drew a record 123.7 million viewers, making it a high-priority rewatch for modern fans. The tension of the new playoff overtime rules added an extra layer of suspense, keeping everyone on edge.
5. Super Bowl XXXIV (2000)
“The Tackle” is a play that will live in infamy for Titans fans. I remember the sheer agony of seeing Kevin Dyson stretch the football toward the goal line, only to fall exactly one yard short as time expired. It was a legendary showdown between the “Greatest Show on Turf” Rams and a gritty Tennessee team that erased a 16-point deficit. This matchup is the literal definition of a game of inches.
6. Super Bowl XLIII (2009)
This game was a barrage of spectacular, game-changing plays. From James Harrison’s 100-yard pick-six at the end of the first half to Larry Fitzgerald’s late 64-yard sprint, the lead changes were dizzying. I think Santonio Holmes’ toe-tap catch in the back of the end zone is the most graceful game-winning play ever. It was a heartbreaker for Kurt Warner’s Cardinals, but a triumph for the Steelers’ “Stairway to Seven” ambitions.
7. Super Bowl XXV (1991)
This is the only Super Bowl where a single kick definitively determined the win-or-loss outcome at the buzzer. I can’t imagine the pressure Scott Norwood felt standing over that 47-yard attempt, only to watch it sail wide right. The Giants’ ball-control offense held the ball for over 40 minutes, keeping the Bills’ “K-Gun” offense off the field in a tactical masterpiece. It’s a high-drama classic that set the tone for the Bills’ legendary (and tragic) four-year run.
8. Super Bowl LVII (2023)
This was a high-scoring thriller that came down to a field goal with just eight seconds left. I was impressed by Jalen Hurts’ performance—three rushing touchdowns and a two-point conversion. But Mahomes’ second-half resilience after re-injuring his ankle was the real story. The Chiefs used self-scouting to trick the Eagles’ defense on two crucial touchdowns in the fourth quarter. It was a modern classic that showcased two of the game’s best young quarterbacks at their peak.
9. Super Bowl XXXII (1998)
I love this game because it finally gave John Elway his first ring after three previous blowout losses. The most iconic moment is Elway’s “Helicopter” run, where the 37-year-old quarterback dove for a first down and was spun in mid-air by Packers defenders. Denver entered as major underdogs against the defending champion Packers, but used Terrell Davis’ 157 rushing yards to pull off the upset. It ended the NFC’s 13-year Super Bowl winning streak in a true rough-and-tumble manner.
10. Super Bowl XXIII (1989)
This game is best remembered for “The Drive”—Joe Montana marching the 49ers 92 yards in under three minutes. I find it hilarious that Montana supposedly calmed his teammates during the huddle by pointing out John Candy in the stands before winning the game. The winning pass to John Taylor with 34 seconds left broke the hearts of the Bengals for the second time in a decade. It was the first halftime tie in Super Bowl history, proving how close these two teams were.
Best Super Bowls of All Time FAQ
What is the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history?
The New England Patriots hold the record for the best Super Bowl comeback, overcoming a 25-point deficit (28–3) in the third quarter to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34–28 in overtime during Super Bowl LI.
Which Super Bowls have gone to overtime?
As of 2026, only two Super Bowls have ever gone into overtime: Super Bowl LI (Patriots vs. Falcons) and Super Bowl LVIII (Chiefs vs. 49ers).
Where can I watch old Super Bowls?
You can stream full replays of classic games on NFL+, the league's official subscription service, or watch condensed versions on the NFL's YouTube channel.
