Super Bowl 50: Top 15 quarterback performances of all-time
By John Buhler
3. Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowl XIX
Joe Montana’s San Francisco 49ers turned it on in the second quarter of Super Bowl XIX, scoring 21 points to ultimately defeat the Miami Dolphins in Dan Marino’s lone trip to the Super Bowl, 38-16.
Montana had previously won a Super Bowl and a Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XVI, but did so mostly as a game manager in the West Coast offense of head coach Bill Walsh. In Super Bowl XIX, three years later, Montana held nothing back from in crushing the Miami defense.
Montana completed 24-of-35 passes for 331 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also had a strong game running the football, rushing the football five times for 59 yards and a touchdown. Four total touchdowns and no turnovers for any quarterback is almost impossible to beat.
He had a great rapport with running back Roger Craig in Super Bowl XIX, who had seven catches for 77 yards and two of Montana’s three passing touchdowns. Craig also had a paydirt of his own, rushing 15 times for 58 yards, and a touchdown.
What this game did for both Montana and the 49ers franchise was elevate their star quarterback to one of the best all-time and their franchise into a dynasty for most of the 1980s and 1990s. Montana may not have had the raw skill set of Marino at the quarterback position, but he again shined on the highest stage winning his second of four Super Bowls with the 49ers.
Next: 2. Super Bowl XXIV