Super Bowl 50: Top 15 quarterback performances of all-time
By John Buhler
15. Jim Plunkett, Oakland Raiders, Super Bowl XV
Quarterback Jim Plunkett is best known for being the Stanford Cardinal’s lone Heisman Trophy winner (1970), going No. 1 overall to the New England Patriots in the 1971 NFL Draft, and leading the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders to two Super Bowl victories (Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII).
Plunkett is one of the best quarterbacks not yet enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While there are certainly strong arguments for why he isn’t in Canton (never made a Pro Bowl, more interceptions than touchdown passes), his two Super Bowl victories with the Raiders have kept his name in the discussion well after his retirement.
Plunkett’s best Super Bowl performance came in Super Bowl XV when his Raiders defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-10, in the Louisiana Superdome. The Eagles, under then head coach Dick Vermeil and led by quarterback Ron Jaworski, entered the game as a three-point favorite over the men in silver and black.
The Raiders took an early, 14-0 lead over the Eagles and never looked back en route to a commanding victory. Plunkett was named Super Bowl XV MVP, as he completed 13-of-21 passes for 261 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Two of his three touchdown passes went to wide receiver Cliff Branch, who could have won MVP if Plunkett didn’t shine as well.
Looking back on the noteworthy career of Plunkett, one could argue that Super Bowl XV was not only his best performance as a professional, but could also stand as the best playoff game ever played by a Raiders quarterback. Thirty-five years later, Plunkett’s passing numbers in Super Bowl XV still stand the test of time.
Next: 14. Super Bowl XLV