Fansided

Ranking the 15 most dramatic finishes in Super Bowl history

By Randy Gurzi

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 03: Detailed view of the Vince Lombardi Trophy during the NFL Experience exhibition before Super Bowl 50 at the Moscone Center on February 3, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 03: Detailed view of the Vince Lombardi Trophy during the NFL Experience exhibition before Super Bowl 50 at the Moscone Center on February 3, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
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Football: Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers Santonio Holmes (10) sitting out of bounds after making game winning touchdown catch vs Arizona Cardinals during 4th quarter. View of Steelers teammate Mewelde Moore (21) and referee, NFL field judge Greg Gautreaux (80), gesturing TD. Sequence. Tampa, FL 2/1/2009 CREDIT: Al Tielemans (Photo by Al Tielemans /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X81783 TK2 R2 F47 )
Football: Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers Santonio Holmes (10) sitting out of bounds after making game winning touchdown catch vs Arizona Cardinals during 4th quarter. View of Steelers teammate Mewelde Moore (21) and referee, NFL field judge Greg Gautreaux (80), gesturing TD. Sequence. Tampa, FL 2/1/2009 CREDIT: Al Tielemans (Photo by Al Tielemans /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X81783 TK2 R2 F47 ) /

2. Super Bowl XLIII

Kurt Warner made his return to the bright lights of Super Bowl Sunday, this time as a member of the Arizona Cardinals. The Cards made their improbable run after a 9-7 season and shocked the football world by outscoring teams thanks in large part to Warner and his great wide receiver duo of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

Their head coach, Ken Whisenhunt had gained notoriety for being the offensive coordinator who helped Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers win a title a few seasons ago.

As luck would have it, the coach was facing his old team in Super Bowl XLIII, and the Steelers were all over Arizona for most of the game. The Cards threatened to make it interesting while trying to score just before the half, but Warner threw an ill-advised pass that ended up going 100-yards the other way as linebacker James Harrison scored a touchdown to give the Steelers the lead 17-7 at the half.

After extending the lead to 20-7, the Steelers struggled to contain the Cardinals’ passing attack. Warner finished with 377 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to Fitzgerald during their fierce fourth quarter rally.

The second of those came with just over two minutes to go, as Fitz went 64 yards to give the underdogs the lead, 23-20. All the Cardinals had to do was stop Big Ben from scoring and they would have won their first championship since 1947.

It wasn’t meant to be as Roethlisberger sliced through the Arizona D with a 78-yard drive. The drive culminated with a six-yard touchdown pass to receiver Santonio Holmes, who was barely able to get his feet to touch. The call was challenged and upheld, giving the Cards just 35 seconds left to try and one-up the Steelers who now led 27-23.

The veteran quarterback moved the Cardinals to the Pittsburgh 44, but with just 15 seconds left he had to try something desperate. While attempting to set up a Hail Mary, Warner was sacked and fumbled, ending the game and giving the Steelers the title.

Next: No. 1

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