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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Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood (11) watches as his potentially game-winning kick sails wide right in Super Bowl XXV, a 20-19 loss to the New York Giants on January 27, 1991, at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Don Larson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood (11) watches as his potentially game-winning kick sails wide right in Super Bowl XXV, a 20-19 loss to the New York Giants on January 27, 1991, at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Don Larson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

1. Super Bowl XXV

The Buffalo Bills went to the Super Bowl four times in a row during one of the most dominant stretches of football, which isn’t recognized as it should be since they never won it all. For the perpetual runner-up, their best chance to ever win that elusive title came during their first attempt.

January 27, 1991 in Tampa, Florida the Bills took on the New York Giants as the two fought for NFL supremacy. The Bills were favored due to their three-headed monster attack on offense with quarterback Jim Kelly, running back Thurman Thomas and wide receiver Andre Reed.

Their no-huddle offense wasn’t expected to dominate the “Big Blue Wrecking Crew,” led by Giants pass rusher Lawrence Taylor, but they should have been able to outscore a New York team who was without star quarterback, Phil Simms.

Simms was hurt near the end of the regular season against the same Bills team and seldom used veteran Jeff Hostetler was under center. The backup threw for 222 yards and one score. Running back Ottis Anderson added 102 more yards on the ground as the G-Men held the ball for more than 40 minutes, keeping the explosive Bills offense on the sidelines.

Still, Kelly managed 212 yards and Thomas added 135 yards on just 15 carries and had a fourth quarter score which put the Bills on top, 19-17. The Giants answered with a long 14-play drive, which consumed 7:32 of the final quarter and put the pressure back on Buffalo as it ended with a field goal making the score 20-19.

After trading punts, the Bills had one last chance with just over two minutes on the clock. Kelly and Thomas worked together and brought them down to the Giants 29-yard line as time came to a close. The Bills had one last play to run, a 47-yard field goal for the win.

Kicker Scott Norwood came on the field for the game winning try and with all eyes on him, he sent the kick wide right of the goal posts. The Bills let their best chance at a Super Bowl slip away and the Giants rode off with one of the most dramatic wins ever.

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