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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22 Jan 1989: General view of Super Bowl XXIII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. The 49ers won the game, 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport
22 Jan 1989: General view of Super Bowl XXIII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. The 49ers won the game, 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport /

9. Super Bowl XXIII

It was a Super Bowl rematch from seven years earlier, as Joe Montana again led his San Francisco 49ers to the big game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Unlike the previous meeting in which the Niners took a 20-0 lead into the half, this one was knotted up at just three heading to the intermission.

The Bengals and 49ers then traded field goals and a touchdown each before Cincinnati took the lead, 16-13, on a 40-yard field goal with just 3:10 left in the game.

San Francisco had no reason to panic as their leader was as cool under pressure as anyone who has ever played the game. Montana took the field on the eight yard line, needing plenty of yards to bring his team within range for a game tying field goal try.

Montana had more in mind than a tie, though, as he orchestrated an 11-play, 92-yard drive that resulted a touchdown pass to wide receiver Joe Taylor. San Francisco took the game by a score 0f 20-16 and again broke the hearts of Bengals fans everywhere.

The MVP went to Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice, who had 11 receptions for 215 yards and a touchdown in the game. Montana had 357 yards on 23 completions to go along with the big game by Rice.

Next: No. 8

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