Top 20 quarterback performances in Super Bowl history

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: The New England Patriots celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: The New England Patriots celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 03: Eli Manning
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 03: Eli Manning /

4. Eli Manning, New York Giants, Super Bowl XLII

Two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning comes in at number four. He is the second New York Giants’ quarterback to make the list and one of the few active NFL quarterbacks.

Manning makes this list not only because of his performance but because of the stakes of the game. The New England Patriots entered the game undefeated. Las Vegas made them 12 point favorites. Meanwhile the Giants were 10-6 and entered the playoffs as a Wild Card. The two teams met in the final week of the regular season and the Patriots prevailed 38-35.

On that Sunday in Phoenix, none of that would matter.

The Giants trailed 14-10 with just under three minutes left. Manning orchestrated a masterful drive, including the game’s biggest highlight, the now infamous helmet catch by David Tyree. That catch would set up the game-winning touchdown from Manning to Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds remaining.

The tight game throughout ended with Manning making the biggest play of his career. The league gave him MVP honors for the game. His stat line of 19-of-24 for 255 yards, two touchdowns and an interception was not overly impressive. The league clearly senses the feat that Manning just pulled off. He knocked off the NFL’s best team and kept the Patriots from going undefeated in one of the most thrilling games in league history.