Top 20 quarterback performances in Super Bowl history

MIAMI, FL - January 14, 1968: Quarterback Bart Starr #15 of the Green Bay Packers turns to hand the ball off against the Oakland Raiders during Super Bowl II at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The Packers won the game 33-14. Starr played for the Packers from 1956-71. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – FEBRUARY 07: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints hands off to Reggie Bush #25 against the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

17. Drew Brees, Super Bowl XLIV

Super Bowl XLIV is most remembered as the game where Saints’ coach Sean Payton went with a surprise onside kick to start the second half, but New Orleans wouldn’t have won its first title without a stellar performance from Drew Brees. He had a dominant regular season, throwing for over 4,300 yards with 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, but he stepped up when the Saints needed him most.

The onside kick came at a crucial point in the contest, with the Saints trailing 10-6 at the start of the second half. Brees took the ball after the Saints recovered and drove them 58 yards for the go-ahead score, a 16-yard touchdown toss to Pierre Thomas.

The Colts quickly retook the lead, with Peyton Manning leading Indianapolis right down the field for a touchdown drive to grab a 17-13 lead. The Saints got a field goal to cut the deficit to one before Brees took the lead again in the fourth quarter, capping a 59-yard drive with a two-yard TD to Jeremy Shockey (and he converted the two-pointer to Lance Moore for good measure).

Brees’ numbers were excellent in the game as he completed 32 of 39 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers, combined with his brilliant performance in the second half, earned Brees the Super Bowl MVP award.

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