Super Bowl power rankings: Miami games from 10-1

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 12: Joe Namath No. 12 of the New York Jets drops back to pass against the Baltimore Colts during Super Bowl III at the Orange Bowl on January 12, 1969 in Miami, Florida. The Jets defeated the Colts 16-7. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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For a record 11th time, South Florida will host the Super Bowl. And the previous 10 contests have featured some incredible moments and historic contests.

On the first Sunday of February this year, the San Francisco 49ers will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV. It’s the 11th time this championship setting will take place in South Florida, breaking a tie with the city of New Orleans (10). The first five games took place in the fabled Orange Bowl and this will be the sixth in a venue currently known as Hard Rock Stadium.

There have been some amazing performances, memorable contests and iconic images that have come from the first 10 games. Here’s a look at how those Super Bowls rank from 10 to No. 1.

10. XLI: Indianapolis Colts 29, Chicago Bears 17

It remains the only contest of the 53-game series that began with a kickoff return for a touchdown. Chicago rookie Devin Hester had set the league on fire on special teams that season so it was only fitting that he became the first player in Super Bowl annals to take the opening kickoff the distance for a score. Hester’s 92-yard return helped give the Bears a 7-0 lead after just 14 seconds of play.

Things only got worse on the Colts’ first possession as a promising drive as quarterback Peyton Manning served up an interception. The next time Tony Dungy’s team got the ball, the veteran signal-caller found wide receiver Reggie Wayne for a 53-yard scores. But kicker Adam Vinatieri missed the PAT and by the end of the first quarter, Lovie Smith’s squad owned a 14-6 advantage.

But this contest would be hampered by the weather. By game’s end, the Colts turned over the ball three times and the Bears did them two better. Chicago quarterback Rex Grossman lost one of his two fumbles and was picked off twice – one of those returned 56 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter by Indianapolis’ Kelvin Hayden. Manning would capture MVP honors but a strong case could have been made for running backs Dominic Rhodes (121-1 TD) and/or Joseph Addai (143) – both finishing with well over a C-note worth of scrimmage yards.

Next: XXIX

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