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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MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 22: Wide receiver John Taylor #82 of the San Francisco 49ers catches the game-winning touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII at Joe Robbie Stadium on January 22, 1989 in Miami, Florida. The 49ers defeated the Bengals 20-16. (Photo by Rob Brown/Getty Images) /

2. XXIII: San Francisco 49ers 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16

For the better part of three quarters, this looked like one of the worst Super Bowls. There were mistakes, missed field goals and a combined 12 points after 44:10 minutes of action.

Then in the blink of an eye, this contest became a back-and-forth affair. After the 49ers tied the score at 6-6 on Mike Cofer’s second field goal of the day, Bengals’ running back Stanford Jennings returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown and Cincinnati owned a seven-point lead with 34 seconds left in the third quarter.

But four plays, 85 yards and 1:31 later, it was all even again as San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana finally got his team in the end zone, connecting from 14 yards out. The defenses took over for a spell but once again, Cincinnati grabbed the lead as a 40-ayrd field goal by Jim Breech have Sam Wyche’s squad a three-point lead with 3:20 remaining.

It took 11 plays and 92 yards for Bill Walsh’s team to capture its third Super Bowl title. Montana was brilliant and earned his “Stripes” once again as comedian John Candy watched from the stands. Rice would finish with 11 catches for 215 yards and the aforementioned score and earned game MPV honors. But it was Montana to John Taylor from 10 yards out (with 34 seconds to play) that proved to be the difference.

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