Last Decade of Super Bowls Brought Drama, Excitement

Sunday night's masterpiece between the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts capped off a decade's worth of exceptionally entertaining Super Bowls. Taking it one step further, it was the greatest decade in Super Bowl history, with six of the 10 games being decided by a key play in the final few minutes.

So, let's recap the last decade by ranking the excitement level of each game. It's not an easy chore. At least half of the Super Bowls rated a 15 on a scale of 1 to 10.

10. Super Bowl XXXV
Ravens 34, Giants 7
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
Jan. 28, 2001
MVP: Ray Lewis
Analysis: The Ravens might have had the best defense of all time, which is a pretty worthy accomplishment. But great defense rarely makes for an exciting game.

9. Super Bowl XXXVII
Buccaneers 48, Raiders 21
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
Jan. 26, 2003
MVP: Dexter Jackson
Analysis: This game was essentially over when Dwight Smith returned a third-quarter interception for a touchdown to make it 34-3, but the Raiders rallied for three touchdowns (and three failed two-point conversions) to make it 34-21 with six minutes remaining in the game. Oakland's Rich Gannon then threw two more touchdowns … but to the Buccaneers, which never works out well for the quarterback. It was an odd MVP ballot. Jackson had two interceptions but never found the end zone, while Smith returned two for scores.

8. Super Bowl XLI
Colts 29, Bears 17
Dolphin Stadium, Miami
Feb. 4, 2007
MVP: Peyton Manning
Analysis: It was a good thing Devin Hester returned the opening kickoff for a score because that's the only thing that kept viewers around until the fourth quarter. Peyton Manning versus Rex Grossman might be the most lopsided quarterback matchup in Super Bowl history, and this game was hardly in doubt. Bears fans could only hope for a miraculous score from their defense to have a chance in this one.

7. Super Bowl XL
Steelers 21, Seahawks 10
Ford Field, Detroit
Feb. 5, 2006
MVP: Hines Ward
Analysis: The only thing anyone can remember about this game is that Jerome Bettis is from Detroit. The Seahawks hung around until Hines Ward's 43-yard touchdown reception — from wide receiver Antwaan Randle El of all people — ended any doubt.

6. Super Bowl XXXIX
Patriots 24, Eagles 21
Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville
Feb. 6, 2005
MVP: Deion Branch
Analysis: It was a pretty even, fairly nondescript game. Thanks to Terrell Owens' comments, the memories that stick out could be Donovan McNabb's four puke jobs — three by way of interception, one by way of vomiting in the huddle — but in the end, the game symbolized the culmination of the Patriots' dynastic rise.

5. Super Bowl XLII
Giants 17, Patriots 14
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
Feb. 3, 2008
MVP: Eli Manning
Analysis: As far as Patriots fans are concerned, this is the game that never happened. The Giants defensive line was oppressive, and Tom Brady was sacked five times. It was also a slow game, evidenced by a first quarter in which each team had just one possession. In the end, the Giants registered one of the three greatest upsets in Super Bowl history.

4. Super Bowl XLIII
Steelers 27, Cardinals 23
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
Feb. 1, 2009
MVP: Santonio Holmes
Analysis: This game fell short of being an upset, but its greatness lies in the performances of Ben Roethlisberger (21-of-30, 256 yards, one touchdown, one interception), Santonio Holmes (nine receptions, 131 yards, game-winning touchdown catch), Kurt Warner (31-of-43, 377 yards, three touchdowns, one interception) and Larry Fitzgerald (seven catches, 127 yards, two touchdown). Combine that with a safety and two lead changes in the game's final three minutes, and you've got Super Bowl greatness.

3. Super Bowl XLIV
Saints 31, Colts 17
Sun Life Stadium, Miami
Feb. 7, 2010
MVP: Drew Brees
Analysis: Each team's execution was on point, and the game might have surpassed the hype. Lost behind Tracy Porter's game-clinching interception was Drew Brees' masterful game-winning touchdown drive. He completed all seven of his passes for 44 yards and a touchdown to cap off a tremendous performance.

2. Super Bowl XXXVIII
Patriots 32, Panthers 29
Reliant Stadium, Houston
Feb. 1, 2004
MVP: Tom Brady
Analysis: Expectations weren't overly high for this game, but wow, what a fourth quarter. The Patriots and Panthers combined for six scores in the final quarter, which got started with Antowain Smith's two-yard touchdown run that put New England ahead 21-10. Carolina answered with two touchdowns (and two failed conversions) to go up 22-21. Then, linebacker Mike Vrabel caught a touchdown pass with 2:51 remaining, and Kevin Faulk scored on the Patriots' famous direct-snap play. Because it couldn't end there, Ricky Proehl caught the tying touchdown pass with 1:08 to go, but John Kasay's choke-job kickoff set up the Pats in prime field position. Brady knew what to do from there and placed Adam Vinatieri in position for a 41-yard field goal with four seconds remaining.

1. Super Bowl XXXVI
Patriots 20, Rams 17
Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans
Feb. 3, 2002
MVP: Tom Brady
Analysis: It's perhaps the greatest upset in history, and it ended with the first-ever game-winning, buzzer-beating kick in the Super Bowl. This game officially sparked the Hall of Fame eras of Bill Belichick, Brady and Vinatieri. Cornerback Ty Law, whose 36th birthday is Wednesday, allowed the Patriots to truly believe in their chances when he took an interception 47 yards for a touchdown that spotted the Pats a 7-3 lead in the second quarter. The Patriots held off a furious comeback by the Rams, who scored two touchdowns in the last 10 minutes. Brady was 5-of-8 (including two spikes) for 53 yards on the final drive that set up Vinatieri's 48-yard field goal.