David Tyree's Catch and Other Improbable Super Bowl Moments

It will be remembered as one of the great moments in the history of the Super Bowl. The Giants, heavy underdogs against the of yet undefeated Patriots, trail 14-10 with 1 minute 15 seconds remaining. Eli Manning leads his team down the field in an attempt to get the lead back. On a 3^rd-and-5, Manning is under tremendous pressure, but he eludes it and sends the ball 32 yards downfield for David Tyree, who leaps and snags it, holding the ball against his helmet to cradle it for one of the most incredible catches you will ever see. The Giants go on to score on the drive, and upset the Patriots, 17-14.

Tyree's catch was sensational, but here are some other memorable moments and amazing plays of Super Bowl history.

Taylor's TD

Joe Montana is remembered as one of the NFL's greatest quarterbacks for a reason. His 49ers trailed by 3 with 3:10 remaining in Super Bowl XXIII, when his offense took over at its own 8. Montana began an intense drive, sending his team down the field and deep into Bengals territory. As the game is nearly over - only 39 seconds left - Montana and his line stood at the Cincinnati 10 yard line. They break and it's a pass play, but receiver Roger Craig is stuck in double coverage. Then John Taylor finds a hole in the defense. He is loose deep in the end zone and Montana fires to him for one of the most exciting late touchdowns in Super Bowl history. The 49ers won 20-16.

Vinatieri's Winner

Tom Brady was not expected to perform well in his first ever Super Bowl appearance, and the Rams were expected to walk all over the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI. With time ticking down and the score tied at 17-17, Brady was expected to take a knee deep in his own territory and send the game to overtime. But Brady led the Patriots on a downfield drive, executing one solid pass after another, the key being a 23-yarder to Troy Brown. With just a few seconds left, kicker Adam Vinatieri was set up for a 48-yard field goal that would give the Patriots the victory. He put the balls through the uprights as time expires, for a 20-17 win. The Patriots would go on to become one of football's greatest dynasties after that game, and Tom Brady one of the game's greatest QBs.

Swann Snags It

Nobody who saw Lynn Swann's catch in Super Bowl X will ever forget it. It was late in the second quarter as the Steelers were deep in their own territory. Swann shot deep down the field but cannot get open, covered tightly by Cowboys corner Mark Washington. QB Terry Bradshaw sends it deep to Swann anyway, and in a moment, it was as if Swann said, "If I can't beat Washington horizontally, I'll beat him vertically." Swann leapt high, high in the air, far over the head of Washington, and hauled in one of the most unlikely receptions ever thrown, bobbling the ball but holding on for a 53-yarder. The Steelers would not score on the drive, but the shot-in-the-arm of Swann's catch, as well as his Super Bowl MVP performance, led the Steelers to a 21-17 victory.