The Super Bowl is more than just a championship game—it’s a battlefield where legends are made and legacies are defined. From last-minute drives to game-saving interceptions, the Super Bowl has delivered countless heart-stopping moments that live on in football folklore. The biggest stage in American sports has a way of drawing out the best performances when the stakes are highest. It’s in these do-or-die moments that the difference between a champion and a challenger is made.
In this list of the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments, we dive into the most unforgettable plays that shocked the world and defined careers. These moments are not just about athleticism; they are about mental toughness, precision under pressure, and the sheer will to win. Whether it’s a quarterback threading the needle in the dying seconds or a receiver making an acrobatic grab on the sideline, clutch plays in the Super Bowl often change the trajectory of NFL history.
Each entry in our list captures the emotion, the intensity, and the story behind the play. These moments became instant classics, replayed in highlight reels and discussed by fans for decades. So, gear up as we count down the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments that have cemented themselves as icons of gridiron greatness.
Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments you must know about :
10. Malcolm Butler’s Game-Sealing Interception – Super Bowl XLIX (Patriots vs Seahawks)
With just 26 seconds left on the clock and the Seattle Seahawks on the 1-yard line, it looked like the New England Patriots were seconds away from defeat. But in one of the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments, undrafted rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler stepped up and etched his name into NFL history. As Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson attempted a quick slant to receiver Ricardo Lockette, Butler broke on the route with perfect timing, intercepting the pass and effectively sealing the victory for the Patriots.
This stunning play not only preserved New England’s 28–24 lead, but it also gave the franchise its fourth Super Bowl title under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. The decision to throw instead of handing the ball to Marshawn Lynch has been debated ever since, but what can’t be questioned is Butler’s clutch execution in the most high-pressure situation imaginable.
Butler’s interception is the definition of clutch—anticipation, preparation, and flawless execution coming together in a split second. Among the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments, this one stands out for its sheer shock value and immediate impact. It was the ultimate “do or die” play—and Butler did it all.
| Key Stat | Game-sealing INT at 1-yard line |
9. Santonio Holmes’ Toe-Tap Touchdown – Super Bowl XLIII (Steelers vs Cardinals)
In one of the most iconic finishes in Super Bowl history, Santonio Holmes delivered a jaw-dropping reception that still stands as one of the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments. With just 35 seconds remaining and the Pittsburgh Steelers trailing the Arizona Cardinals 23–20, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger lofted a pass to the corner of the end zone. Holmes, tightly covered, extended fully and managed to get both toes down while securing the catch — a feat of skill, balance, and composure under intense pressure.
This touchdown capped a dramatic game-winning drive and handed the Steelers their sixth Super Bowl title, a record at the time. Holmes was named Super Bowl MVP for his nine catches, 131 yards, and that unforgettable touchdown. The play instantly became legendary, not just for the degree of difficulty, but for the timing and impact it had on the outcome.
Among the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments, Holmes’ toe-tapper is often cited as one of the greatest receptions ever made on football’s biggest stage. It was the ultimate showcase of athleticism, awareness, and precision when it mattered most.
| Key Stat | 131 receiving yards |
8. David Tyree’s Helmet Catch – Super Bowl XLII (Giants vs Patriots)
In a stunning moment of pure willpower and timing, David Tyree etched his name into NFL folklore with what’s now called “The Helmet Catch.” The New York Giants were trailing the undefeated New England Patriots 14–10 with under two minutes to go. On 3rd and 5, Eli Manning escaped a collapsing pocket and launched a high pass down the middle. Covered tightly, Tyree leapt up, pinned the ball against his helmet, and held on as he was dragged down.
This improbable 32-yard gain kept the drive alive, setting up the game-winning touchdown to Plaxico Burress moments later. Tyree’s catch is often hailed as one of the greatest in Super Bowl history—not just for its difficulty, but for the stakes involved. The Giants’ drive broke the Patriots’ perfect season and delivered one of the biggest upsets ever.
Among the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments, Tyree’s grab stands as an unforgettable symbol of perseverance and focus in the biggest game of the year.
| Key Stat | 32-yard reception |
7. Plaxico Burress’ Game-Winning Touchdown – Super Bowl XLII (Giants vs Patriots)
In one of the most iconic upsets in Super Bowl history, Plaxico Burress delivered the knockout blow that secured the New York Giants’ shocking 17–14 victory over the previously undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. With just 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Eli Manning dropped back and fired a precise 13-yard fade to the left corner of the end zone. Burress beat cornerback Ellis Hobbs on the release and was wide open, making the catch with ease to complete the go-ahead score.
This play is forever etched in history because it capped a 12-play, 83-yard drive — which also featured David Tyree’s famous helmet catch. Burress’ calm and clinical execution under extreme pressure sealed the Giants’ improbable win and denied the Patriots a perfect 19–0 season. The touchdown remains a shining example of a clutch moment under the brightest lights.
Plaxico Burress’ game-winner earns a well-deserved place among the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments because it wasn’t just a score — it changed the legacy of an entire season and etched the 2007 Giants into NFL lore.
| Key Stat | 13-yard TD reception with 35 seconds left |
6. Adam Vinatieri’s Game-Winning Kick – Super Bowl XXXVI (Patriots vs Rams)
In Super Bowl XXXVI, Adam Vinatieri delivered one of the most iconic moments in NFL history with a clutch 48-yard field goal as time expired, giving the New England Patriots a 20-17 victory over the heavily favored St. Louis Rams. This moment is widely considered the spark that launched the Patriots dynasty and remains one of the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments ever.
Vinatieri’s kick came at the end of a brilliant drive led by a young Tom Brady, who calmly moved the ball into field goal range with just 1:21 left on the clock and no timeouts. Vinatieri’s composure under pressure, kicking into a high-stakes Super Bowl atmosphere, defined clutch performance. The Rams had one of the most explosive offenses ever, known as “The Greatest Show on Turf,” but Vinatieri’s boot silenced them.
This wasn’t just a field goal—it was a statement. It marked the beginning of the Patriots’ dominance in the 2000s and solidified Vinatieri’s legacy as one of the most clutch kickers in NFL history. His nerves of steel and precision under pressure make this moment a permanent fixture in any discussion of the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments.
| Key Stat | 48-yard field goal |
5. James Harrison’s 100-Yard Pick-Six – Super Bowl XLIII (Steelers vs Cardinals)
James Harrison delivered one of the most unforgettable plays in Super Bowl history with a stunning 100-yard interception return just before halftime in Super Bowl XLIII. This epic moment shifted the momentum in favor of the Pittsburgh Steelers and ranks high among the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments.
With the Arizona Cardinals driving and threatening to take the lead, Harrison stepped in front of a pass from Kurt Warner at the goal line and began an incredible sprint down the sideline. Breaking tackles, weaving through players, and refusing to go down, Harrison reached the end zone as the halftime clock hit zero. His sheer determination and athleticism turned what could’ve been a Cardinals touchdown into a game-changing score for Pittsburgh.
This wasn’t just a touchdown—it was a 14-point swing at the most crucial moment. The emotional and psychological impact of the play was immense, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Though the Cardinals fought back, Harrison’s clutch performance was a pivotal reason the Steelers eventually claimed victory. His pick-six remains a defensive masterpiece and unquestionably one of the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments ever witnessed.
| Key Stat | Longest INT return in Super Bowl history |
4. Patrick Mahomes’ 3rd-and-15 Conversion – Super Bowl LIV (Chiefs vs 49ers)
Patrick Mahomes’ rocket-armed resilience helped deliver one of the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments when he faced a daunting 3rd-and-15 in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LIV. Down 20–10 to the San Francisco 49ers with under 8 minutes left, the Kansas City Chiefs needed a miracle. And Mahomes delivered.
Backed up near midfield, Mahomes dropped deep and unleashed a 44-yard strike to Tyreek Hill, who had found space behind the coverage. Dubbed “2-3 Jet Chip Wasp,” the play completely shifted the game’s momentum. It set up a quick touchdown, narrowing the gap to 20–17 and igniting a 21-point Chiefs explosion in the final minutes. The comeback win sealed Mahomes’ MVP award and Kansas City’s first Super Bowl title in 50 years.
This single throw wasn’t just an incredible athletic feat — it was a perfect read under extreme pressure. It showed Mahomes’ poise, vision, and leadership when the stakes were highest. Among the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments, this stands out as a turning point that cemented Mahomes’ legacy as a generational quarterback.
| Key Stat | 44-yard pass to Tyreek Hill on 3rd & 15 |
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3. Tom Brady’s Game-Tying Drive – Super Bowl LI (Patriots vs Falcons)
Super Bowl LI delivered one of the most iconic comebacks in sports history, and at the heart of it was Tom Brady’s game-tying drive in the fourth quarter — an unforgettable moment in the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments. Trailing 28–3 against the Atlanta Falcons, Brady orchestrated a second-half surge that defied logic. But it was the final fourth-quarter drive that truly defined his greatness.
With just over five minutes left and the Patriots still down 28–20, Brady took the field under immense pressure. He converted multiple clutch plays, including a pass to Danny Amendola and a critical 3rd-down to Chris Hogan. With under a minute remaining, Brady calmly led his team into the red zone. After a few short passes, James White punched it into the end zone, followed by a perfectly executed two-point conversion — tying the game at 28–28.
This drive capped a 25-point comeback, the largest in Super Bowl history, and pushed the game into overtime, where Brady led the game-winning drive. His fourth-quarter heroics cemented his legacy as the ultimate clutch performer and gave the Patriots their fifth title.
| Key Stat | 91-yard drive capped by a 1-yard James White rushing TD |
2. Julian Edelman’s Miracle Catch – Super Bowl LI (Patriots vs Falcons)
In one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history, Julian Edelman’s jaw-dropping catch in Super Bowl LI helped spark the Patriots’ rally against the Atlanta Falcons. Down 28–3 late in the third quarter, New England was clawing back into the game. On 3rd-and-10 with just over two minutes left, Tom Brady fired a pass into heavy traffic. It was deflected by Falcons cornerback Robert Alford and seemed destined to hit the ground — until Edelman somehow snatched it just inches above the turf.
The ball bobbled, bounced, and hovered, yet Edelman maintained focus and control. Three Falcons defenders surrounded him, and still, he came down with it. The play was reviewed and confirmed, shocking viewers and shifting momentum. It was a moment that defined the Patriots’ resilience and belongs high on the list of the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments.
Edelman’s catch kept the drive alive, leading to a touchdown that tied the game. The Patriots would go on to win 34–28 in overtime — the first OT win in Super Bowl history. Without Edelman’s heroics, the comeback may never have happened.
| Key Stat | 87 receiving yards |
1. Nick Foles’ “Philly Special” – Super Bowl LII (Eagles vs Patriots)
At the top of the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments stands the legendary “Philly Special” — a daring, unforgettable trick play executed by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII. Facing 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line with just 38 seconds left in the first half, head coach Doug Pederson made a bold call. Quarterback Nick Foles lined up in shotgun, then shifted toward the right as the ball was snapped directly to running back Corey Clement. Clement pitched it to tight end Trey Burton, who then threw a perfect pass to Foles in the end zone.
The crowd erupted. The gutsy play gave the Eagles a 22–12 halftime lead over the New England Patriots and sent a message: Philly came to win. The Eagles would go on to secure their first Super Bowl title with a 41–33 victory. The “Philly Special” not only showcased creativity and nerve but also shifted momentum when it mattered most. In one of the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments, backup quarterback Nick Foles caught a touchdown pass on 4th and goal—a trick play that will forever be etched into NFL lore
This moment remains one of the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments because of its timing, execution, and impact on history. It turned Foles into a Super Bowl MVP and delivered a play forever etched into NFL lore.
| Key Stat | 1-yard touchdown reception on 4th & Goal |
FAQs
Q1: What are the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments in NFL history?
The Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments include unforgettable plays like Malcolm Butler’s interception, David Tyree’s helmet catch, and Santonio Holmes’ toe-tap TD. These moments defined championships and changed legacies.
Q2: Why is Malcolm Butler’s interception considered one of the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments?
Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception in Super Bowl XLIX saved the Patriots from defeat and instantly became one of the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments due to its timing, pressure, and impact.
Q3: Which Super Bowl had the most clutch moments?
Super Bowl XLII, featuring both David Tyree’s helmet catch and Plaxico Burress’ game-winning TD, is often cited as having multiple entries in the Top 10 Super Bowl Clutch Moments list.
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