Since the Saints victory over the Colts last night culminates the 2009 season, it's time to go back and look at how wild of a Super Bowl decade it was.
One of the things that people are pointing out is that they "can't believe they are saying the New Orleans Saints (XLIV) are Super Bowl champions!" I say the same thing about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (XXXVII). Seriously, the Buccaneers as champs!?!?! These are two of the biggest sad-sacked franchises in league history and they both now have championships.
It isn't all about the sad-sacks who won. The Arizona Cardinals got there. So did the Carolina Panthers. In all, six franchises made their Super Bowl debut this past decade.
Add to it that Indiana got their first taste of the Super Bowl when the Indianapolis Colts (XLI) won a ring. The Colts won their previous title when they were in Baltimore. Speaking of B-more, the Baltimore Ravens (XXXV) took the relocated Cleveland Browns and brought a title back to Maryland.
(If you want to add Super Bowl XXXIV to the mix since the game was played in 2000 ... it is amazing that the crappy St. Louis Rams and relocated Tennessee Titans played for it all in a great Super Bowl).
Of course, it wasn't just newbies winning titles. The New England Patriots won three rings (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) ... though they hadn't won one before this decade. The Pittsburgh Steelers (XL, XLIII) won two more titles to set a record for Super Bowl victories. Even the New York Giants (XLII) snuck it to win their third championship.
Aside from WHO was in the Super Bowl ... but the games themselves. The Patriots shocked the world by beating the Rams in the first post-9/11 Super Bowl. The Patriots would win two more Super Bowls by three points ... including a second Adam Vinatieri buzzer beater over the Panthers. The Pats were stoned of a fourth ring and a 19-0 season by losing an epic battle with the Giants. That David Tyree catch is one of the classic moments in Super Bowl history. Last years Steelers-Cardinals game was great as well.
Sure, there were some dogs. The Ravens blew through the Giants; Tampa spanked Oakland; the Steelers-Seahawks Super Bowl was absolutely horrible; and that Colts-Bears game was a mucky mess and was the first Super Bowl that was played in poor weather.
Also weird: Was there a Super Bowl MVP that really transcended the actual game?? I don't think so. Tom Brady won his first MVP award after passing for a measly 145 yards and a TD? Yep, his second MVP award came after a 354-yard game and 3 passing TDs.
Even Peyton Manning's MVP came off a so-so game (247 yds, TD). Drew Brees did close out the MVP winning on a high note.
Dexter Jackson winning an MVP award? Has he done anything since? Deion Branch did catch 11 passes for 133 yards when he won his MVP award ... but does anyone remember? Same thing with Hines Ward (5 catches, 123 yds, TD).
Anyway, this was a great Super Bowl decade. From 1982-1998, 14 of the 17 Super Bowls were decided by double-digits. Eight of those were decided by at least 19 points. In this past decade, four games were won by at least 10 points and only two by at least 19.
The 2010's (or the Teens or whatever) could be a bit bumpier due to labor strife. Still, we are trending toward some great games.
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