Doubts About Three Super Bowl MVPs
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2023 3:11 pm
Like we say, the quarterback gets too much credit when winning and too much blame losing. The following:
1979 Pittsburgh Steelers 31 Los Angeles Rams 19 MVP Terry Bradshaw
Terry Bradshaw completed 13 of 21 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns. Despite near perfect pass protection, he threw three interceptions which made this game close. Midway in fourth quarter, the Steelers trailed the Rams 19 to 17. Lynn Swann left the game earlier with an injury. That put all the pressure on the Pittsburgh's other great receiver, John Stallworh. At the time mentioned and on a straight pattern, he caught a 75 yard touchdown pass. This gave the Steelers a 24 to 19 lead. On the next series, Stallworth caught a 50 yard pass which set up a Franco Harris touchdown plunge.
John Stallworth would have made a better MVP.
1980 Oakland Raiders 27 Philadelphia Eagles 10 MVP Jim Plunkett
Jim Plunkett completed 13 of 21 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Even so, Oakland would not have won without the defense and special teams play of Rob Martin. He intercepted three passes, two of which with led to Oakland touchdowns. A third interception was in Raider territory and denied the Eagles a score. Martin also made the game's big play on special teams. In the second quarter, Tony Franklin kicked a field goal to put Philadelphia on the scoreboard. Leading now 14 to 3, the Raiders returned the ensuing kickoff. The the return man fumbled at the Raider 22. Martin covered the ball just a second before an Eagle. That play could have turned the game around.
Rob Martin would have made a better MVP.
1987 Washington Redskins 42 Denver Broncos 10 MVP Doug Williams
Williams completed 18 of 29 passes for 340 yards and four touchdowns. Running Back Timmy Smith carried 22 times for 204 yards and two touchdown. Smith never did anything before or after this game. I am not certain who should have been the MVP.
1979 Pittsburgh Steelers 31 Los Angeles Rams 19 MVP Terry Bradshaw
Terry Bradshaw completed 13 of 21 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns. Despite near perfect pass protection, he threw three interceptions which made this game close. Midway in fourth quarter, the Steelers trailed the Rams 19 to 17. Lynn Swann left the game earlier with an injury. That put all the pressure on the Pittsburgh's other great receiver, John Stallworh. At the time mentioned and on a straight pattern, he caught a 75 yard touchdown pass. This gave the Steelers a 24 to 19 lead. On the next series, Stallworth caught a 50 yard pass which set up a Franco Harris touchdown plunge.
John Stallworth would have made a better MVP.
1980 Oakland Raiders 27 Philadelphia Eagles 10 MVP Jim Plunkett
Jim Plunkett completed 13 of 21 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Even so, Oakland would not have won without the defense and special teams play of Rob Martin. He intercepted three passes, two of which with led to Oakland touchdowns. A third interception was in Raider territory and denied the Eagles a score. Martin also made the game's big play on special teams. In the second quarter, Tony Franklin kicked a field goal to put Philadelphia on the scoreboard. Leading now 14 to 3, the Raiders returned the ensuing kickoff. The the return man fumbled at the Raider 22. Martin covered the ball just a second before an Eagle. That play could have turned the game around.
Rob Martin would have made a better MVP.
1987 Washington Redskins 42 Denver Broncos 10 MVP Doug Williams
Williams completed 18 of 29 passes for 340 yards and four touchdowns. Running Back Timmy Smith carried 22 times for 204 yards and two touchdown. Smith never did anything before or after this game. I am not certain who should have been the MVP.