Ranking the 5 most deserving Super Bowl MVP winners

When it comes to ranking Super Bowl MVPs, it's all about statistical dominance, the impact on the game's outcome, and the context of the win.

Some examples of this are clutch moments, overcoming deficits, and having an underdog type of status. There are many players out there who have delivered stellar performances, but only a few stand out as being huge for their team to secure the victory.

Let's take a look at the five most deserving players for that award, ranked in order of being dominant and impactful.

Simms' stats for the game were quite impressive: 22 of 25 passing for a total of 268 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, and 88.0% completions.

His performance in a Super Bowl win over John Elway and the Denver Broncos was a masterclass in pure execution. The total yardage numbers weren't that high compared to numbers today, but he only had three incompletions as he delivered balls with astonishing accuracy. That 88.0% remains a Super Bowl record, with a minimum of seven throws.

The Giants were down 10-9 at the half, and Simms ended up posting a perfect 10-for-10 on passes in the second half. He guided the offense to a 39-20 victory. Since he played error-free, the Giants were able to get their first Super Bowl title.

Davis' numbers from this game speak for themselves: 30 carries for 157 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, plus two receptions for 29 yards.

His MVP performance stands out not just for the stats, but for what he was up against. The Green Bay Packers were heavily favored, and Davis was playing through a migraine. He even had to miss the entire second quarter. Despite missing part of the game, it didn't slow him down.

Davis was consistently moving the ball up the field and scored three times for Denver, including getting the go-ahead touchdown with less than two minutes remaining in the game. This win snapped the NFC's 13-year Super Bowl winning streak and gave the Broncos their first Super Bowl title. Davis' three touchdowns are tied for first for most rushing touchdowns in a Super Bowl game.

Rice racked up 11 catches for 215 yards and one touchdown in a 20-16 49ers win over the Cincinnati Bengals, by far San Fran's most productive player and an easy choice for Super Bowl MVP.

The 49ers were up against a tough Bengals team, and Rice was able to deliver one of the greatest wide receiver performances in NFL history. His 215 yards are still a Super Bowl record and basically the Niners offense for this game. Rice was always good at making big-time catches, and he would find a way to reel in the ball even if he was banged up or covered well.

On the final, game-winning drive, Rice had three catches for 52 yards. He was somehow able to elevate his already high offensive numbers in the most critical moments on football's biggest stage, significantly strengthening his case to be known as the very best wide receiver in the history of the NFL.

Not to be outdone by his predecessor Joe Montana, Young posted a dual-threat stat line in a 49-36 victory over the Chargers, his first championship as the starter: 24 of 36 passing for 325 yards, six touchdowns, zero interceptions, plus 49 rushing yards.

Young's awesome performance wasn't just about winning, but finally showing he could lead this team to victory, because he was the backup to Montana for four seasons. Young's six TD passes set a Super Bowl record. 

He played well from start to finish, starting with touchdowns on their first two possessions. Young was also the Niners' leading rusher for the game with his 49 yards. He was totally in command in this game, and the production will always be among the top QB performances in Super Bowl history. But it wasn't quite the best...

Brady posted an eye-popping line in this game, finishing 43 of 62 passing for 466 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. But those pure numbers don't even come close to telling the full story of this legendary Super Bowl performance.

While some performances on this list were simply dominant, this one was part of a comeback, the greatest ever accomplished in a Super Bowl. The Patriots, famously, went down 28-3 to the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter, and Brady's second-quarter pick-six contributed to that deficit.

But Brady came storming back, as the Pats scored two touchdowns with 2-point conversions within the final six minutes of regulation, then drove for a TD to win 34-28 in overtime. He set Super Bowl records for passing attempts with 62. Brady is widely considered the greatest of all time because he always had that will to win, no matter what the situation was. Two years after winning his fourth Super Bowl, Brady's fifth championship cemented his legacy as the GOAT.

In closing, Super Bowl MVP is arguably the best individual performance trophy that an athlete can win. It honors the player for their hard work to get the team victory, showcasing clutch play, statistical dominance, and leadership under the highest pressure, with one game to decide the season. As seen on this list, the award often goes to the quarterback, whose central role on the field typically stands out. In the end, the title bolsters or completes a player's legacy, and it's the kind of honor that makes them sports immortals.