Deadspin Ranks All SuperBowls According To "Watchability"

[listopencil]

What Was The Best Super Bowl Ever? Ranking All 47 Games According To Watchability

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/182h2s6kl83x0jpg/avt-small.jpg Reuben Fischer-Baum
http://deadspin.com/5981692/what-was-the-best-super-bowl-ever-ranking-all-47-games-according-to-watchability?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_facebook&utm_source=deadspin_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow


To figure this out, we used an updated version of our watchability rankings (http://deadspin.com/5973240/what-were-the-most+-and-least+watchable-nfl-games-of-the-year-our-statistical-model-investigates), which measured games on quality of play (for viewers) regardless of the narratives coming into the contest. Each game was scored on a 0-100 scale. Here's the new methodology:


Upset (15 points): Determined by the difference between the final score and the betting line, with a bonus given to true upsets. Super Bowl III, in which Joe Namath led the Jets to a 16-7 win over the Colts despite being 18-point underdogs, gets a perfect 15.
Shootout (25 points): Based on the total points scored, because people like offense. The otherwise terrible Super Bowl XXIX, with 75 points scored in total, gets a perfect 25.
Closeness (50 points): Clearly the most important category. Determined by the worst fourth-quarter point differential faced by the game's eventual winner. Two teams have come back from seven-point deficits in the final quarter to take the title (Baltimore in Super Bowl V, 49ers in Super Bowl XXIII). These games get perfect 50s.
The Wire (10 point): To further reward closeness, 10 points are awarded for the four Super Bowls (1991, 2000, 2002, and 2004) that came down to the game's final, non-Hail Mary/kickoff return play. Games in which the lead changed on the final major drive got a five, and games that were close toward the very end but fizzled out in the last few minutes got a 1. The distribution of 1's is, admittedly, a little subjective.

Based on this methodology, here are the top 12 Super Bowls of all time:


http://img.gawkerassets.com/post/11/2013/02/top_12_final-01.png


The chart above raises another question: Are we living in the golden age of the Super Bowl? Below is a graph of the five-year average for Super Bowl watchability, the combined quality of the game for each year, the two years prior, and the two years post:

http://img.gawkerassets.com/post/11/2013/02/5-year_average-01_1.png



Sure enough, after a rough period from 1993 to 1997, the Super Bowl has gotten more and more watchable (per our metric). However, since our rankings place Super Bowl XLII (2008) just ahead of this year's game, by our measurement the very best five-year stretch of Super Bowls was 2008-2012. The worst period was 1984-1988, when the Raiders, 49ers, Bears, Giants, and Redskins won in five consecutive blowouts.

You can check out detailed results here (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtbVFuETRQojdDF6YldZNGYxZnJpRXhON05jbHg4WEE&usp=sharing). Full rankings below:
<table class="tableizer-table"><tbody><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"> <th>Rank</th> <th>Bowl</th> <th>Year</th> <th>Winner</th> <th>Loser</th> <th>Upset</th> <th>Score</th> <th>Close</th> <th>Wire</th> <th>
</th> <th>Total</th> </tr> <tr> <td>1</td> <td>XXXVIII</td> <td>2004</td> <td>New England 32</td> <td>Carolina 29</td> <td>7</td> <td>19</td> <td>40</td> <td>10</td> <td>
</td> <td>76</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2</td> <td>XXV</td> <td>1991</td> <td>N.Y. Giants 20</td> <td>Buffalo 19</td> <td>10</td> <td>8</td> <td>42</td> <td>10</td> <td>
</td> <td>70</td> </tr> <tr> <td>3</td> <td>XXXVI</td> <td>2002</td> <td>New England 20</td> <td>St. Louis 17</td> <td>13</td> <td>7</td> <td>39</td> <td>10</td> <td>
</td> <td>69</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4</td> <td>XLIII</td> <td>2009</td> <td>Pittsburgh 27</td> <td>Arizona 23</td> <td>7</td> <td>13</td> <td>44</td> <td>5</td> <td>
</td> <td>69</td> </tr> <tr> <td>5</td> <td>XXIII</td> <td>1989</td> <td>San Francisco 20</td> <td>Cincinnati 16</td> <td>7</td> <td>7</td> <td>50</td> <td>5</td> <td>
</td> <td>69</td> </tr> <tr> <td>6</td> <td>XXXII</td> <td>1998</td> <td>Denver 31</td> <td>Green Bay 24</td> <td>12</td> <td>16</td> <td>39</td> <td>1</td> <td>
</td> <td>67</td> </tr> <tr> <td>7</td> <td>XLII</td> <td>2008</td> <td>N.Y. Giants 17</td> <td>New England 14</td> <td>12</td> <td>5</td> <td>45</td> <td>5</td> <td>
</td> <td>67</td> </tr> <tr> <td>8</td> <td>XLVII</td> <td>2013</td> <td>Baltimore 34</td> <td>San Francisco 31</td> <td>8</td> <td>20</td> <td>35</td> <td>1</td> <td>
</td> <td>65</td> </tr> <tr> <td>9</td> <td>XVII</td> <td>1983</td> <td>Washington 27</td> <td>Miami 17</td> <td>8</td> <td>11</td> <td>45</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>63</td> </tr> <tr> <td>10</td> <td>XXXIV</td> <td>2000</td> <td>St. Louis 23</td> <td>Tennessee 16</td> <td>6</td> <td>8</td> <td>39</td> <td>10</td> <td>
</td> <td>63</td> </tr> <tr> <td>11</td> <td>XLVI</td> <td>2012</td> <td>N.Y. Giants 21</td> <td>New England 17</td> <td>7</td> <td>8</td> <td>42</td> <td>5</td> <td>
</td> <td>62</td> </tr> <tr> <td>12</td> <td>XLIV</td> <td>2010</td> <td>New Orleans 31</td> <td>Indianapolis 17</td> <td>9</td> <td>13</td> <td>40</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>61</td> </tr> <tr> <td>13</td> <td>XIV</td> <td>1980</td> <td>Pittsburgh 31</td> <td>L.A. Rams 19</td> <td>6</td> <td>13</td> <td>42</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>61</td> </tr> <tr> <td>14</td> <td>V</td> <td>1971</td> <td>Baltimore 16</td> <td>Dallas 13</td> <td>6</td> <td>4</td> <td>50</td> <td>1</td> <td>
</td> <td>61</td> </tr> <tr> <td>15</td> <td>X</td> <td>1976</td> <td>Pittsburgh 21</td> <td>Dallas 17</td> <td>7</td> <td>8</td> <td>44</td> <td>1</td> <td>
</td> <td>59</td> </tr> <tr> <td>16</td> <td>XIII</td> <td>1979</td> <td>Pittsburgh 35</td> <td>Dallas 31</td> <td>6</td> <td>21</td> <td>32</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>59</td> </tr> <tr> <td>17</td> <td>XXXIX</td> <td>2005</td> <td>New England 24</td> <td>Philadelphia 21</td> <td>7</td> <td>11</td> <td>39</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>57</td> </tr> <tr> <td>18</td> <td>XLV</td> <td>2011</td> <td>Green Bay 31</td> <td>Pittsburgh 25</td> <td>5</td> <td>16</td> <td>34</td> <td>1</td> <td>
</td> <td>56</td> </tr> <tr> <td>19</td> <td>XXX</td> <td>1996</td> <td>Dallas 27</td> <td>Pittsburgh 17</td> <td>7</td> <td>11</td> <td>34</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>52</td> </tr> <tr> <td>20</td> <td>XXXVII</td> <td>2003</td> <td>Tampa Bay 48</td> <td>Oakland 21</td> <td>8</td> <td>22</td> <td>18</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>48</td> </tr> <tr> <td>21</td> <td>XVI</td> <td>1982</td> <td>San Francisco 26</td> <td>Cincinnati 21</td> <td>5</td> <td>12</td> <td>31</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>48</td> </tr> <tr> <td>22</td> <td>XLI</td> <td>2007</td> <td>Indianapolis 29</td> <td>Chicago 17</td> <td>5</td> <td>12</td> <td>31</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>47</td> </tr> <tr> <td>23</td> <td>XXVIII</td> <td>1994</td> <td>Dallas 30</td> <td>Buffalo 13</td> <td>5</td> <td>10</td> <td>27</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>42</td> </tr> <tr> <td>24</td> <td>XL</td> <td>2006</td> <td>Pittsburgh 21</td> <td>Seattle 10</td> <td>4</td> <td>5</td> <td>32</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>41</td> </tr> <tr> <td>25</td> <td>XXVI</td> <td>1992</td> <td>Washington 37</td> <td>Buffalo 24</td> <td>5</td> <td>19</td> <td>18</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>41</td> </tr> <tr> <td>26</td> <td>XXXIII</td> <td>1999</td> <td>Denver 34</td> <td>Atlanta 19</td> <td>4</td> <td>15</td> <td>21</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>40</td> </tr> <tr> <td>27</td> <td>IX</td> <td>1975</td> <td>Pittsburgh 16</td> <td>Minnesota 6</td> <td>4</td> <td>0</td> <td>34</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>39</td> </tr> <tr> <td>28</td> <td>XXXI</td> <td>1997</td> <td>Green Bay 35</td> <td>New England 21</td> <td>6</td> <td>16</td> <td>16</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>38</td> </tr> <tr> <td>29</td> <td>XXVII</td> <td>1993</td> <td>Dallas 52</td> <td>Buffalo 17</td> <td>0</td> <td>22</td> <td>16</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>38</td> </tr> <tr> <td>30</td> <td>XXI</td> <td>1987</td> <td>N.Y. Giants 39</td> <td>Denver 20</td> <td>4</td> <td>18</td> <td>13</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>34</td> </tr> <tr> <td>31</td> <td>III</td> <td>1969</td> <td>N.Y. Jets 16</td> <td>Baltimore 7</td> <td>15</td> <td>1</td> <td>18</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>34</td> </tr> <tr> <td>32</td> <td>XI</td> <td>1977</td> <td>Oakland 32</td> <td>Minnesota 14</td> <td>3</td> <td>12</td> <td>19</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>34</td> </tr> <tr> <td>33</td> <td>XII</td> <td>1978</td> <td>Dallas 27</td> <td>Denver 10</td> <td>3</td> <td>7</td> <td>23</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>33</td> </tr> <tr> <td>34</td> <td>VII</td> <td>1973</td> <td>Miami 14</td> <td>Washington 7</td> <td>5</td> <td>0</td> <td>27</td> <td>1</td> <td>
</td> <td>33</td> </tr> <tr> <td>35</td> <td>XXIX</td> <td>1995</td> <td>San Francisco 49</td> <td>San Diego 26</td> <td>5</td> <td>25</td> <td>2</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>32</td> </tr> <tr> <td>36</td> <td>XV</td> <td>1981</td> <td>Oakland 27</td> <td>Philadelphia 10</td> <td>8</td> <td>7</td> <td>16</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>31</td> </tr> <tr> <td>37</td> <td>IV</td> <td>1970</td> <td>Kansas City 23</td> <td>Minnesota 7</td> <td>12</td> <td>4</td> <td>13</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>29</td> </tr> <tr> <td>38</td> <td>XVIII</td> <td>1984</td> <td>L.A. Raiders 38</td> <td>Washington 9</td> <td>8</td> <td>12</td> <td>8</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>28</td> </tr> <tr> <td>39</td> <td>II</td> <td>1968</td> <td>Green Bay 33</td> <td>Oakland 14</td> <td>5</td> <td>12</td> <td>8</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>25</td> </tr> <tr> <td>40</td> <td>I</td> <td>1967</td> <td>Green Bay 35</td> <td>Kansas City 10</td> <td>3</td> <td>11</td> <td>10</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>24</td> </tr> <tr> <td>41</td> <td>XXII</td> <td>1988</td> <td>Washington 42</td> <td>Denver 10</td> <td>8</td> <td>14</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>22</td> </tr> <tr> <td>42</td> <td>VI</td> <td>1972</td> <td>Dallas 24</td> <td>Miami 3</td> <td>2</td> <td>3</td> <td>16</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>21</td> </tr> <tr> <td>43</td> <td>XXXV</td> <td>2001</td> <td>Baltimore 34</td> <td>N.Y. Giants 7</td> <td>0</td> <td>9</td> <td>11</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>21</td> </tr> <tr> <td>44</td> <td>XXIV</td> <td>1990</td> <td>San Francisco 55</td> <td>Denver 10</td> <td>0</td> <td>20</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>20</td> </tr> <tr> <td>45</td> <td>XIX</td> <td>1985</td> <td>San Francisco 38</td> <td>Miami 16</td> <td>2</td> <td>15</td> <td>3</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>20</td> </tr> <tr> <td>46</td> <td>VIII</td> <td>1974</td> <td>Miami 24</td> <td>Minnesota 7</td> <td>4</td> <td>5</td> <td>11</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>19</td> </tr> <tr> <td>47</td> <td>XX</td> <td>1986</td> <td>Chicago 46</td> <td>New England 10</td> <td>0</td> <td>16</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>
</td> <td>16</td></tr></tbody></table>

[listopencil]

They also have an interesting article about "watchability" of games during the regular season, with some nice charts and breakdowns. ESPN is ranked as the least watchable network showing football, which I agree with:

http://deadspin.com/5973240/what-were-the-most+-and-least+watchable-nfl-games-of-the-year-our-statistical-model-investigates

[gochiefss]

that rams-titans game was pretty awesome.

[listopencil]

that rams-titans game was pretty awesome.

If Deadspin's method has credence it lends validity to rules changes (etc.) that the NFL has been going through for the last 10 years or so.

[Deberg_1990]

So we sucked even in our Super Bowl appearances.....

[listopencil]

So we sucked even in our Super Bowl appearances.....

I'm not shedding tears for you. We have two losses that rank below your win.


Upon Edit: Those two losses even rank below your loss.

[-King-]

Yeah, the Patriots Panthers superbowl has been my favorite game to re-watch for some time.

[Frosty]

I would rank SB XLIV higher. It's always fun to watch Peyton Manning choke. :)

[listopencil]

Here's the chart sorting 2012 games by network. They used a similar ranking system on all of the regular season games, and then credited each network based on the "watchability" of the games that they broadcasted:

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18ahuuwky241bpng/original.png

That's from the other article at: http://deadspin.com/5973240/what-were-the-most+-and-least+watchable-nfl-games-of-the-year-our-statistical-model-investigates

[CrazyPhuD]

Wooo Woooo the chiefs have been involved in two of the 10 least watchable superbowls!!! No wonder we haven't been invited back since! :cuss:

[KCrockaholic]

I wouldn't put 2004 over the Steelers/Cardinals or Steelers/Packers. Both epic games.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

XXIII was the first Super Bowl I ever watched, and, to me, still the best.

[Deberg_1990]

Don't get why 1983 wash/Miami is rated so high? Doesn't seem like anything special and you don't hear it talked about much?
Posted via Mobile Device

[COchief]

The 49ers defeated the Bengals by the score of 20–16, winning their third ever Super Bowl. The game was played on January 22, 1989 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami was the first Super Bowl I ever watched, and, to me, still the best.

To save everyone else the hassle.

[chiefzilla1501]

Appreciate the attempt, but seriously flawed.

The Ravens / 49ers game was only close because of the final outcome. The majority of the game, it felt like a blowout and the game was out of reach. Does a few minutes of drama late in the game make up for 3.5 games + blackout of a game that looked horribly lopsided?

[chefsos]

Don't get why 1983 wash/Miami is rated so high? Doesn't seem like anything special and you don't hear it talked about much?
Posted via Mobile DeviceI only remember one play from that one, and it's Riggins busting a 40 some-odd yard TD run on 4th down. I guess it was late in the game.

[chefsos]

If you vaporized the '70s Vikings, '80s Broncos, and '90s Bills (which is not a bad idea come to think of it) there would have been a few more watchable SBs.

[Bump]

that rams-titans game was pretty awesome.

ya it was. "The Tackle"

that was badass.

[Nzoner]

I only remember one play from that one, and it's Riggins busting a 40 some-odd yard TD run on 4th down. I guess it was late in the game.

Yep that was ****ing great,4th and 1 ball on the 42 and Riggo runs into history.

Can't embed but you can watch it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tleC3OYByXs