Ranking The Super Bowls, #29: Super Bowl XIX

(photo credit: sportscult.org)

Super Bowl XIX saw the San Francisco 49ers defeat the Miami Dolphins 38-16 on Jan. 20, 1985 at Stanford Stadium.

This Super Bowl matchup featured two of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. The 49ers were led by Hall of Famer Joe Montana, and the Dolphins were led by Hall of Famer Dan Marino.

After posting a 14-2 regular season record, the Dolphins were playing in their fifth Super Bowl in team history. Whereas the 49ers were making only their second Super Bowl appearance after completing a remarkable regular season in which they finished with a record of 15-1.

In 1984, Dan Marino became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 5,000 yards (5,084) in a season. The former Pittsburgh Panthers standout also shattered the NFL record for touchdown passes in a season with 48, he also set NFL records with 362 completions, as well as four 400-yard games. Marino also led the NFL in pass attempts, yards per completion and efficiency rating.

The 49ers, however, weren't your average team. Their fifteen regular season victories were an NFL record at the time, but there was a real sense of excitement that surrounded the Dolphins which seemed to over shadow the 49ers accomplishments.

As far as the game, the Dolphins held a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, which at the time was the most points scored by two teams in the opening quarter of a Super Bowl. In the second quarter, the 49ers used great field position to help them take a 28-16 lead heading into halftime.

The 49ers running back, Roger Craig, would set a Super Bowl record by scoring three touchdowns on receptions of eight and sixteen yards, as well as a two-yard touchdown run.

The 49ers quarterback, Joe Montana, was voted MVP of Super Bowl XIX, joining Green Bay Packers quarterback, Bart Starr and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Terry Bradshaw as the only two-time Super Bowl MVP's at the time. Montana completed 24-of-35 passes for a Super Bowl record 331 yards passing and three touchdowns. The former Notre Dame star also had 59 yards rushing on five carries with a six-yard touchdown run.

Roger Craig had 58 yards rushing on fifteen carriers and seven catches for 77 yards with three touchdowns. Wendall Tyler also added 65 yards rushing on thirteen carriers, as well as 70 yards receiving on four catches. Tight end Dwight Clark had 77 yards receiving on six catches, and Russ Francis had five catches for 60 yards.