Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

What do you consider the greatest quarterback match-up in a Super Bowl game?

Some HOF QB match-ups that come to mind for me:

Montana - Elway
Montana - Marino
Starr - Dawson
Bradshaw - Staubach
Staubach - Griese
Brady - Mahomes
Brees - P. Manning
Elway - Favre
Rodgers - Roethlisberger

Others?

Bradshaw-Staubach are the only ones to match-up twice besides Aikman-Kelly

Dilfer-Collins had us all excited ... NOT!!

Tarkenton -- Griese
-- Bradshaw
-- Stabler

Brady-Warner ... Brady-Wilson

My first thought in seeing this question was Montana vs. Marino. Not just because of their overall careers but because when they met both had great seasons. I was so excited for that SB. I didn't care who won but was hoping it would be 40-38.

Bradshaw - Staubach because you have two great QBs each going up against two great defenses that year. They both not only played well but put up big numbers and 30+ points each. Both had +100 passer rating against those defenses. Terry had three turnovers and still walked away MVP.

I agree Hickerson66 ... two champions at the top of their game with both going for their third championship. I felt Swann should have been MVP, though Bradshaw shredded my team. Even on a simple screen pass to Stallworth, he weaved right through our secondary. Fans can only wonder how the game would have went if Smith catches the TD pass?

Well, we almost had ourselves a Mark Sanchez/Caleb Hanie Showdown in 2010!

https://profootballresearchers.com/foru ... nie#p47185

74_75_78_79_ wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2026 10:39 am Well, we almost had ourselves a Mark Sanchez/Caleb Hanie Showdown in 2010!

https://profootballresearchers.com/foru ... nie#p47185

How about Tony Eason-Dieter Brock in 1985? If the Rams somehow manage to beat the Bears (50 mph winds in Chicago make for a goofy game?) can they beat the Patriots too? Then Brock wins a SB in his only NFL season?

Though Darnold and Maye are newer, or closer to being "superstar" QBs, I dont believe than there will be any other SB matchups in the future without heralded, star QBs. This league is about maximum tv ratings and just like small market teams winning it all other than GB, Pitts or KC, I dont feel the networks would/will allow it ... Yes, Hurts got his championship over Mahomes but it should have happened in early 2023 as well but the Chiefs took it from them. We will see if Hurts can take his team back to the big dance, though many fans consider him to be a star QB ...

Jay Z wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2026 12:17 am

74_75_78_79_ wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2026 10:39 am Well, we almost had ourselves a Mark Sanchez/Caleb Hanie Showdown in 2010!

https://profootballresearchers.com/foru ... nie#p47185

How about Tony Eason-Dieter Brock in 1985? If the Rams somehow manage to beat the Bears (50 mph winds in Chicago make for a goofy game?) can they beat the Patriots too? Then Brock wins a SB in his only NFL season?

Fans of the '85 Bears always point out how well they played in the post-season. I remind them that they faced Dieter Brock and Tony Eason as opposing quarterbacks. Not quite the same as having to face Bert Jones, Ken Stabler and Roger Staubach in the post-season.

saturdaysarebetter wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2026 2:44 pm

Jay Z wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2026 12:17 am

74_75_78_79_ wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2026 10:39 am Well, we almost had ourselves a Mark Sanchez/Caleb Hanie Showdown in 2010!

https://profootballresearchers.com/foru ... nie#p47185

How about Tony Eason-Dieter Brock in 1985? If the Rams somehow manage to beat the Bears (50 mph winds in Chicago make for a goofy game?) can they beat the Patriots too? Then Brock wins a SB in his only NFL season?

Fans of the '85 Bears always point out how well they played in the post-season. I remind them that they faced Dieter Brock and Tony Eason as opposing quarterbacks. Not quite the same as having to face Bert Jones, Ken Stabler and Roger Staubach in the post-season.

Going into that year’s conference championship Sunday, most people were wanting a Bears/Dolphins rematch; Bears/Raiders likely the second choice though, IMO, it would have been lopsided, especially if Marc was Raiders’ QB.

However, IMO, I think the best actual game would have been Patriots and Rams! Very competitive to the very end, I think, that would have been. I’m torn as far as thinking who would have actually won it.

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Now as for ‘best’ as the title of this thread asks, mine - being biased - is Bradshaw/Staubach!

But even if I weren’t a fan of either team, or ’70s NFL, that would be a legit #1 choice!

If we’re talking pre-SB (League Championship Games), then of course it’s BAUGH/LUCKMAN (and Graham/Layne)!