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10 best defensive performances in Super Bowl history
Cornerback Larry Brown had a career game in Super Bowl XXX, winning MVP for the Dallas Cowboys. Joseph Patronite/Getty Images

10 best defensive performances in Super Bowl history

In a league where “defense wins championships,” it’s amazing how seldom defensive players are truly recognized on the grandest stage of American sports: the Super Bowl.

Typically speaking, a player on the offensive side of the football makes all the headlines and takes home the MVP award, but every few years it’s a defensive player who stands out most in the Super Bowl.

They may not have always won MVP, but it’s still well worth taking the time to recognize 10 of the greatest individual defensive performances in Super Bowl history.

1) Malcolm Smith, Super Bowl XLVIII

The most recent defensive player to win Super Bowl MVP, former Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith put the exclamation point on the Seahawks' 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. Smith recorded six tackles, recovered one fumble and had an interception return for a touchdown that sealed the game for Seattle. Smith is now a starter for the Oakland Raiders.

2) Jake Scott, Super Bowl VII

One of the more underrated defensive players in Miami Dolphins history, safety Jake Scott played one his best career games in Super Bowl VII against the Redskins. Scott had two huge interceptions, including one in the red zone that maintained the Dolphins' 14-7 win, the score they won by. For his efforts, Scott was named Super Bowl MVP.

3) Rod Martin, Super Bowl XV

Although quarterback Jim Plunkett took home MVP honors, Raiders linebacker Rod Martin was equally deserving of the award for his play in Super Bowl XV. Martin picked off Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski a Super Bowl record three times, as the Raiders won 27-10 over Philly. Martin’s three interceptions is a Super Bowl record that stands to this day.

4) Dwight Smith, Super Bowl XXXVII

The Tampa Buccaneers absolutely decimated the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII, blowing them out by the score of 48-21. The Bucs scored three defensive touchdowns, including two from safety Dwight Smith, who picked off Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon twice. The two defensive touchdowns Smith scored are a Super Bowl record.

5) Harvey Martin and Randy White, Super Bowl XII

The only co-MVPs in Super Bowl history, Cowboys defensive linemen Harvey Martin and Randy White were a force not to be trifled with. Marin and White dominated the line of scrimmage against the Broncos in Super Bowl XII and combined for three sacks, as the Cowboys won 27-10.

6) Larry Brown, Super Bowl XXX

Cornerback Larry Brown led the way for the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX, giving them their fifth Super Bowl victory in franchise history and third in four years. Brown picked off two passes from Steelers quarterback Neil O’Donnell, two turnovers that proved to be decisive, as the Cowboys won 27-17. Brown was named Super Bowl MVP but played only 16 more games over the course of his career, retiring in 1998 at age 29.

7) Leonard Marshall, Super Bowl XXI

Super Bowl XXI between the Giants and Broncos is remembered best for the second-half scoring explosion that New York put on the scoreboard. But besides the 30 second-half points the Giants scored, defensive lineman Leonard Marshall quietly had one of the best defensive performances in Super Bowl history. Marshall was a terror for the Broncos offensive line to deal with, sacking John Elway twice, forcing one fumble and shutting down Denver’s rushing attack.

8) Chuck Howley, Super Bowl V

In the Dallas Cowboys' 16-13 loss the to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V, an unusual thing happened: Super Bowl MVP honors went to a player on the losing team. Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley intercepted a pass from both Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas and two-time All-Pro Earl Morrall and forced a fumble. Still, despite the incredible effort from Howley, the Cowboys came up just short.

9) Richard Dent, Super Bowl XX

The 1985 Bears are considered by most football fans to be the greatest team in NFL history. So when they destroyed the New England Patriots 46-10, the result came as a shock to no one. Hall of Fame defensive end Richard Dent took home MVP honors for the Bears that day, as he recorded 1.5 sacks.

10) Rodney Harrison, Super Bowl XXXIX

In another three-point game, the New England Patriots won their third Super Bowl in four years when they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the 39th edition of the big game. Although wide receiver Deion Branch won MVP, the award could have just as easily gone to safety Rodney Harrison. Harrison had one sack and two interceptions, including the pick that sealed the Pats' victory in the final minute of the game, thwarting an Eagles comeback.

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