Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive backs will likely be targeted dozens of times by the top quarterbacks in the NFL – Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady.
If their Week 12 matchup is any indication of what’s to come in Super Bowl LV, then the cornerbacks and safeties will be on their toes and looking to become difference-makers in the game.
Tyrann Mathieu led the Chiefs in interceptions during the season with six. Daniel Sorensen and L’Jarius Senad had three each.
On the Buccaneers’ side, Carlton Davis was the cornerback to watch. He had four interceptions during the season. Cornerback Jamel Dean was the only Tampa Bay player to return an interception for a touchdown in 2020.
Dexter Jackson, a former Buccaneers player, had two interceptions in Tampa Bay’s last Super Bowl win. He was named MVP of that game.
Several players have recorded two interceptions in a Super Bowl including, Randy Beverly, Barry Wilburn, Brad Edwards, Thomas Everett, Larry Brown, Darrien Gordon and Dwight Smith. The others are listed below.
Only one has had three interceptions – a Super Bowl single-game record.
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2). CHUCK HOWLEY, SUPER BOWL V
Chuck Howley and the Dallas Cowboys didn’t win Super Bowl V against the Baltimore Colts, but he still came away with some hardware. Howley was the first player to win a Super Bowl MVP on a losing team and the first defensive player to win the award.
Howley finished the game with two interceptions. He tied New York Jets defensive back Randy Beverly for the Super Bowl record at the time.
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2). JAKE SCOTT, SUPER BOWL VII
Miami Dolphins defensive back Jake Scott would put his name in the record books in Super Bowl VII. Scott and the Dolphins defeated the Washington Redskins, 14-7, and complete the NFL’s only undefeated season.
Scott had two interceptions in the game, including one with a 55-yard return in the fourth quarter which set up Miami’s game-winning score.
He was named Super Bowl MVP.
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2). RODNEY HARRISON, SUPER BOWL XXXIX
Rodney Harrison had a solid performance for the New England Patriots against the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl XXXIX. Harrison, one of the league’s best defensive backs, picked Donovan McNabb off twice in the game. He also had 12 total tackles.
New England edged out Philadelphia in the game, 24-21. Deion Branch was awarded Super Bowl MVP.
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2). DEXTER JACKSON, SUPER BOWL XXXVII
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had an all-around great performance in Super Bowl XXXVII against the Oakland Raiders. The 48-21 victory was mostly driven by the defense with Dexter Jackson securing the Super Bowl MVP award at the end.
Jackson had two interceptions and six tackles in the game. Dwight Smith had two interceptions with one returned for a touchdown. Derrick Brooks also had a pick-six of his own.
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1). ROD MARTIN, SUPER BOWL XV
Raiders linebacker Rod Martin was the unsung hero of the team’s Super Bowl XV win over the Eagles.
Martin, a future two-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro, picked Ron Jaworski off three times setting a Super Bowl record that has yet to be broken.
However, he did not come away with the MVP. Jim Plunkett won the award with his three touchdown passes.