The best man doesn’t always win Super Bowl MVP.
Sometimes, reputation proceeds on-field performance, lifting the esteem of a star player in the eyes of NFL award voters. Every now and then, the selection for Super Bowl MVP appears completely illogical, ignoring cold, hard stats in favor of popular opinion.

Regardless for the reason for the snub, the most overrated MVPs always leaves a more worthy player out of the spotlight. Winning the Super Bowl is enough to cement the career of any gridiron combatant, but those who actually deserved the MVP should still be respected.

5. Malcolm Smith

Super Bowl XLVIII – Seattle Seahawks

Incredibly, the Broncos were favored to win Super Bowl XLVIII, but the game quickly spiraled out of control due to the Seahawks overwhelming defense. Seattle kicked off the big game with a safety and didn’t look back, winning by a ridiculous 43-8 margin. Malcolm Smith’s big play was a 69-yard pick six which put the game beyond reach. He also recovered a fumble which stymied any momentum the Broncos hoped to create.

Smith clearly had a strong game, but the most influential member of the defense was Kam Chancellor. Kam’s a founding member of the Legion Of Boom, and he completely dominated Manning and the Broncos as a strong safety. Chancellor also picked a pass from Manning, adding ten tackles to lead one of the best defenses in NFL history into the most lopsided underdog win.

 

4. Dexter Jackson

Super Bowl XXXVII – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 

Dexter Jackson made sure that the Oakland Raiders wouldn’t fulfill their destiny as field goal favorites to win the Super Bowl. Jackson snatched a pair of interceptions for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to contribute to a 48-21 walloping. There wasn’t a convincing performance from the offense, so the MVP rightfully went to the defense.

 

However, Dwight Smith also had a pair of interceptions and returned them for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Considering Smith was the first player to score two pick sixes, Dwight probably should have received the honor.

3. Desmond Howard

Super Bowl XXXI – Green Bay Packers

 

Desmond became the fourth NFL player to follow up a Heisman Trophy win with a Super Bowl MVP nod, but some believe that legendary Packers QB Brett Favre deserved the nod during a 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots in 1997.

 

Howard broke records with his 99-yard TD return and 244 total yards, pulling off his TD run right after New England scored a touchdown. These gaudy numbers impress, but Brett Favre’s pivot play carried the offense most of the game. Brett threw 246 yards and two TDs, earning a terrific 107.9 passer rating. Favre also ran for a touchdown and completed a two-point conversion for the final points of Super Bowl XXXI.

2. Ray Lewis

Super Bowl XXXV – Baltimore Ravens

 

There’s no denying that Ray Lewis was one of the best linebackers in the NFL, named to 13 Pro Bowls and selected seven times as first team all-pro. Ray anchored and inspired the Ravens defense for 17 years, winning a pair of Super Bowls during his career. Lewis also earned the MVP honor for leading the Ravens defense to a 34-7 victory in Super Bowl XXXV.

 

The wrong Lewis was named MVP, because running back Jamal Lewis put together the best performance of the evening. Jamal earned 102 yards on 27 carries, including a 3-yard TD rush to place the game beyond doubt in the fourth quarter. Ray had a good game too, but Jamal lead the offense through consistent gains.

 

1. Tom Brady

Super Bowl XXXVI – New England Patriots

 

Probably the weakest QB performance to win an MVP, Tom passed for only 145 yards during his first Super Bowl win. Seems like observers focused on Brady putting together the final, 53-yard drive to place kicker Adam Vinatieri in position to hit the game-winning field goal. Remaining calm under pressure is laudable, but the Patriots defense won the day by holding the St. Louis Rams offense to 17 points.

 

QB Kurt Warner and RB Marshall Faulk were at their peak, destroying nearly all defenses in their wake. As such, the most deserving of the MVP award was Ty Law. Law broke the ice with a 47-yard pick six, putting New England in the lead during the second quarter. Ty and the rest of the defenders held their ground, ushering in the “Tom Brady” era of the Super Bowl.