What If? Super Bowl Single Game Performers!

Welcome to another entry of the What If? Fantasy Football edition. This is where I look back at a season long before fantasy football became prominent among us in our society as I figure how the fantasy numbers would look if the fantasy game existed then. However, this is a special Super Bowl edition of What If? This is where I look back at the best single game performances of America's most popular sporting event. The top performing quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, tight end, kicker, and defenses that totaled the most fantasy points in a single Super Bowl game are featured here. I'm using the default scoring systems for Sporting News and Yahoo! to calculate the point totals.

Here's the point scale for SN(default configuration): 60 points for every touchdown 2 points for every rushing, receiving, and punt return yard gained 1 point for every kickoff return yard gained 2 points for every reception 1 point for every passing yard -10 points for every kickoff return attempt -45 points for lost fumble and interception -2 points for incomplete pass 10 points for PAT -20 points for missed PAT 40 points field goals inside 39 yards -30 points for missed field goals inside 39 yards 60 points for field goals 40-49 yards 80 points for field goals 50+ yards Defense: 200 points minus 10 times points allowed 60 points for defensive touchdown 45 points for fumble recovery and interception 20 points for sacks 45 points for safety Note: Only points scored against a defense are counted.

Here's the point scale for Yahoo!(default configuration): 6 points for every rushing, receiving, and return touchdown 4 points for passing touchdown 1 point for every 10 rushing and receiving yards 1 point for every 25 passing yards 2 points for every two-point conversion -1 point for every interception -2 points for every fumble 3 points for field goal inside 39 yards 4 points for field goal 40-49 yards 5 points for field goal 50+ yards 1 point for PAT Defense: 10 points for shutout 7 points for allowing 1-6 points 4 points for allowing 7-13 points 1 point for allowing 14-20 points 0 points for allowing 21-27 points -1 point for allowing 28-34 points -4 points for allowing 35+ points 1 point for sack 2 points for fumble recovery and interception 2 points for blocked kick 2 points for safety 6 points for defensive touchdown No points are given for receptions or return yardage in the default configuration. No points given for missed PAT in default configuration.

Here were the top single game performers before this year's game in Super Bowl:

Quarterback:

SN: Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX
Yahoo!: Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX
After being in the shadows of Joe Montana, Young put up the best performance from a quarterback in Super Bowl history as the 49ers beat the San Diego Chargers 49-26 to become the first team to win five Super Bowls.

Running backs:

SN: Timmy Smith, Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII
After rushing for only 126 yards in the regular season as a rookie, Smith became the first running back to eclipse 200 rushing yards in a Super Bowl game. He had over 100 rushing yards in the 2nd quarter alone as Washington scored a record 35 points, the most in one quarter of play in Super Bowl history as the Redskins crushed the Broncos 45-10.

Yahoo!: Terrell Davis, Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII
Despite battling migraine headache conditions that kept him out parts of this game, Davis set a Super Bowl record with three rushing touchdowns in the same Super Bowl to help the Broncos finally win their first Super Bowl in their fifth appearance.

Wide receivers:

SN: Ricky Sanders, Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII
As part of a very balanced and efficient offensive effort, Sanders had the second most receiving yards in Super Bowl history along with two touchdowns, an 80-yard and 50-yard catches in the record-breaking 2nd quarter. He also added 44 kickoff return yards, too.

Yahoo!: Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX
For the third time in as many Super Bowls, Rice had over 100 receiving yards in Super Bowl play. This game was his best overall with 149 receiving yards and two touchdowns from Steve Young. He caught at least one touchdown pass in all four Super Bowls, and is arguably the best performer in Super Bowl play. And of course, he's best at his position ever, too.

Tight end:

SN: Dan Ross, Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI
Yahoo!: Dan Ross, Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI
The only person on the list for a losing team, Ross could not be blamed for the Bengals losing. He's the only tight end to have over 100 receiving yards in a Super Bowl game to go along with two touchdowns, and would have no doubt been the MVP had Cincinnati won. Instead, the 49ers dynasty began with their first Super Bowl win.

Kicker:

SN: Don Chandler, Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II
Yahoo!: Don Chandler, Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II
Chandler kicked four field goals(a Super Bowl record that was later tied) and had three extra points as the Packers easily secured back-to-back Super Bowl wins by defeating the Oakland Raiders 33-14. It turned out to be the last Super Bowl win for coaching icon Vince Lombardi, whom the Super Bowl trophy is named after.

Defense:

SN: Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XX
The "46 Zone" defense of the Bears continued their dominating ways in Super Bowl XX as they became the only defense to have at least one defensive touchdown, safety, interception, fumble recovery, and sack in the same game. They held the Patriots to 123 total yards and seven rushing yards(a Super Bowl record).

Yahoo!: Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII
The Buccaneers finally made it to the Super Bowl in 2002, and made the most of it as the defense had three defensive touchdowns including two by safety Dwight Smith. The defense intercepted MVP quarterback Rich Gannon five times in the game as they won 48-21.

Now here are the stats and number for all those that made the What If? Super Bowl Single Game Performers team:

SN points for Steve Young in Super Bowl XXIX: Passing yards: 325 = 325 points Passing touchdowns: 6 = 360 points Incomplete passes: 12 = -24 points Interceptions: 0 = 0 points Rushing yards: 49 = 98 points Rushing touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Receptions: 0 = 0 points Receiving yards: 0 = 0 points Receiving touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Kick returns: 0 = 0 points Kick return yards: 0 = 0 points Punt return yards: 0 = 0 points Kick/Punt return touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Fumbles Lost: 0 = 0 points Total points: 759 points

Yahoo! points for Steve Young in Super Bowl XXIX: Passing yards: 325 = 13 points Passing touchdowns: 6 = 24 points Interceptions: 0 = 0 points Rushing yards: 49 = 4 points Rushing touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Receiving yards: 0 = 0 points Receiving touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Fumbles Lost: 0 = 0 points Total points: 41 points

SN stats for Timmy Smith in Super Bowl XXII: Passing yards: 0 = 0 points Passing touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Incomplete passes: 0 = 0 points Interceptions: 0 = 0 points Rushing yards: 204 = 408 points Rushing touchdowns: 2 = 120 points Receptions: 1 = 2 points Receiving yards: 9 = 18 points Receiving touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Kick returns: 0 = 0 points Kick return yards: 0 = 0 points Punt return yards: 0 = 0 points Kick/Punt return touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Fumbles Lost: 0 = 0 points Total points: 548 points

Yahoo! points for Terrell Davis in Super Bowl XXXII: Passing yards: 0 = 0 points Passing touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Interceptions: 0 = 0 points Rushing yards: 157 = 15 points Rushing touchdowns: 3 = 18 points Receiving yards: 8 = 0 points Receiving touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Fumbles Lost: 0 = 0 points Total points: 33 points

SN Points for Ricky Sanders in Super Bowl XXII: Passing yards: 0 = 0 points Passing touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Incomplete passes: 0 = 0 points Interceptions: 0 = 0 points Rushing yards: -4 = -8 points Rushing touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Receptions: 9 = 18 points Receiving yards: 193 = 386 points Receiving touchdowns: 2 = 120 points Kick returns: 3 = -30 points Kick return yards: 46 = 46 points Punt return yards: 0 = 0 points Kick/Punt return touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Fumbles Lost: 0 = 0 points Total points: 532 points

Yahoo Points for Jerry Rice in Super Bowl XXIX: Passing yards: 0 = 0 points Passing touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Interceptions: 0 = 0 points Rushing yards: 10 = 1 point Rushing touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Receiving yards: 149 = 14 points Receiving touchdowns: 3 = 18 points Fumbles Lost: 0 = 0 points Total points: 33 points

SN Points for Dan Ross in Super Bowl XVI: Passing yards: 0 = 0 points Passing touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Incomplete passes: 0 = 0 points Interceptions: 0 = 0 points Rushing yards: 0 = 0 points Rushing touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Receptions: 11 = 22 points Receiving yards: 104 = 208 points Receiving touchdowns: 2 = 120 points Kick returns: 0 = 0 points Kick return yards: 0 = 0 points Punt return yards: 0 = 0 points Kick/Punt return touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Fumbles Lost: 0 = 0 points Total points: 350 points

Yahoo! Points for Dan Ross in Super Bowl XVI: Passing yards: 0 = 0 points Passing touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Interceptions: 0 = 0 points Rushing yards: 0 = 0 points Rushing touchdowns: 0 = 0 points Receiving yards: 104 = 10 points Receiving touchdowns: 2 = 12 points Fumbles Lost: 0 = 0 points Total points: 22 points

SN Points for Don Chandler in Super Bowl II: PAT: 3 = 30 points Missed PAT: 0 = 0 points Field goals inside 39 yards: 3 = 120 points Field goals 40-49 yards: 1 = 60 points Field goals 50+ yards: 0 = 0 points Total points: 210 points

Yahoo! Points for Don Chandler in Super Bowl II: PAT: 3 = 3 points Field goals inside 39 yards: 3 = 9 points Field goals 40-49 yards: 1 = 4 points Field goals 50+ yards: 0 = 0 points Total points: 16 points

SN Points for Chicago Bears defense in Super Bowl XX: Points Allowed: 10 = 100 points Defensive touchdowns: 1 = 60 points Fumble Recoveries: 4 = 180 points Interceptions: 2 = 90 points Sacks: 7 = 140 points Safeties: 1 = 45 points Total Points: 615 points

Yahoo! Points for Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super XXXVII: Points Allowed: 21 = 0 points Defensive Touchdowns: 3 = 18 points Fumble Recoveries: 0 = 0 points Interceptions: 5 = 10 points Blocked kicks: 0 = 0 points Sacks: 5 = 5 points Safeties: 0 = 0 points Total Points: 33 points

With the offenses in the game for this year's Super Bowl, some records may possibly be broken. Coming before that match-up will be my all-time Super Bowl Performers team based on total fantasy points scored. Thanks for reading!

Past What If? Fantasy Football posts:
Walter Payton's 1977 season
Gale Sayers' 1965 season
Eric Dickerson's 1983 season
Jim Brown's 1963 season
Dan Marino's 1984 season
Jerry Rice's 1987 season
O.J. Simpson's 1975 season
Johnny Unitas' 1959 season
Sid Luckman's 1943 season
Sammy Baugh's 1947 season
Beattie Feathers' 1934 season
Charley Hennigan's 1961 season
Timmy Brown's 1963 season
Rolland Lawrence's 1977 season
Dan Fouts' 1981 season
Earl Campbell's 1980 season
Bronko Nagurski's 1934 season
Randall Cunningham's 1990 season
Y.A. Tittle's 1963 season

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