Top Things on Battle in the Desert

The NFL is again bringing the Super Bowl back to Arizona for Super Bowl LVII in Phoenix. When it comes to Super Bowl stats, there is proof that how the games have fared during the planning stages has been a mixed bag. The state's first Super Bowl ever played was plagued by political controversy.  

After getting through the initial game in the mid-1990s, the Super Bowl didn't return to Arizona until 2008. The Cardinals hope they can become the third team to win the Super Bowl in their home stadium in as many seasons. But with the big game far into the distance still, here's a look at Arizona's history with the Super Bowl.

Top Things on Battle in the Desert

No Holiday, No Super Bowl

Arizona's politicians were put on the hot seat after Temple was chosen as the site for Super Bowl XXVII on March 13, 1990. However, the state refused to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. day as a national holiday. 

This led to a massive amount of pressure being applied to the state from groups, advertisers, and votes. Arizona voters would become the last state to recognize the holiday in 1992.

Once residents accepted the holiday, Arizona's original bid became the place where Super Bowl XXX would be contested following the 1995 season. 

The game, which would be played at Sun Devil Stadium, is still the last Super Bowl to have been played on a college campus.

Super Bowl XXX Brings Back Old Rivals

The Steelers and Cowboys had two legendary meetings in the 1970s, with Pittsburgh topping Dallas in Super Bowl X and XIII on the way to the Steelers winning four championships in six years to earn the team of the decade total. The third meeting between the teams in Super Bowl XXX didn't quite have the same muster.

Dallas was in a stretch of three Super Bowls in four years, but Pittsburgh had gutted its way to an appearance in the Super Bowl behind a strong defense and solid quarterback play from Neil O'Donnell. The game would end with a 27-17 Cowboys victory. Defensive back Larry Brown grabbed two second-half interceptions to be named MVP.

Pop the Champagne

The next Super Bowl in Arizona may be one of the most memorable games in the event's history. New England saw its 18-0 record go up in smoke thanks to a strong defensive performance from New York. The Patriots had been looking to punish the rest of the league following the Spygate controversy and had dominated the regular season.

But a juggernaut team -- led by a prime Tom Brady and revitalized Randy Moss -- saw their offense appear flat down the stretch. The Giants scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to come from behind and win 17-14. 

New York wide receiver David Tyree hauled in an improbable catch by trapping the ball on the side of his helmet on what turned out to be the game-winning drive.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning would find Plaxico Burress on a 13-yard pass with 35 seconds remaining to put New York ahead.

Another Thriller

Super Bowl XLIX appeared to be the coronation of the Legion of Boom and Seattle Seahawks' defense as one of the all-time great units. But the Seahawks wilted in the desert, losing on a bizarre goal-line play late in the fourth quarter, which will leave this as the Super Bowl that may feature the most dubious coaching decision in the game's history.

New England went ahead for good, 28-24, on a 3-yard touchdown reception by Julian Edelman from Brady. The Patriots, who trailed 24-14 entering the fourth quarter, were then forced to dig in on offense. Russell Wilson marched the Seahawks down the field, completing a long pass to Jermaine Kearse that set Seattle up inside the five.

After a run with Marshawn Lynch on first down, the Seahawks decided to take a chance. Seattle ran a quick route for Kearse that was intercepted by New England cornerback Malcolm Butler on the goal. 

The Patriots were able to use the momentum from the win to rebuild their dynasty. Seattle was left wondering what could have been.