SANTA CLARA — The Super Bowl is coming to the Bay Area for the third time to mark its 60th edition. Neither of the first two games was overly competitive, although the local populace had no problem with the result of the first one.
On Jan, 20, 1985, the 49ers won their second Lombardi Trophy with a resounding 38-16 win over the Miami Dolphins at Stanford Stadium. Ten years ago, on Feb. 7, the Denver Broncos won their third with a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium.
The Super Bowl returns to Levi’s Sunday when the Seattle Seahawks (16-3) face the New England Patriots (17-3) (NBC, 3:30 p.m.).
Here’s a look at the first two Bay Area Super Bowls:
Super Bowl 19
49ers 38, Miami Dolphins 16
Site: Stanford Stadium
Attendance: 84,059
The 49ers were the first NFL team to win 15 regular-season games, losing just once, and were 3 1/2-point favorites but much of the pregame focus was on whether their defense could deal with a prolific Miami passing offense led by second-year quarterback Dan Marino, the league’s Most Valuable Player. Marino had set NFL passing records with 5,084 yards passing and 48 touchdowns in the regular season. But the 49ers sacked Marino four times and the best player on the field was 49ers quarterback Joe Montana, who completed 24 of 35 passes for 331 yards and added 59 yards on five scrambles. Roger Craig had 58 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown and caught seven passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns. The 49ers finished 18-1 under coach Bill Walsh, who won his second of three Super Bowls.
MVP: Joe Montana
How 49ers got there: Beat New York Giants 21-10 in divisional round at Candlestick Park; beat Chicago Bears 23-0 in NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park.
How Dolphins got there: Beat Seattle Seahawks 31-10 in divisional round at home; beat Pittsburgh Steelers 45-29 in AFC Championship Game at home.
Super Bowl 50
Denver Broncos 24, Carolina Panthers 10
Site: Levi’s Stadium
Attendance: 71,088
Denver rode its defense to victory in the final game for quarterback Peyton Manning, who mostly served as a game manager with edge rusher Von Miller forcing a pair of fumbles to go along with six tackles and 2 1/2 sacks. Cam Newton, the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, was frustrated the entire game and at one point appeared to have little interest in chasing a fumble in his own territory. It was the third Super Bowl win for Denver and the first for coach Gary Kubiak. The Broncos’ first two titles were won by Mike Shanahan. Manning was 13 of 23 for 141 yards and an interception. The teams combined to go 4-for-29 on third downs.
MVP: Von Miller
How Denver got there: Beat Pittsburgh 23-16 at home in divisional round; beat New England 20-18 at home in AFC Championship Game.
How Carolina got there: Beat Seattle 31-24 at home in divisional round; beat Arizona 49-15 in NFC Championship Game at home.
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