Cris Collinsworth has been a familiar voice in NFL broadcasting for more than 20 years, and if it feels like he’s always calling a Patriots Super Bowl, well, there’s a good reason for that. His broadcast career has run nearly parallel to the New England Patriots' dynasty years, and as fate-or scheduling-would have it, Collinsworth has found himself in the booth for some of the most iconic Patriots moments on football’s biggest stage.
Let’s break down Collinsworth’s Super Bowl resume and just how intertwined it’s been with the Patriots’ postseason legacy.
Collinsworth’s Super Bowl Broadcasts: A Closer Look
Cris Collinsworth has called five Super Bowls over the course of his broadcasting career. He started on Fox alongside Joe Buck and Troy Aikman before making the move to NBC, where he eventually succeeded the legendary John Madden.
Here’s the rundown of those five Super Bowls:
- Super Bowl 39 (Feb. 6, 2005, Fox): Patriots 24, Eagles 21
- Super Bowl 46 (Feb. 5, 2012, NBC): Giants 21, Patriots 17
- Super Bowl 49 (Feb. 1, 2015, NBC): Patriots 28, Seahawks 24
- Super Bowl 52 (Feb. 4, 2018, NBC): Eagles 41, Patriots 33
- Super Bowl 56 (Feb. 13, 2022, NBC): Rams 23, Bengals 20
Out of those five, four featured the Patriots. That’s no coincidence-it’s a reflection of New England’s dominance during the Brady-Belichick era. And Collinsworth, front and center, has been there to narrate some of the most unforgettable moments in Super Bowl history.
Super Bowl 39: Patriots Edge the Eagles
Collinsworth’s Super Bowl debut came in 2005, and it just so happened to coincide with the Patriots capping off their early-2000s dynasty run. New England took down the Eagles 24-21 in a tightly contested game that saw the Patriots’ defense force three turnovers from Donovan McNabb. Tom Brady, as steady as ever, threw two touchdowns without a pick, while the Patriots built a 10-point cushion in the fourth quarter that proved just enough.
This win marked New England’s third title in four years-a stretch that firmly established them as the team of the decade.
Super Bowl 46: Giants Stun Patriots… Again
Seven years later, Collinsworth was now with NBC and on the mic for one of the most dramatic upsets in Super Bowl history-again involving the Patriots. Super Bowl 46 saw the Giants do the improbable for a second time, taking down New England 21-17.
After falling behind 9-0 early, the Patriots clawed back to take a two-point lead into the fourth quarter. But Eli Manning had one more clutch drive in him, highlighted by a perfect 38-yard sideline strike to Mario Manningham. That throw-threaded between two defenders with the game on the line-was vintage Eli and helped secure the Giants’ fourth Super Bowl title.
Super Bowl 49: The Malcolm Butler Game
This one needs no introduction. Super Bowl 49 wasn’t just a classic-it was the kind of game that defines legacies.
The Patriots trailed the Seahawks by 10 heading into the fourth quarter, but Tom Brady engineered two touchdown drives to give New England a late 28-24 lead. Then came the moment that’s been replayed a thousand times: Malcolm Butler stepping in front of a pass at the goal line to seal the win.
It was a play that stunned the sports world and cemented Butler’s name in Super Bowl lore. Collinsworth, on the call, captured the chaos and disbelief as it unfolded live.
Super Bowl 52: Philly’s Revenge
Collinsworth was also on the mic for the rematch between the Patriots and Eagles in Super Bowl 52, and this time, it was Philadelphia’s turn to hoist the Lombardi.
Behind backup quarterback Nick Foles, the Eagles outgunned New England in a 41-33 shootout. The game was packed with highlights, but none more iconic than the “Philly Special”-a trick play on fourth down that saw Foles catch a touchdown pass just before halftime. It became an instant classic and a defining moment in Eagles franchise history.
Despite Brady throwing for over 500 yards, the Patriots couldn’t keep pace with the Eagles’ relentless offense. It was a rare Super Bowl loss for Brady and Belichick, and another unforgettable chapter Collinsworth helped narrate.
Collinsworth and the Patriots: A Broadcast Bond
Out of five Super Bowls Collinsworth has called, four have featured the Patriots. New England went 2-2 in those games, each one filled with drama, iconic plays, and legacy-defining moments. From the early 2000s dynasty to the wild finishes of the 2010s, Collinsworth’s voice has been there, chronicling the rise, fall, and rebirth of a modern NFL powerhouse.
Whether it was Brady’s brilliance, the heartbreak of near-misses, or the unforgettable moments like Butler’s pick and the Philly Special, Collinsworth has been part of the soundtrack for a generation of Super Bowl memories-especially when New England takes the field.