20 Super Bowl Matchups Where The Underdog Prevailed... Or Got Blown Out
Unexpected but deserving, here are the Super Bowl wins you can't forget.
- Cyra Sanchez
- 6 min read
Super Bowl history features some incredible underdog championship victories where teams prevailed against all odds. Iconic upsets, such as the New York Giants’ victory against the undefeated Patriots, show that anything can happen. These victories are powerful reminders of perseverence and grit on the biggest stage.
1. Super Bowl III (1969): New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts
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Joe Namath not only talked the talk, he walked the walk, guaranteeing a victory against a heavily favored Colts team. The Jets backed up the talk, stunning the football world with a 16-7 victory. This upset confirmed that the AFL had earned a place on pro football’s same stage as the NFL, altering pro football forever.
2. Super Bowl IV (1970): Kansas City Chiefs vs. Minnesota Vikings
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The Chiefs were unlikely winning against the Vikings, who were ransacking the NFL that season. However, Kansas City’s defense and Len Dawson’s collected leadership carried the day in a 23-7 victory. This win legitimized AFL and put them out on top for the merger.
3. Super Bowl XXXVI (2002): New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams
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A first-year Tom Brady and a gritty Patriots team took on the dynamic Rams, a.k.a. “The Greatest Show on Turf.” New England’s defense was just enough to slow the Rams, and Adam Vinatieri kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired. This game was the start of the Patriots’ dynasty, and Brady’s legend.
4. Super Bowl XXXII (1998): Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
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John Elway had been to the Super Bowl three times before, but this was the one his underdog Broncos finally broke through. Denver shocked the defending champion Packers, 31-24, behind an overpowering running game. That win snapped the AFC’s 13-year Super Bowl drought and gave Elway his much-coveted ring.
5. Super Bowl XLII (2008): New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
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The underdog Giants had other ideas with the Patriots chasing perfection at 18-0. David Tyree’s “Helmet Catch” — one of the most incredible plays in any sport ever, set up the game-winning touchdown. The Giants’ victory, 17-14, was not only a perfect season’s spoil but also an all-time classic.
6. Super Bowl XXV (1991): New York Giants vs. Buffalo Bills
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Buffalo’s high-octane offense appeared, and the Giants ran a masterclass in ball possession. The game ended dramatically when Buffalo kicker Scott Norwood’s 47-year attempt sailed wide right. New York’s 20-19 victory is among the most heartbreaking but thrilling finishes in Super Bowl lore.
7. Super Bowl XXXVII (2003): Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Oakland Raiders
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The perfect defensive game plan was to stop Jon Gruden vs. the Raiders. Tampa Bay’s defense ruled, scoring three touchdowns after picks in a 48-21 rout. This game proved defense wins championships, and this gave the Buccaneers their first-ever NFL Super Bowl win.
8. Super Bowl XXXV (2001): Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants
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The Ravens weren’t supposed to come out on top, but their historically great defense had other plans. In a 34-7 victory, Baltimore created five turnovers while limiting the Giants to just seven points. This game cemented the Ravens as one of the greatest defensive teams of all time.
9. Super Bowl XXII (1988): Washington Redskins vs. Denver Broncos
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Doug Williams made history when he became the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl, but that wasn’t the only time he created history. Washington erupted for 35 points in the second quarter, the most in a single period. The 42-10 victory defied perceptions and secured William’s place in NFL history.
10. Super Bowl XXX (1996): Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Steelers were in the position to surprise the Cowboys, but Dallas made the most of crucial miscues. Two Larry Brown interceptions clinched a 27-17 victory for the Cowboys. It gave Dallas its fifth title, locking its status as the team of the 1990s.
11. Super Bowl XX (1986): Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots
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The Patriots entered as gigantic underdogs to one of the most historically transcendent defenses ever. The Bears’ famed “46 Defense” pulverized New England in a 46-10 drubbing. It was Chicago’s dreadful dominance in this game that made them the ever most fearsome of teams.
12. Super Bowl XLVII (2013): Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers
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The Ravens built a massive lead before the stadium lights literally went out in the third quarter. The 49ers fought back, but Baltimore prevailed, 34-31. This game had its share of drama, from the power outage to Ray Lewis’ farewell championship moment.
13. Super Bowl XXXIV (2000): St. Louis Rams vs. Tennessee Titans
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The Titans drive was a long one and gave them a chance to tie the game, but Kevin Dyson was tackled one yard shy of the end zone. The Rams’ 23-16 victory gave life to “The Greatest Show on Turf” and an iconic Super Bowl finish. This game is still remembered for its heart-stopping final moments.
14. Super Bowl XLVIII (2014): Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos
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Peyton Manning’s record-setting Broncos offense was supposed to roll, but Seattle had different ideas. Behind the “Legion of Boom,” the Seahawks defense annihilated Denver 43-8 in one of the most lopsided Super Bowl wins in history. This game put Seattle on the map and demonstrated just how dominant defense can be.
15. Super Bowl XXIX (1995): San Francisco 49ers vs. San Diego Chargers
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San Diego was a significant underdog, but their dreams ended early. Led by Steve Young, the 49ers ripped apart the Chargers, 49-26. This game showed that the favorites can, occasionally, actually be dominant.
16. Super Bowl XLVI (2012): New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
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Four years after their first Super Bowl upset, the Giants met the Patriots in another Super Bowl thriller. By that time, Eli Manning had once again led a game-winning drive; this one leading to a 21–17 victory. The game cemented Manning’s legacy as the greatest clutch quarterback.
17. Super Bowl XXIII (1989): San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
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The Bengals were minutes away from the game’s big upset, but Joe Montana orchestrated a legendary 92-yard drive that culminated with a game-winning touchdown to John Taylor. This game only solidified Montana’s argument as the greatest clutch quarterback in history.
18. Super Bowl LII (2018): Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots
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The Eagles, with backup QB Nick Foles under center, weren’t supposed to take down the Patriots, but Foles’ performance was magical, featuring the unforgettable trick play known as the “Philly Special.” Philadelphia’s win, 41-33, gave the city its first Super Bowl title.
19. Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004): New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers
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The Panthers started as underdogs, but they took the Patriots to the limit. This was another Adam Vinatieri game-winning field goal scenario in a back-and-forth game. This thriller showed Carolina was the worthy foe, underdog or not.
20. Super Bowl XLIV (2010): New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts
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The Saints, who had long been an afterthought in the NFL, were getting their chance. A daring second-half onside kick call propelled New Orleans to a 31-17 victory. It was more than football, it was victory. It was a reminder of the city’s resurgence after Hurricane Katrina.