The Super Bowl is designed to bring the two best teams together for a showdown, but it doesn’t always play out as expected. History has shown that underdogs often rise to the occasion, delivering shocking upsets that leave fans in awe. As the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles prepare for their rematch in Super Bowl LIX, let’s take a look at some of the most unforgettable underdog victories in Super Bowl history.
1. Super Bowl XXXII: Broncos Upset Packers (-11 Favorites)
- Final Score: Denver Broncos 31, Green Bay Packers 24
- Key Players: John Elway, Terrell Davis
The Packers entered the game as heavy favorites after winning the Super Bowl the previous year, but the Broncos had a determined John Elway, who was still seeking his first Super Bowl win. Elway’s famous “helicopter” run late in the game symbolized his desperation to win, but it was running back Terrell Davis who carried the day. Davis, despite suffering from a migraine mid-game, rushed for 157 yards and scored three touchdowns, helping the Broncos secure the upset. This win ended Elway’s Super Bowl drought and silenced doubters.
2. Super Bowl XXXVI: Patriots Shock the Greatest Show on Turf
- Final Score: New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17
- Spread: Rams (-14 favorites)
- Key Players: Tom Brady, Adam Vinatieri
Before they became a dynasty, the Patriots were massive underdogs facing the powerhouse St. Louis Rams. The Rams, led by MVP Kurt Warner and running back Marshall Faulk, were expected to dominate with their high-flying offense known as the Greatest Show on Turf. However, the Patriots’ defense, coached by Bill Belichick, held the Rams to just 17 points and forced a key pick-six. Tom Brady, then a young quarterback, led the offense efficiently, setting up Adam Vinatieri for a game-winning field goal as time expired. This victory marked the start of the Patriots’ two-decade dominance.
3. Super Bowl IV: Chiefs Upset Vikings (-12 Favorites)
- Final Score: Kansas City Chiefs 23, Minnesota Vikings 7
- Key Players: Len Dawson, Hank Stram
The Chiefs weren’t expected to stand a chance against the dominant Vikings, who had one of the best defenses in the NFL. The general belief at the time was that the NFL was still superior to the AFL, and many saw the Chiefs’ presence in the Super Bowl as a fluke. However, the Chiefs’ defense proved the doubters wrong by forcing six turnovers. Coach Hank Stram famously encouraged his team to “matriculate the ball down the field,” and quarterback Len Dawson led the offense to a decisive victory. This win helped legitimize the AFL and paved the way for the NFL-AFL merger.
4. Super Bowl XLII: Giants Stun the Undefeated Patriots
- Final Score: New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14
- Spread: Patriots (-12 favorites)
- Key Players: Eli Manning, David Tyree
The Patriots entered the game with a perfect 18-0 record and were one win away from completing just the second undefeated season in NFL history. The Giants, on the other hand, were a wild-card team with the fewest Pro Bowl selections of any Super Bowl champion. Despite the odds, the Giants’ defense pressured Tom Brady all game, sacking him five times and limiting the Patriots to just 14 points. In the fourth quarter, Eli Manning led two clutch touchdown drives, with the highlight being David Tyree’s iconic “helmet catch,” which kept the Giants’ final drive alive. This upset is considered one of the greatest in sports history.
5. Super Bowl III: Namath’s Guarantee Comes True
- Final Score: New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 7
- Spread: Colts (-18 favorites)
- Key Players: Joe Namath, Matt Snell
Super Bowl III is remembered for Joe Namath’s bold guarantee that the underdog Jets would beat the heavily favored Colts. At the time, the NFL was considered far superior to the AFL, and the first two Super Bowls had been lopsided victories for the NFL. The Colts, led by quarterback Earl Morrall, were expected to dominate. However, Namath and the Jets shocked the world. The Jets’ defense forced five turnovers, and running back Matt Snell carried the offense with 121 rushing yards and a touchdown. Namath’s confidence and performance earned him Super Bowl MVP honors and helped the AFL gain legitimacy ahead of the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.
What Makes an Underdog Victory So Special?
Super Bowl upsets capture the magic of sports, where preparation, heart, and strategy can overcome even the steepest odds. These iconic moments are etched in NFL history not just because of the final score but because of what they represent—grit, resilience, and the belief that no challenge is too great. As we look ahead to Super Bowl LIX, one can’t help but wonder if another underdog story is about to be written.
