Super Bowl LIX is less than a couple of weeks away, so in preparation for that game, here are my biggest upsets in Super Bowl history.
5. Super Bowl XXXII – Broncos vs. Packers (1998)
The Packers, gunning for their second Super Bowl of the decade, were 11-point favorites over the Broncos, who failed to win a Super Bowl in three attempts with John Elway at QB. However, an excellent performance from Elway and running back Terrell Davis powered Denver to a 31-24 victory.
4. Super Bowl IV – Chiefs vs. Vikings (1970)
The AFL vs. NFL bias was significant in the first four Super Bowls, so the NFL champion Vikings were a 12-point favorite over the AFL champion Chiefs. But Kansas City put a total beatdown on Minnesota, winning 23-7 in the last ever Super Bowl before the two leagues merged.
3. Super Bowl XXXVI – Patriots vs. Rams (2002)
Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk led “The Greatest Show on Turf”, one of the best offenses in NFL history, to a title two years prior, and were now looking for Super Bowl #2. However, a young Tom Brady led the Patriots to a shocking 20-17 victory despite being 14-point underdogs.
2. Super Bowl III – Jets vs. Colts (1969)
“We’re going to win Sunday, I guarantee it.” Bold words from an 18-point underdog Joe Namath. By the numbers, Namath and the Jets produced the biggest upset in Super Bowl history by beating the Baltimore Colts 16-7, and were the catalyst for the eventual AFL-NFL merger.
1. Super Bowl XLII – Giants vs. Patriots (2008)
The undefeated and seemingly unstoppable Patriots were one game away from the first 18-0 season in NFL history. But a dogged Giants defense and clutch Eli Manning stunned the world and defeated the Patriots 17-14 in an all-time Super Bowl upset.
