Call it the Schrödinger’s Hat paradox.
Thousands of caps, T-shirts, sweatshirts and face masks proclaiming the Los Angeles Rams the next Super Bowl champion are sitting in boxes. A parallel pile of merchandise celebrates the victory of the Cincinnati Bengals.
If the Rams take home the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday, all that Bengals gear will instantly become unsellable, at least in the eyes of the NFL. If the Bengals manage to best the Rams in their own house, the Rams kit will transform into wearable lies as soon as the whistle blows. A cat’s life might not be at stake, as in the quantum mechanics thought experiment, but it does present a conundrum to L.A.’s sports retailers.
Either way, a nonprofit called Good360 is expecting a shipment next week.
Since 2015, the Virginia-based organization has been handling the losing team’s Super Bowl swag, doing the same for the NFC and AFC finals and the World Series.
Shari Rudolph, chief marketing officer at Good360, said the process is pretty simple: The NFL sends retailers the address of a Good360 warehouse where they can ship the losing team’s merch; Good360 employees bundle it together, and once they have enough to fill a shipping container they send it overseas in collaboration with nonprofits that distribute it to people who could use free clothes.
Where in the world does it all end up? Rudolph won’t say. “With this donation it’s a bit sensitive, so we don’t disclose the exact locations they go,” Rudolph said. “What I can say is they end up in countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America.”
The NFL specifically asks Good360 to send the stuff abroad, but some inevitably finds its way back. A T-shirt celebrating the Bengals as the champions of 1989’s Super Bowl XXIII, which they lost to the 49ers, was listed this past week on eBay for $10,000.
Jerome Adamstein/Los Angeles Times
A used T-shirt showing an alternate reality ”in which the Cincinnati Bengals beat the San Francisco 49ers in 1989" is priced at $10,000 on eBay.
Rudolph said the total amount of bizarro championship gear is relatively small on the scale of Good360’s total operation, which handled $1.3 billion in donations in 2021. “It tends to be only a few thousand items for each event that are produced ahead of time,” Rudolph said.
Still, enough fans are willing to shell out on site that it makes sense to print a pile of surplus shirts even if half, inevitably, become charitable donations.
Up and down the rest of the Super Bowl merch economy, smaller sellers have found ways around the problem.
BreakingT has built a business out of quick-twitch T-shirt printing, jumping on memes, trends and moments that would be too niche for the big players to capitalize on.
A new shirt might commemorate a game-winning play, said Jamie Mottram, president of BreakingT, but “it could just as easily be Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods having a really emotional moment on the field afterwards that’s going viral.”
The company uses an in-house software tool to track what’s happening on social media with every major pro and college-level team to figure out what’s capturing fans’ attention, then calls on artists to whip up a new design within hours, and goes to the league in question for licensing approval. Then the design goes up online. It’s only once the orders start coming in that printing begins.
The company typically relies on its in-house printing facility in Virginia to produce its wares, but in the case of a true merch emergency across the country, Mottram said he can call on local printers to meet demand. When the Padres hit their “Slam Diego” streak in 2020, “that took off overnight, and we were working with printers in San Diego to get products into the stadium and into the players’ hands, so they all had the shirts at batting practice,” Mottram said.
In the lead-up to the Super Bowl, Mottram said that Bengals gear has been outselling Rams 4 to 1 — “If you’re a Bengals fan, you’re losing your money and your mind right now,” he said — but the company has a number of “if win” orders in place with retailers across the country.
“If the Rams win they take X amount of this design and Y amount of that one, and if the Rams don’t win we just never release that product and tear up the order,” Mottram said. He anticipates that the BreakingT factory will start printing first thing Monday morning and ship out the correct gear to stores overnight so they can capitalize on the moment.
And despite the temptation, he said that the company has never taken the step of printing some product in advance and putting company money on a sportsbook to hedge its investment. “We have definitely talked about doing that exact thing, but we’ve never actually done it.”
BreakingT brings in revenue in the tens of millions, he said, which gives it the ability to ride out some uncertainty. But the small vendors of Los Angeles have a different set of Super Bowl issues to contend with.
A number of federal agencies — Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and Homeland Security Investigations — have said that they are actively pursuing counterfeit vendors “as part of a crackdown on intellectual property rights violation” in Inglewood and the broader Los Angeles area, according to a news release. Last year, the Department of Homeland Security told the media that it had confiscated approximately $44 million in bootleg merchandise ahead of the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers open boxes of counterfeit goods the agency has recovered during a news conference in Los Angeles on Feb. 4, 2022, ahead of Super Bowl LVI.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Mike Ehrmann // Getty Images
Some folks partake in betting on the Super Bowl each year, while others prefer instead to take risks with their bodies on multi-layer dips and hot wings. But whether it’s point spreads or food spreads, Americans gather for the Big Game year after year. Through four hours of what is perennially the most-watched sports event, one thought is inescapable, even for the most casual viewer: Who is supposed to win?
Depending on the sincerity of the question (small talk versus real curiosity), there are always two answers: The first is explaining which team is favored; the second is elaborating by exactly how many points. The latter is most crucial to understanding this forthcoming list of the biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history, because as the point spreads climb higher, so does the improbability of an underdog victory. Starting with one-point underdogs (aka +1), we make our way through the six decades and counting of the most beloved championship game, ultimately reaching the massive 18-point apex.
Bettors typically only care insofar as their point spread is covered—that is, as long as their two-touchdown underdog loses by less than 14, for instance. That doesn’t mean, however, that underdogs don’t often pull off upsets and take the wins outright. Two of these “barking dogs” that come to mind—sorry, New England fans—are the 2008 and 2012 New York Giants, who, in spite of being installed as 2.5-point and 12-point underdogs against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, won both titles.
Using data from Vegas Insider, Stacker curated a gallery of the biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history, ranking them from the lowest to highest point spreads. Which of these famous title games do you remember learning about or hearing through the grapevine, which ones did you live through, and how many did you bet on?
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Mike Ehrmann // Getty Images
Some folks partake in betting on the Super Bowl each year, while others prefer instead to take risks with their bodies on multi-layer dips and hot wings. But whether it’s point spreads or food spreads, Americans gather for the Big Game year after year. Through four hours of what is perennially the most-watched sports event, one thought is inescapable, even for the most casual viewer: Who is supposed to win?
Depending on the sincerity of the question (small talk versus real curiosity), there are always two answers: The first is explaining which team is favored; the second is elaborating by exactly how many points. The latter is most crucial to understanding this forthcoming list of the biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history, because as the point spreads climb higher, so does the improbability of an underdog victory. Starting with one-point underdogs (aka +1), we make our way through the six decades and counting of the most beloved championship game, ultimately reaching the massive 18-point apex.
Bettors typically only care insofar as their point spread is covered—that is, as long as their two-touchdown underdog loses by less than 14, for instance. That doesn’t mean, however, that underdogs don’t often pull off upsets and take the wins outright. Two of these “barking dogs” that come to mind—sorry, New England fans—are the 2008 and 2012 New York Giants, who, in spite of being installed as 2.5-point and 12-point underdogs against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, won both titles.
Using data from Vegas Insider, Stacker curated a gallery of the biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history, ranking them from the lowest to highest point spreads. Which of these famous title games do you remember learning about or hearing through the grapevine, which ones did you live through, and how many did you bet on?
You may also like: History of the NFL from the year you were born
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Kidwiler Collection // Getty Images
- Underdog: Washington Redskins
- Spread: +1
- Score: Miami Dolphins 14, Washington Redskins 7
Don Shula’s undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins handled the 11-3 Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII, 14-7, in Los Angeles. In a mostly defensive game, Miami safety Jake Scott took home MVP honors with two interceptions.
Kidwiler Collection // Getty Images
- Underdog: Washington Redskins
- Spread: +1
- Score: Miami Dolphins 14, Washington Redskins 7
Don Shula’s undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins handled the 11-3 Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII, 14-7, in Los Angeles. In a mostly defensive game, Miami safety Jake Scott took home MVP honors with two interceptions.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Andy Hayt // Getty Images
- Underdog: Cincinnati
- Spread: +1
- Score: San Francisco 26, Cincinnati 21
Though the Joe Montana-led 49ers held a 20-0 halftime lead, they were outscored by the Bengals, 20-6, in the second half, narrowly escaping with a five-point win. Played at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit, Super Bowl XVI marked the first championship in Niners history and their first of four in the decade.
Andy Hayt // Getty Images
- Underdog: Cincinnati
- Spread: +1
- Score: San Francisco 26, Cincinnati 21
Though the Joe Montana-led 49ers held a 20-0 halftime lead, they were outscored by the Bengals, 20-6, in the second half, narrowly escaping with a five-point win. Played at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit, Super Bowl XVI marked the first championship in Niners history and their first of four in the decade.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
- Underdog: San Francisco
- Spread: +1.5
- Score: Kansas City 31, San Francisco 20
QB phenom Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to 21 straight points in the final 6:13 of the game for a dazzling come-from-behind win. Mahomes was named Super Bowl MVP for his performance, leading Kansas City to its first championship since 1970, the year the American and National Football Leagues merged into one league.
Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
- Underdog: San Francisco
- Spread: +1.5
- Score: Kansas City 31, San Francisco 20
QB phenom Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to 21 straight points in the final 6:13 of the game for a dazzling come-from-behind win. Mahomes was named Super Bowl MVP for his performance, leading Kansas City to its first championship since 1970, the year the American and National Football Leagues merged into one league.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Focus On Sport // Getty Images
- Underdog: Dallas Cowboys
- Spread: +2.5
- Score: Baltimore Colts 16, Dallas Cowboys 13
Super Bowl V pitted the Colts against the Cowboys in Miami at the Orange Bowl. Baltimore (-2.5) bettors had to sweat the game out when they trailed 13-6 at the half. But with a 10-0 fourth quarter, the Colts squeaked out the three-point win. Ironically, it was Dallas linebacker Chuck Howley who was awarded MVP after his two picks.
Focus On Sport // Getty Images
- Underdog: Dallas Cowboys
- Spread: +2.5
- Score: Baltimore Colts 16, Dallas Cowboys 13
Super Bowl V pitted the Colts against the Cowboys in Miami at the Orange Bowl. Baltimore (-2.5) bettors had to sweat the game out when they trailed 13-6 at the half. But with a 10-0 fourth quarter, the Colts squeaked out the three-point win. Ironically, it was Dallas linebacker Chuck Howley who was awarded MVP after his two picks.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Jamie Squire // Getty Images
- Underdog: N.Y. Giants
- Spread: +2.5
- Score: N.Y. Giants 21, New England 17
Though the Giants went just 9-7 in the 2011 regular season, they were significantly smaller underdogs (+2.5) in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI than they were four years prior (+12) when they upset the undefeated Patriots. But once again, quarterback Eli Manning outdueled Tom Brady and a 13-win New England side, taking home his second MVP in as many title games.
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Jamie Squire // Getty Images
- Underdog: N.Y. Giants
- Spread: +2.5
- Score: N.Y. Giants 21, New England 17
Though the Giants went just 9-7 in the 2011 regular season, they were significantly smaller underdogs (+2.5) in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI than they were four years prior (+12) when they upset the undefeated Patriots. But once again, quarterback Eli Manning outdueled Tom Brady and a 13-win New England side, taking home his second MVP in as many title games.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Elsa // Getty Images
- Underdog: Seattle Seahawks
- Spread: +2.5
- Score: Seattle 43, Denver 8
As a small underdog, Russell Wilson’s Seattle Seahawks obliterated Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos, 43-8, at MetLife Stadium. The first Super Bowl contested in a cold-weather city was marked by MVP Malcolm Smith’s nine tackles, fumble recovery, and interception-return touchdown.
Elsa // Getty Images
- Underdog: Seattle Seahawks
- Spread: +2.5
- Score: Seattle 43, Denver 8
As a small underdog, Russell Wilson’s Seattle Seahawks obliterated Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos, 43-8, at MetLife Stadium. The first Super Bowl contested in a cold-weather city was marked by MVP Malcolm Smith’s nine tackles, fumble recovery, and interception-return touchdown.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Scott Cunningham // Getty Images
- Underdog: L.A. Rams
- Spread: +2.5
- Score: New England Patriots 13, L.A. Rams 3
The lowest-scoring Super Bowl in history ended undramatically with the Patriots stifling the Rams in Atlanta and hanging on to a late one-touchdown lead that was buoyed by a field goal in the final minutes. Wideout Julian Edelman was named MVP after exploding for 141 yards on 10 catches.
Scott Cunningham // Getty Images
- Underdog: L.A. Rams
- Spread: +2.5
- Score: New England Patriots 13, L.A. Rams 3
The lowest-scoring Super Bowl in history ended undramatically with the Patriots stifling the Rams in Atlanta and hanging on to a late one-touchdown lead that was buoyed by a field goal in the final minutes. Wideout Julian Edelman was named MVP after exploding for 141 yards on 10 catches.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Mike Ehrmann // Getty Images
- Underdog: Tampa Bay
- Spread: +3
- Score: Tampa Bay 31, Kansas City 9
Super Bowl LV was billed as a clash of the top two quarterbacks in the NFL. Tampa’s Tom Brady was already in possession of six Super Bowl rings during his tenure with the New England Patriots, while KC’s Patrick Mahomes came in as the defending Super Bowl champion. The conflation of 10 Kansas City penalties and three Tom Brady touchdown passes resulted in the No. 5 seed Bucs taking the Lombardi Trophy from the No. 2 seed Chiefs. At age 43, Brady also won his fifth Super Bowl MVP trophy.
Mike Ehrmann // Getty Images
- Underdog: Tampa Bay
- Spread: +3
- Score: Tampa Bay 31, Kansas City 9
Super Bowl LV was billed as a clash of the top two quarterbacks in the NFL. Tampa’s Tom Brady was already in possession of six Super Bowl rings during his tenure with the New England Patriots, while KC’s Patrick Mahomes came in as the defending Super Bowl champion. The conflation of 10 Kansas City penalties and three Tom Brady touchdown passes resulted in the No. 5 seed Bucs taking the Lombardi Trophy from the No. 2 seed Chiefs. At age 43, Brady also won his fifth Super Bowl MVP trophy.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Sylvia Allen // Getty Images
- Underdog: Minnesota Vikings
- Spread: +3
- Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Minnesota Vikings 6
Super Bowl IX in New Orleans matched Pittsburgh’s “Steel Curtain” with Minnesota’s “Purple People Eaters,” as well as two QB greats in Terry Bradshaw and Fran Tarkenton. Ultimately defense ruled the day, as the teams combined for 22 points. The Steelers won by 10 behind MVP Franco Harris’ 158 yards and one score.
Sylvia Allen // Getty Images
- Underdog: Minnesota Vikings
- Spread: +3
- Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Minnesota Vikings 6
Super Bowl IX in New Orleans matched Pittsburgh’s “Steel Curtain” with Minnesota’s “Purple People Eaters,” as well as two QB greats in Terry Bradshaw and Fran Tarkenton. Ultimately defense ruled the day, as the teams combined for 22 points. The Steelers won by 10 behind MVP Franco Harris’ 158 yards and one score.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Sylvia Allen // Getty Images
- Underdog: Oakland Raiders
- Spread: +3
- Score: Oakland Raiders 27, Philadelphia Eagles 10
The Raiders won outright as three-point underdogs in Super Bowl XV behind quarterback Jim Plunkett’s MVP performance (13-of-21, 261 yards, 3 TD). Oakland became the first wild-card team to win the title.
Sylvia Allen // Getty Images
- Underdog: Oakland Raiders
- Spread: +3
- Score: Oakland Raiders 27, Philadelphia Eagles 10
The Raiders won outright as three-point underdogs in Super Bowl XV behind quarterback Jim Plunkett’s MVP performance (13-of-21, 261 yards, 3 TD). Oakland became the first wild-card team to win the title.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Allsport // Getty Images
- Underdog: Washington Redskins
- Spread: +3
- Score: Washington Redskins 27, Miami Dolphins 17
Played in the Rose Bowl, Super Bowl XVII saw the Redskins beat the Dolphins in a minor upset. Running back John Riggins set two Super Bowl records en route to the MVP award: rushing attempts (38) and yards (166). Washington trailed 17-10 at the half, only to pound Miami 17-0 over the final two quarters.
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Allsport // Getty Images
- Underdog: Washington Redskins
- Spread: +3
- Score: Washington Redskins 27, Miami Dolphins 17
Played in the Rose Bowl, Super Bowl XVII saw the Redskins beat the Dolphins in a minor upset. Running back John Riggins set two Super Bowl records en route to the MVP award: rushing attempts (38) and yards (166). Washington trailed 17-10 at the half, only to pound Miami 17-0 over the final two quarters.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Allsport // Getty Images
- Underdog: L.A. Raiders
- Spread: +3
- Score: L.A. Raiders 38, Washington Redskins 9
The following year from Tampa, the L.A. Raiders routed Washington as a three-point underdog, 38-9. They led by seven after the first quarter, 18 at the half, 26 after three, and tacked on a field goal in a 3-0 fourth quarter. Hall of Famer Marcus Allen steamrolled Washington for 191 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.
Allsport // Getty Images
- Underdog: L.A. Raiders
- Spread: +3
- Score: L.A. Raiders 38, Washington Redskins 9
The following year from Tampa, the L.A. Raiders routed Washington as a three-point underdog, 38-9. They led by seven after the first quarter, 18 at the half, 26 after three, and tacked on a field goal in a 3-0 fourth quarter. Hall of Famer Marcus Allen steamrolled Washington for 191 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
George Rose // Getty Images
- Underdog: Washington
- Spread: +3
- Score: Washington 42, Denver 10
Denver’s 10-0 lead after the first quarter pleased backers of the three-point favorites—but it obviously was not an indicator of the rest of the game, in which Washington scored 42 unanswered points, including 35 in the second quarter. MVP Doug Williams went 18-of-29 for a whopping 340 yards and four touchdowns, all four in the second frame. Williams was the first African American starting QB to win the title.
George Rose // Getty Images
- Underdog: Washington
- Spread: +3
- Score: Washington 42, Denver 10
Denver’s 10-0 lead after the first quarter pleased backers of the three-point favorites—but it obviously was not an indicator of the rest of the game, in which Washington scored 42 unanswered points, including 35 in the second quarter. MVP Doug Williams went 18-of-29 for a whopping 340 yards and four touchdowns, all four in the second frame. Williams was the first African American starting QB to win the title.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Andy Lyons // Getty Images
- Underdog: N.Y. Giants
- Spread: +3
- Score: Baltimore Ravens 34, N.Y. Giants 7
The Ravens easily covered as three-point favorites when they crushed the Giants, 34-7, in Tampa. Legendary linebacker Ray Lewis stole the show with five combined tackles and four passes defended. His vaunted defense prevented New York from a single offensive touchdown.
Andy Lyons // Getty Images
- Underdog: N.Y. Giants
- Spread: +3
- Score: Baltimore Ravens 34, N.Y. Giants 7
The Ravens easily covered as three-point favorites when they crushed the Giants, 34-7, in Tampa. Legendary linebacker Ray Lewis stole the show with five combined tackles and four passes defended. His vaunted defense prevented New York from a single offensive touchdown.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images
- Underdog: Pittsburgh Steelers
- Spread: +3
- Score: Green Bay Packers 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 25
Ben Roethlisberger’s slight underdog Steelers took on Aaron Rodgers’ Packers in Arlington but never fully overcame an 11-point halftime deficit. Green Bay scored 10 in the fourth to secure their eventual six-point victory. Rodgers, the MVP, tossed three touchdowns and racked up 304 yards.
Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images
- Underdog: Pittsburgh Steelers
- Spread: +3
- Score: Green Bay Packers 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 25
Ben Roethlisberger’s slight underdog Steelers took on Aaron Rodgers’ Packers in Arlington but never fully overcame an 11-point halftime deficit. Green Bay scored 10 in the fourth to secure their eventual six-point victory. Rodgers, the MVP, tossed three touchdowns and racked up 304 yards.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
TIMOTHY A. CLARY // Getty Images
- Underdog: Atlanta Falcons
- Spread: +3
- Score: New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28 (OT)
Known as the “28-3” Super Bowl, the three-point underdog Falcons infamously blew their 25-point advantage to Tom Brady’s Patriots. Super Bowl LI from Houston was capped by James White’s two-yard overtime score, and New England lifted its fifth Lombardi Trophy. Brady completed an astonishing 43 passes for 466 yards in the comeback.
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TIMOTHY A. CLARY // Getty Images
- Underdog: Atlanta Falcons
- Spread: +3
- Score: New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28 (OT)
Known as the “28-3” Super Bowl, the three-point underdog Falcons infamously blew their 25-point advantage to Tom Brady’s Patriots. Super Bowl LI from Houston was capped by James White’s two-yard overtime score, and New England lifted its fifth Lombardi Trophy. Brady completed an astonishing 43 passes for 466 yards in the comeback.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Focus On Sport // Getty Images
- Underdog: Dallas Cowboys
- Spread: +3.5
- Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 35, Dallas Cowboys 31
MVP Terry Bradshaw led the Steelers to a four-point victory as 3.5-point favorites over the Cowboys. In a shootout from the first 15 minutes, the Pittsburgh signal-caller threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns.
Focus On Sport // Getty Images
- Underdog: Dallas Cowboys
- Spread: +3.5
- Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 35, Dallas Cowboys 31
MVP Terry Bradshaw led the Steelers to a four-point victory as 3.5-point favorites over the Cowboys. In a shootout from the first 15 minutes, the Pittsburgh signal-caller threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Tony Duffy // Getty Images
- Underdog: Miami Dolphins
- Spread: +3.5
- Score: San Francisco 49ers 38, Miami Dolphins 16
In an epic battle of head coaches (Bill Walsh and Don Shula) and quarterbacks (Joe Montana and Dan Marino), the 49ers blew out the Dolphins by 22. Montana passed for 331 yards and three touchdowns, as San Francisco completed its one-loss season with a championship.
Tony Duffy // Getty Images
- Underdog: Miami Dolphins
- Spread: +3.5
- Score: San Francisco 49ers 38, Miami Dolphins 16
In an epic battle of head coaches (Bill Walsh and Don Shula) and quarterbacks (Joe Montana and Dan Marino), the 49ers blew out the Dolphins by 22. Montana passed for 331 yards and three touchdowns, as San Francisco completed its one-loss season with a championship.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Focus On Sport // Getty Images
- Underdog: Minnesota Vikings
- Spread: +4
- Score: Oakland Raiders 34, Minnesota Vikings 14
A pair of powerhouses met up in the Rose Bowl for Super Bowl XI, though the Raiders dominated the Vikings in a 20-point victory for the franchise’s first title. Wideout Fred Biletnikoff caught four of seven targets for 79 yards, including one for 48. Vikings QB Fran Tarkenton’s 205 yards and one passing touchdown were not nearly enough to keep pace.
Focus On Sport // Getty Images
- Underdog: Minnesota Vikings
- Spread: +4
- Score: Oakland Raiders 34, Minnesota Vikings 14
A pair of powerhouses met up in the Rose Bowl for Super Bowl XI, though the Raiders dominated the Vikings in a 20-point victory for the franchise’s first title. Wideout Fred Biletnikoff caught four of seven targets for 79 yards, including one for 48. Vikings QB Fran Tarkenton’s 205 yards and one passing touchdown were not nearly enough to keep pace.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Donald Miralle // Getty Images
- Underdog: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Spread: +4
- Score: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48, Oakland Raiders 21
In his first season at the helm of the Buccaneers, head coach Jon Gruden crushed his former team by 27 points to take Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego. Raiders QB Rich Gannon threw five picks, two of which were hauled in by MVP safety Dexter Jackson. Tampa wideout Keyshawn Johnson caught six passes for 69 yards while Michael Pittman rushed 29 times for 124 yards.
Donald Miralle // Getty Images
- Underdog: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Spread: +4
- Score: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48, Oakland Raiders 21
In his first season at the helm of the Buccaneers, head coach Jon Gruden crushed his former team by 27 points to take Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego. Raiders QB Rich Gannon threw five picks, two of which were hauled in by MVP safety Dexter Jackson. Tampa wideout Keyshawn Johnson caught six passes for 69 yards while Michael Pittman rushed 29 times for 124 yards.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Jonathan Ferrey // Getty Images
- Underdog: Seattle Seahawks
- Spread: +4
- Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Seattle Seahawks 10
Played at Ford Field in Detroit, Super Bowl XL matched up the #1 NFC seed Seahawks with the #6 AFC Steelers. After trailing 3-0 after the first quarter, Pittsburgh held Seattle to seven points the rest of the way, beating the four-point favorites by 11. Hines Ward was awarded MVP honors after totaling 123 yards and a score on just five receptions.
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Jonathan Ferrey // Getty Images
- Underdog: Seattle Seahawks
- Spread: +4
- Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Seattle Seahawks 10
Played at Ford Field in Detroit, Super Bowl XL matched up the #1 NFC seed Seahawks with the #6 AFC Steelers. After trailing 3-0 after the first quarter, Pittsburgh held Seattle to seven points the rest of the way, beating the four-point favorites by 11. Hines Ward was awarded MVP honors after totaling 123 yards and a score on just five receptions.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Patrick Smith // Getty Images
- Underdog: Philadelphia Eagles
- Spread: +4
- Score: Philadelphia Eagles 41, New England Patriots 33
Philadelphia made an improbable postseason run behind backup QB Nick Foles, ultimately defeating the defending champion Patriots for the Eagles’ first Super Bowl title. Though New England’s 25-point comeback from the prior year made them seem invincible—and despite 503 yards from Tom Brady—Philly took the title as a four-point dog behind MVP Foles’ 373 yards, three passing touchdowns, and one famous “Philly Special” trick play receiving score.
Patrick Smith // Getty Images
- Underdog: Philadelphia Eagles
- Spread: +4
- Score: Philadelphia Eagles 41, New England Patriots 33
Philadelphia made an improbable postseason run behind backup QB Nick Foles, ultimately defeating the defending champion Patriots for the Eagles’ first Super Bowl title. Though New England’s 25-point comeback from the prior year made them seem invincible—and despite 503 yards from Tom Brady—Philly took the title as a four-point dog behind MVP Foles’ 373 yards, three passing touchdowns, and one famous “Philly Special” trick play receiving score.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Ezra Shaw // Getty Images
- Underdog: Baltimore Ravens
- Spread: +4.5
- Score: Baltimore Ravens 34, San Francisco 49ers 31
A blackout at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans suspended play for over half an hour during the third quarter, but Baltimore, ahead by 22 at the time, hung on for a three-point win, despite San Francisco’s comeback attempt. QB Joe Flacco outdueled Colin Kaepernick, taking home MVP behind 287 yards and three touchdowns.
Ezra Shaw // Getty Images
- Underdog: Baltimore Ravens
- Spread: +4.5
- Score: Baltimore Ravens 34, San Francisco 49ers 31
A blackout at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans suspended play for over half an hour during the third quarter, but Baltimore, ahead by 22 at the time, hung on for a three-point win, despite San Francisco’s comeback attempt. QB Joe Flacco outdueled Colin Kaepernick, taking home MVP behind 287 yards and three touchdowns.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Larry French // Getty Images
- Underdog: New Orleans Saints
- Spread: +5
- Score: New Orleans Saints 31, Indianapolis Colts 17
In a Super Bowl known for a surprise second-half onside kick, New Orleans beat Indianapolis as a five-point dog. The Saints recovered their kick after trailing 10-6, and went on a 25-7 run to end the game and clinch the franchise’s first Super Bowl. MVP Drew Brees tossed two touchdowns and compiled 288 yards.
Larry French // Getty Images
- Underdog: New Orleans Saints
- Spread: +5
- Score: New Orleans Saints 31, Indianapolis Colts 17
In a Super Bowl known for a surprise second-half onside kick, New Orleans beat Indianapolis as a five-point dog. The Saints recovered their kick after trailing 10-6, and went on a 25-7 run to end the game and clinch the franchise’s first Super Bowl. MVP Drew Brees tossed two touchdowns and compiled 288 yards.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Kevin C. Cox // Getty Images
- Underdog: Denver
- Spread: +5
- Score: Denver 24, Carolina 10
Super Bowl 50 from Santa Clara pitted the 15-1 Cam Newton-led Panthers against Peyton Manning’s 12-4 Broncos. Despite being installed as five-point favorites, Carolina trailed the entire game and never closed a gap that ballooned to 14 with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. In a surprise for his position—though not his stat line—linebacker Von Miller won MVP. The Denver pass-rusher racked up five sacks of Newton and forced two turnovers, one of which was returned to the end zone by teammate Malik Jackson.
Kevin C. Cox // Getty Images
- Underdog: Denver
- Spread: +5
- Score: Denver 24, Carolina 10
Super Bowl 50 from Santa Clara pitted the 15-1 Cam Newton-led Panthers against Peyton Manning’s 12-4 Broncos. Despite being installed as five-point favorites, Carolina trailed the entire game and never closed a gap that ballooned to 14 with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. In a surprise for his position—though not his stat line—linebacker Von Miller won MVP. The Denver pass-rusher racked up five sacks of Newton and forced two turnovers, one of which was returned to the end zone by teammate Malik Jackson.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Walter Iooss Jr. // Getty Images
- Underdog: Miami Dolphins
- Spread: +6
- Score: Dallas Cowboys 24, Miami Dolphins 3
Dallas legend Roger Staubach’s MVP performance included two touchdown passes as his Cowboys rolled over the 10-win Dolphins, 24-3. Super Bowl VI was the only title game in which the winner held its opponent without a touchdown until the Patriots pulled it off in 2019.
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Walter Iooss Jr. // Getty Images
- Underdog: Miami Dolphins
- Spread: +6
- Score: Dallas Cowboys 24, Miami Dolphins 3
Dallas legend Roger Staubach’s MVP performance included two touchdown passes as his Cowboys rolled over the 10-win Dolphins, 24-3. Super Bowl VI was the only title game in which the winner held its opponent without a touchdown until the Patriots pulled it off in 2019.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Focus On Sport // Getty Images
- Underdog: Denver Broncos
- Spread: +6
- Score: Dallas Cowboys 27, Denver Broncos 10
Dallas once again easily covered the six-point spread with a 27-10 victory over Denver. Staubach got the win, but it was two defensive linemen that shared MVP honors for stifling the Broncos: defensive tackle Randy White and end Harvey Martin.
Focus On Sport // Getty Images
- Underdog: Denver Broncos
- Spread: +6
- Score: Dallas Cowboys 27, Denver Broncos 10
Dallas once again easily covered the six-point spread with a 27-10 victory over Denver. Staubach got the win, but it was two defensive linemen that shared MVP honors for stifling the Broncos: defensive tackle Randy White and end Harvey Martin.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Focus On Sport // Getty Images
- Underdog: Minnesota Vikings
- Spread: +6.5
- Score: Miami Dolphins 24, Minnesota Vikings 7
Minnesota bettors needed the Vikings to win by at least one touchdown, a feat made easier by limiting the Dolphins to just one of their own in a 24-7 beatdown. The wire-to-wire win capped off yet another great campaign for Don Shula and his second ring cemented his Hall of Fame legacy. Larry Csonka was the game’s MVP with 145 rush yards.
Focus On Sport // Getty Images
- Underdog: Minnesota Vikings
- Spread: +6.5
- Score: Miami Dolphins 24, Minnesota Vikings 7
Minnesota bettors needed the Vikings to win by at least one touchdown, a feat made easier by limiting the Dolphins to just one of their own in a 24-7 beatdown. The wire-to-wire win capped off yet another great campaign for Don Shula and his second ring cemented his Hall of Fame legacy. Larry Csonka was the game’s MVP with 145 rush yards.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Rick Stewart // Getty Images
- Underdog: Buffalo Bills
- Spread: +6.5
- Score: Dallas Cowboys 52, Buffalo Bills 17
Super Bowl XXVII was a great day to back 6.5-point favorite Dallas when they obliterated the 11-win Bills, 52-17. The loss was Buffalo’s third consecutive loss in the Super Bowl, and the following year they notoriously made it four. Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith rushed 22 times for 108 yards and a score, while MVP Troy Aikman threw for four touchdowns and 273 yards.
Rick Stewart // Getty Images
- Underdog: Buffalo Bills
- Spread: +6.5
- Score: Dallas Cowboys 52, Buffalo Bills 17
Super Bowl XXVII was a great day to back 6.5-point favorite Dallas when they obliterated the 11-win Bills, 52-17. The loss was Buffalo’s third consecutive loss in the Super Bowl, and the following year they notoriously made it four. Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith rushed 22 times for 108 yards and a score, while MVP Troy Aikman threw for four touchdowns and 273 yards.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Heinz Kluetmeier // Getty Images
- Underdog: Dallas Cowboys
- Spread: +7
- Score: Pittsburgh 21, Dallas 17
Seven-point favorite Pittsburgh briefly was covering the spread at 21-10 at the three-minute mark of the fourth quarter. But the Cowboys backdoored Steelers bettors when they cut it to 21-17 inside two minutes to lose by just four. Lynn Swann recorded a staggering 161 yards on only four catches, including a famous 64-yard beauty from Terry Bradshaw that sealed the game.
Heinz Kluetmeier // Getty Images
- Underdog: Dallas Cowboys
- Spread: +7
- Score: Pittsburgh 21, Dallas 17
Seven-point favorite Pittsburgh briefly was covering the spread at 21-10 at the three-minute mark of the fourth quarter. But the Cowboys backdoored Steelers bettors when they cut it to 21-17 inside two minutes to lose by just four. Lynn Swann recorded a staggering 161 yards on only four catches, including a famous 64-yard beauty from Terry Bradshaw that sealed the game.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Rick Stewart // Getty Images
- Underdog: Cincinnati Bengals
- Spread: +7
- Score: San Francisco 49ers 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16
Cincinnati covered the seven-point spread, but San Francisco won Super Bowl XXIII behind Joe Montana’s 357 yards and two touchdowns and MVP Jerry Rice’s whopping 215 yards on 11 catches. The win was the Niners’ third title in a string of four during the 1980s.
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Rick Stewart // Getty Images
- Underdog: Cincinnati Bengals
- Spread: +7
- Score: San Francisco 49ers 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16
Cincinnati covered the seven-point spread, but San Francisco won Super Bowl XXIII behind Joe Montana’s 357 yards and two touchdowns and MVP Jerry Rice’s whopping 215 yards on 11 catches. The win was the Niners’ third title in a string of four during the 1980s.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
George Rose // Getty Images
- Underdog: N.Y. Giants
- Spread: +7
- Score: N.Y. Giants 20, Buffalo Bills 19
The “wide right” game lives on for fans of both franchises, as the Giants won their second Super Bowl and the Bills lost their first of four consecutive championship games in the most painful fashion. Scott Norwood attempted a game-winning 47-yard field goal, but the ball drifted right, and the Giants celebrated. MVP Ottis Anderson rushed 21 times for 102 yards and a score.
George Rose // Getty Images
- Underdog: N.Y. Giants
- Spread: +7
- Score: N.Y. Giants 20, Buffalo Bills 19
The “wide right” game lives on for fans of both franchises, as the Giants won their second Super Bowl and the Bills lost their first of four consecutive championship games in the most painful fashion. Scott Norwood attempted a game-winning 47-yard field goal, but the ball drifted right, and the Giants celebrated. MVP Ottis Anderson rushed 21 times for 102 yards and a score.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Rick Stewart // Getty Images
- Underdog: Buffalo Bills
- Spread: +7
- Score: Washington Redskins 37, Buffalo Bills 24
Buffalo obviously lost the following year, but they also failed to cover the seven-point spread, losing by 13 to Mark Rypien’s Redskins. Washington led 17-0 at halftime and never looked back. Rypien’s 292 yards and two scores sealed the MVP decision.
Rick Stewart // Getty Images
- Underdog: Buffalo Bills
- Spread: +7
- Score: Washington Redskins 37, Buffalo Bills 24
Buffalo obviously lost the following year, but they also failed to cover the seven-point spread, losing by 13 to Mark Rypien’s Redskins. Washington led 17-0 at halftime and never looked back. Rypien’s 292 yards and two scores sealed the MVP decision.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
DON EMMERT // Getty Images
DON EMMERT // Getty Images
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Andy Lyons // Getty Images
- Underdog: Carolina Panthers
- Spread: +7
- Score: New England Patriots 32, Carolina Panthers 29
In their second title game appearance in three years, the Patriots were favored by seven in Super Bowl XXXVIII over the Panthers. After establishing a 14-10 lead at the midway point, New England put up 18 fourth-quarter points highlighted by a famous game-winning Adam Vinatieri field goal. Tom Brady took home his second MVP trophy, and the win began to cement the idea of an imminent Patriots dynasty.
Andy Lyons // Getty Images
- Underdog: Carolina Panthers
- Spread: +7
- Score: New England Patriots 32, Carolina Panthers 29
In their second title game appearance in three years, the Patriots were favored by seven in Super Bowl XXXVIII over the Panthers. After establishing a 14-10 lead at the midway point, New England put up 18 fourth-quarter points highlighted by a famous game-winning Adam Vinatieri field goal. Tom Brady took home his second MVP trophy, and the win began to cement the idea of an imminent Patriots dynasty.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Brian Bahr // Getty Images
- Underdog: Philadelphia Eagles
- Spread: +7
- Score: New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21
Speaking of a Patriots dynasty, New England won the Super Bowl for a consecutive year, this time over Philadelphia, but still with common denominators: The Pats were favored by seven but won by just three, and Vinatieiri hit a late field goal to put them up 10, essentially clinching the title. Deion Branch recorded 133 yards on 11 receptions to win MVP.
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Brian Bahr // Getty Images
- Underdog: Philadelphia Eagles
- Spread: +7
- Score: New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21
Speaking of a Patriots dynasty, New England won the Super Bowl for a consecutive year, this time over Philadelphia, but still with common denominators: The Pats were favored by seven but won by just three, and Vinatieiri hit a late field goal to put them up 10, essentially clinching the title. Deion Branch recorded 133 yards on 11 receptions to win MVP.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
ROBERTO SCHMIDT // Getty Images
- Underdog: Chicago Bears
- Spread: +7
- Score: Indianapolis Colts 29, Chicago Bears 17
Peyton Manning’s Colts won and covered the spread in a 29-17 victory over the Bears in Miami. Despite an eight-point deficit after the first quarter, Indianapolis closed the game out 23-3, picking off Bears QB Rex Grossman twice and riding performances from Manning (247 yards, 1 TD) and running back Dominic Rhodes (113 yards, 1 TD).
ROBERTO SCHMIDT // Getty Images
- Underdog: Chicago Bears
- Spread: +7
- Score: Indianapolis Colts 29, Chicago Bears 17
Peyton Manning’s Colts won and covered the spread in a 29-17 victory over the Bears in Miami. Despite an eight-point deficit after the first quarter, Indianapolis closed the game out 23-3, picking off Bears QB Rex Grossman twice and riding performances from Manning (247 yards, 1 TD) and running back Dominic Rhodes (113 yards, 1 TD).
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Al Bello // Getty Images
- Underdog: Arizona Cardinals
- Spread: +7
- Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23
Santonio Holmes became the third Steeler wide receiver, and sixth wideout ever, to win Super Bowl MVP when he hauled in nine catches for 131 yards and a score. Kurt Warner’s 344 yards and three pass touchdowns were not enough to overcome Pittsburgh’s 27 points. The game is remembered for Holmes’ iconic game-winning catch in the back corner of the end zone with 35 seconds remaining.
Al Bello // Getty Images
- Underdog: Arizona Cardinals
- Spread: +7
- Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23
Santonio Holmes became the third Steeler wide receiver, and sixth wideout ever, to win Super Bowl MVP when he hauled in nine catches for 131 yards and a score. Kurt Warner’s 344 yards and three pass touchdowns were not enough to overcome Pittsburgh’s 27 points. The game is remembered for Holmes’ iconic game-winning catch in the back corner of the end zone with 35 seconds remaining.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Al Bello // Getty Images
- Underdog: Atlanta Falcons
- Spread: +7.5
- Score: Denver Broncos 34, Atlanta Falcons 19
MVP John Elway—today the general manager of the Broncos—threw for 336 yards and one touchdown en route to taking down the Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami. The Broncos trailed by three early but led the remainder of the contest, including by as many as 25 after Elway’s three-yard rushing score at the 11:20 mark of the fourth quarter.
Al Bello // Getty Images
- Underdog: Atlanta Falcons
- Spread: +7.5
- Score: Denver Broncos 34, Atlanta Falcons 19
MVP John Elway—today the general manager of the Broncos—threw for 336 yards and one touchdown en route to taking down the Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami. The Broncos trailed by three early but led the remainder of the contest, including by as many as 25 after Elway’s three-yard rushing score at the 11:20 mark of the fourth quarter.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Rick Stewart // Getty Images
- Underdog: Denver
- Spread: +9.5
- Score: N.Y. Giants 39, Denver 20
The Giants won their first title since 1956 and their first Super Bowl in dominant fashion over the Broncos. Quarterback Phil Simms was stellar, going 22-of-25 for 268 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. The two-time Pro Bowler was an obvious choice for MVP, and the Giants easily covered the 9.5-point spread after a 30-10 second-half outburst.
Rick Stewart // Getty Images
- Underdog: Denver
- Spread: +9.5
- Score: N.Y. Giants 39, Denver 20
The Giants won their first title since 1956 and their first Super Bowl in dominant fashion over the Broncos. Quarterback Phil Simms was stellar, going 22-of-25 for 268 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. The two-time Pro Bowler was an obvious choice for MVP, and the Giants easily covered the 9.5-point spread after a 30-10 second-half outburst.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Mike Powell // Getty Images
- Underdog: New England Patriots
- Spread: +10
- Score: Chicago Bears 46, New England Patriots 10
The 10-point cover was never in doubt for Chicago backers who had a laugh during Super Bowl XX from New Orleans. After the Patriots led 3-0 early, the Bears steamrolled them 46-7. Accounting for Chicago’s five touchdowns were two rushing scores from QB Jim McMahon, one from Matt Suhey, one from defensive lineman William “The Refrigerator” Perry when he was brought in on offense at the 1-yard line, and one interception return TD from Reggie Phillips. But it was defensive end Richard Dent who was awarded MVP after 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
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Mike Powell // Getty Images
- Underdog: New England Patriots
- Spread: +10
- Score: Chicago Bears 46, New England Patriots 10
The 10-point cover was never in doubt for Chicago backers who had a laugh during Super Bowl XX from New Orleans. After the Patriots led 3-0 early, the Bears steamrolled them 46-7. Accounting for Chicago’s five touchdowns were two rushing scores from QB Jim McMahon, one from Matt Suhey, one from defensive lineman William “The Refrigerator” Perry when he was brought in on offense at the 1-yard line, and one interception return TD from Reggie Phillips. But it was defensive end Richard Dent who was awarded MVP after 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Robert Riger // Getty Images
- Underdog: L.A. Rams
- Spread: +10.5
- Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, L.A. Rams 19
Rams bettors lost their wagers by just 1.5 points when the 10.5-point underdog—despite a 19-17 advantage at the start of the fourth quarter—allowed 14 unanswered points resulting in a 12-point loss. Terry Bradshaw took home his second Super Bowl MVP after 309 yards and three touchdowns. He found familiar friend Lynn Swann for one of those, but it was his 73-yard strike to John Stallworth with 12 minutes remaining that put Pittsburgh up 24-19 to effectively clinch the win.
Robert Riger // Getty Images
- Underdog: L.A. Rams
- Spread: +10.5
- Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, L.A. Rams 19
Rams bettors lost their wagers by just 1.5 points when the 10.5-point underdog—despite a 19-17 advantage at the start of the fourth quarter—allowed 14 unanswered points resulting in a 12-point loss. Terry Bradshaw took home his second Super Bowl MVP after 309 yards and three touchdowns. He found familiar friend Lynn Swann for one of those, but it was his 73-yard strike to John Stallworth with 12 minutes remaining that put Pittsburgh up 24-19 to effectively clinch the win.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
George Rose // Getty Images
- Underdog: Buffalo Bills
- Spread: +10.5
- Score: Dallas Cowboys 30, Buffalo Bills 13
Under the tutelage of head coach Jimmy Johnson, Dallas crushed Buffalo in Super Bowl XXXVIII—the Bills’ fourth consecutive championship appearance and defeat. The 17-point victory covered the 10.5 points set by Vegas, and Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith was unstoppable that night, going off for 132 yards and two touchdowns on 30 attempts.
George Rose // Getty Images
- Underdog: Buffalo Bills
- Spread: +10.5
- Score: Dallas Cowboys 30, Buffalo Bills 13
Under the tutelage of head coach Jimmy Johnson, Dallas crushed Buffalo in Super Bowl XXXVIII—the Bills’ fourth consecutive championship appearance and defeat. The 17-point victory covered the 10.5 points set by Vegas, and Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith was unstoppable that night, going off for 132 yards and two touchdowns on 30 attempts.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
DON EMMERT // Getty Images
- Underdog: Denver Broncos
- Spread: +11
- Score: Denver Broncos 31, Green Bay Packers 24
In a rare upset, Denver not only covered as an 11-point betting underdog, but won the game outright by seven over the defending champion Packers. Brett Favre threw three touchdowns, but Denver kept pace via the ground, as Terrell Davis rushed for three of his own and 157 yards. His third came with 1:45 left in a tie game to lock up the MVP and Denver’s first Super Bowl title.
DON EMMERT // Getty Images
- Underdog: Denver Broncos
- Spread: +11
- Score: Denver Broncos 31, Green Bay Packers 24
In a rare upset, Denver not only covered as an 11-point betting underdog, but won the game outright by seven over the defending champion Packers. Brett Favre threw three touchdowns, but Denver kept pace via the ground, as Terrell Davis rushed for three of his own and 157 yards. His third came with 1:45 left in a tie game to lock up the MVP and Denver’s first Super Bowl title.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Neil Leifer // Getty Images
- Underdog: Kansas City Chiefs
- Spread: +12
- Score: Kansas City Chiefs 23, Minnesota Vikings 7
Kansas City shocked Minnesota in Super Bowl IV, upsetting the two-loss Vikings as a 12-point underdog. The Chiefs forced five turnovers, completely shut down the Vikings offense, and leaned on quarterback Len Dawson (142 yards, 1 TD) and receiver Otis Taylor (6 rec, 81 yards, 1 TD) for the win.
Neil Leifer // Getty Images
- Underdog: Kansas City Chiefs
- Spread: +12
- Score: Kansas City Chiefs 23, Minnesota Vikings 7
Kansas City shocked Minnesota in Super Bowl IV, upsetting the two-loss Vikings as a 12-point underdog. The Chiefs forced five turnovers, completely shut down the Vikings offense, and leaned on quarterback Len Dawson (142 yards, 1 TD) and receiver Otis Taylor (6 rec, 81 yards, 1 TD) for the win.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Rick Stewart // Getty Images
- Underdog: Denver Broncos
- Spread: +12
- Score: San Francisco 49ers 55, Denver Broncos 10
Joe Montana’s 49ers were covering the 12 points by halftime, leading 27-3, and they cruised to an eventual 45-point victory over the Broncos. Montana went 22-of-29 for 297 yards and five touchdowns (three to Jerry Rice), as the QB won his third Super Bowl MVP and fourth title.
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Rick Stewart // Getty Images
- Underdog: Denver Broncos
- Spread: +12
- Score: San Francisco 49ers 55, Denver Broncos 10
Joe Montana’s 49ers were covering the 12 points by halftime, leading 27-3, and they cruised to an eventual 45-point victory over the Broncos. Montana went 22-of-29 for 297 yards and five touchdowns (three to Jerry Rice), as the QB won his third Super Bowl MVP and fourth title.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Donald Miralle // Getty Images
Donald Miralle // Getty Images
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Bettmann // Getty Images
- Underdog: Oakland Raiders
- Spread: +13.5
- Score: Green Bay Packers 33, Oakland Raiders 14
Vince Lombardi led his Packers into Super Bowl II looking for back-to-back titles. Green Bay easily met expectations when they crushed Oakland, 33-14, covering the 13.5-point spread and earning Bart Starr his second consecutive MVP trophy.
Bettmann // Getty Images
- Underdog: Oakland Raiders
- Spread: +13.5
- Score: Green Bay Packers 33, Oakland Raiders 14
Vince Lombardi led his Packers into Super Bowl II looking for back-to-back titles. Green Bay easily met expectations when they crushed Oakland, 33-14, covering the 13.5-point spread and earning Bart Starr his second consecutive MVP trophy.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Rick Stewart // Getty Images
- Underdog: Pittsburgh Steelers
- Spread: +13.5
- Score: Dallas Cowboys 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
Their third Super Bowl title in the 1990s, Dallas failed to cover the 13.5 points but still took down Pittsburgh by double digits. Cornerback Larry Brown was the surprise MVP—the first at his position to win—after two picks set up two Emmitt Smith touchdowns.
Rick Stewart // Getty Images
- Underdog: Pittsburgh Steelers
- Spread: +13.5
- Score: Dallas Cowboys 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
Their third Super Bowl title in the 1990s, Dallas failed to cover the 13.5 points but still took down Pittsburgh by double digits. Cornerback Larry Brown was the surprise MVP—the first at his position to win—after two picks set up two Emmitt Smith touchdowns.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Focus On Sport // Getty Images
- Underdog: Kansas City Chiefs
- Spread: +14
- Score: Green Bay Packers 35, Kansas City Chiefs 10
The first Super Bowl matched up the NFL’s 12-2 Packers with the AFL’s 11-2-1 Chiefs in Los Angeles. Any questions about the NFL’s superiority over the AFL were handily answered after Lombardi’s squad put the beatdown on K.C. by 25 points. QB Starr was the first Super Bowl MVP.
Focus On Sport // Getty Images
- Underdog: Kansas City Chiefs
- Spread: +14
- Score: Green Bay Packers 35, Kansas City Chiefs 10
The first Super Bowl matched up the NFL’s 12-2 Packers with the AFL’s 11-2-1 Chiefs in Los Angeles. Any questions about the NFL’s superiority over the AFL were handily answered after Lombardi’s squad put the beatdown on K.C. by 25 points. QB Starr was the first Super Bowl MVP.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Al Bello // Getty Images
- Underdog: New England Patriots
- Spread: +14
- Score: Green Bay Packers 35, New England Patriots 21
Green Bay prevailed in a shootout over New England in Super Bowl XXXI. Ironically a special teams player earned MVP honors despite 56 combined points. Desmond Howard inconceivably totaled 244 kick return yards—154 on kickoffs, one of which was a 99-yard touchdown, and 90 punt return yards.
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Al Bello // Getty Images
- Underdog: New England Patriots
- Spread: +14
- Score: Green Bay Packers 35, New England Patriots 21
Green Bay prevailed in a shootout over New England in Super Bowl XXXI. Ironically a special teams player earned MVP honors despite 56 combined points. Desmond Howard inconceivably totaled 244 kick return yards—154 on kickoffs, one of which was a 99-yard touchdown, and 90 punt return yards.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Ezra Shaw // Getty Images
- Underdog: New England
- Spread: +14
- Score: New England 20, St. Louis 17
Super Bowl XXXVI was New England’s first championship as a franchise and the start of the Brady-Belichick dynasty. Adam Vinatieri (who else?) converted a game-winning 48-yard field goal as the clock hit zeroes, and Brady won his first MVP behind a pedestrian 145 yards and one touchdown. Holding Kurt Warner’s high-flying Rams—The Greatest Show on Turf—to 17 points was just as shocking as the Pats’ outright victory as two-touchdown underdogs.
Ezra Shaw // Getty Images
- Underdog: New England
- Spread: +14
- Score: New England 20, St. Louis 17
Super Bowl XXXVI was New England’s first championship as a franchise and the start of the Brady-Belichick dynasty. Adam Vinatieri (who else?) converted a game-winning 48-yard field goal as the clock hit zeroes, and Brady won his first MVP behind a pedestrian 145 yards and one touchdown. Holding Kurt Warner’s high-flying Rams—The Greatest Show on Turf—to 17 points was just as shocking as the Pats’ outright victory as two-touchdown underdogs.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
Herb Scharfman // Sports Imagery via Getty Images
- Underdog: N.Y. Jets
- Spread: +18
- Score: N.Y. Jets 16, Baltimore Ravens 7
Super Bowl III is perhaps best remembered for Jets quarterback Joe Namath’s guarantee of victory over the 13-1 Colts. Whether or not the eventual MVP knew the Jets were a massive 18-point underdog is questionable, but Broadway Joe completed 17 of his 28 pass attempts for 206 yards to topple Johnny Unitas and Baltimore in wire-to-wire fashion.
Herb Scharfman // Sports Imagery via Getty Images
- Underdog: N.Y. Jets
- Spread: +18
- Score: N.Y. Jets 16, Baltimore Ravens 7
Super Bowl III is perhaps best remembered for Jets quarterback Joe Namath’s guarantee of victory over the 13-1 Colts. Whether or not the eventual MVP knew the Jets were a massive 18-point underdog is questionable, but Broadway Joe completed 17 of his 28 pass attempts for 206 yards to topple Johnny Unitas and Baltimore in wire-to-wire fashion.
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The biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history
JEFF HAYNES // Getty Images
- Underdog: San Diego Chargers
- Spread: +18.5
- Score: San Francisco 49ers 49, San Diego Chargers 26
The biggest underdog in Super Bowl history, the San Diego Chargers (+18.5) were much less successful than the Jets three decades prior. But there was a difference when you faced Steve Young, Jerry Rice, and the Niners in the ‘90s. San Diego trailed by seven after the first quarter, 18 at the half, 24 after three, and by as many as 31 during the fourth. Young compiled 325 pass yards and six touchdowns, half of them to Rice, as the lefty signal-caller earned MVP honors.
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JEFF HAYNES // Getty Images
- Underdog: San Diego Chargers
- Spread: +18.5
- Score: San Francisco 49ers 49, San Diego Chargers 26
The biggest underdog in Super Bowl history, the San Diego Chargers (+18.5) were much less successful than the Jets three decades prior. But there was a difference when you faced Steve Young, Jerry Rice, and the Niners in the ‘90s. San Diego trailed by seven after the first quarter, 18 at the half, 24 after three, and by as many as 31 during the fourth. Young compiled 325 pass yards and six touchdowns, half of them to Rice, as the lefty signal-caller earned MVP honors.
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