What are the top 10 upsets in Super Bowl history?

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  Marcel Louis-JacquesOct 4, 2026, 06:00 AM ET

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  Marcel Louis-Jacques joined ESPN in 2019 as a beat reporter covering the Buffalo Bills, before switching to the Miami Dolphins in 2021. The former Carolina Panthers beat writer for the Charlotte Observer won the APSE award for breaking news and the South Carolina Press Association award for enterprise writing in 2018.

The Super Bowl represents a matchup between the two best teams in the NFL that season, but some matchups are more lopsided than others.

On paper, at least.

We've seen undefeated juggernauts, record-setting offenses and burgeoning dynasties take the field on the NFL's biggest stage with the public expecting those teams to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, only to fall to backup quarterbacks, double-digit underdogs and habitual Super Bowl losers.

Of the 60 Super Bowls that have taken place since 1967, we examined the 10 biggest upsets using a variety of data points: pregame spread, margin of victory and cultural impact. Some teams are repeat underdogs (we're looking at you, New York Giants), while others were so dominant in their era that any loss they suffered in a Super Bowl was considered an upset.

Here are the 10 biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, starting with the game that had the 1972 Dolphins popping champagne yet again.

COUNTDOWN TO SUPER BOWL LXI: ESPN will televise the Super Bowl for the first time in February. We are counting down to the big game with a Super Bowl Top 10 series, featuring rankings on everything from best catches and performances to biggest upsets, that will run every other Sunday leading up to Super Bowl LXI on Feb. 14, 2027.

1. Giants over Patriots, SB XLII

When: Feb. 3, 2008

Where: University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.)

Pregame betting line: Patriots -12

Final Score: Giants 17, Patriots 14

The 2007 New England Patriots were the closest team to matching the 1972 Miami Dolphins' undefeated season -- the only one in NFL history. But by season's end, the Dolphins' cherished record remained intact.

The Patriots completed a 16-0 regular season thanks to the league's No. 1 offense and record-setting seasons from wide receiver Randy Moss and quarterback Tom Brady, who won his first regular-season MVP. After consecutive multiple-score wins against the Jaguars and Chargers to kick off their playoff run, the Patriots needed only a win in Super Bowl XLII over a New York Giants team that owned the lowest point differential of any playoff team that season. The teams previously faced off in the regular-season finale, during which the Giants had held the largest lead over New England of any team on its schedule; New England came back from a 12-point deficit to win.

The game at University of Phoenix (now State Farm) Stadium was a defensive battle and remained a one-score game until early in the fourth quarter. New England took a four-point lead late in the quarter, but Giants quarterback Eli Manning led a 12-play, 83-yard touchdown drive that featured one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history.

On third-and-5, Manning evaded pressure and launched a jump ball 32 yards downfield to unheralded wide receiver David Tyree, who pinned the ball against his helmet to complete the catch. Manning also converted a third-and-11 with a 12-yard completion to Steve Smith before finding Plaxico Burress for a 13-yard, game-winning touchdown.

No team since has come so close to a perfect season. The Patriots would get an opportunity for revenge four years later, but we'll address that game soon...

2. Patriots over Rams, SB XXXVI

When: Feb. 3, 2002

Where: Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans)

Pregame betting line: Rams -14

Final Score: Patriots 20, Rams 17

This was the game that birthed a dynasty.

On one side were the St. Louis Rams, aka "the Greatest Show on Turf." Mike Martz's squad, which had won the Super Bowl two years earlier, featured a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Isaac Bruce and Tory Holt, and the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in running back Marshall Faulk. The Rams' defense also improved from 31st in scoring in 2000 to seventh in 2001.

Meanwhile, the Patriots, in their second season under coach Bill Belichick, were led by Brady, a relatively unknown second-year quarterback who had taken over the starting job in Week 3 after an injury to Drew Bledsoe.

New England held a 17-3 lead going into the fourth quarter, but Rams quarterback Kurt Warner ran for a touchdown and then threw another to tie the score with 90 seconds remaining. Brady then led the Patriots on a nine-play, 53-yard drive to set up Adam Vinatieri's game-winning 48-yard field goal.

The Patriots went on to win six Super Bowls during Brady's 20-season tenure in New England, establishing arguably the greatest NFL dynasty -- and it started with that upset win in New Orleans.

3. Jets over Colts, SB III

When: Jan. 12, 1969

Where: Orange Bowl (Miami)

Pregame betting line: Colts -18

Final Score: Jets 16, Colts 7

The third AFL-NFL championship game was technically the first "Super Bowl" and featured Baltimore Colts coach Don Shula, who would eventually set the record as the winningest coach in NFL history.

But he did not win this game.

The AFL and NFL were still separate leagues, although a merger was in motion. The NFL won the previous two championship games against the AFL and was widely believed to be the better league. Those beliefs didn't stop quarterback Joe Namath of the AFL Jets from calling his shot similar to Babe Ruth.

"We're going to win," he said to the Miami Touchdown Club crowd during Super Bowl week. "I guarantee it."

Broadway Joe backed up his claim, outdueling "Golden Arm" Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas and leading New York to a 16-0 lead before the Colts scored a touchdown in vain late in the fourth quarter. This remains the biggest upset in Super Bowl history in terms of pregame spread, and is also the only Super Bowl matchup that currently can't be repeated. The leagues officially merged in 1970, and both teams have played in the same conference ever since.

4. Eagles over Patriots, SB LII

When: Feb. 4, 2018

Where: U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis)

Pregame betting line: Patriots -4.5

Final Score: Eagles 41, Patriots 33

By the 2017 season, the Patriots' dynasty had endured a lull (by its standards), but was entering possibly its most dominant era and was on the brink of winning its third Super Bowl in four seasons.

Brady won his third regular-season MVP award, and New England owned the league's top-ranked offense and fifth-best scoring defense. The Patriots hadn't lost in nearly two months by the time they got to U.S. Bank Stadium in February, but the Eagles were a top-five scoring offense and defense, thanks in large part to MVP-caliber play from quarterback Carson Wentz.

But Wentz tore his ACL in Week 14, and backup Nick Foles started the remaining nine games of the season, including the playoffs.

Foles cemented himself in Philadelphia lore with the "Philly Special" -- an end-around reverse pass in which he caught a touchdown at the end of the first half to give the Eagles a two-score lead. Naturally, the Patriots rallied to take a one-point lead in the fourth quarter, but Foles sealed a victory with a touchdown pass to Zach Ertz with just over two minutes remaining in the game.

This marked the Eagles' first Super Bowl victory and served as revenge for their loss to New England in Super Bowl XXXIX.

5. Broncos over Packers, SB XXXII

When: Jan. 25, 1998

Where: Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego)

Pregame betting line: Packers -11

Final Score: Broncos 31, Packers 24

The fourth time was the charm for Broncos quarterback John Elway, who had lost his three previous Super Bowl appearances before finally breaking through.

The reigning champion Packers were led by their own future Hall of Famer, Brett Favre, who won his third consecutive MVP award in 1997. They owned the NFL's second-ranked scoring offense but also a top-five defense. Denver had lost three Super Bowls in four seasons from 1986 to 1989, but underwent a resurgence under coach Mike Shanahan, particularly Elway, who was 37 and nearing the end of his career in 1997.

Green Bay jumped out to a 7-0 lead before the Broncos scored 17 unanswered points. Both teams traded scores in the second half before running back Terrell Davis scored his third touchdown of the game with just under two minutes remaining to win the Broncos' first Super Bowl.

Denver repeated as champions the following season, and Elway rode off into retirement a two-time champion.

6. Seahawks over Broncos, SB XLVIII

When: Feb. 2, 2014

Where: East Rutherford, New Jersey

Pregame betting line: Broncos -2

Final Score: Seahawks 43, Broncos 8

Quarterback Peyton Manning's second season with the Broncos was a historic success.

Denver set NFL records for points scored and yards gained in a season, while Manning set an NFL record with 55 touchdown passes, a mark that still stands. Four Broncos players recorded double-digit touchdown catches, and their offense looked like an unstoppable force entering the first Super Bowl in league history to be played in a cold-weather city.

But the Seahawks' defense very much played the role of the immovable object. The famed "Legion of Boom" unit featured three All-Pro defensive backs in cornerback Richard Sherman and safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas. Seattle also boasted second-year linebacker Bobby Wagner, who became one of the most productive linebackers of all time.

The Seahawks owned the game from the first snap, literally -- a poor snap went past Manning and into the end zone for a safety. They opened a 22-0 lead by halftime, which ballooned to 36-0 before Denver finally scored its only points of the game at the end of the third quarter.

The 43-8 win is the largest margin of victory for an underdog in Super Bowl history and served as a coming-out party for one of the league's greatest defenses.

7. Giants over Bills, SB XXV

When: Jan. 27, 1991

Where: Tampa Stadium (Tampa)

Pregame betting line: Bills -7

Final Score: Giants 20, Bills 19

Look away, Bills fans.

In a game that started a historic losing streak, the Bills featured Hall of Famers on both sides of the ball and entered as a touchdown favorite against a New York team playing without its starting quarterback. Bills defensive end Bruce Smith won the league's Defensive Player of the Year Award after a 19-sack season, and played with a trio of Pro Bowl linebackers behind him. The Bills' strong point, however, was their offense, led by quarterback Jim Kelly, running back Thurman Thomas, and wideouts Andre Reed and James Lofton. Their no-huddle offense kept opposing defenses off balance and allowed the Bills to lead the league in scoring during the regular season.

The Giants' defensive coordinator was Belichick, and he told his players that they would win the game if Thomas, a dynamic receiving threat who finished second on the team in receptions and targets, rushed for 100 yards. The idea was to force the Bills to keep running the ball, limiting their dangerous passing offense. It worked, as Buffalo struggled to extend drives on third down, and thus possessed the ball for just 19:47.

New York's backup quarterback Jeff Hostetler, who started five games (including playoffs) in place of the injured Phil Simms, led a 14-play, 74-yard drive to set up a go-ahead field goal with just over seven minutes remaining in the game to take a 20-19 lead. With eight seconds left in the game, Bills kicker Scott Norwood kicked a 47-yard field goal attempt that missed wide right.

8. Washington over Denver, SB XXII

When: Jan. 31, 1988

Where: Jack Murphy Stadium (San Diego)

Pregame betting line: Broncos -2

Final Score: Washington 42, Broncos 10

Washington quarterback Doug Williams produced one of the greatest individual performances in Super Bowl history en route to becoming the first Black quarterback to win the big game.

The Broncos reached Super Bowl XXI the previous year, an uncompetitive 39-20 loss to the Giants. They returned, having won the AFC West, and earned the conference's top seed entering the playoffs. Elway won his first MVP award that season, and Williams, who took over the starting job in Washington midway through the season because of poor play from starter Jay Schroeder, played only five regular-season games.

Denver held a 10-0 lead entering the second quarter, but Washington's second-quarter performance was historic. Williams threw four touchdown passes, and rookie running back Timmy Smith ran for an 80-yard touchdown; Washington scored 35 points, needing only 22 plays to do so. It set a Super Bowl record for most points in a quarter and a half.

Williams was named Super Bowl MVP after throwing for 340 passing yards and four touchdowns with one interception. Smith was also superb, rushing for 204 yards and two touchdowns, while wide receiver Ricky Sanders caught nine passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Smith and Sanders set Super Bowl records for rushing and receiving yards, respectively.

9. Bucs over Raiders, SB XXXVII

When: Jan. 26, 2003

Where: Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego)

Pregame betting line: Raiders -4

Final Score: Buccaneers 48, Raiders 21

Let's say you're an NFL head coach: What is something you should do if you're playing in a Super Bowl against the man who coached your team in the previous season? If you answered "change the audibles," you're already doing better than Bill Callahan of the then-Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders traded coach Jon Gruden to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2002 offseason for two first-round picks, two second-round picks and $8 million cash, and promoted offensive coordinator Callahan to head coach. The move didn't hurt them in the regular season, in large part because of an MVP season from quarterback Rich Gannon. Tampa Bay owned the league's top-scoring defense, however, and put it on full display when the teams met in San Diego.

Gannon threw a Super Bowl record five interceptions, including an unfathomable three pick-sixes as the Buccaneers routed Oakland 48-21. The Bucs led 34-3 at one point, before Oakland scored 18 unanswered points to make things interesting midway through the fourth quarter. But the Buccaneers scored pick-sixes on consecutive possessions to close the game.

According to several former Raiders players, Callahan changed the game plan to a pass-heavy approach less than two days before the Super Bowl, but didn't change the team's audible calls. Gruden had the Buccaneers prepared and won the franchise's first championship in resounding fashion.

10. Giants over Patriots, SB XLVI

When: Feb. 5, 2012

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis)

Pregame betting line: Patriots -3

Final Score: Giants 21, Patriots 17

There's no way the Giants could pull it off again, right?

Four years after achieving the No. 1 upset on our list, the Giants pulled off another one -- albeit as much smaller underdogs. At one point in the 2011 season, they had lost five straight games but won their final two regular-season matchups to win the NFC East with a 9-7 record.

The Patriots were the hottest team in the NFL entering Super Bowl XLVI, winners of 10 straight. Second-year tight end Rob Gronkowski turned in the best season of his career with more than 1,300 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. New England's defense lagged behind its third-ranked scoring offense, but the unit excelled at taking the ball away.

The game started off on a bizarre note, with Brady drawing an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone, resulting in a safety for New York. The Patriots trailed 9-0 in the first half but responded with 17 unanswered points. New York answered with a pair of Lawrence Tynes field goals and iced the win with an Ahmad Bradshaw touchdown with just under a minute remaining.

Eli Manning secured his second Super Bowl victory, which included another dramatic completion -- this time a pinpoint throw to Mario Manningham down the sideline between two defenders on the game-winning drive.