Super Bowl Top 10 Upsets of All Time

The Super Bowl is the most-watched sporting event in the United States, and it's often the culmination of an entire season's worth of hard work and determination by two teams. While many Super Bowls are won by the favorite, there have been several occasions where the underdog has pulled off a shocking upset.

These upsets are significant not only because they defy the odds, but they also showcase the unpredictable nature of sports and the excitement that can come from a thrilling upset victory. In this article, we will be counting down the Super Bowl top 10 upsets of all time and exploring what made them so memorable.

Criteria for Selection

To determine the Super Bowl top 10 upsets, a variety of criteria were considered. These criteria included:

1. Point spread:

The point spread is the predicted difference in score between the two teams. A larger point spread indicates a greater disparity between the two teams and a lower likelihood of an upset.

2. Team records:

The records of both teams leading up to the Super Bowl were considered. If one team had a significantly better record, they were less likely to be considered an underdog.

3. Betting odds:

The betting odds provide an indication of how likely each team is to win. If a team has very long odds, they are considered a long shot and more likely to be an underdog.

4. Performance in the playoffs:

How each team performed in the playoffs leading up to the Super Bowl was also taken into account. A team that had struggled in the playoffs but managed to pull off an upset in the Super Bowl may be more significant than a team that had dominated throughout.

5. Historical context:

Finally, the historical context of each upset was considered. Some upsets may have had a greater impact on the league or popular culture, and these factors were taken into account when creating the list.

Super Bowl top 10 upsets Analysis

1 : Super Bowl XLII : New York Giants 17 , New England patriots 14 In 2008, the under feted New England patriots were heavily favored to win but the New York giants pulled off last minute touchdown.

2. Super Bowl XXXVII: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48, Oakland Raiders 21 The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 12-point underdogs to the Oakland Raiders in 2003, but they dominated the game, intercepting Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon five times and scoring three defensive touchdowns.

3. Super Bowl XXXII: Denver Broncos 31, Green Bay Packers 24 In 1998, the Green Bay Packers were defending champions and heavily favored to win the Super Bowl, but the Denver Broncos, led by quarterback John Elway, pulled off the upset with a strong running game and a gutsy performance by Elway.

4. Super Bowl III: New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 7 In 1969, the New York Jets were 18-point underdogs to the Baltimore Colts, but they shocked the football world with a dominant performance, led by quarterback Joe Namath, who famously guaranteed a victory before the game.

5. Super Bowl XLVII: Baltimore Ravens 34, San Francisco 49ers 31 In 2013, the Baltimore Ravens were underdogs to the San Francisco 49ers, but they jumped out to a big lead and held off a late comeback attempt by the 49ers to win their second Super Bowl.

6. Super Bowl XXXVI: New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17 The 2001 New England Patriots, led by backup quarterback Tom Brady, were 14-point underdogs to the St. Louis Rams, but they pulled off the upset with a last-second field goal.

7. Super Bowl XXV: New York Giants 20, Buffalo Bills 19 The New York Giants were underdogs to the Buffalo Bills in 1991, but they won a close, hard-fought game, thanks in part to a clutch performance by backup quarterback Jeff Hostetler.

8. Super Bowl XLV: Green Bay Packers 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 25 The Green Bay Packers were slight underdogs to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011, but they won a thrilling game, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers earning MVP honors.

9. Super Bowl XLIV: New Orleans Saints 31, Indianapolis Colts 17 In 2010, the New Orleans Saints were underdogs to the Indianapolis Colts, but they pulled off the upset with a strong defensive performance and a gutsy onside kick in the second half.

10. Super Bowl III: New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 7 In 1969, the New York Jets' victory over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III .Joe Namath's guarantee of victory before the game has become a legendary moment in football lore.

Conclusion:

The Super Bowl top 10 upsets of all time have had a significant impact on the Super Bowl and the NFL as a whole. These upsets have shown that even the most dominant teams can fall to the underdogs, and that anything can happen in the biggest game of the year.

In addition, these upsets have given fans some of the most memorable moments in Super Bowl history, from David Tyree's helmet catch in Super Bowl XLII to Malcolm Butler's goal-line interception in Super Bowl XLIX.