Biggest Super Bowl Upsets

aesir911 Published 02/06/2011

'It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.' - Archie Griffen

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1.
#10
2.
3.
The 49ers eventually went on to establish themselves as the 'team of the 1980s,' but in 1981 their 26-year-old quarterback was in just his first full year as a starter. The 49ers and Joe Montana did just enough in the first half to stave off the talented but mistake-prone Bengals. San Francisco's goal-line stand in the third quarter loomed large.
4.
#9
5.
6.
Raiders C Barret Robbins going off on a bender 48 hours before kickoff didn't help. Neither did the horrendous performance of QB Rich Gannon. Still, Tampa Bay's defense was awfully good, and the offense clicked at just the right time.
7.
#8
8.
9.
Five times a division winner, the Cowboys made the Super Bowl for the first time with a dynamite roster in 1970. Duane Thomas' fumble at the goal line opened the door for the aging Colts, and then Jim O'Brien kicked it down.
10.
#7
11.
12.
League MVP Joe Theismann and the Redskins had amassed 541 points during the season, a league record that would stand for 15 years. The Raiders, however, could rush and cover with anyone in their era. It was no contest.
13.
#6
14.
15.
Phil Simms was injured and the Giants had struggled mightily late in the season. The Bills had a galaxy of young stars and were coming off a 51-3 demolition of the Raiders. It came down to a 47-yard field goal, and Scott Norwood's kick sailed right.
16.
#5
17.
18.
Coach Mike Shanahan and his Broncos set the trap for the overconfident Packers, and they fell right in. Denver's blitzing defense consistently beat Brett Favre, and the Packers' defense became too exhausted to stop Terrell Davis or John Elway.
19.
#4
20.
21.
The Chiefs waited three years for a chance to avenge their loss in Super Bowl I. Not only was the emotional edge leaning Kansas City's way, but so was the edge in talent. Steeped in the static concepts of the hide-bound NFL, the Vikings never had a chance.
22.
#3
23.
24.
The Rams appeared to have it all: Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, 'The Greatest Show on Turf,' and a rugged defense. But Belichick found ways to disrupt their passing game, and the youthful Brady didn't make mistakes at the end.
25.
#2
26.
27.
Tom Brady had rewritten the NFL record books, but the Giants weren't awestruck. Starting fast and finishing strong, the Giants handed Bill Belichick his most disappointing defeat.
28.
#1
29.
30.
Colts demolished Cleveland, 34-0, for the NFL crown. But the Jets had Joe Namath, multiple weapons on offense, and an established, resolute defense. Pro football was never the same after the Colts went down in flames.

1.
#10
2.
3.
The 49ers eventually went on to establish themselves as the 'team of the 1980s,' but in 1981 their 26-year-old quarterback was in just his first full year as a starter. The 49ers and Joe Montana did just enough in the first half to stave off the talented but mistake-prone Bengals. San Francisco's goal-line stand in the third quarter loomed large.
4.
#9
5.
6.
Raiders C Barret Robbins going off on a bender 48 hours before kickoff didn't help. Neither did the horrendous performance of QB Rich Gannon. Still, Tampa Bay's defense was awfully good, and the offense clicked at just the right time.
7.
#8
8.
9.
Five times a division winner, the Cowboys made the Super Bowl for the first time with a dynamite roster in 1970. Duane Thomas' fumble at the goal line opened the door for the aging Colts, and then Jim O'Brien kicked it down.
10.
#7
11.
12.
League MVP Joe Theismann and the Redskins had amassed 541 points during the season, a league record that would stand for 15 years. The Raiders, however, could rush and cover with anyone in their era. It was no contest.
13.
#6
14.
15.
Phil Simms was injured and the Giants had struggled mightily late in the season. The Bills had a galaxy of young stars and were coming off a 51-3 demolition of the Raiders. It came down to a 47-yard field goal, and Scott Norwood's kick sailed right.
16.
#5
17.
18.
Coach Mike Shanahan and his Broncos set the trap for the overconfident Packers, and they fell right in. Denver's blitzing defense consistently beat Brett Favre, and the Packers' defense became too exhausted to stop Terrell Davis or John Elway.
19.
#4
20.
21.
The Chiefs waited three years for a chance to avenge their loss in Super Bowl I. Not only was the emotional edge leaning Kansas City's way, but so was the edge in talent. Steeped in the static concepts of the hide-bound NFL, the Vikings never had a chance.
22.
#3
23.
24.
The Rams appeared to have it all: Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, 'The Greatest Show on Turf,' and a rugged defense. But Belichick found ways to disrupt their passing game, and the youthful Brady didn't make mistakes at the end.
25.
#2
26.
27.
Tom Brady had rewritten the NFL record books, but the Giants weren't awestruck. Starting fast and finishing strong, the Giants handed Bill Belichick his most disappointing defeat.
28.
#1
29.
30.
Colts demolished Cleveland, 34-0, for the NFL crown. But the Jets had Joe Namath, multiple weapons on offense, and an established, resolute defense. Pro football was never the same after the Colts went down in flames.