As the NFL season reaches its business end, the anticipation for Super Bowl LIX builds to a fever pitch. With the playoff race heating up, every team is pushing hard for a shot at the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy, as teams are just one win away from the big day.
This year’s Super Bowl, set to take place on February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, is shaping up to be another epic showdown.
The Kansas City Chiefs, led by the indomitable Andy Reid, are seeking to add yet another title to their impressive legacy, while challengers like the Philadelphia Eagles, who are the favourites at the time of writing in American football betting, alongside the Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders, who will want to dethrone them. As the playoff action intensifies, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
In the build-up to this highly anticipated game, it’s worth reflecting on some of the most shocking upsets in Super Bowl history—moments when the bookmakers were left stunned and fans inside the stadium witnessed history unfold in unexpected ways.
From underdog triumphs to improbable victories, here’s a look at three of the most unforgettable underdog stories in Super Bowl history.
Super Bowl XXXVI (2002): New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams
Dubbed “The Greatest Show on Turf,” the St. Louis Rams were heavy favourites to win Super Bowl XXXVI, thanks to their high-powered offense led by Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, and a star-studded supporting cast. On the other side, the New England Patriots were seen as a scrappy underdog team led by a relatively unknown quarterback, Tom Brady.
The Patriots, however, executed a masterful game plan that stifled the Rams’ offense. With the score tied late in the fourth quarter, Brady orchestrated a clutch drive that set up Adam Vinatieri’s iconic game-winning field goal. The Patriots’ 20–17 win not only shocked the NFL world but also marked the beginning of a dynasty under Brady and head coach Bill Belichick.
Super Bowl XLII (2008): New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
Six years later, and the Patriots were aiming for perfection in Super Bowl XLII, boasting an unblemished 18–0 record heading into the big game. Standing in their way were the New York Giants, a Wild Card team that had barely scraped their way into the playoffs.
What followed was one of the greatest upsets in sports history. The Giants’ defense, led by Michael Strahan, relentlessly pressured Pat Brady, while Eli Manning delivered under pressure.
David Tyree’s miraculous “Helmet Catch” in the fourth quarter set up a game-winning touchdown, as the Giants triumphed 17–14. The result ended the Patriots’ perfect season and etched the Giants’ victory into Super Bowl lore.
Super Bowl XLVIII (2014): Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos entered Super Bowl XLVIII as slight favourites, boasting the NFL’s most prolific offense led by Peyton Manning, who had set a single-season record for touchdown passes.
Many expected a tight, high-scoring affair against the Seattle Seahawks, whose “Legion of Boom” defense was among the best in the league. What followed, however, was a one-sided shocker.
The Seahawks overwhelmed the Broncos from the very first play—a botched snap that resulted in a safety—and never let up. Seattle’s dominant defense and special teams paved the way for a resounding 43–8 victory.
Few expected such a lopsided result in a game featuring Manning, but the Seahawks’ emphatic win proved how defense can still win championships.
