Rating some nice underdog tales.
With the Tremendous Bowl upon us, what higher time than to look again on the massive sport’s historical past and check out some probably the most unlikely winners.
Everybody loves a very good underdog story, and these ten video games are simply that. Now granted, this upcoming Tremendous Bowl between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams doesn’t actually have an underdog. The Patriots are just one level favorites, whereas the Rams went 13-Three this season, giving themselves one the perfect information the 2018 season.
Regardless, it might be stunning to see a younger quarterback like Jared Gf beat a legend like Tom Brady, so possibly this record will encourage that magic.
So with out additional ado, right here is our record the 10 finest Tremendous Bowl upsets all time.
10. Tremendous Bowl XVII: Washington Redskins 27 – Miami Dolphins 17
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The Miami Dolphins had been favored by solely three factors within the 17th version the Tremendous Bowl, however attributable to an absence expertise and a roster comprised free brokers who hadn’t been drafted and lacked playf expertise, the Washington Redskins had been written f.
Regardless of all of the naysayers, Joe Theismann and firm had been capable of beat the Dolphins due to 17-unanswered factors within the second half. Theismann wasn’t precisely phenomenal. He had two touchdowns and two interceptions. In actuality, it was operating again John Riggins’ play that propelled the crew to a championship. He picked up a landing and 166 dashing yards which earned him Tremendous Bowl MVP honors.
This was the primary time the Washington Redskins had gained the Tremendous Bowl. They went on to win two extra.
9. Tremendous Bowl IV: Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 23 – Minnesota Vikings 7
This upset got here only a yr after an upset that shall be featured a bit of bit additional down this record. What made it so vital, is that it marked two years in a row crew many thought couldn’t win, ended up successful. It was additionally the final Tremendous Bowl earlier than the AFL and NFL merger.
The Minnesota Vikings dominated the NFL that season and had been 13-point favorites over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs the AFL. Regardless of that, the Chiefs protection was simply an excessive amount of to deal with, choosing up three interceptions and a few fumble recoveries. They completed the primary half with a 16-Zero lead and by no means regarded again en path to the 23-7 win.
The loss was the Vikings first 4 losses within the massive sport. They’re tied with the Buffalo Payments for having the worst Tremendous Bowl file within the historical past the NFL.
As for the Chiefs, they haven’t been again to the Championship match since.
eight. Tremendous Bowl XV: Oakland Raiders 27 – Philadelphia Eagles 10
Heading into this sport, everybody knew the Raiders had a very good protection, however quarterback Jim Plunkett’s questionable play made some imagine the Raiders simply wouldn’t have a ok fense to drag f the win. It was as a result of this that the Eagles had been deemed three-point favorites.
Properly, Plunkett proved everybody flawed, throwing for 261 yards and three touchdowns, choosing up Tremendous Bowl MVP honors. In the meantime, Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski threw three interceptions and a landing.
Plunkett didn’t have a really memorable NFL profession afterward and is taken into account one the weaker quarterbacks to ever win a Tremendous Bowl.
This was Oakland’s second three Tremendous Bowls in eight seasons.
7. Tremendous Bowl XXII: Washington Redskins 42 – Denver Broncos 10
The Denver Broncos had been solely three-point favorites in opposition to the Washington Redskins within the 1988 Tremendous Bowl, however the quarterback matchup had many considering it was a lock for the Broncos. After all, the Broncos had John Elway, whereas the Redskins had Doug Williams, who ultimately turned the primary African-American quarterback to win a Tremendous Bowl.
No person actually knew at that time how unhealthy Elway could be in Tremendous Bowls till he gained two on the tail finish his profession. The yr earlier than, the Broncos 39-20 to the New York Giants. Regardless, Elway was the favourite.
Properly, it didn’t work so effectively for the Broncos legend. He threw one landing and three interceptions, whereas Williams notched 4 touchdowns and one interception. Williams was topped Tremendous Bowl MVP that yr.
The Broncos even had a 10-Zero lead at one level, however the Redskins dismantled the Broncos with 42-unanswered factors.
6. Tremendous Bowl XLVII: Baltimore Ravens 34 – San Francisco 49ers 31
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Whereas this one might come as a bit a shock to some individuals, the Baltimore Ravens had been underdogs after they went up in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers in Tremendous Bowl 47. The sport was a battle the Harbaugh brothers, with Jim Harbaugh teaching the 49ers and John Harbaugh manning the Ravens.
Led by quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers had been thought to have one probably the most dynamic fenses within the NFL, whereas the Ravens had an growing older protection led by Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. To not point out, Joe Flacco was not seen as an elite quarterback and lots of thought he would crumble underneath the stress. All this made the 49ers four-point favorites.
The Ravens ended up with a 21-6 lead at halftime and by no means regarded again, though the 49ers did make it shut. The sport itself wasn’t nice however maybe the perfect half was when the facility went out inflicting a prolonged delay the likes the Tremendous Bowl had by no means seen earlier than.
Since then, Kaepernick has been basically blacklisted from the league, whereas Flacco has been mediocre at finest.
5. Tremendous Bowl XXV: New York Giants 20 – Buffalo Payments 19
Oh, the poor Buffalo Payments the 1990s. Most likely one probably the most unfortunate franchises in sports activities historical past, the Payments made it to 4 straight Tremendous Bowls between 1990 and 1993 and didn’t win a single one. The second these appearances was in opposition to the New York Giants in Tremendous Bowl 25, with the Payments being thought-about as seven-point favorites.
The Giants had been depleted going into the sport. Quarterback Phil Simms was out with an harm, which meant Jeff Hostetler needed to play for a bit the season, together with the playfs. Buffalo’s Jim Kelly was thought-about to be miles and away the higher quarterback, with not many giving the Giants an opportunity to drag f the win.
In the long run, the Giants got here out victorious with a strong efficiency from Hostetler who threw one landing and 222 yards. In the meantime, Giants operating again Ottis Anderson gained MVP honors with a landing run and over 100 yards.
This was the primary an solely Tremendous Bowl to finish with a one-point differential between the 2 groups. It was additionally the Giants second Tremendous Bowl in 5 years.
four. Tremendous Bowl XXXII: Denver Broncos 31 – Inexperienced Bay Packers 24
It’s exhausting to imagine John Elway was ever thought-about an underdog in his profession, however that’s precisely what he was in 1998 when the Denver Broncos took on the Inexperienced Bay Packers within the 32nd version the large sport.
The Broncos had been 11-point underdogs because the Packers, led by Brett Favre, had simply gained the Tremendous Bowl the yr earlier than and had one the perfect fenses within the league. In the meantime, Elway was an growing older quarterback who some felt would retire with out a Tremendous Bowl victory underneath his identify.
Elway ended up proving all the doubters flawed, making one probably the most iconic performs in Tremendous Bowl historical past, diving for a primary down on the game-winning drive. With simply 1:45 left within the sport, operating again Terrell Davis scored a 1-yard landing run to safe the 31-24 victory.
Elway would go on to play one other yr and notch his second straight Tremendous Bowl in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons.
Three. Tremendous Bowl XXXVI: New England Patriots 20 – St-Louis Rams 17
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Whereas it could not look like a lot an upset now contemplating the dynasty they ultimately turned, the New England Patriots weren’t on condition that a lot an opportunity in opposition to Kurt Warner and the St-Louis Rams. In reality, the Patriots had been 14 level underdogs heading into the sport.
At that time, the Patriots had been seen as Tremendous Bowl frauds as a result of the notorious tuck rule scenario. In the meantime, Warner and the Rams had gained a Tremendous Bowl just some years prior. To not point out, Brady was nonetheless an unproven teenager who was taking the reigns for an injured Drew Bledsoe.
Regardless of all the things going in opposition to the Patriots, the sport was tied 17-17 with just a bit bit time left on the clock. Brady led the cost down the sphere and Adam Vinatieri kicked a 48-yard area purpose with no time left on the clock to safe the franchise’s first Tremendous Bowl.
Brady was topped Tremendous Bowl MVP and a dynasty was born.
2. Tremendous Bowl III: New York Jets 16 – Baltimore Colts 7
Joe Namath and the New York Jets had been thought-about 18 level underdogs in opposition to Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts. The Colts had been a dominant crew on the time, with Unitas being thought-about one the perfect quarterbacks within the sport. In the meantime, Namath was seen as a cocky younger quarterback, who could be eaten alive by the Colts protection.
In a well-known video, Namath was seen in Miami simply three days earlier than the Tremendous Bowl, the place he assured a win. On the time, he was laughed at and ridiculed for considering he even had a bit of bit an opportunity at successful the large sport.
Properly, Broadway Joe proved everybody flawed because the Jets went on to win 16-7 and Namath took residence Tremendous Bowl MVP honors. He by no means threw a landing, however picked up 206 yards and accomplished 17 28 passes. In the meantime, Unitas ended the sport with an interception.
Namath’s declaration victory, together with simply how massive an underdog the Jets had been, makes this sport on the largest upsets in not simply soccer, however sports activities historical past.
1. Tremendous Bowl XLII: New York Giants 17 – New England Patriots 14
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Whereas some might argue that Namath’s massive win over the Colts is the largest upset, nothing shall be extra iconic than when the New York Giants, led by Eli Manning, defeated the undefeated New England Patriots, 17-14 within the Tremendous Bowl 42.
This sport was imagined to cement the legacy the 2007 Patriots as the best soccer crew all time. They went 16-Zero within the common season and gained each playf video games en path to the large sport. Quarterback Tom Brady and broad receiver Randy Moss had been dominating on fense and seemingly couldn’t be stopped. Nobody was giving the Giants a shot to win this sport.
That each one modified although when the Giants, who solely went 10-6 that yr, squeaked right into a wild-card spot and bought scorching simply on the proper time. Within the Tremendous Bowl itself, the Giants performed some unbelievable protection and had been helped out by the best Tremendous Bowl catch all time, courtesy David Tyree, on the crew’s ultimate drive.
A Plaxico Burress landing made it 17-14, with the Giants thwarting Brady’s ultimate drive.
It was the Patriots solely loss that season, with Manning cementing himself as an elite quarterback. Just some years later the Giants would go on to beat the Patriots once more within the Tremendous Bowl.
Do you agree with this record? What are your largest Tremendous Bowl upsets all time?