Top 10 Biggest Super Bowl Underdogs

SI Staff | Jan 29, 2009

Top 10 Biggest Super Bowl Underdogs

Super Bowl IV

Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Even though the Jets had beaten the Colts in the previous Super Bowl, people still thought the AFL couldn't compete with the NFL, and the Vikings were favored by about two touchdowns. Buch Buchanan and the Hall of Fame-laden Chiefs defense completely dominated Minnesota in a 23-7 win that permanently put to rest the idea the AFL couldn't compete with the NFL. The leagues merged the following season.

Super Bowl XXIV

Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

John Elway and the Broncos had already dropped two Super Bowls in the last three years, and were 11-5 in the regular season. The Niners were 14-2 and looked unstoppable even though Bill Walsh had stepped down and George Seifert was the coach. San Francisco didn't disappoint, beating Denver 55-10 -- the biggest margin in Super Bowl history.

Super Bowl II

Sporting News/ZUMA Press/Icon SMI

Daryle Lamonica and the Raiders had dominated the AFL in 1967, finishing 13-1 and beating Houston 40-7 in the AFL Championship Game. But no one cared since the NFL was still considered far superior. The Packers were two-touchdown favorites and came through with a 33-14 win -- the final championship for Vince Lombardi.

Super Bowl XXX

Peter Read Miller/SI

The Steelers finished 11-5 in 1995 and were considered a good team, but the Cowboys were at the peak of their 1990s dynasty with stars Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin. The Steelers, led by young coach Bill Cowher, fought hard, but couldn't overcome three interceptions by Neil O'Donnell (14) and lost 27-17.

Super Bowl XXXI

Bill Frakes/SI

The Patriots were considered somewhat lucky to reach the Super Bowl because the AFC was somewhat watered-down in the mid-1990s. The NFC had won 12 straight Super Bowls and the Packers looked very strong. The Bill Parcells-led Patriots fought hard, but fell 35-21.

Super Bowl XLII

David Bergman/SI

The Patriots entered Super Bowl XLII with a perfect 18-0 record and were 12-point favorites against the Giants. However, Tom Brady couldn't get on track against a tough New York pass rush, and a miraculous David Tyree reception helped the Giants score a late touchdown and secure a 17-14 victory.

Super Bowl I

Cliff Welch/Icon SMI

The AFL formed in 1960 and the first Super Bowl was in 1967. There was little doubt the Chiefs, led by quarterback Len Dawson, were the best team in the AFL, but most folks believed the league was several notches below the NFL. To no one's surprise, Vince Lombardi's Packers beat Kansas City 35-10.

Super Bowl XXXVI

Bob Rosato/SI

The Patriots entered the game with a second-year quarterback no one quite trusted, Tom Brady, and a group of veterans with very few Pro Bowl appearances among them. The Rams had one of the most prolific offenses ever and looked unstoppable. But Brady led New England to a 20-17 victory in the Superdome.

Super Bowl XXIX

Damian Strohmeyer/SI

The 11-5 Chargers, led by journeyman quarterback Stan Humphries, were facing Steve Young and the 13-3 49ers. The Niners had just defeated the defending Super Bowl champion Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game and looked unbeatable. The Chargers were huge underdogs. They fought hard in the Super Bowl, but couldn't stop San Francisco's potent offensive attack in a 49-26 laugher.

Super Bowl III

Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

America didn't take the AFL seriously until this Super Bowl, which began with the Jets as 18-point underdogs. But the Jets were galvanized by the long odds. Quarterback Joe Namath and running back Matt Snell led them to a 16-7 victory over Baltimore that changed pro football forever.<br><br>Send comments to siwriters@simail.com.