NFL underdogs capture the imagination like few other teams in sports. Whether it’s a low-seeded playoff team making an improbable run or a franchise defying expectations, these stories resonate because they challenge the odds.
The league thrives on competition, but every so often, a team or player rises above predictions and acts to disrupt the status quo to leave a lasting mark on history. Here are five unforgettable underdog moments that defined the NFL.
The Image is courtesy of Pixabay via Image by 3D Animation Production Company.
Before Super Bowl III, the AFL was widely seen as inferior to the NFL. The Baltimore Colts, favored by more than two touchdowns, were expected to dominate the New York Jets. However, Joe Namath’s massive talent and bold guarantee of victory set the stage for one of the biggest upsets in football history.
Namath and the Jets controlled the game from the start, with a relentless defense and an efficient offense frustrating the Colts at every turn. A 16-7 win not only secured the Jets their first and only championship but also legitimized the AFL, paving the way for the eventual merger with the NFL.
A team that barely makes the playoffs isn’t expected to go far. That was the case for the 1980 Oakland Raiders, who finished the regular season at 11-5 and entered the playoffs as a wild card. With quarterback Jim Plunkett at the helm, the Raiders took on a series of formidable opponents but remained steadfast and focused during their scramble for unlikely Super Bowl glory.
After defeating the Oilers, Browns, and Chargers, the Raiders met the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV. Plunkett’s precision passing and an aggressive defense led to a 27-10 victory, making the Raiders the first wild-card team to win the Super Bowl. The achievement remains a testament to resilience and belief in the face of adversity.
The Rams entered the 1999 season with little fanfare. A year earlier, they finished 4-12. Then, in the preseason, starting quarterback Trent Green suffered a season-ending injury, leaving them with Kurt Warner—an undrafted backup with no prior starting experience.
At the time, few analysts believed the Rams had a shot at contention. Their roster didn’t feature many established stars, and their recent struggles made them an afterthought in early NFL team analysis . But as the season unfolded, the Rams’ high-powered offense caught everyone (fans and rivals included) off guard.
Warner turned out to be the spark the team needed to catch fire. Under his leadership, St. Louis posted a 13-3 record, dominating opponents with an explosive offense. In Super Bowl XXXIV, the Rams defeated the Tennessee Titans in dramatic fashion, thanks to a last-second goal-line stop. Warner was named MVP, completing one of the most improbable success stories in modern league history.
The New England Patriots were on the cusp of perfection. With an 18-0 record, they were one win away from becoming the first team since 1972 to complete an undefeated season. Only the New York Giants, a team that barely made the playoffs, stood in their way.
Throughout the season, the Patriots had dominated nearly every opponent, making them heavy favorites to win the Super Bowl. Most analysts, fans, and even oddsmakers believed New England’s victory was inevitable.
Betting on a selection of all NFL teams throughout a season usually brings a mix of surprises, but few expected this underdog story to unfold the way it did.
What followed in Super Bowl XLII was a defensive masterpiece. The Giants pressured Tom Brady relentlessly, holding the league’s highest-scoring offense to just 14 points. Then came one of the most famous plays in NFL history—David Tyree’s helmet catch, setting up the game-winning touchdown. With a 17-14 victory, the Giants delivered one of the greatest upsets ever, proving that no team is invincible.
The 2010 Packers barely made the postseason. Injuries plagued them throughout the year, and they needed to win their final two games just to sneak into the playoffs as the sixth seed. But once they got in, they played like champions.
Behind quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Packers won three straight road games against the Eagles, Falcons, and Bears to reach Super Bowl XLV. There, they faced the Pittsburgh Steelers, a franchise with six championships to its name. Green Bay’s defense forced turnovers, and Rodgers delivered a flawless performance, earning MVP honors in a 31-25 victory. The Packers became just the second No. 6 seed to win the Super Bowl, proving that anything is possible when a team peaks at the right time.
NFL underdogs remind fans why football is unpredictable. These teams, often overlooked or counted out, found ways to defy expectations and rewrite history. Whether through grit, strategy, or sheer determination, they cemented their legacies by proving that no team should ever be underestimated. These success stories continue to inspire future generations, keeping the league as thrilling as ever.