Breaking Down the 10 Worst Super Bowl Mismatches Of All-Time

While there’s been plenty of good and memorable games in Super Bowl history, there’s been some blowouts along the way as well. Remember the stretch between 1984 and 1989 when the closest game was 19 points? Yes, it’s happened, and today we are going to go through the Top 10 Super Bowl Mismatches of All-Time.

10. Baltimore Over New York Giants 34-7 in SB XXXV in 2001 – The Ravens defense overwhelmed Kerry Collins and the Giants, as Brian Billick topped good friend Jim Fassel on the stage in Tampa. Trent Dilfer remains the worst starting QB to win a Super Bowl, but hey, at least he’s got one.

9. Oakland Over Minnesota 32-14 in SB XI in 1977 – Yet another Vikings letdown, this time at the hands of John Madden and the silver and black. The Raiders D stopped the Vikings run game, and Raiders back Clarence Davis, who had just over 500 yards during the season, ran for 137 in the win for Oakland.

8. Green Bay Over Oakland 33-14 in SB II in 1968 – There was no way the Packers would lose in Vince Lombardi’s last game as coach for the Pack, and they pounded the Raiders 33-14 for the back to back titles. Up 16-7 at half, Packers guard Jerry Kramer said to his teammates (referring to Lombardi), “Let’s play the last 30 minutes for the old man.” They did, as they went on for the 19-point easy win.

7. Denver Over Atlanta 34-19 in SB XXIII in 1999 – The upstart Falcons were crushed by the offense led by John Elway in his last game in the NFL. The HOF QB threw for 336 yards, threw a TD and ran for one in his final game. The Falcons were just happy to be there after upsetting the 15-1 Vikings two weeks before.

6. Washington Over Denver 42-10 in SB XXII in 1988 – The unlikely story of Doug Williams, who in one quarter won the MVP with five TD passes. Denver couldn’t stop the Skins, allowing over 600 yards of offense, including 204 to an unknown RB named Timmy Smith.

5. Dallas Over Miami 24-3 in SB VI in 1972 – Dallas finally got over the hump, as Tom Landry’s team had knocked on the door so often, but finally won one behind two TD passes for Roger Staubach and a defense that allowed Miami just three points. Dallas’ D stopped Paul Warfield all day, and that was all they needed to do to win their first title.

4. Dallas Over Buffalo 52-17 in SB XXVII in 1993 – Over at halftime with the Cowboys leading 28-10, they crushed the Bills in putting up a record 52 points. Troy Aikman was named Super Bowl MVP, completing 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards and four touchdowns. Buffalo turned the ball over 9 times, still an NFL record. It was their third straight SB loss.

3. San Francisco Over San Diego 49-26 in SB XXIX 1995 – The coming out party for Steve Young, he finally escaped Joe Montana’s shadow with a huge game, throwing six touchdowns. The Niners led 28-10 at the half, and it was never close as they blew out the Chargers who had upset the Steelers two weeks earlier.

2. San Francisco Over Denver 55-10 in SB XXIV 1990 – It was a blowout from the coin toss, as Montana threw 22 of 29 passes for a total of 297 yards and then a Super Bowl record 5 touchdowns. The Niners led 27-3 at halftime, and Elway and the Broncos were no match for this awesome outing by San Fran.

1. Chicago Over New England 46-10 in SB XX 1986 – Never a game, unless you felt the Pats actually had a shot against the best Super Bowl defense ever at 3-0. The Bears toyed with the Pats, setting Super Bowl records for sacks (seven) and fewest rushing yards allowed (seven). The Bears’ 36-point margin over the Patriots was a Super Bowl record until Super Bowl XXIV (45). The Patriots were held to negative yardage (-19) throughout the entire first half, and just 123 total yards in the entire game, the second lowest total in Super Bowl history.