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Every NFL team has different expectations heading into a new season. Some of them are favorites to make a run at a Super Bowl title, while others are considered long shots. Many factors contribute to a team’s outlook, including the strength of the overall roster and previous performances.
Being a favorite doesn't guarantee success, while at the same time massive underdogs still have a chance to win it all. Each NFL season features surprise teams from both ends of the spectrum. This includes teams that are significantly better or worse than originally projected.
On many occasions, one of the favorites lived up to expectations and ended the season by earning a Super Bowl ring. But there have also been many surprises throughout history as well. Here are five times an NFL team shocked the football world by winning a Super Bowl ring, despite being considered serious underdogs.
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#1 - 1968 New York Jets
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Prior to the start of the 1966 season, the AFL and NFL officially merged to form a league with one championship. This would become known as the Super Bowl. Many believed that the NFL was a superior league to the AFL, and the Green Bay Packers backed that up by winning the first two Super Bowls.
The Baltimore Colts entered Super Bowl III as heavy favorites over the New York Jets. Many feared that if the AFL didn't win on this occasion, the merger may have a hard time remaining permanent.
Jets quarterback Joe Namath personally guaranteed victory despite his team being a massive underdog. Shockingly, he delivered on his promise and the Jets won 16-7, potentially saving the modern version of the league.
#2 - 2017 Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles were considered underdogs prior to the start of the 2017 season. Quarterback Carson Wentz had a breakout year, earning the Eagles the top seed in the NFC.
But their underdog looked set to come to an end when Wentz got injured late in the season. This forced Nick Foles to take over as the starting quarterback for their playoff run.
Despite being the top seed, the Eagles were underdogs on the betting line for all of their playoff games that season. They overcame the odds in a big way, which concluded with a 20-14 victory over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. It was a magical run for Foles, who has mostly been a back-up throughout his career. Foles won the Super Bowl MVP after throwing for 373 yards, three touchdowns and catching a touchdown pass too.
#3 - 2001 New England Patriots
When Drew Bledsoe got injured early in the 2001 NFL season, most believed that the New England Patriots had no chance in the playoffs. They were forced to turn to Tom Brady, a sixth-round draft pick who was never projected to be the starting quarterback. The rest, as they say, is history.
When Bledsoe was healthy enough to return, the Patriots informed him they were sticking with Brady for their playoff run. Just making it to the Super Bowl would have been an amazing story, but they took it even further. They upset the St. Louis Rams 20-17. St Louis were one of the biggest favorites in Super Bowl history.
#4 - 2007 New York Giants
The New York Giants were tipped to earn a playoff berth in the 2007 NFL season, but were by no means a Super Bowl-caliber team. They played well enough to earn a Wild Card spot before winning three straight playoff games on the road to clinch the NFC title.
The playoff run helped quarterback Eli Manning earn legendary status, but the Giants still had a monumental task ahead of them. Their opponent in the big game was the undefeated New England Patriots.
Manning helped the Giants pull off one of the biggest upsets of all time winning 17–14. The victory included one of the most miraculous plays in NFL history with a game-saving scrambling completion to David Tyree.
#5 - 1999 St. Louis Rams
The 1999 St. Louis Rams are one of the greatest underdog stories of all time, personified by legendary quarterback Kurt Warner. The Rams' season appeared to be over when quarterback Trent Green was injured in the preseason. That's when the legend of Kurt Warner began.
After reportedly playing arena football and working in a grocery store, Warner won an NFL MVP award during his first season as a starter. This earned the Rams the iconic nickname of "The Greatest Show on Turf" for their seemingly unstoppable offense.
He capped off the magical year by winning the Super Bowl in one of the most incredible stories in NFL history. They defeated the Tennessee Titans 23–16 and the victory was decided with a game-saving tackle inches short of the Rams endzone.
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