7 Times Wild Cards Shocked the World and Won the Super Bowl
Getting into the NFL playoffs as a wild card means your team didn’t win the division, but that doesn’t mean it’s over. In fact, some of the most exciting, unpredictable, and downright shocking Super Bowl champions started their run from the sidelines of the playoff bracket. Here are all the wild-card teams that got hot at the right time and went all the way.
The 1980 Oakland Raiders Made NFL History
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The Oakland Raiders won Super Bowl XV and became the first wild-card team to do so. Led by quarterback Jim Plunkett, they beat the Eagles 27-10 and rewrote the rules of what a playoff underdog could accomplish. They finished the regular season 11-5 and then bulldozed through the postseason. It changed how fans and analysts viewed the wild-card path forever.
The Steelers Went Road-Warrior Mode in 2005
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Pittsburgh had to win three straight games on the road just to reach Super Bowl XL. As a No. 6 seed, they clawed past the Bengals, Colts, and Broncos before taking down the Seahawks 21-10. Ben Roethlisberger, Jerome Bettis, and that steel-tough defense pulled off one of the most rugged wild-card runs the league has ever seen.
The 2020 Buccaneers Broke All the Rules
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Tampa Bay went on a tear in Super Bowl LV by handing the Chiefs a stunning 31-9 loss. Coming in as the No. 5 seed, they won every playoff game away from home before finishing the job in their own backyard. Tom Brady, in his first season with the Bucs, led the charge at age 43 and set a record as the oldest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
The 2000 Ravens Let Their Defense Do the Talking
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Offense was not really their thing that year. But defense? The Baltimore Ravens were terrifying. Their playoff dominance ended with a 34-7 beatdown of the Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. They allowed just 23 points total across four playoff games. As a wild card with a shaky offense, they turned heads by proving you can win a title almost entirely on defense.
The 1997 Broncos Proved Records Aren’t Everything
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Denver had a strong 12-4 record but entered the playoffs as a wild card because the Chiefs edged them in the division. That didn’t stop John Elway and Terrell Davis from running the table. They knocked off Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Green Bay to win Super Bowl XXXII, 31-24. It was Elway’s first Super Bowl win, and the Broncos’ first franchise title.
The Giants Ruined Perfection in 2007
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New York entered the playoffs as a No. 5 seed and finished the job as legends. Their shocking 17-14 win over the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII is still one of the biggest upsets in NFL history. Eli Manning’s miracle escape and pass to David Tyree, aka “The Helmet Catch,” is forever part of Super Bowl lore.
The Packers Rolled Through in 2010
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Green Bay had to win its final two regular-season games just to get in. As a No. 6 seed, it ripped through the Eagles, Falcons, and Bears and then edged the Steelers 31-25 in Super Bowl XLV. Aaron Rodgers was named MVP, and the Packers became just the second No. 6 seed to win the Super Bowl. Its defense came up big all postseason.
The Raiders Overcame Adversity in ‘80 Season
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The Raiders made their mark in more ways than one that season. After losing their starting quarterback, Jim Plunkett took over and led the charge, eventually earning Super Bowl MVP honors. Oakland battled through three tough AFC road games before defeating the Eagles in the final. Their run made history as the first time a team won the Super Bowl without the benefit of a first-round bye.
The Ravens Shut Everyone Down in 2000
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Baltimore held five straight opponents under 10 points during the regular season and didn’t slow down in the playoffs. They even won a game without scoring an offensive touchdown. Trent Dilfer managed the offense, while Ray Lewis and that defense crushed hopes. Their Super Bowl win was so one-sided, it barely felt competitive.
The Bucs’ Late-Season Turnaround Paid Off
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Tampa Bay was just 7-5 before their bye week in 2020. After that, they won eight straight games, including all four playoff matchups. Bruce Arians became the oldest head coach to win a Super Bowl (68), and the team handed Patrick Mahomes his worst loss as a pro. The Bucs went from inconsistent to unstoppable.
The Broncos Got Revenge on the Chiefs
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After being swept by Kansas City in the regular season, Denver got a shot at revenge in the playoffs. They made it count by knocking off the Chiefs in the Divisional Round. Terrell Davis rushed for 157 yards in the Super Bowl and won MVP. The Broncos’ balanced attack finally delivered a title for Elway after years of heartbreak.
The Giants Beat the Odds—Again
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In 2007, the Giants beat the top-seeded Cowboys and the red-hot Packers, both on the road. It was a gauntlet. They did it with a pass rush that hounded Tom Brady and a quarterback who never flinched under pressure.
The Packers’ Playoff Defense Surprised Everyone
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Green Bay’s defense was middle of the pack during the regular season, but it peaked at the right time. Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson, and B.J. Raji all made huge plays during their playoff run. Their offense had been inconsistent, but in the playoffs, Rodgers caught fire. The Packers won it all without ever playing a home playoff game.
The Steelers Snuck In, Then Took Over
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Pittsburgh barely made the playoffs at 11-5 in 2005. They upset the top-seeded Colts in the Divisional Round and then outmuscled Denver in the AFC title game. In the Super Bowl, they relied on their defense and a few trick plays, including a game-breaking reverse pass touchdown from Antwaan Randle El, to take down Seattle.
Brady’s New Chapter Started with a Bang
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In his first year outside New England, Tom Brady helped turn the Buccaneers into champions. Tampa Bay hadn’t made the playoffs in 13 years. They signed Brady, loaded up on talent, and cashed in. From the Wild Card Weekend to raising the Lombardi Trophy, their run was clinical and convincing.