A Look at the Past 7 Super Bowl Betting Underdogs

Did you know that the underdog has not only covered the spread in five of the last seven Super Bowls but has won all five of those games straight up? Setting the spread seems to have become problematic in the postseason as of late — in 2017, the underdog covered in 10 of 11 contests, and the Philadelphia Eagles, who would win the Super Bowl, were the underdogs in all of their playoff games. They became only the third team to win a Super Bowl after being the underdog in all of their postseason contests. As we look ahead to consider Super Bowl betting futures, here are some thoughts to consider on the basis of the performance of the underdogs in the last seven world championships.

A Look at the Past 7 Super Bowl Betting Underdogs

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Super Bowl LII: Philadelphia (+4) vs New England

Offensive coordinators have used several different versions of the “Philly Special” — the trick play that saw Eagles quarterback Nick Foles catch a touchdown pass in Philadelphia’s upset of the New England Patriots, but the original is the one that still occupies the highlight reels. The Eagles’ defense couldn’t stop the Patriots often, giving up 33 points, but they took advantage of holes in the Patriots’ defense and hung 41 points on New England to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl and first league championship since 1960. Philadelphia covered and won, 41-33.

Super Bowl LI: Atlanta (+3) vs New England

Things were looking terrific for Matt Ryan and the Atlanta offense through three quarters, as the Falcons had built a 28-3 lead near the end of the third quarter. However, as has happened so many times for teams who have a lead on the New England Patriots, the Falcons managed to bumble their advantage away in the fourth quarter. The Falcons had a late chance to kick a clinching field goal after an amazing pass to Julio Jones, but then Matt Ryan made a key mistake, taking a sack that pushed the Falcons out of field goal range. The Patriots forced overtime, and the rest is history. New England covered and won, 34-28.

Super Bowl 50: Denver (+5) vs Carolina

No one expected Denver to do very much against Carolina, given the limitations that Peyton Manning had throwing the ball and the dynamic performance Cam Newton had given leading the Panthers all season long. However, the ironclad Denver defense stood tall and delivered four takeaways, including a key Cam Newton fumble late in the game, and the Broncos were able to shut down one of the more high-flying offenses in the NFC. Denver covered and won, 24-10.

Super Bowl XLIX: Seattle (+1) vs New England

.The Seahawks were three-point favorites when betting opened on Super Bowl XLIX, but they were one-point underdogs by kickoff. It looked like Seattle was going to make the bettors pay, as they drove down the field thanks to huge runs from Marshawn Lynch. Then, for whatever reason, Seattle offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell called for a pass, and Malcolm Butler made one of the most iconic interceptions in the history of the NFL, sealing the win for New England. New England covered and won, 28-24.

Super Bowl XLVIII: Seattle (+2.5) vs Denver

This game was one of the biggest wins by an underdog in the history of the Super Bowl. The Seattle defense jumped all over Denver from the very first series. The “Legion of Boom” had its finest hour during this Super Bowl, and Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense overwhelmed a Denver defense that had come in with a solid reputation of its own Seattle covered and won, 43-8. 

Super Bowl XLVII: Baltimore (+4) vs San Francisco

Remember when Colin Kaepernick was an NFL quarterback? He led the 49ers to a Super Bowl — but despite a huge San Francisco lead, the Ravens mounted a furious comeback behind Joe Flacco and won late. Now, seven years later, Flacco is seeing his career come to an end with the rise of Lamar Jackson, and Kaepernick is a pariah. Baltimore won and covered, 34-31.

Super Bowl XLVI: N.Y. Giants (+3) vs New England

Eli Manning won both of his Super Bowl rings against the New England Patriots, both in comeback fashion, and the winning touchdown pass to Ahmad Bradshaw likely sent Manning to the Hall of Fame when his career comes to an end. New York won and covered, 21-17.