The Ten Worst Super Bowls in the Last 35 years (NFL Quick Slant Day 3)
Tell Me Yours
Qualifier: I began watching the NFL around 1985. This means the first Super Bowl that I ever watched was in 1986 — Chicago and New England. An absolute clunker.
This began a span of roughly fifteen years of absolute Super Bowl misery (aside from 1989 and 1991 — great games). Big parties, great food, but absolutely terrible television.
Here’s a look back at the ten most mind-numbing, drool-producing, snoozers in the last 35 years.
10. Pittsburgh vs. Seattle, 2006
The Steelers won, 21–10. Big Ben was 9–21, no TD’s, 2 picks, QB rating of 22. The outcome was really never in doubt although it was a four-point game in the second half.
9. Denver vs. Atlanta, 1999
Denver wins 34–19 and John Elway wins his first Super Bowl on his fifth try. Denver led 31–6 in the fourth quarter. Never in doubt.
8. Washington vs Buffalo, 1992
Skins win, 37–24. The game was nowhere near as close as the score. Washington was up 24–0 in the first half. It’s notable for the fact that this was the second of four straight Super Bowl appearances for Buffalo. The year before they played one of the most thrilling Super Bowls of all-time against the Giants. This would be the first of three straight clunkers though. Pass the wings.
7. San Francisco vs. San Diego, 1995
Northern Cal beat Southern Cal. San Fran crushed the Chargers and somebody called Stan Humphries, 49–26. The score in the fourth quarter was 42–18. Time to hit the surf.
6. NY Giants vs. Denver, 1987
Phil Simms goes 22–25 and the G-men smash Denver, 39–20. The Broncos actually led at halftime, 10–9 but New York was up 33–10 in the fourth quarter. No chance.
5. Seattle vs. Denver, 2014
Peyton Manning’s first Super Bowl with Denver didn’t turn out so hot. The Legion of Boom laid down the gauntlet, setting the tone early with a Cliff Avril safety on Knowshon Moreno. Seattle was up 36–0 in the third quarter. Notable because it was played in New York for the first time ever. Final score: Hawks 43–8. On top of that, it was freezing. Awful.
4. Dallas vs. Buffalo, 1993
Buffalo’s last of four straight Super Bowl appearances. It was never close — final score, 52–17. Notable for the fact that Don Beebe chased down Leon Lett while Lett was hot-dogging it on what looked like an easy fumble-recovery jaunt to the end zone. Buffalo did score first though. Yawner.
3. Washington vs. Denver, 1988
Elway loses for the second straight year. Denver scores the first ten points and then the Skins pile on 35 in the second quarter and win 42–10. Doneski, fork. Denver loses its second straight.
They are close to being banished from playing in the Super Bowl ever again. Notable for the fact that Doug Williams was the first-ever African-American to win a Super Bowl. How could it get any worse for Denver? Two straight beat downs — cumulative score 81–30.
2. San Francisco vs. Denver, 1990
Wait, wait. Did I just say how could it get any worse for Denver in Super Bowls? In fact, it got epically worse.
The gold-diggers (San Fran), won their second straight Super Bowl, 55–10. At one point they were up a whopping 48–3. That was in the 3rd quarter. For those keeping score at home, three Super Bowls in four years, and Denver was outscored…wait for it…136–40.
- Chicago vs. New England, 1986
The worst Super Bowl of all time, back when defenses ruled the game. So glad that’s over. An eleven-year-old Tom Brady could have kept it closer than Steve Grogan. The Bears win 46–10. William “Refridgerator” Perry got a cool rushing touchdown in the third quarter to make the score 44–3.
So humble of them to run that play while up 37–3. I would say the 1986 Chicago Bears were the least humble team in NFL history. And one of the most popular. I thought they were incredibly boring to watch.
Here are some other honorable mentions: Giants vs Ravens, 2001; Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh, 1994; Tampa vs. Oakland, 2003.
I am thankful for Tom Brady because he turned this around in 2002. To say the Rams were a heavy favorite is an understatement. It was Mike Tyson vs. Little Mac on paper. FOURTEEN points they were favored by! No problem.
Brady gave John Madden “goosebumps” on his game-winning drive dinking and dunking all over the place. He handed it over to the greatest kicker of all time, Adam Vinatieri. 20–17. Nail, coffin, beginning of an era.
Speaking of Tom Brady and Adam Vinatieri and being underdogs. There is a young quarterback and a fabulous kicker who are playing in about a week against the…Rams. Beginning of an era.