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Ranking Every Super Bowl Champion Since 2000
A champion is crowned every year but not all champions are created equal. In this ranking, we will rank every Super Bowl Champion since 2000 and determine which team was the best.
No. 24: New York Giants - Super Bowl XLVI
The 2011 New York Giants come in as the worst team on the list. During the regular season, they won just nine games, but it was enough to win the NFC East title. Their defense allowed the sixth-most yards per game, while their offense tallied just the eighth-most yards per game.
In the playoffs, they took care of business in the opening two rounds before narrowly defeating the 49ers in the NFC title game in overtime and then the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Due to their poor defense, the Giants come in at the bottom of the list.
No. 23: Baltimore Ravens - Super Bowl XLVII
The 2012 Ravens posted a 10-6 record en route to winning the AFC North. Their offense was near the middle of the pack, scoring the 11th-most points per game, while their defense allowed the 12th-most points per game. However, this team was propelled by their special teams unit.
Their playoff run was highlighted by a thrilling overtime victory over the Denver Broncos. In this game, Jacoby Jones caught a 70-yard TD to tie the game. In the Super Bowl, they got out to an early lead of the 49ers, but after the power went out in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, the 49ers rallied back, but the Ravens were able to hold on.
No. 22: New England Patriots - Super Bowl XXXVI
This was one of the most important seasons in the story of the NFL. Starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe suffered an injury during the third game of the season, which paved the way for Tom Brady to step onto the field. The rest was history.
However, this was Brady’s “worst” Super Bowl-winning team. During the regular season, they placed just above the average marks on both sides of the ball. During the playoffs, they won each game by just one score. Kicker Adam Vinatieri made one of the most memorable field goals in the divisional round in a blizzard against the Oakland Raiders.
No. 21: New York Giants - Super Bowl XLII
The 2007 New York Giants finished in second place in the NFC East as they held an underwhelming 10-6 record. They were near the middle of the pack on both sides of the ball during the first 17 games but were able to flip the script in the postseason.
The Giants defeated three superior NFC teams in the first three rounds by close margins. However, they pulled off the greatest upset in NFL history in the Super Bowl, knocking down the undefeated New England Patriots.
No. 20: Denver Broncos - Super Bowl 50
The 2015 Denver Broncos were led by an aging Peyton Manning, which caused their offense to struggle throughout. However, their defense was lethal. Led by Von Miller, the Denver defense allowed the third-fewest rushing yards per game and the fourth-fewest points per game. Their offense tallied the 15th-fewest points per game.
They narrowly defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots during their playoff run. However, they easily defeated the 15-1 Panthers in the Super Bowl. In this game, Von Miller won the MVP as he tallied 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
No. 19: Indianapolis Colts - Super Bowl XLI
The Indianapolis finished the 2006 regular season with a 12-4 record but did not have the best statistics to defend their record. Their defense allowed the 10th-most points per game. However, their offense, led by Peyton Manning, scored the third-most points per game and averaged the third-most total yards per game.
Surprisingly, their defense stepped up in the first two rounds of the playoffs, as they allowed just 14 total points. In the final two games, Manning led the way as they scored 67 combined points.
No. 18: New England Patriots - Super Bowl LIII
The 2018 New England Patriots had an underwhelming regular season as they won just 11 games but were still able to win a relatively weak AFC East. During the regular season, the Patriots scored the fourth-most points per game, while their defense scored the seventh-fewest points per game.
Their thrilling overtime victory over the Kansas City Chiefs highlighted their playoff run. In this game, Tom Brady led the Patriots just over the top on a game-winning drive to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl 53, the defense led the way as they held the Rams to just three points.
No. 17: Green Bay Packers - Super Bowl XLV
The 2010 Green Bay Packers finished in second place in the NFC North with a 10-6 record. Their offense, led by Aaron Rodgers, scored the 10th-most points per game, while their defense allowed the fifth-fewest total yards per game.
Their playoff run was highlighted by a demanding defeat over the Atlanta Falcons in the divisional round by a score of 48-21. In the Super Bowl, they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25. In this game, Rodgers led the way as he threw for over 300 yards with three TDs en route to earning MVP honors.
No. 16: New England Patriots - Super Bowl XLIX
The 2014 Patriots posted a 12-4 record and won the AFC East. During the regular season, the Tom Brady-led offense scored the fourth-most points per game while their defense allowed the ninth-fewest. This is one of the most balanced teams on the list, but they did not stand out in one specific statistic.
Their most memorable moments came in the postseason as they rallied to defeat the Ravens in the Divisional Round before embarrassing the Colts in the AFC Title game. This game would spark the “Deflategate” controversy. In the Super Bowl, Malcolm Butler prevented the Seattle Seahawks from winning back-to-back Lombardi Trophies with a game-sealing interception in the final minute.
No. 15: Kansas City Chiefs - Super Bowl LVIII
The 2023 Kansas City Chiefs did not have the most impressive regular season. In fact, they went into the playoffs on a low note, going just 3-3 over their final six games. Their offense averaged just the 15th-most points per game. However, their defense was very effective, allowing the second-fewest yards per game.
During the postseason, they traveled to both Buffalo and Baltimore to knock off Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson to book their ticket to the Super Bowl. In the final game, they narrowly defeated the San Francisco 49ers in overtime.
No. 14: Pittsburgh Steelers - Super Bowl XLIII
The 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers were led by one of the top defensive units in the history. The defense allowed an excellent 13.9 points per game (best in the league) with the second-fewest rushing and the fewest passing yards. However, their offense finished near the bottom of the pack as they tallied the 13th-most points per game.
Their Super Bowl victory over the Arizona Cardinals has been well regarded as one of the best ever. Despite being outgained by the Cardinals by more than 100 yards, a last-minute touchdown reception by Santonio Holmes put them over the top.
No. 13: Los Angeles Rams - Super Bowl LVI
The 2021 Los Angeles Rams were led by newly acquired quarterback Matthew Stafford. During the regular season, the Rams averaged the fifth-most passing yards per game and the eighth-most points per game. They were near the middle of the pack on the defensive side of the game. However, the team was able to still win 12 games.
They began their playoff run with a convincing 34-11 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The Rams then had three close finishes, which was capped off by a Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. In this game, wide receiver Cooper Kupp caught eight passes for 92 yards and two scores en route to earning MVP.
No. 12: New Orleans Saints -Super Bowl XLIV
The 2009 New Orleans Saints got out to a hot start, winning their first 13 games. However, they lost their final three but were still able to clinch the NFC South title. During the regular season, Drew Brees led them to the highest point-per-game mark in the league. Their defense was below the average marks as they allowed the ninth-most average yards per game.
During the postseason, they defeated the Cardinals 45-14 in the divisional round. They narrowly defeated the Brett Farve-led Vikings in the conference championship. In the Super Bowl, Tracy Porter capped off their season with a pick-six off Peyton Manning.
No. 11: Baltimore Ravens - Super Bowl XXXV
Throughout the 2000 season, the Ravens were led by their defense. This unit allowed a near-perfect 10.3 points per game during the regular season and tallied 49 takeaways. They were able to win 12 games during the regular season but still finished second in their division.
Over four playoff games, they held their opponents to just 23 combined points. All of these games were against above-average offensive units, but the defense was able to lead the way. In the Super Bowl, they dismantled the Giants, defeating them 34-7.
No. 10: Pittsburgh Steelers - Super Bowl XL
The 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers were led by a potent defensive unit. During the regular season, they allowed the fourth-fewest points per game and the third-fewest rushing yards per game. However, they could only qualify for a wild card, which forced them to go on the road during the entire AFC bracket.
The Steelers got the job done against three of the best teams in the regular season. They defeated the Cincinnati Bengals (AFC North champions) and the Denver Broncos quite easily and narrowly defeated the Indianapolis Colts. In the Super Bowl, they defeated the Seahawks by a score of 21-10.
No. 9: New England Patriots - Super Bowl XXXVIII
The 2003 New England Patriots were unstoppable down the stretch as they won their final 15 games in a row and finished with a 14-2 record in the regular season after starting with a 2-2 record. However, Pro Football Reference suggests they may have gotten lucky, as they were only expected to win 11.4 games.
During the playoffs they also had several close finishes as they only won one game by two scores. In the Super Bowl, they defeated the Carolina Panthers by a score of 32-29.
No. 8: Kansas City Chiefs - Super Bowl LVII
The 2022 Kansas City Chiefs were led by their offense, which tallied the most average yards per game (413.6). This unit also scored the most points per game but did most of their work through the air, as Patrick Mahomes averaged a stellar 297.8 passing yards per game. Their defense was near the middle of the pack, as they allowed a modest 21.7 points per game.
In the postseason, the Chiefs won all three of their games by one score. In the AFC Championship, they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals by a field goal and then defeated the Eagles in the Super Bowl by the same margin. Mahomes was able to put this team on his back when the stakes were high.
No. 7: Philadelphia Eagles - Super Bowl LII
The Philadelphia Eagles were led by MVP candidate Carson Wentz as they held an 11-2 record through the first 14 weeks. However, Wentz suffered an injury and ceded starting duties to Nick Foles. Throughout the regular season, their defense was quite impressive, allowing the fourth-fewest points per game.
Foles led the Eagles on an incredible run in the playoffs to win their first Lombardi Trophy in team history. In Super Bowl 52, Foles was able to outduel Tom Brady. Late in the game, the Eagles dialed up the “Philly Special,” which resulted in a crucial touchdown. The Philadelphia defense then shut down Brady as he attempted a game-winning drive to seal the victory.
No. 6: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Super Bowl LV
Tom Brady joined the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and led them to a Super Bowl victory. While they showed some growing pains during the early part of the season, they were unstoppable down the stretch. Following their Week 13 bye, they won the final four games of the regular season to finish with an 11-5 record.
Their postseason run by a thrilling NFC Title victory over the Green Bay Packers led by MVP Aaron Rodgers. In the Super Bowl, the Tampa Bay defense took over as they held Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to just nine points.
No. 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Super Bowl XXXVII
The 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers were led by one of (if not) the best secondary in NFL history. During the regular season, they led the NFL in passing yards allowed, interceptions, and points allowed. Their offense was near the average, but they could play well behind an elite defense, winning 12 games.
In the Super Bowl, their incredible defense led the way as they tallied two pick-sixes (both by Dwight Smith) as the Buccaneers took care of the Oakland Raiders 48-21.
No. 4: Kansas City Chiefs - Super Bowl LIV
The 2019 Kansas City Chiefs could not be defeated, especially in the postseason. During the regular season, they tallied the fifth-most points per game and the fifth-most passing yards per game. On the defensive side of the game, they allowed the eighth-fewest points per game.
However, they made their fame in the playoffs. The Chiefs were down by 24 points in the divisional round against the Houston Texans but were able to rally. Patrick Mahomes led them to three fourth-quarter touchdowns in the Super Bowl to narrowly defeat the San Francisco 49ers.
No. 3: New England Patriots - Super Bowl LI
The 2016 New England Patriots posted a 14-2 record and won the AFC East. Like many New England teams, this team was balanced in all aspects of the game. They averaged the third-most points per game with the fourth-most passing yards and the seventh-most rushing yards per game. On defense, they allowed the fewest points per game.
They took care of the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers quite easily in the AFC bracket. Tom Brady pulled off a remarkable 28-3 comeback in the Super Bowl over the Atlanta Falcons.
No. 2: Seattle Seahawks - Super Bowl XLVIII
The 2013 Seattle Seahawks were led by one of the best defensive units in league history. This Seattle team held their opponent to 14.4 points per game (best in the league). Their offense scored the ninth-most points per game.
Their defense (the Legion of Boom) shone in the postseason, especially in the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl 48, they shut down one of the best offensive units in league history, holding them to just eight points. During the regular season, the Broncos scored an incredible 37.9 points per game.
No. 1: New England Patriots - Super Bowl XXXIX
The 2004 Patriots were not only Tom Brady’s best New England team but potentially one of the best teams in NFL history. During the regular season, they posted a stellar 14-2 record. Their defense allowed the second-fewest points per game, and their offense scored the fourth-most points per game.
During the postseason, they won the divisional and conference championship rounds by two scores in each game. In the Super Bowl, they defeated the Eagles in a thrilling 24-21 victory. In the final seconds, Rodney Harrison sealed the victory with an interception.
