There are always years when it’s a downright shame that one of the teams in the Super Bowl has to lose. But it’s a game, which means there has to be a winner and a loser. That got us thinking about some of the best teams in NFL history that got to the Super Bowl, only to lose. These teams didn’t necessarily play a great game in the Super Bowl and lose but rather had an exceptional season and then fell short at the end. While there is some room for debate, here is our ranking of the best teams that lost in the Super Bowl
5. 1968 Colts
We shouldn’t forget that this team was favored by 19.5 points in the Super Bowl. That was after going 13-1 during the regular season and crushing the Browns 34-0 in the NFL Championship Game.
The Colts even played most of the season without Johnny Unitas at quarterback after he got hurt during the preseason. Just because this team was the victim of the greatest upset in Super Bowl history doesn’t mean they weren’t a good team.
4. 1969 Vikings
Surprisingly, this team lost its season opener and regular-season finale. The Vikings also fell flat in the Super Bowl. But between those bookend losses, Minnesota won 12 straight games and looked as good as any team in NFL history.
Defensively, the Vikings never gave up more than 14 points during that 12-game winning streak. They also found plenty of offense, scoring over 50 points three times, looking like a team that should have won a championship.
3. 2001 Rams
This was the last hurrah for “The Greatest Show on Turf” and nobody expected it to end with anything other than a Super Bowl win. Kurt Warners won MVP honors while Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, and two offensive linemen all earned Pro Bowl selections. During the regular season, the Rams went 14-2 and scored at least 30 points in 11 of 16 games.
However, after such a dominant season, things just didn’t click in the Super Bowl despite being favored by 14 points. New England beat them in an ugly game, which is how the Rams ended up on this list.
2. 2015 Panthers
With a 15-1 record during the regular season, the Panthers were as close to perfect as we’ve seen outside of the 1972 Dolphins and the team at no. 1 on our list. Cam Newton was unbelievable all season and one of 10 Pro Bowlers and eight All-Pros on this team. If they hadn’t taken their foot off the gas, Carolina could have gone 16-0.
The Panthers also demolished the no. 2 seed in the NFC Championship Game, beating the Cardinals 49-15. But Denver’s historic defense was too much for Newton and company. The Panthers put together an unreal season but couldn’t finish the job in the Super Bowl.
1. 2007 Patriots
It’ll be tough for any Super Bowl loser to top the 2007 Patriots, not that teams are trying. This team was one win away from completing a perfect season. Frankly, if not for a Houdini-escape by Eli Manning and David Tyree’s ridiculous helmet catch, it probably would have happened.
It wasn’t just that the Patriots were close to perfect; all but five of New England’s 18 wins came by at least 10 points. They looked poised to make history, only for the Giants to get in the way and leave the 2007 Patriots with the title of the best team to lose a Super Bowl.