Loading...
Super Bowl LIX shattered viewership records, drawing an average of 127.7 million fans. Even with the Philadelphia Eagles rolling past the Kansas City Chiefs in a 40-22 rout, the game remained a must-watch spectacle, thanks to the endless betting options, big-budget commercials and a star-studded halftime show.
While this year’s game got out of hand, it doesn’t hold a candle to the most lopsided Super Bowls of all time. Let’s revisit the five biggest blowouts in history, ranked by margin of victory.
Super Bowl XXII started off on a high note for Denver, as the Broncos built a 10-0 first-quarter lead. But once Washington found its rhythm, there was no stopping them. In a jaw-dropping second quarter, Washington put up 35 points – the most ever in a single Super Bowl quarter – completely flipping the game.
Doug Williams, making history as the first black quarterback to start in a Super Bowl, delivered a masterful performance, throwing for 340 yards and four touchdowns – both records at the time. Wide receiver Ricky Sanders torched the Broncos for 193 yards and two scores, while rookie running back Timmy Smith shocked the world with a Super Bowl-record 204 rushing yards. By halftime, the game was essentially over, and Washington cruised to an easy win.
The hype leading into Super Bowl XLVIII revolved around a classic showdown: Peyton Manning’s record-breaking offense versus Seattle’s dominant “Legion of Boom” defense. But from the very first play – a botched snap that resulted in a safety – it was clear this wasn’t going to be Denver’s night.
Seattle’s relentless defense suffocated Manning and the Broncos, forcing two interceptions and controlling the game from start to finish. Malcolm Smith was named Super Bowl MVP after a standout performance that included a pick-six and a fumble recovery. By halftime, the Seahawks had built a commanding 22-0 lead and never let up.
This game made history as the first Super Bowl where one team surpassed 40 points while holding its opponent to single digits. Manning would go on to win another title two years later, but on this night, the Seahawks were the undisputed kings of the NFL.
Super Bowl XXVII was Buffalo’s third straight shot at a championship, but the Cowboys had other plans. After the Bills grabbed an early 7-0 lead, Dallas unleashed a scoring avalanche, racking up 28 of the next 31 points.
Quarterback Troy Aikman led the charge, connecting with Michael Irvin for two first-half touchdowns. Buffalo’s struggles were compounded when Jim Kelly exited with an injury, leaving backup Frank Reich to face the Cowboys’ ferocious defense. The Bills turned the ball over nine times, including a now-infamous play where Leon Lett’s fumble return touchdown was negated when he was stripped just before the goal line. The loss marked yet another Super Bowl heartbreak for Buffalo, which would go on to lose its fourth straight the following year.
The 1985 Chicago Bears are widely regarded as one of the most dominant teams in NFL history, and they put that reputation on full display in Super Bowl XX. The Patriots had pulled off an unexpected playoff run, but against Chicago’s legendary “46” defense, they never stood a chance.
New England briefly led 3-0 after a Bears turnover, but that was the only highlight of their night. Chicago’s defense was ruthless, tying a Super Bowl record with seven sacks and holding the Patriots to a mere seven rushing yards – the lowest ever in a Super Bowl. William “The Refrigerator” Perry added to the spectacle by bulldozing his way into the end zone for a third-quarter touchdown. By the time the final whistle blew, the Bears had cemented their place in history with one of the most dominant defensive performances ever.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the NFC reigned supreme, winning 13 consecutive Super Bowls. Super Bowl XXIV was a perfect example of that dominance, as the 49ers steamrolled the Broncos in record-breaking fashion.
Joe Montana and Jerry Rice put on an absolute clinic, connecting seven times for 148 yards and three touchdowns. Montana finished with 297 yards and a then-record five touchdown passes, posting a near-perfect passer rating of 147.3. On the other side, Denver’s John Elway endured one of the worst nights of his career, finishing with a dismal 19.4 passer rating – the third-worst in Super Bowl history. San Francisco’s 55 points still stand as the most ever scored in a Super Bowl, marking the peak of their late-80s dynasty.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.