Ranking All 59 Super Bowl Losers: Worst to Best

Bassyonni

Published: February 5, 2026 12:17 AM ET

The Super Bowl is the pinnacle of American football, but for many teams, reaching this stage only to lose is a heart-wrenching experience. In our analysis, we rank all 59 Super Bowl losers from worst to best, considering their regular-season performance, overall records, and playoff journeys.

Ranking All 59 Super Bowl Losers: Worst to Best

Below is a breakdown of some of the most notable Super Bowl teams that fell short of the ultimate prize:

59. 2008 Arizona Cardinals

Record: 9–7
Points Per Game (PPG): +0.1
Key Players: QB Kurt Warner, WR Larry Fitzgerald
Coach: Ken Whisenhunt

The Cardinals entered the playoffs as a wild card and made a surprising run, ultimately losing to the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII.

58. 1979 Los Angeles Rams

Record: 9–7
PPG: +0.9
Key Players: RB Wendell Tyler, DE Jack Youngblood
Coach: Ray Malavasi

Despite a mediocre regular season, they advanced to the Super Bowl only to fall to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31–19.

57. 2003 Carolina Panthers

Record: 11–5
PPG: +1.3
Key Players: WR Steve Smith Sr., DE Julius Peppers
Coach: John Fox

The Panthers nearly defeated the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII, losing on a last-second field goal.

56. 1994 San Diego Chargers

Record: 11–5
PPG: +4.7
Key Players: LB Junior Seau, RB Natrone Means
Coach: Bobby Ross

San Diego was heavily favored to lose but ultimately fell to the 49ers in a lopsided Super Bowl XXIX.

55. 1985 New England Patriots

Record: 11–5
PPG: +4.5
Key Players: LB Andre Tippett, G John Hannah
Coach: Raymond Berry

New England shocked many by reaching the Super Bowl but was convincingly defeated by the Bears, 46–10.

54. 1995 Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 11–5
PPG: +5.0
Key Players: LB/DE Kevin Greene, C Dermontti Dawson
Coach: Bill Cowher

The Steelers faced the Dallas Cowboys but lost despite a competitive game, 27–17.

53. 2000 New York Giants

Record: 12–4
PPG: +5.1
Key Players: DE Michael Strahan, RB Tiki Barber
Coach: Jim Fassel

The Giants were overmatched by the Ravens in a Super Bowl blowout, 34–7.

52. 1999 Tennessee Titans

Record: 13–3
PPG: +4.2
Key Players: T Bruce Matthews, QB Steve McNair
Coach: Jeff Fisher

In one of the closest Super Bowl finishes, the Titans fell just short, losing to the Rams by one yard.

51. 1986 Denver Broncos

Record: 11–5
PPG: +3.2
Key Players: QB John Elway, LB Karl Mecklenburg
Coach: Dan Reeves

Despite a heroic playoff run, the Broncos lost to the Giants, 39–20.

Conclusion

The teams mentioned above represent just a fraction of the Super Bowl losers, each having experienced the bitter disappointment of coming so close yet falling short. These rankings serve as a reminder of the highs and lows of professional football.