Worst Super Bowl Teams
This team defeated the statistically best team in NFL history after posting a 9-7 record and a point differential of only 22. Who is it?
The 2007-08 New York Giants
Who are the two most recent sub-.500 playoff teams?
The 2022-23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who clinched the NFC South despite being 8-9. Before them it was the 2020-21 Washington Football Team, who clinched the NFC East at 7-9.
What QB holds the record for highest career passer rating, both in the regular season (min. 2,000 att.) and the playoffs (min. 200 att.)?
Patrick Mahomes, with a 105.7 regular season rating and a 107.4 playoff rating.
This team made its Super Bowl debut but ultimately lost after a 9-7 season with a point differential of just 1. Who was it?
The 2008-09 Arizona Cardinals.
Possibly the most famous sub-.500 playoff team of all time, this team clinched its division despite being only 7-9, and actually made it through the Wild Card Round after one of the most memorable RB performances in recent memory. Who is it?
The 2010-11 Seattle Seahawks, with Marshawn Lynch's "Beast Quake" run in the 41-36 victory over the 11-5 New Orleans Saints.
What team holds the record for most penalties amassed in a single game?
The 2016-17 Oakland Raiders were penalized 23 times for 200 yards in their Week 8 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They won the game in OT, 30-24.
This team made its Super Bowl debut off of an 11-5 season, but with a point differential of only 21. Who is it?
The 2003-04 Carolina Panthers
The strike-shortened 1982-83 season saw teams play only 9 games instead of 16, meaning that two sub-.500 teams made the playoffs that year with 4-5 records. Who were they?
The Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns
Tying into the question above, what was Raiders QB Derek Carr's passer rating for that game? (closest guess wins)
Carr finished with a 117.4 passer rating after going 40/59 for 513 yards with 4 TDs and 0 INTs. This is the highest single-game passer rating both in Carr's career and in Raiders' franchise history.
The statistically worst Super Bowl-winning team in NFL history won the Super Bowl despite finishing the season with a 9-7 record and a -6 point differential. Who was it?
The 2011-12 New York Giants
Not only did this team make the playoffs after starting off the year 3-8-1, they currently hold the NFL record for fewest opponent yards allowed in a playoff game, at 78. Who was it?
The 2014-15 Carolina Panthers. They defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27-16 in the Wild Card Round before losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round.
This team is the only team not from the 21st century on this list, and also made its Super Bowl debut after a 9-7 regular season, with a point differential of only 14. Who is it?
The 1979-80 Los Angeles Rams
While technically not under .500, this team began the season 4-8 before winning their last 4 and clinching their division. They are the only playoff team in NFL history to not have a winning record until after the Wild Card Round. Who was it?
The 2008-09 San Diego Chargers