10 Most Heartbreaking Moments In NFL Super Bowl History, Ranked

Believe it or not, we are only a few weeks away from Super Bowl LVII. While the playoffs are always fun, this nfl The season has already exceeded expectations. The Jacksonville Jaguars came back from a 27-0 deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers, while Tom Brady could have ended his time in Tampa Bay with a destructive loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

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While those moments were hard for Chargers and Buccaneers fans to watch, at least they happened early. Some teams have suffered losses and depressing moments in the biggest spectacle, the Super Bowl. Ahead of this year’s issue, let’s review the most heartbreaking moments in gaming history.

10 Super Bowl XLVIII: Opening Snap

The 2014 Super Bowl was expected to be a historic battle. Young rising star Russell Wilson led the Seattle Seahawks, who had the number one defense, facing off against Peyton Manning and the number one ranked offense, the Denver Broncos. This game ended 43-8, with the Seahawks crushing the Broncos, so there are heartbreaking moments for sure. However, the kickoff, in which the ball went over Manning’s head and into the end zone by a safety, was the first sign things were going to be tough.

9 Super Bowl LV: Incomplete Sidearm

Super Bowl LV was another historic battle, as Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. Unfortunately this game was a bit sleepy. The game saw the Buccaneers defense overpower a damaged Chiefs offensive line for the duration of the game.

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Early in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs reached the red zone down 31-9. Despite the insane pressure, Mahomes was able to scramble to the 30-yard line, where he threw a sidearm pass as he went down. Despite the pass hitting Darrel Williams in the face in the end zone, he didn’t catch it, and the Chiefs’ last hopes died along with the incompletion.

8 Super Bowl XLII: Helmet Capture

Super Bowl XLII saw the undefeated New England Patriots try to make history and join the Miami Dolphins as the only undefeated teams in NFL history. Unfortunately for Tom Brady, Eli Manning and the New York Giants had other plans.

In the fourth quarter for four with just two minutes to go, Manning led a game-winning drive that included a dagger touchdown run to Plaxico Burress. However, the real heartbreaking moment for Patriots fans came just a few plays before. To get into the red zone, David Tyree made a massive one-handed catch on third down, where he clinched the ball using his helmet.

7 Super Bowl LI: Edelman’s diving catch

Super Bowl LI is one of the few games known simply by a score: 28-3. In 2017, the New England Patriots completed the biggest comeback in the game’s history, coming from behind to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime.

However, although the game was won in overtime, it felt like a mere formality due to the ease with which the Patriots dominated up to that point. The real heartbreak came in the final minutes of the last quarter. During the game-tying drive, Julian Edelman made an incredible catch through several Falcons defenders. The catch seems impossible on paper, which made the Patriots’ return feel even more inevitable.

6 Super Bowl LIV: Wasp Jet Chip

In 2020, the San Francisco 49ers dominated the Kansas City Chiefs and seemed on their way to winning a Super Bowl. Trailing 20-10 in the fourth quarter with nine minutes to go, Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill made the magic happen.

During a 3rd and 15 at their own 35-yard line, the Chiefs executed “Jet Chip Wasp,” a deep crossover route that saw Hill get behind the defense for a 44-yard gain. While Mahomes led the team to three straight scoring drives to earn their first Super Bowl victory, it was Wasp’s play that made it all happen.

5 Super Bowl XXVIII: Fumble Touchdown

In 1994, the Dallas Cowboys looked to give the Buffalo Bills their fourth straight Super Bowl loss. Despite being double-digit favorites, Team USA trailed 13-6 going into the second half. At 45 seconds into the third quarter, everything changed.

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All of Buffalo’s momentum was wiped out by Thurman Thomas’ fumble and James Washington returning the ball 46 yards for a touchdown. While it’s hard to blame a play for a loss, this fumble completely destroyed the Bills as they lost 30-13.

4 Super Bowl XXXII: Final TD TD

The 1998 edition of the Super Bowl saw future Hall of Famers go head-to-head. Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers faced John Elway and the Denver Broncos in what became the future executive’s last game as starting quarterback.

However, it was not Elway who had the big moment of the game, but Terrell Davis. ‘TD’ scored the game-winning touchdown with just 1:45 left, sealing the Broncos’ 31-24 victory, as well as earning himself MVP.

3 Super Bowl XLIII: Roethlisberger to Holmes

Super Bowl XLIII is one of the most entertaining championship games ever, as it had it all. Two Hall of Famers, Kurt Warner and Ben Roethlisberger going head to head. However, the game featured stars and legends all over the field, both on offense and defense.

Part of the reason the game is so fondly remembered is because of the dramatic ending. Warner and Larry Fitzgerald had just scored on a 64-yard touchdown reception to give the Cardinals the lead with just minutes remaining. However, Roethlisberger led his own game-winning drive, as Santonio Holmes hauled in a wild catch in the back of the end zone to freeze the game with seconds remaining.

2 Super Bowl XXXIV: One-yard short

In terms of heartbreaking losses, there’s nothing worse than Super Bowl XXXIV. In a surprising defensive battle between the St. Louis Rams and the Tennessee Titans, Kurt Warner led his team to a 23-16 lead with just minutes to go.

Steve McNair was able to drive the Titans into the red zone and had a chance to tie the game. In one of the most intense plays in NFL history, Kevin Dyson made a nine-yard catch and was tackled by Mike Jones just one yard from the end zone. Time ran out and the Rams won the Super Bowl.

one Super Bowl XLIX: Malcolm Butler interception

The only thing more heartbreaking than losing so close to tying the game is losing so close to winning the game. Trailing 28-24 in Super Bowl XLIX against the New England Patriots, Russell Wilson led the Seattle Seahawks into the red zone with seconds remaining.

Despite having Marshawn Lynch in the backfield, the Seahawks decided to pass. That decision ended up being his undoing, as rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler made the interception, sealing the game in one of the most dramatic finishes in Super Bowl history.