The Super Bowl is the most watched annual sporting event in America. With over 100 million people tuning into watch, there’s a lot of pressure to perform well and have one epic game. Unfortunately that doesn’t always happen when you are playing for the world championship trophy…
The “biggest choke in super bowl history” is a term that has been used to describe when a team fails to perform up to their potential. The term was coined by sports writer, Jimmy Miller.
The Super Bowl is gridiron football’s climax. Every young player in the United States fantasizes of one day playing in the sport’s greatest game. It’s the one day of the year when half of the globe pretends to be football fanatics. It’s also where players’ careers are launched and legends are born. However, insane choke jobs may make teams and players wilt.
Perhaps the strain is too great for them, and they are unable to meet the high standards set for them. Before losing a game, some teams toss away huge leads. The worst case scenario is when a single player misses a vital kick or makes a critical blunder. We produced a list of the 25 worst Super Bowl choke jobs in history. Take a look at the list below, courtesy of Bet Firm.
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Carolina Panthers (#25) (2016)
The Panthers had the strongest offense in 2015 heading into Super Bowl 50. The ancient adage, though, is that defense wins games. Because their opponents, the Broncos, had the best defense in the league, this game put it to the test. Carolina’s second Super Bowl participation would, however, be a letdown. They had a fantastic chance to win, but they didn’t take it (via USA Today).
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Despite being five-point favorites, the Panthers delivered a lackluster showing. They lost the game 24-10 due to a lack of firepower. Von Miller winning the Super Bowl MVP award says a lot. Peyton Manning, on the other hand, made headlines while not contributing anything. He made history by being the first quarterback to start and win with two separate teams.
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The Baltimore Colts are ranked 24th in the NFL (1969)
Many NFL historians consider the Colts’ defense to be the finest in league history. When they fell to the Jets in the Super Bowl, they endured one of the worst choke-jobs in Super Bowl history. With this spectacular triumph, ‘Broadway’ Joe Namath virtually clinched his position in the Hall of Fame. But it was a huge chance for the Colts, who were 18-point favorites going into the game (via History).
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Underdogs have a habit of upsetting the odds, and this was one of those instances. The Jets beat the Colts 16-7 because they played without fear. Before the game, Namath spoke loudly, but everyone assumed he would backtrack. Earl Morrell was eventually replaced by Johnny Unitas by the Colts, but it was too late. The harm had been done, and Gang Green had triumphed.
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Kyle Shanahan is number 23 on the list (2020)
The 49ers played a terrific team, so this wasn’t the worst of choke jobs. Before this game, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs were considered favorites. San Francisco, on the other hand, might have won it if they had maintained their cool. Although some officiating went against them, Shanahan deserves a lot of blame. The head coach made several dubious play decisions that lost his squad the game.
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Shanahan just lacked the necessary bravery in the opening quarter. Because he had too much respect for the Chiefs, he played a cautious game. After blowing a 10-point lead, Kansas City won their first championship in 50 years. Shanahan called for field goals on at least three times rather than going for the touchdown. This, on the other hand, was much too realistic to prevail (via SBNation).
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Tom Brady is number 22. (2018)
Brady’s inclusion on this list may seem harsh, but he was responsible for the Patriots’ Super Bowl LIII defeat. The Patriots faced the Eagles in the championship game, and they were the reigning champions. Nick Foles was the starting quarterback for Philadelphia entering the game. Nobody gave him a chance, yet he managed to outshine Brady on a poor day for the NFL legend.
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Brady was stripped of a vital pass, giving the Patriots too much to accomplish. With a late Hail Mary, he attempted valiantly to locate his receiver, but it was in vain. Meanwhile, Foles played the game of his life, scoring the unbelievable ‘Philly Special.’ Of course, it all worked out in the end for Brady since they defeated Atlanta and he earned another ring (via CBS Sports).
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Miami Dolphins (21st) (1985)
Dan Marino never won a Super Bowl, but in the 1984 season, he came the closest he’d ever been in his career. Despite the fact that he never won a Super Bowl, he remained loyal to Miami throughout his career. In this game, the 49ers totally dominated the Dolphins. Because it was their one shot at immortality, it was one of the great choke jobs. Instead, they were defeated 38-16, with Joe Montana eclipsing Marino.
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On his route to winning the MVP award, Montana set a new Super Bowl record by passing for 331 yards and three touchdowns. Marino, on the other hand, completed just 28 of 50 passes. The Niners’ defense was also outstanding, as he was sacked three times. Reggie Roby, an all-pro punter, also chose the worst moment to have a breakdown. Throughout, he was a liability (via Washington Post).
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Minnesota Vikings (20th) (1970)
Because of their dreadful past, the Vikings are more familiar with choke-jobs than other NFL teams. In Super Bowl IV, they faced the Kansas City Chiefs. The Vince Lombardi Trophy was the closest they came to winning it. But, in true Vikings fashion, they botched it. Instead, at Tulane Stadium, Kansas City won their first Super Bowl (via Bleacher Report).
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The Vikings were significantly favored by a 13-point margin, but they fell short of their expectations. Instead, in the second quarter, the Chiefs jumped out to a 16-0 lead. It was also a chance for Len Dawson, who had a fantastic game, to redeem himself. In the end, the Vikings lost 23-7 and returned home empty-handed. The postseason may be surprising at times, but this was a major one.
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Jackie Smith, age 19 (1979)
Smith was one of the best tight ends of all time. He was, however, responsible for one of the worst Super Bowl choke jobs in history. The future Hall of Famer faced the Steelers while playing for his beloved Cowboys. Dallas was behind in the third quarter, but Smith had a chance to turn the game around. In the end zone, Roger Staubach threw a crisp third-down ball to Smith (via SportsTalk Florida).
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Smith dropped the ball, and it should have been a touchdown. It bounced off his chest as he slipped forward. This was a huge blow since the Cowboys were just a touchdown away from tying the game. They settled for a field goal, but it wasn’t enough. The tide began to turn in Pittsburgh’s favor. Finally, the Steelers defeated the Patriots 35-31 in Super Bowl XIII.
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Green Bay Packers (#18) (1998)
Terrell Davis’ play in Super Bowl XXXII earned him praise. On the grandest stage, the running back tore the Packers to tears. Green Bay, on the other hand, suffered a severe setback. Denver entered the game as an 11-point underdog, but they proved their worth. Instead, for the first time in team history, they departed as champions (via USA Today Sports).
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In Brett Favre’s last Super Bowl appearance, John Elway outshone him. Favre tried a fourth-down throw to Mark Chmura, but it was incomplete. According to many commentators, this was one of his worst times of his career. Favre deserved to win more than one championship, but he was subjected to multiple playoff choke jobs. Elway cemented his legacy as a Broncos legend.
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Rich Gannon (#17) (2003)
Gannon led the top-ranked offense in the NFL to Super Bowl XXXVII. After a strong regular season, he hushed many of his critics. However, it turned out to be a one-hit wonder. Because it was so awful, this is still one of the worst choke jobs ever seen in any sport. If he had been a horse, his owner would have sent him to the factory to escape the disgrace of his life.
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In the game, the quarterback threw a Super Bowl record five interceptions. To make things worse, three of them were recovered for touchdowns by Tampa Bay. Gannon called his performance a “nightmarish performance.” It’s no wonder that this haunts his nightmares and leaves an indelible mark on his life. He chose the most inconvenient moment to have a tantrum (via Baltimore Sun).
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The Denver Broncos are ranked 16th in the NFL (2014)
The Broncos were not having their day. It came as no surprise when the Seahawks beat them. The Broncos’ surrender, on the other hand, was despicable. Seattle blasted them out in one of the worst choke jobs of the decade. Peyton Manning failed to deliver, and the game ended 43-8. With linebacker Malcolm Turner winning the game’s MVP award, it was all about the defense.
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Manning threw two interceptions as well. For the Seahawks, one of them resulted in a costly score. The Broncos had high hopes for the legendary NFL player. In the end, they had to wait another year to get their hands on that illusive ring. It wasn’t until the third quarter when Denver got on the board. They were unable to stage a comeback, though (via Sky Sports).
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New England Patriots (#15) (2012)
The New York Giants were Tom Brady’s worst nightmare. On paper, the club had little chance of defeating the better Patriots. They did, however, pull off the seemingly impossible on two occasions when it mattered most. The second came in Super Bowl XLVI, which was held in Indianapolis. This victory wasn’t as historic as their first, but it was still a significant victory (via ESPN).
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Many individuals believe Eli Manning was not a good quarterback. This is definitely accurate, although he did overperform at crucial moments. Nobody can say he hasn’t delivered in the Super Bowl. The Giants consolidated after the Patriots pushed the game back to 17-15. Because New England possessed a stronger roster, this was a squandered opportunity.
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Patrick Mahomes (14th) (2021)
Mahomes is one of his generation’s most gifted quarterbacks. In 2020, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star received his first ring. It was a fantastic moment for both the athlete and the team. This is due to the fact that it was their first Super Bowl victory in 50 years. They had a chance to defend their crown in Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers. Tom Brady, on the other hand, left Mahomes in the dust on this day.
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The Buccaneers won 31-9 in an unexpectedly comfortable win. Tampa Bay’s defense, led by Todd Bowles, was outstanding. They took out Mahomes in a manner that no one had ever seen before. However, Mahomes should be chastised for one of the worst choke jobs in recent memory. He didn’t make any egregious errors, but he couldn’t make a difference (via Fox Sports).
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Rams of St. Louis, No. 13 (2002)
This marked the end of an era as well as the start of a dynasty. In Super Bowl XXXVI, everyone expected the Rams to beat the Patriots. This was back when everyone despised New England. Yes, we realize it’s unbelievable, but it’s true. When the Patriots win, the term “fairytale” isn’t commonly used. They did, however, surprise the Rams in a thrilling football game (via CNN).
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Before the game, St. Louis was a 14-point favorite. They were, however, unable to convert their superiority into points. Instead, the Patriots jumped out to an early lead before the Rams rallied. With the game knotted 17-17, Tom Brady finally seized over. The rookie quarterback demonstrated his ability by bringing Adam Vinatieri within striking distance of the game-winning field goal. This will go down in St. Louis’ history as one of their major choke jobs.
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Indianapolis Colts (12) (2010)
Because it was their first NFL championship, the New Orleans Saints will always remember Super Bowl XLIV. Indy came into the game as the favorite, but he ended up with one of the largest choke jobs. Peyton Manning threw a crucial fourth-quarter interception that lost him and his team a game. Meanwhile, Drew Brees was named Super Bowl MVP for his outstanding performance (via N.Y. Times).
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In the end, the Colts were defeated by a score of 31-7. Their offensive was ineffective and committed expensive errors. As his fame grew to new heights, Brees completed a record-equaling 32 passes. Manning’s followers were disappointed because they expected their idol to win another ring. He finally received his second ring, but only after relocating to Denver.
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Neil O’Donnell (#11) (1996)
O’Donnell is one of the NFL’s most underappreciated quarterbacks. Because of a pair of costly interceptions in Super Bowl XXX, this is the case. The Steelers had a fantastic opportunity to defeat the Cowboys. This was, however, one of the most agonizing quarterback choke jobs in recent memory. Larry Brown stole O’Donnell’s thunder by intercepting him twice.
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Because the interceptions were so haphazard, they were strange. Despite the fact that no receivers were in the play zone, one of them went straight to Brown. Following the game, several experts chastised O’Donnell. Nobody would remember this if it occurred during the regular season. The Super Bowl, though, is a different story. Maybe the strain got to him, or he was simply unlucky (via Irish Times).
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Dallas Cowboys, No. 10 (1971)
In this game, John Mackey scored a contentious and likely illegal touchdown. It was the result of a Johnny Unitas throw, and it provided the Cowboys with something to whine about. Dallas, despite all of their justifications, was sloppy and ineffectual. With five seconds remaining in the game, Jim O’Brien kicked the game-winning field goal. In reality, the Colts deserved to win.
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Dallas led 13-6 at halftime, but their choke job was one of the worst in franchise history. Both interceptions were key in allowing Baltimore to score. The Cowboys, according to Tom Landry, were their own greatest adversary. Because both teams were sloppy, this was one of the least enjoyable Super Bowl games ever (via N.Y. Times).
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Cincinnati Bengals, No. 9 (1988)
As the Bengals realized in this game, football is a harsh sport. Calling this one of the largest choke jobs in history may sound harsh. Because the 49ers’ starting quarterback was Joe Montana, this is a valid statement. In the perspective of the Bengals’ following 30 years, though, they squandered the opportunity to become legendary. Instead, they squandered their one and only chance at the championship.
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Boomer Esiason was in the best shape of his life, so it was an intriguing match-up. The game was close throughout, and the Bengals led 16-13 with three minutes remaining. However, as Joe Montana led his team downfield, they were unable to hold on. The outcome was unavoidable. Cincinnati was in serious decline within a few years. Finally, in 2022, they made their return to the Super Bowl (via Mercury News).
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New England Patriots (#8) (2008)
Under Bill Belichick, the Patriots have lost two Super Bowls. This one stings the most since they were so close to finishing the season undefeated. They had an unblemished 18-0 record into the game, including the playoffs. Against the New York Giants, there was a chance to go undefeated. Although most people despised the Patriots, they thought the outcome was unavoidable.
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Eli Manning and his teammates, on the other hand, had something to say about it. If there’s one outcome that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will be haunted by, it’s this one because it shouldn’t have occurred. Before a Brady sack clinched the deal, Plaxico Burress scored a late touchdown. The Patriots won so many awards that season, but it seemed like none of them mattered after this (via Boston Globe).
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Seattle Seahawks, No. 7 (2015)
Seattle made the correct choice statistically in Super Bowl XLIX, according to Pete Carroll. However, one thing remains unchanged. The endzone was just four yards away for Marshawn Lynch. Russell Wilson, on the other hand, sought to locate Ricardo Lockette. However, he was stopped by the Patriots, and rookie Malcolm Turner intercepted the ball. Wilson’s ambition of winning a second Super Bowl ring was shattered in an instant (via Sports Illustrated).
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According to others, Lynch had a dismal regular-season record from comparable locations. However, many critics believe the offensive coaches pulled off one of the worst choke jobs in history. It was a moment to be daring and go for the kill, according to legend. The Patriots joyously wrecked Seattle’s fantasy in the end. Since then, they haven’t been in another Super Bowl.
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John Kasay, No. 6 (2004)
Kasay was a Carolina hero for a few moments. The Panthers faced the Patriots in their first Super Bowl appearance. This was one of the most dramatic games in history. For Kasay, though, it is a sad memory. With a minute remaining in the game, Kasay kicked the teams level after a hard and equal battle. However, he didn’t have much time to bask in the praise (via 247 Sports).
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Kasay’s next task was to prepare for the kickoff. But then came the horror. The ball was sent out of bounds by him. This resulted in a punishment for using an unauthorized method. The Patriots were able to get the ball back downfield thanks to their deception. Last but not least, Adam Vinatieri kicked the game-winning field goal. Kasay’s legacy suffered greatly as a result of his blunder, which resulted in the death of their aspirations.
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New England Patriots, No. 5 (1985)
In Super Bowl 20, the Chicago Bears sliced through the Patriots like butter through butter. It was a nightmare outcome for New England, but one that might have been avoided. Raymond Berry, for starters, made the divisive choice to start Tony Eason. As a result, he was forced to rely on experienced Steve Grogan as a backup. This, however, was a poor decision, as Eason went 0-for-6 until Berry removed him.
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Meanwhile, the Bears were on a tear. Grogan was sacked four times after entering the game. In addition, the Patriots turned the ball over six times in one of the worst choke jobs in NFL history. Finally, the game came to a close with Chicago winning 46-10. This was even the more startling given how good the Patriots had been before to this. All of their prior postseason games had been won on the road (via SBNation).
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Eugene Robinson, No. 4 (1999)
Robinson was a key member of the Falcons’ offense. They realized that if they wanted to win the Super Bowl, he had to be at his best. He was the active career interception leader in the NFL at the time. However, things turned unclear when he was apprehended by Miami cops. Robinson hired an undercover cop because he suspected her of being a prostitute.
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This, however, was not the case for Robinson and his colleagues. He was kept at the precinct until 4 a.m., when he was eventually freed. The Falcons made the catastrophic mistake of starting him the next day. Robinson, on the other hand, wasn’t at his best after a long night. He was also responsible for Terrell Robinson’s 80-yard touchdown (via AP News).
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3. Eagles of Philadelphia (2005)
In Super Bowl XXXIX, the Eagles faced the Patriots. Donavon McNabb, the quarterback, and Terrell Owens, the erratic running back, were both part of their offense. The latter’s brilliance was undeniable, but he had a tumultuous relationship with quarterbacks. Andy Reid had a tough day today because two of his most crucial players let him down. The Eagles gave it their all, but it wasn’t enough to win.
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McNabb threw numerous crucial interceptions, but Terrell was subsequently chastised for being out of position. Meanwhile, Terrell said McNabb puked on the field because he was drunk. It was a shambles, but Reid got his comeuppance over two decades later when he earned a ring with the Chiefs. McNabb was never the same after that, although it wasn’t all his fault (via Bleacher Report).
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Scott Norwood is number two (1991)
Norwood’s ex-girlfriend continues to torment him in his nightmares. Throughout the regular season, the Bills’ placekicker was very consistent. He had the chance to become a Buffalo legend right away. Only 47 yards separated him and a Super Bowl ring. Instead, he achieved immortality, but not for the purpose he desired. The Bills lost the game when he booted the ball ‘wide-right’ (via Yahoo).
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Some argue that calling this one of the largest choke-jobs ever is an exaggeration. Norwood, on the other hand, just had one job. His only responsibility was to kick the ball between the uprights. This wasn’t even the most difficult stretch. The pressure was too great since it was the Super Bowl. Instead, the Giants took home the grand prize.
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Atlanta Falcons, No. 1 (2019)
In 2017, the Falcons pulled off one of the worst choke jobs in NFL history. They won Super Bowl LI by a score of 28-3 against the Patriots. Dan Quinn’s nights are haunted by this 25-point lead since they should have won. Kyle Shanahan, the aforementioned offensive coordinator, was also the offensive coordinator for the Falcons. Because they had a breakdown, he got a lot of flak (via FOX Sports).
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Because the game looked to be finished at halftime, many casual Super Bowl viewers tuned out. The Patriots were on the verge of losing a game until they came back with a vengeance. They forced overtime, when an ice-cold Tom Brady clinched the win for his squad. It cemented his place as the greatest of all time, but it was also a terrible humiliation for him. Atlanta’s season was over after this defeat, and they haven’t been able to get out of it since.
The “falcons choke” is a football term that refers to when a team has the ball in their own territory, but manages to turn it over. The most notorious falcons chokes include an interception by the Dallas Cowboys against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXVIII, and a failed field goal attempt by the Philadelphia Eagles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest choke in Super Bowl history?
What QB chokes the most?
A: The best QB chokes come from the soccer ball.
What is the biggest choke in sports history?
A: The biggest choke in sports history was when the United States lost to Puerto Rico at the 1996 Olympics.
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