Jan 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee (16) claps his hands as he walks off the field after a victory against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

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NFL Playoffs History: Which Wild Card teams have won a Super Bowl?

Wild-card Super Bowl winners: Full list and key moments.

The NFL added wild cards to the playoffs in 1980. This allowed one non-division-winning team per conference to qualify for the postseason. Over the years, the format expanded. In 1978, two additional wild-card teams were included, and by 1990, the playoff field grew to 12 teams.

NFC East Super Bowl wins since 2000:

Giants: 2
Eagles: 1
WFT: 0
Cowboys: 0 pic.twitter.com/Sh9eWZriUr
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) January 17, 2022

The league realigned to eight four-team divisions in 2002. Despite this change, the playoffs still featured 12 teams, including four wild cards. In 2020, the NFL added a third wild-card spot per conference, reducing first-round byes to only the No. 1 seeds.

How many wild-card teams have won the Super Bowl?

Seven wild-card teams have captured the Super Bowl title since the format’s introduction. The 1980 Oakland Raiders were the first to achieve this milestone. They defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10 in Super Bowl XV.

Here’s the complete list of wild-card Super Bowl winners:

1980 Oakland Raiders, No. 4 seed: 27-10 over Eagles (Super Bowl XV)
1997 Denver Broncos, No. 4 seed: 31-24 over Packers (Super Bowl XXXII)
2000 Baltimore Ravens, No. 4 seed: 34-7 over Giants (Super Bowl XXXV)
2005 Pittsburgh Steelers, No. 6 seed: 21-10 over Seahawks (Super Bowl XL)
2007 New York Giants, No. 5 seed: 17-14 over Patriots (Super Bowl XLII)
2010 Green Bay Packers, No. 6 seed: 31-25 over Steelers (Super Bowl XLV)
2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, No. 5 seed: 31-9 over Chiefs (Super Bowl LV)

Wild-card teams that reached but lost the Super Bowl

Four wild-card teams have made it to the Super Bowl and fallen short.

The first was the 1975 Dallas Cowboys, who entered as a No. 4 seed and lost 21-17 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl X.

January 7, 1979
° 1978 NFC CHAMPIONSHIP °

CBS Sports' Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier lead us into the game highlights

Fueled by safety Charlie Waters' big day (fumble recovery, ½ sack, two key second half interceptions), the #Cowboys force seven turnovers and break open a… pic.twitter.com/2QC2JJq5D7
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) January 8, 2025

Here’s the full list of wild-card teams that lost in the Super Bowl:

1975 Dallas Cowboys, No. 4 seed: 21-17 to Steelers (Super Bowl X)
1985 New England Patriots, No. 5 seed: 46-10 to Bears (Super Bowl XX)
1992 Buffalo Bills, No. 4 seed: 52-17 to Cowboys (Super Bowl XXVII)
1999 Tennessee Titans, No. 4 seed: 23-16 to Rams (Super Bowl XXXIV)

Most recent wild-card Super Bowl winner

The 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the last wild-card team to win the Super Bowl. Entering as the NFC’s No. 5 seed, they secured an 11-5 regular-season record.

Tampa Bay defeated Washington (No. 4), New Orleans (No. 2), and Green Bay (No. 1) before dominating the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl LV. The Buccaneers also became the first team to win a Super Bowl in their home stadium, Raymond James Stadium.

What makes wild-card success so rare?

Wild-card teams face significant challenges. They don’t benefit from home-field advantage and often encounter higher-seeded opponents throughout the playoffs. Success requires exceptional team performance, strategic coaching, and consistent execution.

Happy 75th💎 Birthday 🎂🎊🎉 to Cliff Harris.
2× Super Bowl Champion (VI, XII)
4× First-team All-Pro (1975–1978), Second-team All-Pro (1974)
6× Pro Bowl (1974–1979)
NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor (2004)
Pro Football Hall of Fame (2020) pic.twitter.com/Rw1O25Io7j
— Poncho Sánchez (@PonchouchoSH888) November 13, 2023

Despite the obstacles, wild-card teams have shown they can defy the odds, cementing their place in NFL history with Super Bowl victories.

Image: Imagn

super bowl

Which Wild Card teams have won a Super Bowl?

Natasha Bose

I write about sports because, well, it brings in the big bucks! I’m not some lifelong analyst or stats guru, truth being told, you’ve probably never heard of me!—I just know how to research, write, and make things sound good. That’s the job!
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