Super Bowl Super Study Says Patriots, Broncos Built Like Champs

Statistical Summary

As we look back to the 12 parts of the study, it’s very important to see how many red flags each Super Bowl combatant overcame. First, let’s look at the 46 winners, as organized by amount of red flags:

• Ten: 2007 Giants
• Seven: 2011 Giants
• Five: 1988 49ers
• Four: 2006 Colts
• Three: 1970 Colts, 1987 Redskins, 2010 Packers
• Two: 1967 Packers, 1979 Steelers, 1980 Raiders, 1981 49ers, 1983 Raiders,1999 Rams, 2000 Ravens, 2001 Patriots, 2005 Steelers, 2009 Saints
• One: 1969 Chiefs, 1974 Steelers, 1976 Raiders, 1986 Giants 1993 Cowboys, 1995 Cowboys, 1997 Broncos
• Zero: 1966 Packers, 1968 Jets, 1971 Cowboys, 1972 Dolphins, 1973 Dolphins, 1975 Steelers, 1977 Cowboys, 1978 Steelers, 1982 Redskins, 1984 49ers, 1985 Bears, 1989 49ers, 1990 Giants, 1991 Redskins, 1992 Cowboys, 1994 49ers, 1996 Packers, 1998 Broncos, 2002 Buccaneers, 2003 Patriots, 2004 Patriots, 2008 Steelers

Clearly, Tom Coughlin earned his reputation as the big-game killer. His 2007 Giants and 2011 Giants pulled off Herculean efforts to overcome their red flags and hoist a pair of Lombardi Trophies. (However, I think this adds some proof that Eli Manning is too regular of a quarterback in the regular season to be elite.)

With some slightly different criteria (re: more lenient results for blowout losses and starting quarterback playoff records) for red flags among the Super Bowl losers, let’s take a look at each team to lose the Super Bowl, as organized by the amount of red flags:

• Eight: 1979 Rams
• Six: 2003 Panthers, 2008 Cardinals
• Four: 1986 Broncos, 1992 Bills
• Three: 1981 Bengals
• Two: 1985 Patriots, 1988 Bengals, 1994 Chargers, 1995 Steelers, 1998 Falcons, 1999 Titans, 2002 Raiders
• One: 1970 Cowboys, 1971 Dolphins, 1972 Redskins, 1974 Vikings, 1980 Eagles, 1987 Broncos, 1989 Broncos, 1996 Patriots, 2000 Giants, 2001 Rams, 2004 Eagles, 2005 Seahawks, 2006 Bears, 2009 Colts, 2011 Patriots
• Zero: 1966 Chiefs, 1967 Raiders, 1968 Colts, 1969 Vikings, 1973 Vikings, 1975 Cowboys, 1976 Vikings, 1977 Broncos, 1978 Cowboys, 1982 Dolphins, 1983 Redskins, 1984 Dolphins, 1990 Bills, 1991 Bills, 1993 Bills, 1997 Packers, 2007 Patriots, 2010 Steelers

The underdog story of the 2003 Panthers seems to be quite underrated, as very few talking about what that team did to make their run. Especially when the quarterback change to Jake Delhomme is considered, it looks like the 2003 Panthers should be considered one of the most unlikely Super Bowl teams ever.

 

 

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Read more: Adam Dobrowolski, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Bill Belichick, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Eli Manning, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, NFL, Patriots, Peyton Manning, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLVII, TBA, Tom Brady, Tom Coughlin, Washington Redskins