Super Bowl Super Study Says Patriots, Broncos Built Like Champs

9. Blowout Losses (by More Than Two Possessions)

Obviously, blowing out non-quality opponents and earning your stripes by defeating a few playoff-caliber teams both help to build championship team. However, championship teams normally also avoid the pathetic performances. Rarely do elite teams get blown out in competition, as they should be among the best teams in the game. It would make sense champions will normally find ways to stay competitive in their losses.

The chart below examines each Super Bowl team’s blowout loss. Remember, the AFL implemented the two-point conversion throughout the league’s history, while NFL adopted the rule in 1994. In those seasons, the teams must lose by 17 points or more. In the other seasons, the teams must lose by 15 points or more.

Winners				Losers
SB	Team	Count			SB	Team	Count
I	66 Packers	0			I	66 Chiefs	1
II	67 Packers	0			II	67 Raiders	0
III	68 Jets	0			III	68 Colts	0
IV	69 Chiefs	0			IV	69 Vikings	0
V	70 Colts	2			V	70 Cowboys	2
VI	71 Cowboys	0			VI	71 Dolphins	1
VII	72 Dolphins	0			VII	72 Redskins	0
VIII	73 Dolphins	0			VIII	73 Vikings	1
IX	74 Steelers	1			IX	74 Vikings	0
X	75 Steelers	0			X	75 Cowboys	0
XI	76 Raiders	1			XI	76 Vikings	0
XII	77 Cowboys	1			XII	77 Broncos	0
XIII	78 Steelers	0			XIII	78 Cowboys	0
XIV	79 Steelers	2			XIV	79 Rams	4
XV	80 Raiders	1			XV	80 Eagles	0
XVI	81 49ers	1			XVI	81 Bengals	1
XVII	82 Redskins	0			XVII	82 Dolphins	0
XVIII	83 Raiders	0			XVIII	83 Redskins	0
XIX	84 49ers	0			XIX	84 Dolphins	0
XX	85 Bears	0			XX	85 Patriots	1
XXI	86 Giants	0			XXI	86 Broncos	2
XXII	87 Redskins	0			XXII	87 Broncos	1
XXIII	88 49ers	2			XXIII	88 Bengals	1
XXIV	89 49ers	0			XXIV	89 Broncos	0
XXV	90 Giants	1			XXV	90 Bills	2
XXVI	91 Redskins	0			XXVI	91 Bills	1
XXVII	92 Cowboys	1			XXVII	92 Bills	3
XXVIII	93 Cowboys	1			XXVIII	93 Bills	2
XXIX	94 49ers	1			XXIX	94 Chargers	1
XXX	95 Cowboys	1			XXX	95 Steelers	2
XXXI	96 Packers	0			XXXI	96 Patriots	1
XXXII	97 Broncos	1			XXXII	97 Packers	0
XXXIII	98 Broncos	0			XXXIII	98 Falcons	1
XXXIV	99 Rams	0			XXXIV	99 Titans	2
XXXV	00 Ravens	0			XXXV	00 Giants	0
XXXVI	01 Patriots	1			XXXVI	01 Rams	0
XXXVII	02 Bucs	0			XXXVII	02 Raiders	0
XXXVIII	03 Patriots	1			XXXVIII	03 Panthers	1
XXXIX	04 Patriots	0			XXXIX	04 Eagles	2
XL	05 Steelers	1			XL	05 Seahawks	0
XLI	06 Colts	1			XLI	06 Bears	2
XLII	07 Giants	2			XLII	07 Patriots	0
XLIII	08 Steelers	1			XLIII	08 Cardinals	4
XLIV	09 Saints	0			XLIV	09 Colts	1
XLV	10 Packers	0			XLV	10 Steelers	0
XLVI	11 Giants	1			XLVI	11 Patriots	0

Perhaps this part of the study gave the best distinction between the three 9-7 teams that made the Super Bowl. Although the Giants were the only one of the three to be outscored in the regular season, they only suffered one blowout loss. The other two (1979 Rams and 2008 Cardinals) suffered four blowout losses each. Clearly, the 2011 Giants played more consistent football, and their extended playoff run held more gravity than the others.

As for this postseason, five teams will be on red alert. The 2012 Texans and 2012 Colts each suffered three blowout losses. Heck, it could have been worse. Each team won at home by 12 points in the regular season split. In a very small consolation, all three losses for the Texans came to playoff teams. The Colts don’t have such an excuse, as those losses included the lowly Jets and the offensively-challenged Bears. Blame Andrew Luck in large part, as the Colts finished with a -4 turnover margin in each game.

Meanwhile, a trio of teams suffered a blowout loss twice each. The 2012 49ers, 2012 Ravens and 2012 Vikings each lost two games by at least 17 points. Only the Vikings took one on the chin against the loss, with the Doug Martin coming out party in Week 8 resulting in a blowout loss for Minnesota. As least this trio of teams has an outside chance, according to league precedent. However, all three teams face their offensive limitations.

 

 

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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