Since the NFL expanded its playoffs in 1970, fans have been captivated by the question of how many NFL wild card teams have won the Super Bowl.

These underdog teams, who don’t win their division but still make the playoffs, face a tough road to the championship, making their wins truly special.

Let’s explore the surprising history of wild card teams that shocked the league by lifting the Lombardi Trophy.

Wild Card Teams and the Super Bowl Dream

Making the NFL playoffs is tough enough, but winning the Super Bowl as a Wild Card is even rarer. Wild Card teams don’t win their division; instead, they sneak into the postseason based on their overall record. That means more road games, tougher matchups, and little margin for error.

Yet, seven teams have beaten the odds and lifted the Lombardi Trophy as Wild Cards. Let’s walk through their unforgettable journeys.

The Seven Wild Card Teams That Won the Super Bowl

These are the seven NFL Wild Card teams who have won the Super Bowl:

• Oakland Raiders (1980)
• Denver Broncos (1997)
• Baltimore Ravens (2000)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (2005)
• New York Giants (2007)
• Green Bay Packers (2010)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020)

Oakland Raiders (1980 Season, Super Bowl XV)

The Raiders became the first Wild Card team in NFL history to win the Super Bowl. Despite losing their starting quarterback, they rallied behind veteran Jim Plunkett.

Finishing 11–5, they earned a Wild Card spot and went on a historic run. In the Super Bowl, they overwhelmed the Philadelphia Eagles 27–10, proving that resilience and leadership can carry a team through.

Denver Broncos (1997 Season, Super Bowl XXXII)

Denver posted a strong 12–4 record but landed in the Wild Card round because Kansas City owned the AFC West tiebreaker. Led by John Elway and powered by Terrell Davis’ dominant ground game, the Broncos plowed through opponents.

Their crowning moment came in a thrilling 31–24 win over the defending champion Green Bay Packers, bringing Elway his long-awaited first Super Bowl ring.

Baltimore Ravens (2000 Season, Super Bowl XXXV)

The 2000 Ravens were criticized for having one of the worst offenses of any Super Bowl team, but their defense was legendary. Anchored by Ray Lewis, Baltimore shut down opponents week after week.

That defense carried them all the way, culminating in a 34–7 blowout over the New York Giants. It was a textbook example of “defense wins championships.”

Pittsburgh Steelers (2005 Season, Super Bowl XL)

At 7–5 late in the year, Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes looked shaky. But the Steelers caught fire, sneaking in as a Wild Card.

They pulled off three straight road wins in the AFC playoffs—an incredible feat—before upsetting the Seattle Seahawks 21–10 in the Super Bowl. They became the first #6 seed to ever win the Lombardi Trophy.

New York Giants (2007 Season, Super Bowl XLII)

Few runs are as famous as the Giants’ shocking upset of the undefeated New England Patriots. Entering as a Wild Card, New York fought through adversity and leaned on its fierce pass rush.

The defining play came when David Tyree made the miraculous “Helmet Catch” in the final minutes. The Giants sealed a 17–14 victory, ending the Patriots’ bid for a perfect season.

Green Bay Packers (2010 Season, Super Bowl XLV)

The Packers limped into the playoffs with injuries piling up and little outside belief. But Aaron Rodgers got hot at the perfect time.

Green Bay tore through the postseason, including a Super Bowl showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rodgers threw for over 300 yards in the 31–25 win, cementing his status as one of the game’s elite quarterbacks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020 Season, Super Bowl LV)

In his first season with Tampa Bay, Tom Brady joined a team that was inconsistent early, sitting at 7–5 through Week 12.

After the bye, the Bucs caught fire, winning out the regular season and storming through the playoffs. In the Super Bowl, they dominated the Kansas City Chiefs 31–9—becoming the first team to win a Super Bowl in its home stadium.

Why Wild Card Super Bowl Wins Are So Rare

Winning from the Wild Card spot isn’t common because:

• More Road Games: Wild Cards usually play away from home, where the environment is tougher.
  
• Tougher Opponents: Higher-seeded teams are typically stronger and better rested.
  
• Consistency Issues: Wild Cards often come in with ups and downs from the regular season.
  

Still, these seven teams prove that with the right mix of momentum, leadership, and belief, underdogs can rewrite history.

Final Thoughts

So, how many NFL Wild Card teams have won the Super Bowl? Seven. From the Raiders in 1980 to the Buccaneers in 2020, each team’s journey was a reminder that the postseason doesn’t care about seeding—it cares about performance.

That’s the beauty of the NFL playoffs: once you’re in, anything can happen. Fans love these underdog stories because they show us that sometimes the path to greatness isn’t about dominance—it’s about resilience, timing, and the will to keep fighting.👉 If you enjoyed this breakdown, you might also want to check out the biggest Super Bowl upsets in NFL history—because Wild Card magic is just part of the story.

Aliha

Hi, I’m Aliha! I’ve been a huge NFL fan for as long as I can remember, and I love sharing my thoughts, updates, and insights about the game. Whether it’s big plays, team news, or behind-the-scenes stories, writing about the NFL gives me a chance to connect with fellow fans who share the same passion for football.