Honestly, if you look at a list of SB winners, it’s easy to think it’s just a straight line of dynasties. You’ve got the 70s Steelers, the 80s Niners, and that massive New England run. But if you actually dig into the scores and the context of those games, the history of the Super Bowl is way messier than the record books suggest. It's filled with missed kicks, "tush pushes," and defenses that basically carried their quarterbacks to glory.
We’re sitting here in 2026, and the landscape just shifted again. Just a year ago, the Philadelphia Eagles absolutely dismantled the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX. That 40-22 scoreline wasn’t just a win; it was a statement that the Chiefs' attempt at a three-peat was dead on arrival. Jalen Hurts took home the MVP, but anyone who watched that game knows it was the Philly defense and a rookie named Cooper DeJean—who had a pick-six on his birthday, of all days—that really sealed the deal.
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The Heavy Hitters at the Top
When you talk about the all-time greats, two names usually lead the conversation. The New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both franchises have six rings.
But their paths couldn't have been more different. Pittsburgh built their legend on the "Steel Curtain" defense in the 70s, winning four titles in six years. New England, on the other hand, spread theirs out over two decades of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. It’s kinda wild to think that the Patriots have been to 11 Super Bowls total—the most in history—even if they "only" won six of them.
Behind them, you have the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers with five wins each. It’s been a minute for Dallas, though. Their last title came in 1996, back when Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith were the kings of the league. San Francisco has been knocking on the door lately, but they’ve had some heartbreaking losses in the 2020s, including those two defeats to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Speaking of the Chiefs, they’ve vaulted themselves into the elite tier recently. With wins in 2020, 2023, and 2024, they now sit at four total titles. They were so close to that historic three-peat until Philly pulled the rug out from under them in February 2025.
Every Single Champion: The List of SB Winners
I'm not going to give you a boring table. Let's just walk through them by era, because the game changed so much between the 60s and today.
The Early Days and the 70s Grinders
The Green Bay Packers took the first two (1967, 1968) under Vince Lombardi. Then came Joe Namath's famous guarantee for the Jets in III. The 70s were dominated by the Steelers (IX, X, XIII, XIV), the Dolphins' perfect season in VII (and their repeat in VIII), and the Cowboys (VI, XII). Oh, and don't forget the Raiders winning XI and XV.
The 80s and 90s Flash
This was the Niners' decade. Joe Montana and Jerry Rice were basically a cheat code, winning in 1982, 1985, 1989, and 1990. The Giants grabbed two (XXI, XXV), including that famous "Wide Right" game against the Bills. Washington was huge here too, winning XVII, XXII, and XXVI. Then the Cowboys took over the mid-90s with three wins in four years (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX).
The Turn of the Century and the Brady Era
The Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf" won a thriller in 2000. Then, the New England dynasty started in 2002. From XXXVI to LIII, it felt like the Patriots were always there. We saw the Ravens win with an insane defense in 2001, the Bucs crush the Raiders in 2003, and the Saints bring one home for New Orleans in 2010.
The Modern Era (2020-2026)
- LIV (2020): Kansas City Chiefs 31, San Francisco 49ers 20.
- LV (2021): Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31, Kansas City Chiefs 9 (Brady’s 7th ring!).
- LVI (2022): Los Angeles Rams 23, Cincinnati Bengals 20.
- LVII (2023): Kansas City Chiefs 38, Philadelphia Eagles 35.
- LVIII (2024): Kansas City Chiefs 25, San Francisco 49ers 22.
- LIX (2025): Philadelphia Eagles 40, Kansas City Chiefs 22.
What Makes a Winner?
If you look at the recent list of SB winners, the "defense wins championships" mantra is kinda making a comeback. Look at the Eagles in 2025. They held the Chiefs scoreless for nine straight drives.
You also see the importance of the quarterback-coach duo. Mahomes and Reid are the modern standard, but the connection between Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni proved just as lethal when the supporting cast was right. Howie Roseman, the Eagles' GM, basically built a "super team" through the draft and some gutsy trades for guys like Saquon Barkley.
Interestingly, some teams just have "Super Bowl DNA." The Giants, for example, only have five appearances but four wins. That’s an .800 winning percentage. Compare that to the Broncos, who have three wins but five losses, or the poor Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings, who are both 0-4 on the big stage.
The Teams That Haven't Hoisted the Trophy
It’s actually sorta sad when you think about it. Twelve teams have never won a Super Bowl.
The Bills are the most famous, mostly because they lost four in a row in the early 90s. Then you have the Browns, Lions, Jaguars, and Texans, who have never even reached a Super Bowl. The Lions came close recently, but they just couldn't quite get over the hump.
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As we look toward Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara this February, the oddsmakers are all over the place. The Seattle Seahawks, led by a top-ranked defense, are actually the favorites right now. The Bills are also high on the list—maybe this is finally the year Josh Allen breaks the curse? Even the Bears and Texans are seeing their odds jump after big playoff runs.
Why the Records Matter Now
Understanding the list of SB winners isn't just about trivia. It tells you about the cycles of the NFL.
Salary cap management is the real "game behind the game." The Eagles won in 2025 because they manipulated the cap to keep their core together. The Chiefs are currently in a "reset" phase after their loss, trying to find ways to pay Mahomes while surrounding him with more than just Xavier Worthy.
If you're looking to track these trends yourself, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Net Yards per Pass: The winner almost always ranks in the top five here.
- Turnover Margin: In the last ten Super Bowls, the team that won the turnover battle won the game nine times.
- Home Field Advantage: While the game is at a neutral site (Levi's Stadium for 2026), the teams that clinch the No. 1 seed in their conference have a much higher statistical chance of making the trip.
As we head into the thick of the 2026 playoffs, the hunt for the 60th Lombardi Trophy is wide open. Whether we see a repeat winner or a first-timer, the history of the Super Bowl remains the most prestigious ledger in American sports.
Actionable Insights for Following the 2026 Season:
- Watch the "Pressure-to-Sack" rates for QBs like Drake Maye and Caleb Williams; it's been a huge predictor of playoff success lately.
- Monitor the injury reports for the Seahawks' secondary, as their "Legion of Boom 2.0" is the primary reason they are currently favored for SB LX.
- Check the EPA (Expected Points Added) per play; the Patriots and Broncos are currently leading the AFC in defensive efficiency, which usually translates to a deep February run.