Man, the NFL moves fast. One minute you're watching a rookie struggle to find his feet, and the next, he's hoisting a Lombardi Trophy while confetti rains down on a stadium you didn't even know existed five years ago.
If you're trying to settle a bar bet or just refreshing your memory before the next big kickoff, tracking who played in the last 5 super bowls is actually a wilder ride than most people remember. It isn't just a list of teams. It's the story of Tom Brady’s final act, the birth of a terrifying dynasty in Kansas City, and some of the most heartbreaking "almosts" in sports history.
Let's break it down.
The Most Recent Clash: Super Bowl 59 (February 2025)
Honestly? Nobody saw this blowout coming. Super Bowl 59 featured a rematch that felt like destiny: the Philadelphia Eagles versus the Kansas City Chiefs.
Everyone was talking about the Chiefs' quest for a "three-peat"—something no team has ever done in the Super Bowl era. But the Eagles had other plans. In a game played at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Philly didn't just win; they dismantled Patrick Mahomes.
Final score: 40-22.
Jalen Hurts was basically a cheat code that night. He threw for two scores and utilized that infamous "tush push" to punch one in himself, earning the MVP. Meanwhile, the Eagles' defense, led by guys like Josh Sweat and Cooper DeJean (who had a massive pick-six on his birthday, of all days), turned the "Chiefs Kingdom" into a quiet suburb. It was a statement win that officially ended the three-peat dream.
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The Overtime Thriller: Super Bowl 58 (February 2024)
If you like stress, this was your game. Super Bowl 58 brought us the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers in the neon glow of Las Vegas.
It was only the second time a Super Bowl ever went into overtime. For most of the game, it felt like Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers were going to finally get over the hump. Brock Purdy looked composed, and Christian McCaffrey was doing McCaffrey things.
But then, Mahomes happened.
In the dying seconds of overtime, Mahomes rolled right and found Mecole Hardman for a 3-yard touchdown. Game over. 25-22. The Chiefs became the first team in twenty years to win back-to-back titles. It was a brutal pill for Niners fans to swallow, especially considering they led for a huge chunk of the night.
The Shootout in the Desert: Super Bowl 57 (February 2023)
This was the "Kelce Bowl." For the first time ever, two brothers—Travis and Jason—faced off on the biggest stage. The Kansas City Chiefs played the Philadelphia Eagles in Arizona, and it was an absolute offensive masterclass.
Most people remember the controversial holding penalty late in the game, but the real story was the efficiency. Mahomes was playing on a bum ankle and still managed to carve up one of the best defenses in the league.
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- Jalen Hurts played arguably the best game of his life, accounting for four touchdowns.
- The Chiefs trailed by 10 at halftime.
- Harrison Butker nailed a 27-yard field goal with 8 seconds left.
The Chiefs walked away with a 38-35 victory. It was the game that solidified the Mahomes-Reid era as a legitimate dynasty.
The Hollywood Ending: Super Bowl 56 (February 2022)
Remember when Matthew Stafford was "stuck" in Detroit? That narrative died in 2022. Super Bowl 56 saw the Los Angeles Rams take on the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium.
It was a home game for the Rams, which is rare enough. Joe Burrow and the "Joe Cool" hype train had the Bengals within minutes of a historic upset. They led 20-16 late in the fourth quarter.
Then Stafford threw to Cooper Kupp. Again. And again. And again.
Kupp caught the game-winning touchdown with less than two minutes left, and Aaron Donald punctuated the night by nearly swallowing Joe Burrow whole on the final drive. Rams won 23-20. It was a "win-now" roster that actually worked, proving that sometimes you really can buy a championship if you trade enough first-round picks.
The G.O.A.T.’s Final Ring: Super Bowl 55 (February 2021)
This one feels like it happened in a different lifetime. Amidst the tail end of the pandemic, with a limited crowd in Tampa, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced the Kansas City Chiefs.
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It was the ultimate "Old Guard vs. New Guard" matchup. Tom Brady vs. Patrick Mahomes.
Most experts thought the Chiefs’ explosive offense would run circles around the 43-year-old Brady. They were wrong. The Bucs' defensive front harassed Mahomes all night long—he was running for his life on basically every snap.
Brady was clinical. He threw two touchdowns to his old buddy Rob Gronkowski, and the Bucs cruised to a 31-9 victory. It was Brady’s seventh and final ring, and the first time a team ever won the Super Bowl in their own home stadium.
Who Played in the Last 5 Super Bowls: A Quick Refresher
| Game | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB 59 (2025) | Philadelphia Eagles | Kansas City Chiefs | 40-22 |
| SB 58 (2024) | Kansas City Chiefs | San Francisco 49ers | 25-22 (OT) |
| SB 57 (2023) | Kansas City Chiefs | Philadelphia Eagles | 38-35 |
| SB 56 (2022) | Los Angeles Rams | Cincinnati Bengals | 23-20 |
| SB LV (2021) | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Kansas City Chiefs | 31-9 |
What This Means for Your Next Watch Party
If you're looking at the trends, one thing is glaringly obvious: the AFC has been the Kansas City Invitational for half a decade. They've appeared in four of the last five games. However, the NFC is catching up. The Eagles' dominant win in early 2025 suggests the power balance might finally be shifting away from the Mahomes-centric universe.
Keep an eye on the defensive rebuilds. Every team that beat the Chiefs in this window (the Bucs and the Eagles) did it by making Mahomes uncomfortable. It's not about outscoring him; it's about surviving him.
Next Steps for the Savvy Fan:
Check out the current injury reports for the upcoming season. With the way roster turnover works in the modern NFL, the teams listed above are already looking vastly different. If you're tracking the "three-peat" obsession, look at how the Eagles are managing their cap space—they're the new benchmark for how to build a roster that can actually stifle a dynasty.