The NFL is a league founded on grit, glory, and the unlikeliest of heroes. Though top draft picks tend to make headlines, it's the Cinderella stories—the underdogs who rise to glory that make fans and set legacies ablaze.
From backup quarterbacks to forgotten teams, these legendary NFL upsets attest that anything is possible on any given Sunday.
Joe Namath and the 1968 New York Jets: The Guarantee That Shook the NFL
Arguably, the most historic upset in NFL history was the time Joe Namath promised victory in Super Bowl III—and produced. When he led the heavily favored Baltimore Colts, the New York Jets were 19-point underdogs.
Namath was not merely big-talking himself into it, either; he passed for 206 yards and guided the Jets to a shocking 16-7 win. This did more than guarantee the AFL its rightful place as equals with the rest of the professional football world, though; this changed the fabric of the NFL forever.
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Nick Foles and the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles: Backup Turned Super Bowl MVP
When franchise quarterback Carson Wentz was injured late in the 2017 season, there was little expectation the Philadelphia Eagles could bounce back. Enter backup quarterback Nick Foles, on the verge of retirement.
Foles stunned the world by not only leading the Eagles to the Super Bowl but also edging out the greatest quarterback in the game's history, Tom Brady, in Super Bowl LII.
With 373 passing yards, three touchdowns, and even a receiving touchdown in the now-infamous "Philly Special," Foles brought Philadelphia's first Lombardi Trophy and became the face of one of the most inspirational NFL comebacks.
1980 Oakland Raiders: Wild Card Wonders Who Made History
The 1980 Raiders weren't supposed to compete. As a wild card, they entered the playoffs and became the first NFL team to win the Super Bowl without winning a division.
Quarterback Jim Plunkett, a former No. 1 draft pick who had been bounced around the league, filled in after Dan Pastorini was hurt and redeemed himself. Plunkett's drive led the Raiders to a masterful 27-10 Super Bowl XV win over the Eagles, solidifying their underdog status.
The 2001 New England Patriots and Tom Brady: The Start of the Dynasty
Before Tom Brady was known as the GOAT, he was a sixth-round draft selection with something to prove. He received his opportunity in 2001 after an injury to Drew Bledsoe and didn't look back.
Brady guided the Patriots to an 11-3 record and engineered a shocking upset of the "Greatest Show on Turf" in Super Bowl XXXVI. That game-winning drive and last-minute field goal ignited one of the all-time sports dynasties and demonstrated that stars are not necessarily made in round one.
1999 St. Louis Rams: Kurt Warner and 'The Greatest Show on Turf'
From filling the grocery store shelves to raising the Lombardi Trophy, Kurt Warner's life is the essence of a Cinderella story. Warner filled in when starter Trent Green was hurt in 1999 and sparked one of the greatest offenses in league history.
With firepower such as Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, and Torry Holt, the Rams went from 4-12 to Super Bowl champions. Warner passed for more than 4,300 yards in the season and was named league MVP. Their lightning-quick, explosive offense revolutionized the way football was played and perceived for years to come.
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