There’s a reason football fans can’t stop talking about the long shots. The teams nobody gave a chance. The players who came out of nowhere. In a sport built on grit and strategy, the underdog story is where heart and history collide. And in the NFL, those moments have become the stuff of legend.
While champions and dynasties get the headlines, it’s often the underestimated teams that capture fans’ imaginations. Much like taking a risky bet that pays off, watching an NFL underdog rise to glory has its own kind of thrill.
The Jets' Super Bowl III Shockwave
Back in 1969, when the New York Jets faced the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, hardly anyone expected an upset. The Colts were stacked, dominant, and heavy favorites. The Jets? Just an AFL team with a flashy quarterback who liked to talk big.
But Joe Namath made a guarantee and backed it up. The Jets stunned the Colts 16-7, as AP News noted in its Today in History feature, not just pulling off one of the biggest upsets in NFL history, but also changing how the AFL was viewed. Suddenly, the so-called “lesser” league had real legitimacy.
Moments like that aren’t just historic; they echo the unpredictable nature of betting itself. Some fans today chase that same energy when exploring different wagering strategies, especially with tools like betting bonuses that make taking a shot a little more rewarding.
When Tom Brady Was Just a Backup
It’s hard to imagine now, but back in 2001, Tom Brady wasn’t anyone’s idea of a football hero. He was a sixth-round pick, buried on the depth chart behind Drew Bledsoe. Then Bledsoe went down, and Brady stepped in; Sports Illustrated even dubbed him ‘the go‑to guy’, a season built on calm, grit, and unexpected excellence.
What followed was one of the most unexpected runs in league history. The Patriots, led by a calm and composed Brady, found ways to win close games. They clawed their way to the Super Bowl and beat the Rams, who were considered unstoppable at the time.
That win launched a dynasty, sure. But in the moment? It was a shock. An underdog tale that reminded fans (and bettors alike) that sometimes the edge isn’t in the stats, it’s in the belief.
The Grocery Clerk Turned MVP
A few years before Brady’s rise, another storybook season unfolded. In 1999, the St. Louis Rams were forced to start Kurt Warner after an injury sidelined their top quarterback. Warner’s journey was already wild. He had stocked grocery shelves, played in NFL Europe, and wasn’t supposed to last in the pros.
Instead, he tore through the league.With Warner at the helm, the Rams’ offense exploded. They became known as “The Greatest Show on Turf” and stormed to a Super Bowl title. Warner ended the year as MVP.
It’s the kind of story that gives hope to overlooked players and to fans who believe that sometimes the wildest bets are worth the risk.
Even Today, The Underdogs Are Still Barking
The NFL may be more analytic and media-driven now, but surprises haven’t disappeared. Remember the 2017 Eagles? With backup Nick Foles leading the charge, they took down Tom Brady and the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Or the Cincinnati Bengals’ recent rise? A team many wrote off became contenders almost overnight, led by a young Joe Burrow and a tough defense.
These moments still capture what football is all about: resilience, timing, and maybe a little bit of magic. It’s what keeps fans watching and what keeps bettors hunting for that next hidden gem on the board.
What the Past Teaches the Present
Looking back at these classic upsets isn’t just about nostalgia. It shows how the game constantly evolves, and how every season brings a new chance for the unexpected.
Fans who follow football’s deeper history know how often momentum swings, how easily underdogs become champions. It’s the same logic that drives people to look beyond the favorites and take calculated risks, both emotionally and on their bet slips.
So, whether you’re placing wagers or just rooting for the improbable, the stories of the Jets, Patriots, Rams, and Eagles remind us of one thing: never count anyone out too early.