The 10 smallest point spreads in Super Bowl history
prince j. grimes
·1 min read
Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gestures against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter of Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-523123 ORIG FILE ID: 20230212_jcd_su5_0207.JPG
In theory, the Super Bowl is supposed to be played between the best teams from the AFC and NFC. Because of the whole "any given Sunday" thing, we know that's not always the case, but at the very least, we usually end up with two deserving teams.
However, while one might surmise that, as a result, the point spreads for the big game are typically small, that's not actually the case. In fact, archived data from SportsOddsHistory shows that Seahawks-Broncos in 2014 had been the first Super Bowl in more than three decades with a spread smaller than a field goal (it was -2.5). In the 31 years between that game and the 1982 Super Bowl, there were almost as many games with two-score spreads (10) as there were games with spreads between -3 and -5 (11). The other 10 games were all between -6.5 and -7.5.
So, where are all these Super Bowls with small spreads? You'll be surprised to learn most are recent. Here's a list of the smallest spreads in Super Bowl history.
10. 2014: Denver Broncos (-2.5) vs. Seattle Seahawks
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - FEBRUARY 02: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball during Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium on February 2, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 464680907 ORIG FILE ID: 470103325
9. 1971: Baltimore Colts (-2.5) vs. Dallas Cowboys
8. 2024: San Francisco 49ers (-2) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to pass in the fourth quarter against Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776073157 ORIG FILE ID: 2004111860
7. 2019: New England Patriots (-2) vs. Los Angeles Rams
Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) prepares before throwing a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-386147 ORIG FILE ID: 20190203_sal_sz2_5145.JPG
6. 2025: Chiefs (-1.5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-1027927 ORIG FILE ID: 20250126_jcd_sq4_0151.JPG
5. 2020: Chiefs (-1.5) vs. 49ers
Feb 2, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) reacts after a sack in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-424860 ORIG FILE ID: 20200202_cjm_usa_201.JPG
4. 2023: Eagles (-1) vs. Chiefs
Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
3. 2015: Seahawks (-1) vs. Patriots
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots strong safety Malcolm Butler (21) intercepts a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette (83) in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-185920 ORIG FILE ID: 20150202_jla_su5_286.jpg
2. 1982: 49ers (-1) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Jan 24, 1982; Detroit, MI, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ronnie Lott (42) celebrates a fourth down hold against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl XVI at the Silverdome. The 49ers defeated the Bengals 26-21. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
1. 1973: Miami Dolphins (-1) vs. Washington Commanders
Jan 14, 1973; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese (12) lined up under center Jim Langer (62) against the Washington Redskins during Super Bowl VII at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Dolphins would defeat the Redskins 14-7. Mandatory Credit: Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports usp [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
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![Jan 17, 1971; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle #74 Bob Lilly in action against the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V at the Orange Bowl. The Colts defeated the Cowboys 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports © Copyright 1971 Malcolm Emmons usp [Via MerlinFTP Drop]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/KY0h2XB99OtRwUj90H_ggA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc4Mg--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/ftw_outdoors_usa_today_article_609/d8e43f5d33789f9cad9a9dfd7a384a36)
![Jan 24, 1982; Detroit, MI, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ronnie Lott (42) celebrates a fourth down hold against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl XVI at the Silverdome. The 49ers defeated the Bengals 26-21. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports [Via MerlinFTP Drop]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Wdan.eYhV1S9L14L7ROacA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY2NQ--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/ftw_outdoors_usa_today_article_609/1393f2e8fe0cba6545bb0acec3b5eb28)
![Jan 14, 1973; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese (12) lined up under center Jim Langer (62) against the Washington Redskins during Super Bowl VII at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Dolphins would defeat the Redskins 14-7. Mandatory Credit: Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports usp [Via MerlinFTP Drop]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/nrAi40FYhSGlERUYTC3gYg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY2NQ--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/ftw_outdoors_usa_today_article_609/632070d2f688fed5eaf893c73d2e11e3)
