Two No. 1 seeds played in the Super Bowl as recently as last year, when the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the Chiefs, played and beat the NFC’s No. 1 seed, the Eagles.
How Often Do No. 1 Seeds Reach the Super Bowl?
Historically, it’s uncommon for both No. 1 seeds to reach the Super Bowl. There have only been 14 No. 1 vs. No. 1 Super Bowls in the 48 seasons since 1975.
That means at least one No. 1 seed is upset ahead of the Super Bowl about 75% of the time.
That said, the NFL changed the formatting of the playoffs for the 2020 season, making the No. 1 seed more powerful by giving it the only bye in the playoffs.
This move may ultimately make the post-2020 era of Super Bowl participants more dominated by No. 1 seeds.
List of No. 1 Seeds to Make Super Bowl
| Season | Super Bowl | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | LVII (57) | Chiefs 38, Eagles 35 |
| 2017 | LII (52) | Eagles 41, Patriots 33 |
| 2015 | 50 | Broncos 24, Panthers 10 |
| 2014 | XLIX (49) | Patriots 28, Seahawks 24 |
| 2013 | XLVIII (48) | Seahawks 43, Broncos 8 |
| 2009 | XLIV (44) | Saints 31, Colts 17 |
| 1993 | XXVIII (28) | Cowoys 30, Bills 13 |
| 1991 | XXVI (26) | Redskins 37, Bills 24 |
| 1989 | XXIV (24) | 49ers 55, Broncos 10 |
| 1984 | XIX (19) | 49ers 38, Dolphins 16 |
| 1983 | XVIII (18) | Raiders 38, Redskins 9 |
| 1981 | XVI (16) | 49ers 26, Bengals 21 |
| 1977 | XII (12) | Cowboys 27, Broncos 10 |
| 1976 | XI (11) | Raiders 32, Vikings 14 |
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