You know that moment when the clock hits zero and everyone holds their breath? That's when we finally learn the official final score of the Super Bowl. Whether you missed the game and need to catch up, or you're prepping for trivia night, I've got every historic score right here.
Honestly, I remember watching Super Bowl LI with my buddies. We were all convinced Atlanta had it locked up at 28-3. Then Brady did his magic. When the final score of Super Bowl 51 flashed on screen - Patriots 34, Falcons 28 - the room went completely silent. Shows you never know until it's over.
Why Super Bowl Scores Matter More Than You Think
That final number isn't just who won or lost. Tell me if this sounds familiar: you're at work Monday morning and someone asks "what was the final score in the Super Bowl?" If you get it wrong, good luck living that down in the break room. Happened to my cousin last year - he swore the Chiefs won by 10 when it was actually 3 points. Never heard the end of it.
Key Insight: The final score of the Super Bowl does three important things:
- Settles bets and office pools (this matters more than you'd think!)
- Creates historical records that stand for decades
- Shapes how we remember legendary games and players
Complete List of Super Bowl Final Scores
Below is every Super Bowl final score from the very first game to the latest championship. I've included not just the numbers, but the venue and MVP because context matters. Bookmark this page - it's way more convenient than digging through old programs like I used to.
| Super Bowl | Year | Winning Team | Final Score | Losing Team | Venue | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 1967 | Green Bay Packers | 35-10 | Kansas City Chiefs | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | Bart Starr |
| II | 1968 | Green Bay Packers | 33-14 | Oakland Raiders | Miami Orange Bowl | Bart Starr |
| III | 1969 | New York Jets | 16-7 | Baltimore Colts | Miami Orange Bowl | Joe Namath |
| IV | 1970 | Kansas City Chiefs | 23-7 | Minnesota Vikings | Tulane Stadium | Len Dawson |
| V | 1971 | Baltimore Colts | 16-13 | Dallas Cowboys | Miami Orange Bowl | Chuck Howley |
| LVI | 2022 | Los Angeles Rams | 23-20 | Cincinnati Bengals | SoFi Stadium | Cooper Kupp |
| LVII | 2023 | Kansas City Chiefs | 38-35 | Philadelphia Eagles | State Farm Stadium | Patrick Mahomes |
| LVIII | 2024 | Kansas City Chiefs | 25-22 | San Francisco 49ers | Allegiant Stadium | Patrick Mahomes |
(Important note: This table shows representative scores. A complete table would include all 58 Super Bowls.)
What the Numbers Reveal
Looking at all these final scores of Super Bowl games, patterns start jumping out. Like how the average margin of victory is about 14 points - makes you appreciate those nail-biters more. Or how only 10 games have been decided by 3 points or less. That close Chiefs win over the 49ers in 2024? Felt like an instant classic because it bucked the trend.
Most Unforgettable Final Scores in Super Bowl History
Some final scores stick with you forever. Like that Giants-Patriots game where New York ended New England's perfect season. Final score: 17-14. Still gives me chills. Here are the ones every real NFL fan remembers:
| Super Bowl | Final Score | Why It's Legendary | Defining Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| III (1969) | Jets 16, Colts 7 | Greatest upset ever | Namath's guarantee comes true |
| XIII (1979) | Steelers 35, Cowboys 31 | First true shootout | Jackie Smith's dropped TD pass |
| XXV (1991) | Giants 20, Bills 19 | Wide right! | Norwood's missed field goal |
| XXXIV (2000) | Rams 23, Titans 16 | One-yard short | Dyson's stretch at the goal line |
| XLII (2008) | Giants 17, Patriots 14 | Perfection denied | Manning to Tyree helmet catch |
| LI (2017) | Patriots 34, Falcons 28 | Greatest comeback | 28-3 becomes immortal |
Watching that Patriots-Falcons game live taught me one thing: NEVER turn off a Super Bowl early. My buddy Dave left at halftime thinking it was over. Still hasn't lived it down at our sports bar gatherings.
When the Score Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
Take Super Bowl LIII - Patriots 13, Rams 3. Lowest scoring Super Bowl ever. Man, that game put some folks to sleep. But if you looked deeper, you saw Belichick's defense dismantle an explosive Rams offense. The final score of Super Bowl LIII hides how brilliant that defensive gameplan really was.
Breaking Down What Scores Really Mean
Not all 14-point wins are the same. Here's how to read between the numbers:
| Margin of Victory | Number of Super Bowls | What It Typically Means | Recent Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 points | 10 | Instant classic, usually comes down to final drive | LVIII: Chiefs 25, 49ers 22 |
| 4-7 points | 8 | Tense finish, one-score game | XLIX: Patriots 28, Seahawks 24 |
| 8-14 points | 16 | Competitive but clear winner | LIV: Chiefs 31, 49ers 20 |
| 15+ points | 24 | Dominant performance, often a blowout | LV: Buccaneers 31, Chiefs 9 |
I used to think any win by 10+ meant a boring game. Then I rewatched Seahawks-Broncos (Super Bowl XLVIII, 43-8). That defensive clinic by Seattle changed my mind completely. Sometimes a lopsided Super Bowl final score hides brilliant execution.
Overtime Scores: The Rare Ones
Only twice has the Super Bowl gone to OT. Both times the final score was unforgettable:
- Super Bowl LI: Patriots 34, Falcons 28 (First OT game)
- Super Bowl LVIII: Chiefs 25, 49ers 22 (Longest game ever)
Being at a sports bar during that Chiefs-49ers overtime was chaos. Half the crowd didn't even understand the new playoff OT rules when Harrison Butker lined up for the game-tying field goal. Explaining sudden death vs possession rules while everyone's screaming - not easy!
Your Top Super Bowl Score Questions Answered
Has any Super Bowl ended in a tie?
No. Unlike regular season games, Super Bowls must have a winner. They'll play unlimited overtime periods if needed. Both teams get a possession in playoff OT now, so ties are basically impossible.
What's the highest scoring Super Bowl final score ever?
That would be Super Bowl XXIX (1995) when the 49ers beat the Chargers 49-26. Total points: 75. Steve Young threw six touchdowns that day. Crazy offensive display.
Which Super Bowl had the lowest final score?
Super Bowl LIII (2019) holds that record: Patriots 13, Rams 3. Only 16 total points. Defense dominated that night.
Has a safety ever affected the final score?
Absolutely! Safeties have happened seven times in Super Bowl history. Most famously in Super Bowl XLVIII when the first snap sailed over Peyton Manning's head for a safety just 12 seconds in. Set the tone for Seattle's blowout win.
How often does the favorite win based on the final score?
Favorites win about 70% of the time straight up. But against the spread? That's trickier. I've lost more bets thinking the favorite would cover than I care to admit.
Why do some Super Bowls have such weird final scores?
Combination of missed extra points, two-point conversions, and safeties. Like Super Bowl XLIX's 28-24 - wouldn't you expect 28-25? But that failed two-point attempt matters.
How quickly is the official final score confirmed?
The moment the game ends. But last-second chaos can delay it. I was at Super Bowl XLIX when that interception sealed it. Took several minutes before the score was official with all the flags and reviews.
Super Bowl Final Scores By The Numbers
Let's geek out on some stats. Did you know:
- The most common winning score is 31 points (happened 6 times)
- Only twice has a team scored exactly 15 points (both lost)
- "27" is an unlucky number - teams scoring 27 have lost 4 of 5 times
- When a team scores at least 30 points, they win over 85% of the time
- The NFC leads overall with 29 wins vs AFC's 29 (but we all know the AFC has dominated recently)
| Point Range | Frequency in Wins | Frequency in Losses | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 points | 3 | 28 | 9.7% |
| 15-21 points | 14 | 18 | 43.8% |
| 22-28 points | 21 | 9 | 70% |
| 29+ points | 20 | 3 | 87% |
Notice something? Score 22+ and your chances skyrocket. Makes those defensive battles like Bucs-Chiefs where Tampa held KC to 9 points even more impressive.
Predicting Future Scores: What History Tells Us
Okay, nobody can reliably predict the exact final score of the Super Bowl. But patterns emerge:
- Modern games feature more scoring (average of 48.8 points since 2010 vs 43.6 before)
- Patrick Mahomes has never been in a Super Bowl decided by more than 6 points
- When both teams have top-5 offenses, the over has hit 80% of the time
My failed prediction? Thinking Bengals-Rams would finish 27-24. That late Stafford-to-Kupp connection made it 23-20 instead. Still bitter about that missed field goal that would've covered my bet.
The Weather Factor
Outdoor cold weather games tend to have lower final scores. Look at these comparisons:
| Super Bowl | Venue Type | Temp at Kickoff | Final Score | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XLVI (2012) | Dome | 72°F (Indoor) | Giants 21, Patriots 17 | 38 |
| XLVII (2013) | Dome | 72°F (Indoor) | Ravens 34, 49ers 31 | 65 |
| XLVIII (2014) | Outdoor | 49°F | Seahawks 43, Broncos 8 | 51 |
| XLIX (2015) | Retractable Roof (Closed) | 66°F (Indoor) | Patriots 28, Seahawks 24 | 52 |
But here's the twist - that cold weather Super Bowl XLVIII produced 51 points primarily because of defensive scores. Weather affects games unpredictably.
Beyond the Numbers: What Scores Don't Show
That final score of Super Bowl XLIX was Patriots 28, Seahawks 24. Looks close. Doesn't capture Pete Carroll's baffling decision to throw from the 1-yard line instead of handing to Marshawn Lynch. Some scores leave more questions than answers.
Or take Super Bowl XLII. Giants 17, Patriots 14. Doesn't reflect that New England was 18-0. Doesn't show David Tyree's helmet catch. Doesn't convey how that game changed legacies forever. Sometimes the story behind the score matters more than the digits.
Last thing - if you're checking the final score of the Super Bowl for betting purposes? Remember my friend who lost $500 because he didn't realize the Chiefs won by 3 but hadn't covered the spread. Know what kind of bet you placed before celebrating!
Where to Find Official Scores Fast
When you need the final score right after the game:
- NFL.com: Updates instantly with official stats
- ESPN: Reliable but often cluttered with ads
- Official NFL app: Push notifications come faster than most sites load
My go-to? The Athletic's live blog. They contextualize the numbers immediately with analysis you won't get elsewhere.
Wrapping Up the Ultimate Guide
Whether you're debating with friends or settling a bet, understanding Super Bowl final scores means more than memorizing numbers. It's about context - knowing why a 24-9 game felt different than a 34-31 thriller. Seeing how that overtime final score came to be. Appreciating defensive battles where the score stayed low.
Next time someone asks about the final score of Super Bowl LVIII or any championship, you won't just give them numbers. You'll explain how Mahomes worked his magic in overtime. How Purdy nearly pulled it off. How that 25-22 score reflects the closest modern Super Bowl we've seen.
Because at the end of the day, every final score tells a story. And now you know all the best ones.
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