Now that the Super Bowl has been around for nearly 60 years, rematches are starting to feel a lot more common. For the first 50 years of the event, only five matchups appeared more than once in Super Bowl history.
Super Bowl LX will mark the fifth time in the past 10 years that the NFL’s championship game has featured a rematch of a previous Super Bowl.
A big reason for that is the grip New England and Kansas City have had on the AFC. The Patriots and Chiefs have won nine of the past 10 AFC titles between them. The NFC, by comparison, has been far more balanced, with Seattle becoming the sixth different team to represent the conference in the past decade.
The recent era has also flipped the original rematch trend on its head. In the first 50 years, the only time a rematch produced a different winner was Super Bowl XXX, when Dallas finally beat Pittsburgh. In the past five rematches, three have gone to the team that lost the first meeting.
That is welcome news for Seahawks fans, who have spent the past 11 years haunted by the words “Malcolm Butler” after losing Super Bowl XLIX by a 28–24 score and coming up a yard short.
Here is a look at every Super Bowl rematch.
Super Bowls X, XIII, and XXX
Steelers vs Cowboys
Original matchup: Steelers 21, Cowboys 17 (Super Bowl X)
Rematch #1: Steelers 35, Cowboys 31 (Super Bowl XIII)
Rematch #2: Cowboys 27, Steelers 17 (Super Bowl XXX)
This is the only rematch to happen twice, and the first one was a disaster for sportsbooks. Vegas opened with Pittsburgh favored by 3.5, moved it to 4.5 when money poured in, then settled at -4.
The Cowboys scored two late touchdowns to turn a 35-17 game into a 35-31 finish, wiping out the books.
Dallas finally turned the tables 17 years later behind two Larry Brown interceptions, winning its third Super Bowl in four seasons. Thirty years later, it still stands as the last time the Cowboys even reached the NFC title game.
Super Bowls VII and XVII
Dolphins vs Washington
Original matchup: Dolphins 14, Washington 7 (Super Bowl VII)
Rematch: Washington 27, Dolphins 17 (Super Bowl XVII)
Ten years after Miami’s perfect season, Washington flipped the script behind John Riggins.
Riggins carried the ball 38 times for 166 yards, highlighted by a legendary 43-yard run on fourth-and-one for the go-ahead touchdown. His 181 all-purpose yards outgained Miami’s entire offense.
Super Bowls XVI and XXIII
49ers vs Bengals
Original matchup: 49ers 26, Bengals 21 (Super Bowl XVI)
Rematch: 49ers 20, Bengals 16 (Super Bowl XXIII)
This rematch was a defensive slugfest. No offensive touchdowns were scored until the fourth quarter, and Cincinnati never scored one at all.
Joe Montana led a 92-yard drive in the final minutes, capped by a touchdown to John Taylor, denying the Bengals again.
Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII
Cowboys vs Bills
Original matchup: Cowboys 52, Bills 17 (Super Bowl XXVII)
Rematch: Cowboys 30, Bills 13 (Super Bowl XXVIII)
This one hurt Buffalo the most. The Bills actually led at halftime.
Then Thurman Thomas fumbled early in the third quarter and the Cowboys scored 24 unanswered points. It remains the only rematch to occur in consecutive seasons.
Super Bowls XLII and XLVI
Giants vs Patriots
Original matchup: Giants 17, Patriots 14 (Super Bowl XLII)
Rematch: Giants 21, Patriots 17 (Super Bowl XLVI)
Brady and Belichick never solved Eli Manning.
Once again, the Giants pulled off a late game-winning drive, capped by Ahmad Bradshaw’s touchdown. New York became the first 9-7 team to win a Super Bowl.
Super Bowls XXXIX and LII
Patriots vs Eagles
Original matchup: Patriots 24, Eagles 21 (Super Bowl XXXIX)
Rematch: Eagles 41, Patriots 33 (Super Bowl LII)
This game will always be remembered for the Philly Special.
Nick Foles outdueled Tom Brady, and Doug Pederson coached circles around Bill Belichick. It was Philadelphia’s first Super Bowl win and completed the NFC East sweep.
Super Bowls XXXVI and LIII
Patriots vs Rams
Original matchup: Patriots 20, Rams 17 (Super Bowl XXXVI)
Rematch: Patriots 13, Rams 3 (Super Bowl LIII)
The first was a stunner. The second was a slog.
New England’s defense suffocated the Rams, producing the lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever.
Super Bowls LIV and LVIII
Chiefs vs 49ers
Original matchup: Chiefs 31, 49ers 20 (Super Bowl LIV)
Rematch: Chiefs 25, 49ers 22 (Super Bowl LVIII)
The longest Super Bowl ever, and the second to go to overtime.
San Francisco settled for a field goal, not realizing Kansas City was guaranteed a possession. Patrick Mahomes drove 75 yards and won his third Lombardi.
Super Bowls LVII and LIX
Chiefs vs Eagles
Original matchup: Chiefs 38, Eagles 35 (Super Bowl LVII)
Rematch: Eagles 40, Chiefs 22 (Super Bowl LIX)
Philadelphia left no doubt the second time.
The Eagles scored the first 34 points and cruised, ending Kansas City’s run at history. The blowout foreshadowed the Chiefs’ 2025 collapse.
Kansas City took its shot at immortality. History reminded them that staying on top is always harder than getting there.
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