The Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50 with a dominant defense and an offense that did just enough to get by. So, where does that rank them among the last 10 Super Bowl champions? Here’s a look at where they stand compared to the winners of Super Bowls 41-49.
10. 2011-12 New York Giants
Getty ImagesSomehow, the Giants always manage to get on a roll whenever they get into the playoffs, and they did exactly that against the Patriots in 2012. Eli and Co. seem to have Tom Brady's number as they've defeated him in the Super Bowl twice in the past decade. However, there was nothing particularly flashy about this Super Bowl win, and the team was only slightly above average in the regular season.
Regular-season record: 9-7
Somehow, the Giants always manage to get on a roll whenever they get into the playoffs, and they did exactly that against the Patriots in 2012. Eli and Co. seem to have Tom Brady's number as they've defeated him in the Super Bowl twice in the past decade. However, there was nothing particularly flashy about this Super Bowl win, and the team was only slightly above average in the regular season.
9. 2012-13 Baltimore Ravens
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Joe Flacco earned a huge payday with his epic playoff performance in 2013. His Ravens won four games en route to their Super Bowl victory, and Flacco was at the center of each of those wins. The most important play he was a part of came during the divisional round against the Broncos when he hit Jacoby Jones for a 70-yard, game-tying touchdown with less than a minute left in the game. Baltimore went on to a 2OT win in that game and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy just three weeks later.
Regular-season record: 10-6
Joe Flacco earned a huge payday with his epic playoff performance in 2013. His Ravens won four games en route to their Super Bowl victory, and Flacco was at the center of each of those wins. The most important play he was a part of came during the divisional round against the Broncos when he hit Jacoby Jones for a 70-yard, game-tying touchdown with less than a minute left in the game. Baltimore went on to a 2OT win in that game and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy just three weeks later.
8. 2010-11 Green Bay Packers
Getty ImagesThe Packers barely snuck into the playoffs, but they were the hottest team in the league heading into January. After beating the rival Bears in the NFC Championship Game, the team went on to beat a tough Steelers team in the Super Bowl. It seemed like Aaron Rodgers' coming out party, but he hasn't been back to a Super Bowl since.
Regular-season record: 10-6
The Packers barely snuck into the playoffs, but they were the hottest team in the league heading into January. After beating the rival Bears in the NFC Championship Game, the team went on to beat a tough Steelers team in the Super Bowl. It seemed like Aaron Rodgers' coming out party, but he hasn't been back to a Super Bowl since.
7. 2006-07 Indianapolis Colts
Getty ImagesIn Peyton Manning's first Super Bowl victory, he had to go through some serious adversity. First of all, he had to overcome an 18-point second-quarter deficit against Tom Brady's Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Once he did that, he had to go through one of the best defenses of the generation in the Chicago Bears. This win would look a whole lot more impressive for Manning and Co. if Rex Grossman weren't the opposing quarterback in the Super Bowl.
Regular-season record: 12-4
In Peyton Manning's first Super Bowl victory, he had to go through some serious adversity. First of all, he had to overcome an 18-point second-quarter deficit against Tom Brady's Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Once he did that, he had to go through one of the best defenses of the generation in the Chicago Bears. This win would look a whole lot more impressive for Manning and Co. if Rex Grossman weren't the opposing quarterback in the Super Bowl.
6. 2007-08 New York Giants
Getty ImagesNobody beat the Patriots in 2007-08. That was until they ran into the Giants in the Super Bowl. Somehow, New York found a way to beat the Patriots, who were attempting to go 19-0 behind one of the best offenses in NFL history. Of course, David Tyree's legendary catch helped that happen, which further adds to the legend of the team that kept New England from winning it all.
Regular-season record: 10-6
Nobody beat the Patriots in 2007-08. That was until they ran into the Giants in the Super Bowl. Somehow, New York found a way to beat the Patriots, who were attempting to go 19-0 behind one of the best offenses in NFL history. Of course, David Tyree's legendary catch helped that happen, which further adds to the legend of the team that kept New England from winning it all.
5. 2014-15 New England Patriots
Getty ImagesAs if Bill Belichick and Tom Brady needed any more hardware. This team, which was a dynasty at the beginning of the decade, had lost two Super Bowls in a row and it was unclear if this group was ever going to win one again. After one of the more exciting Super Bowls of the past decade, New England came out on top, barely edging out an extremely tough Seahawks team.
Regular-season record: 12-4
As if Bill Belichick and Tom Brady needed any more hardware. This team, which was a dynasty at the beginning of the decade, had lost two Super Bowls in a row and it was unclear if this group was ever going to win one again. After one of the more exciting Super Bowls of the past decade, New England came out on top, barely edging out an extremely tough Seahawks team.
4. 2015-16 Denver Broncos
Getty ImagesDespite winning 12 games in the regular season, not many people gave the Broncos a chance in the playoffs. Ironically, that was because of their weak offense behind Peyton Manning. As it turned out, the defense was good enough to win it all. Wade Phillips' unit was the best since the 2000 Ravens, and that kind of domination makes them one of the best Super Bowl champions of the last decade.
Regular-season record: 12-4
Despite winning 12 games in the regular season, not many people gave the Broncos a chance in the playoffs. Ironically, that was because of their weak offense behind Peyton Manning. As it turned out, the defense was good enough to win it all. Wade Phillips' unit was the best since the 2000 Ravens, and that kind of domination makes them one of the best Super Bowl champions of the last decade.
3. 2008-09 Pittsburgh Steelers
Getty ImagesThis Steelers team was one of the last to have a great defensive unit before the team became more offense-oriented. In one of the best Super Bowls of the decade, they defeated the Cardinals 27-23 behind a late touchdown grab by Santonio Holmes, who was named the game's MVP. Another one of the more memorable Super Bowl moments in the last decade came when James Harrison returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown as the first half came to an end. This Super Bowl was about the great moments which made the Steelers memorable.
Regular-season record: 12-4
This Steelers team was one of the last to have a great defensive unit before the team became more offense-oriented. In one of the best Super Bowls of the decade, they defeated the Cardinals 27-23 behind a late touchdown grab by Santonio Holmes, who was named the game's MVP. Another one of the more memorable Super Bowl moments in the last decade came when James Harrison returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown as the first half came to an end. This Super Bowl was about the great moments which made the Steelers memorable.
2. 2013-14 Seattle Seahawks
Getty ImagesThe Seahawks were one of the most dominant teams to actually win the Super Bowl in the past decade. In fact, they were one of just two 13-win teams to win it all in that time. They were able to do this behind bone-crushing defense and an efficient offense. Seattle dominated the Broncos in the Super Bowl, which made them look like an even greater team in the grand scheme of history.
Regular-season record: 13-3
The Seahawks were one of the most dominant teams to actually win the Super Bowl in the past decade. In fact, they were one of just two 13-win teams to win it all in that time. They were able to do this behind bone-crushing defense and an efficient offense. Seattle dominated the Broncos in the Super Bowl, which made them look like an even greater team in the grand scheme of history.
1. 2009-10 New Orleans Saints
Getty ImagesBetween their regular-season dominance and memorable Super Bowl run, the 2009-10 Saints were the best Super Bowl champion of the last decade. Drew Brees and Co. went on an inspiring run, playing for a city that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina just over four years earlier. As the underdogs in the Super Bowl against the Colts, the team pulled out some tricks, including an onside kick to open the second half and were able to ride that to a win in the biggest game in sports. The image of Brees and his son at the Super Bowl podium is one that will be frozen in time in NFL history.
Regular-season record: 13-3
Between their regular-season dominance and memorable Super Bowl run, the 2009-10 Saints were the best Super Bowl champion of the last decade. Drew Brees and Co. went on an inspiring run, playing for a city that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina just over four years earlier. As the underdogs in the Super Bowl against the Colts, the team pulled out some tricks, including an onside kick to open the second half and were able to ride that to a win in the biggest game in sports. The image of Brees and his son at the Super Bowl podium is one that will be frozen in time in NFL history.
