Super Bowl power rankings: Who’s the best loser?

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Matt Ryan
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Matt Ryan /
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 14: Billy Kilmer
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 14: Billy Kilmer /

11. 1972 Washington Redskins, Super Bowl VII

The 1972 Washington Redskins would go 11-3 and win the NFC East that year. They would limit their opponents in the NFC Playoffs to a combined six points, defeating the Green Bay Packers, 16-3, in the Divisional round and the Dallas Cowboys, 26-3, in the 1972 NFC Championship.

This was Washington’s first ever trip to the Super Bowl, led by coach George Allen. They would play the loser of the previous Super Bowl in the Miami Dolphins at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

While the 1972 Redskins defense was certainly a crushing one, they had to play a Dolphins team that hadn’t lost a game since Super Bowl VI at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. This is the undefeated 1972 Dolphins we’re talking about!

Washington was actually a one-point favorite over the undefeated Dolphins in Super Bowl VII, but only managed to score seven points, falling to the Dolphins, 14-7. The 1972 Dolphins remain the last team to orchestrate a perfect season, going 14-0 in the regular season en route to a Super Bowl title.

Because of who they had to play in Super Bowl VII, the 1972 Redskins could have easily won a Super Bowl had they been fortunate to have played anybody else. Their 11-3 record is strong. Being a one-point favorite helps. Losing by only seven points isn’t bad either.

What ultimately keeps the 1972 Redskins out of the top 10 for greatest Super Bowl loser is that they only scored seven points in Super Bowl VII. It’s hard to say if this team would be able to win a Super Bowl across different eras on account of its issues on offense.

Next: 10. 1969 Minnesota Vikings