Super Bowl III – New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts

One of the most famous upsets in NFL history came in Super Bowl III when the New York Jets, led by charismatic quarterback Joe Namath, defeated the heavily favored Baltimore Colts. The Colts were considered one of the greatest teams in NFL history, having finished the regular season with a record of 13-1 and sporting one of the league’s best defenses.

Despite being 19.5 point underdogs, the Jets came out firing on all cylinders and took an early lead. Namath, who famously guaranteed a Jets victory before the game, threw for 206 yards and helped lead his team to a 16-7 upset victory. This game is often cited as the moment when the AFL finally established itself as a legitimate rival to the more established NFL.

Super Bowl XLII – New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

Super Bowl XLII featured another memorable upset as the New York Giants defeated the undefeated New England Patriots. The Patriots, who had gone 18-0 in the regular season and playoffs, were seeking to become the first team in NFL history to complete a perfect season.

The Giants played an aggressive and physical game and were able to disrupt Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, sacking him five times and holding the high powered New England offense to just 14 points. The Giants scored a late touchdown to take the lead and held on for a 17-14 victory, denying the Patriots a perfect season and cementing their place in NFL history as one of the greatest upsets of all time. This game also featured the infamous “Helmet Catch” which is one of the greatest catches of all time.

Super Bowl XXXVI – New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams

In 2002, the upstart New England Patriots faced off against the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. The Rams were no doubt the favorite, having finished the regular season with a record of 14-2 and boasting one of the most potent offenses in NFL history, you might know them as the “Greatest Show on Turf”.

The Patriots, were led by second-year quarterback Tom Brady and came into the game as double digit underdogs. However, they were able to keep pace with the Rams as the game was tied 17-17 in the final minutes. Brady then pulled out his late game heroics and led the Patriots down the field to kick a field goal as time expired. It completed one of the biggest upsets in NFL history and launched the beginning of a dynasty that would go on to win six Super Bowls over the next two decades.

2010 Divisional Playoffs – Seattle Seahawks vs. New Orleans Saints

Let’s now go back to 2011, when the Seattle Seahawks pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent NFL history. They defeated the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints in the divisional playoffs. The Seahawks, who had finished the regular season with a record of just 7-9, were huge underdogs against the potent Saints offense.

The Seahawks played a nearly flawless game, using a strong running game powered by Marshawn Lynch and timely passing to keep the Saints defense off balance. They also forced two critical turnovers and scored on Lynch’s memorable long touchdown run in the fourth quarter to seal the upset victory. The win propelled the Seahawks to the NFC Championship Game and showed that anything can happen in the NFL playoffs.

Super Bowl XXXII – Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers

In Super Bowl XXXII, the Denver Broncos faced off against the defending champion Green Bay Packers. The 13-3 Packers were the favorites and had one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks at that time in Brett Favre.

However, the Broncos, led by running back Terrell Davis, were able to control the game with a dominant running attack that kept the Packers defense off balance. Davis rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns, earning Super Bowl MVP honors and leading the Broncos to a 31-24 upset victory over the Packers.

2001 AFC Championship Game – New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The 2001 AFC Championship Game featured another memorable upset by New England. In this matchup the Patriots defeated the heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers who had one of the NFL’s best defenses.

The Patriots did not care about the underdog status as they were able to limit Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart and force three crucial interceptions. Many forget, but this was the game Drew Bledsoe came in on relief of Tom Brady to lead them to a 24-17 victory.

These upsets show that anything can happen in the NFL, no matter how heavily favored a team may be. From underdog victories in the Super Bowl to unexpected playoff runs, these upsets have cemented their place in NFL history. While these games may be few and far between, they serve as a reminder that in the NFL, any given Sunday can change the course of history.

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By: Jake Rajala

Marshawn Lynch, also known as Beast Mode, was one of the best personalities in the NFL & an old-school bully at the running back position. Lynch made it clear that he was a nightmare for foes in his rookie season with the Buffalo Bills by unveiling 1,115 rushing yards and seven rushing TDs. He proceeded to punch a ticket to the Pro Bowl in his sophomore season and then usurpingly the tenacious, long-hair RB cracked a PB spot in 2011, 2012 (including a first-team All-Pro honor), 2013, and 2014. He finished with 10,413 career rushing yards and 85 career rushing touchdowns. Of course, Beast Mode and his knack for being a stud in interviews won Super Bowl XLVIII. With that enunciated, a fascinating, pivotal question surrounds Beast Mode: Is Lynch a future Hall of Famer?

I (along with the 12th man) absolutely believe that Lynch deserves to be cast into football heaven. He wasn’t only one of the best running backs in the NFL between 2011 & 2014, but he was also a Terminator-like figure in the playoffs for the Seahawks. The former Hawks legend ranks eighth in rushing yards in the playoffs, he arguably had the best individual run of all time, and he was also a world champion.

Will Lynch be locked in as a first-ballot Hall of Famer? I don’t believe he was quite on the same level as Adrian Peterson or LaDainian Tomlinson (first-ballot HOFers) and I honestly don’t anticipate the new TNF analyst being a first-ballot HOFer. However, it would be shocking if the John Wick-like RB didn’t garner a gold jacket for consistent dominance in the regular season & heroics in the post-season. Plus, it would be a shame if the NFL world wasn’t able to hear a speech from the utmost authentic NFL figure.

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By: Jake Rajala

Jamaal Charles was a mythical ball-carrier for the Kansas City Chiefs – where he garnered two, first-team All-Pro selections & four Pro Bowl selections. Charles unleashed five, 1,000+ rushing yd seasons with KC. In his first AP season, he unleashed 1,467 rushing yds, 5 rushing TDs, and averaged 6.4 YPC. In Charles’s second AP season, he unveiled 1,287 rushing yds, 12 rushing TDs, and averaged 5 YPC. After his long span of dominance in a Chiefs uniform, Charles played one season in Denver and one year in Jacksonville. Charles, who doesn’t really have a great nickname, officially retired in the 2019 off-season. With that stated, there is an intriguing, pivotal question surrounding the former Chiefs RB at this point: Is Charles a future Hall of Famer?

Charles has a very rushing production as the HOF RB Marcus Allen. The former Raiders RB has two, first-team All-Pro seasons and six Pro Bowl selections. Allen ran for six, 800+ rushing yd seasons in his career – while Charles has five seasons of 800+ rushing yds. Although, Allen does separate himself from Charles by having a Super Bowl ring and an MVP ring.

I suspect the recently dominant Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch, who has a similar resume as Charles, to be cast in the HOF. Marshawn Lynch has five Pro Bowl selections and one first-team All-Pro nod – despite not having a Super Bowl ring. Beastmode also has several seasons of 800+ rushing yards.

All in all, I really expect Charles to be cast into football heaven. He may not wear a gold jacket soon, but he should end up in Canton in the future.

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The Seattle Seahawks have missed the days of handing the ball to Marshawn Lynch and witnessing him carry defenders on his back. Lynch wasn’t Derrick Henry before Derrick Henry, he was the only RB that has ever unleashed a “beast quake”.

The Seahawks have had a quality rushing attack in moments after Lynch departed, but they haven’t had a consistent, lethal rushing game and running back. The Seahawks were on fire with their run game post-Lynch, as they were first in 2018 and fourth in 2019 in rushing yards per game. Although, they were then 12th in 2020 and 11th in 2021 in rushing yards per game. The outlook could be dimmer for the Seahawks rushing attack, as their veteran RB Chris Carson is coming off neck surgery and likely testing free agency. The aging Russell Wilson also can’t continue to handle a heavy workload in the rushing game. I expect the Seahawks to really target a quality RB to pair with Rashaad Penny given how important their rushing game is in the frigid NFC West.

Here are a few RBs that the Hawks could target in the 2022 free agency period.

J.D. McKissic

The Hawks could get a nice value pickup in J.D. McKissic. He can be a force in the run and pass game for Wilson. He may be looking to improve from his late-career production with the Commanders and join a stud offense like the Seahawks. He ousted 954 total yards in 2020 and 609 total yards in 2021. Washington has Antonio Gibson, Curtis Samuel, Terry McLaurin, so it could be a challenge to please the ascending McKissic.

Brandon Bolden

Brandon Bolden can be a nice RB2 that can break down defenses in the second half of games. He is 32 years old, but he still has gas and power left on his legs. Bolden will likely not return to the Pats in free agency, but he should transition to another quality culture and scheme fit. He is the great value version of Lynch, too. He also is a monster in the pass blocking area.

Phillip Lindsay

Phillip Lindsay could look to join a high-power offense on a prove-it deal and the fit between Seattle and Lindsay would make a ton of sense. It’s worth mentioning that Lindsay is the most underrated RB in free agency. He ousted a 1,000 yard rushing season in 2018 and 2019. He was in Houston, also known as Alcatraz, for 10 games in 2021, so he struggled a bit. He could still attract more money from elsewhere or return to his old home in Denver.

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