The Kansas City Chiefs have a chance to do something on Super Bowl Sunday that no AFC team in NFL history has ever managed: they could beat an NFC team twice in one season.
As crazy as it may seem, no AFC team has managed to sweep two games against an NFC team in the Super Bowl era. To sweep, the AFC team would have to win a regular season game and then also win a Super Bowl rematch. The Chiefs are halfway through defeating the Buccaneers 27-24 during the regular season. This year’s Super Bowl will mark the fifth time in NFL history that an AFC team has gone to sweep, and AFC teams have been 0-4 in the previous four sweep attempts.
See what happened on the previous four occasions when an AFC team won during the regular season.
Regular season: In week 15 of the 1990 season, the Bills and Giants played a thriller. Although the Giants prevented Buffalo’s powerful attack in this game, the Bills still managed to escape Giants Stadium with a 17-13 victory.
Super Bowl XXV: The Bills had a chance to win two games in Super Bowl XXV, but the Giants ended up winning 20-19 after Scott Norwood missed one of the most dramatic field goals in Super Bowl history from 47 yards away.
1993 (accounts vs. Cowboys)
Regular season: In week 2 of 1993, Buffalo beat Dallas 13-10. However, a notable aspect of this game was that Emmitt Smith was waiting for a new contract, so he did not play.
Super Bowl XXVIII: After losing three consecutive Super Bowls, the Bills probably felt very good about their chances of finally getting a Super Bowl XXVIII victory, because they were playing against a Cowboys team that they won during the regular season. However, unlike the first game, the Cowboys had Smith on the field for this game. In fact, Smith was not only on the pitch for the Super Bowl, but he also won the game’s MVP award after running 132 yards and two touchdowns in the Cowboys’ 30-13 victory.
Regular season: Although the Rams were almost unbeatable during the regular season, they lost to the Titans in 1999. During week 8 of the regular season, an undefeated Rams team (6-0) went to Nashville and had their first loss of the season in a game 24-21. Although the final score was tight, the Titans led by 21 to 0 at one point of their victory.
Super Bowl XXXIV: Unfortunately for the Titans, things went a little differently in the Super Bowl, with Rams jumping to a 16-0 lead before winning 23-16. Super Bowl XXXIV is best remembered for Kevin Dyson reaching 1 yard before the end zone in the final play of the game.
2007 (Patriots vs. Giants)
Regular season: Of all the AFC teams that almost achieved a sweep, the most surprising team to lose in the Super Bowl was the 16-0 Patriots in 2007. To secure an undefeated record, the Patriots had to face the Giants in Week 17 and, although New York had nothing to play, coach Tom Coughlin still decided to play as a starter. In one of the most exciting games of the season, the Patriots reached 16-0 by beating the Giants 38-35.
Super Bowl XLII: The Giants’ fierce game against the Patriots in Week 17 probably gave them some confidence for the Super Bowl. Despite being 14 points behind, the Giants managed to overcome defeat with a 17-14 victory. To this day, helmet locking is still a sensitive issue in New England.
These are the only four AFC teams that have had a chance to beat an NFC team twice in one season and all four have lost. On the other hand, NFC teams are 6-3 when they go for a season scan of an AFC team.
Overall, there were a total of 13 Super Bowls that were a rematch for a regular season game and the team that won the first game was 6-7 in the Super Bowl. If the Chiefs, who have three points in favor, win, they will be the first AFC team to sweep two games.