The Kansas City Chiefs after their recent close loss in Super Bowl LVII. Now that challenge becomes acute as they face the new NFL season. History has not been kind to teams hoping to rebound from a Super Bowl defeat, as it can be a tall order to return to glory. Indeed, the ensuing list of teams that began the next season with two defeats is eye-opening and maybe a little scary.
In nearly a century of NFL history, only eight teams have been able to overcome that daunting task. None of them made it back to the big game the next year. Here’s a look at how the Chiefs can buck history and return to form. Looking back at past Super Bowl losers, you’ll find a lot of the same themes of challenge and strife.
Historical Context of Super Bowl Losers
Perhaps the best illustration of NFL success through diversity is the 1980 Los Angeles Rams. They wrapped up that 1979 season with an exhilarating 9-7 record. Then, they shocked the world with an unfathomable playoff surge that brought them to Super Bowl XIV, where they matched up against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Rams would go on to lose that game 31-19, but their next season—as the reigning champions—started with two defeats.
The 2001 Rams also faced similar challenges. Having cruised through the regular season, they made an uncharacteristic flop in the Super Bowl. That season opened with two defeats. They joined the Bears as the only one of the eight to lose to a team that finished in DVOA’s bottom half of the league.
“Right now, it’s a state of emergency,” – Ray Buchanan
This sentiment encapsulates the urgency and desperation that permeates every team that’s tasted Super Bowl defeat. The psychological impact of a loss can linger, creating hurdles as teams attempt to regain footing in a competitive league.
The Colts and Redskins: A Shared Struggle
Their playoff run was so impressive that most people remember the Indianapolis Colts as having lost to the two best NFL teams in history. After that, they fell flat in the ensuing seasons. With this win, the Colts are 8-5-1 on the season. Even though they finished second in their division, they missed the playoffs completely. This trend is a sad testament to the plight of every team that has come back from a Super Bowl loss.
Much like the latter day success story, the once hapless Washington Redskins had their own resilience narrative from years past. Following a triumphant run that included five straight victories against three NFC East rivals, they too fell short in their championship aspirations. They lost to the two other teams that competed in that season’s Super Bowl. That’s the warning sign of how even the mightiest can trip and fall following postseason disappointment.
The Rams and Seahawks: Close Calls
In 2001, the Rams provided the most electricity and offensive wizardry anyone had ever witnessed. Their cumulative performance wasn’t a fluke — in fact, they outgained the New York Giants on a per-play basis, 6.2 to 6.0 yards. Their four turnovers were ultimately their death knell, showing how a few miscues can kill even the best games.
The Seattle Seahawks reached a decisive inflection point in their 2022 season. This was most notable when Marshawn Lynch was stuffed on fourth-and-1 at the Rams’ 42-yard line. This critical moment underscored how narrow margins can define success or failure for teams looking to bounce back from previous disappointments.
The failures of these previous teams act as cautionary tales for the Chiefs. As they look forward to their historic Next Great Migration season, they are up against fierce opponents. Simultaneously, they have to deal with the deep legacy of history that haunts them.
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