Every Super Bowl matchup in the last 10 years, explained

Introduction to the last 10 Super Bowl matchups

In the last decade, the Super Bowl has delivered six different winners across six distinct teams, multiple high-profile quarterbacks, and several signature storylines that shaped how we remember the championship game. This guide reviews each matchup from Super Bowl 50 in the 2014 season through Super Bowl 59 in the 2024 season, focusing on who won, the final score, the MVP, and the core narrative of the game. These yearly showdowns cap the longest season in professional football and represent the culmination of the playoffs, pairing the AFC champion against the NFC champion in a single, decisive contest.

Below you will find a year-by-year, evergreen explanation of every matchup in the last 10 years, supported by a concise table of scores and MVPs and highlighted with practical context that remains useful for fans, analysts, and curious viewers. The intent is clarity and reliability: who played, what happened, and why each game matters in the longer arc of NFL history.

Summary table of Super Bowl results (2015–2024)

The table below captures the core verified facts for each Super Bowl in the last 10 editions, including season, date, winner, runner-up, final score, and MVP. These are well-established details that are not expected to change.

2015: Super Bowl 50 — Denver Broncos 24, Carolina Panthers 10

Super Bowl 50 on Feb 7, 2016, represented the conclusion of a season that began in September 2015. The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24–10 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This game is most closely remembered for the dominant defensive performance from the Broncos, highlighted by Von Miller’s pressure on Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, who was held without a touchdown and intercepted twice. The win gave the Broncos their third Super Bowl title and capped a career-defining postseason for Miller, who earned Super Bowl MVP honors. For the Panthers, the loss marked the end of an ambitious season that had started with high expectations.

Key context

• Coaching matchup: Gary Kubiak (Broncos) versus Ron Rivera (Panthers).
• Key narrative: elite interior defensive line disrupting a high-powered passing offense.
• Historic note: first Super Bowl meeting between these franchises.

2016: Super Bowl 51 — New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28 (OT)

Super Bowl 51 on Feb 5, 2017, remains the only Super Bowl to date that ended in overtime. The New England Patriots rallied from a 28–3 deficit late in the third quarter to force overtime and defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34–28, securing a record-tying fifth Super Bowl victory. Tom Brady, already widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks, added another chapter to his legacy with a composed performance in the extra period. The Falcons’ collapse after building a commanding lead became one of the most talked-about moments in Super Bowl history, and the game underscored the importance of sustained offensive execution.

Key context

• Coaching matchup: Bill Belichick (Patriots) versus Dan Quinn (Falcons).
• Key narrative: largest comeback in Super Bowl history at the time (25 points).
• Historic note: first overtime in Super Bowl history.

2017: Super Bowl 52 — Philadelphia Eagles 41, New England Patriots 33

Super Bowl 52 on Feb 4, 2018, saw the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the New England Patriots 41–33 behind a multi-dimensional performance from quarterback Nick Foles, who was named MVP. The Eagles controlled the line of scrimmage, leaned heavily on a balanced offense, and forced three turnovers in a win that capped a season of redemption for Philadelphia. It was the franchise’s first Super Bowl title in 50 years and delivered a signature victory for head coach Doug Pederson. For New England, the loss highlighted the narrow margins at the highest level, as they fell just short of extending their dynasty.

Key context

• Coaching matchup: Doug Pederson (Eagles) versus Bill Belichick (Patriots).
• Key narrative: Eagles’ physical front seven and ball security.
• Historic note: first Super Bowl meeting between these franchises; first title for the Eagles since 1960.

2018: Super Bowl 53 — New England Patriots 13, Los Angeles Rams 3

Super Bowl 53 on Feb 3, 2019, was defined by defense and process. The New England Patriots held the high-powered Rams offense to just three points, securing a narrow 13–3 victory in a low-scoring, methodical contest. Wide receiver Julian Edelman, playing through a significant injury, was named MVP after catching 10 passes for 141 yards. The win extended the Patriots’ reputation for excelling in championship games and intensified debates around officiating and the league’s evolving competitive balance. For the Rams, the loss marked another near-miss in a season where they had been heavy favorites.

Key context

• Coaching matchup: Bill Belichick (Patriots) versus Sean McVay (Rams).
• Key narrative: defensive discipline and short-field advantage.
• Historic note: first Super Bowl meeting between these franchises.

2019: Super Bowl 54 — Kansas City Chiefs 31, San Francisco 49ers 20

Super Bowl 54 on Feb 2, 2020, showcased the explosive offense of the Kansas City Chiefs, who defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31–20. Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ young star, solidified his rise into the league’s elite by directing a balanced attack and was named MVP. The 49ers entered as heavy favorites but struggled with turnovers and red-zone efficiency in a game that highlighted the Chiefs’ speed and versatility. The win moved the Chiefs closer to establishing a new era of sustained excellence in the league.

Key context

• Coaching matchup: Andy Reid (Chiefs) versus Kyle Shanahan (49ers).
• Key narrative: Mahomes’ poise and the Chiefs’ diverse offensive scheme.
• Historic note: first Super Bowl meeting between these franchises.

2020: Super Bowl 55 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31, Kansas City Chiefs 9

Although the original table shows 2019 and 2020 seasons, Super Bowl 55 actually concluded the 2020 season and was played on Feb 7, 2021. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31–9, with Tom Brady earning his fifth Super Bowl MVP. The dominant performance reshaped narratives around Brady and the Buccaneers’ defense, while reinforcing the idea that elite preparation can neutralize even the most explosive offenses.

Key context

• Coaching matchup: Bruce Arians (Buccaneers) versus Andy Reid (Chiefs).
• Key narrative: stifling defense and red-zone pressure.
• Historic note: first Super Bowl meeting between these franchises; Brady’s fifth ring.

2021: Super Bowl 56 — Los Angeles Rams 23, Cincinnati Bengals 20

Super Bowl 56 on Feb 7, 2022, featured the Los Angeles Rams defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20. The tightly contested game showcased stout defensive efforts in the second half and special teams plays that proved decisive. Cooper Kupp, the Rams’ reliable receiver, was named MVP for his steady contributions in a victory that brought Los Angeles its second championship. For the Bengals, the narrow loss highlighted how close contenders can fall just short on the biggest stage.

Key context

• Coaching matchup: Sean McVay (Rams) versus Zac Taylor (Bengals).
• Key narrative: field position, defensive stops in the second half.
• Historic note: first Super Bowl meeting between these franchises.

2022: Super Bowl 57 — Kansas City Chiefs 38, Philadelphia Eagles 35

Super Bowl 57 on Feb 12, 2023, delivered a thriller as the Kansas City Chiefs edged the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35 in a high-scoring affair. Patrick Mahomes reinforced his legacy as a clutch performer with a composed MVP-worthy showing, including a crucial fourth-down conversion late in the fourth quarter. The Eagles’ resilient effort kept the game close, but the Chiefs’ experience in big moments made the difference.

Key context

• Coaching matchup: Andy Reid (Chiefs) versus Nick Sirianni (Eagles).
• Key narrative: Mahomes’ fourth-down decision-making and late-game execution.
• Historic note: first meeting between these teams in a Super Bowl; Mahomes’ first ring.

2023: Super Bowl 58 — Kansas City Chiefs 25, San Francisco 49ers 22

Super Bowl 58 on Feb 11, 2024, was another tight, low-scoring championship featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs prevailed 25–22, with Patrick Mahomes again delivering in a critical moment and securing his second consecutive Super Bowl title and third overall. The 49ers, chasing their first championship since 2020, saw the game slip away in the closing series. This matchup reinforced the Chiefs’ status as a modern NFL dynasty and Mahomes’ standing as one of the premier quarterbacks of his generation.

Key context

• Coaching matchup: Andy Reid (Chiefs) versus Kyle Shanahan (49ers).
• Key narrative: red-zone efficiency and fourth-down conversions.
• Historic note: first back-to-back Super Bowl matchups featuring the same two teams since 1995–1996; Mahomes’s second consecutive MVP in the Super Bowl.

What to watch for in future matchups

As the league evolves, future Super Bowls will likely continue to feature new combinations of franchises, rule adaptations, and emerging stars. Historical context matters because it helps frame how analysts compare teams, assess coaching decisions, and anticipate storylines. The past 10 years have shown that even heavily favored teams can be vulnerable on any given Sunday, and that championship games often turn on a few critical plays in limited opportunities.

For fans and observers, tracking trends in offensive schemes, defensive personnel, and special teams can provide an edge when previewing upcoming matchups. This evergreen overview of the last decade’s Super Bowls is designed to remain a useful reference as the next generation of contenders emerges.

Senior Sports Analyst