against an Indianapolis Colts side that had been the

Whether you love football or watch the Super Bowl for the wild halftime show, there’s no denying the excitement surrounding America’s biggest sporting event. New teams rise to the challenge every year and make their way to the championship game. But that is something that is looking increasingly unlikely this year.

Perhaps surprisingly, considering their blowout in last year’s NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, NFL Super Bowl odds providers have made the San Francisco 49ers the +275 favorites for the Lombardi this season.

Spearheaded by 2022 Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy, the Levi’s Stadium side is on a mission to prove that had they not been forced to use their fourth-choice quarterback during their elimination from the playoffs last term, they would have lifted the famous trophy for the sixth time in franchise history and the first time since 1994.

But their conquerors from the Linc will have something to say about that, and they, too, look imperious. Ezoic

Over in the AFC, the Lombardi-less Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals have developed into contenders in recent years. The latter has been particularly impressive, reaching the conference championship game in the last two seasons, winning one of them.

However, both have fallen by the wayside somewhat this term and have been replaced by the Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens at the top of their respective divisions, both of whom already have Super Bowl glory under their belts.

So, with a maiden champion not looking likely this term, we decided to look through the history books at the last three first-time winners of the famed Lombardi.

Philadelphia Eagles – 2017

Let’s start with the most recent addition: the Philadelphia Eagles. At Super Bowl LII, they faced off against the heavyweight New England Patriots, who held a stranglehold over the league unlike anything seen before and were looking to secure their sixth championship win. Andy Reid’s men, on the other hand, had never lifted the Lombardi despite playing in the Big Game on two prior occasions, losing both. Ezoic

Despite some early setbacks, the underdogs kept focused and fought with everything they had. Nick Foles – the second choice at QB behind Carson Wentz at the start of the campaign – put on a masterclass in quarterbacking, completing 28 of 43 passes for 373 yards and three touchdowns.

And that isn’t even counting his memorable reception on the “Philly Special” trick play, where tight end Trey Burton fired the pigskin into the end zone to give their side a 41-33 victory.

They would reach the Super Bowl five years later. Still, this time, they came out on the losing end with Patrick Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs running out victorious at State Farm Stadium, despite one of the all-time great performances from quarterback Jalen Hurts. Ezoic

Seattle Seahawks – 2013

The Seattle Seahawks faced off against the Denver Broncos back in 2013. Their opponents were widely considered the favorites to win, courtesy of a record-breaking campaign from quarterback Peyton Manning.

But the Washington State side weren’t daunted by their opponents’ reputation. Their offense was led by upstart quarterback Russell Wilson and monstrous running back Marshawn Lynch.

And in the end, their power game was too much for the Broncos, with the Seahawks running out 43-8 winners in the most one-sided Super Bowl in history.

New Orleans Saints – 2009

The New Orleans Saints’ win in 2009 was a historic triumph for the entire city, which had suffered the wrath of Hurricane Katrina just a few years earlier. Throughout their 52-year history up until that point, they had never even reached the Big Game, let alone won a championship.

To make matters worse, they were facing off against an Indianapolis Colts side that had been the dominant force in the league for the better part of a decade. With five-time MVP Peyton Manning at quarterback, the Railroad City outfit had reached the postseason in ten of the previous 11 seasons, lifting the Lombardi in 2004 with a come-from-behind 29-17 victory against the Chicago Bears.

The most memorable moment – and one of the most memorable in Big Game history, for that matter – came courtesy of an onside kick that the eventual champions executed in the second half, catching their opponents off guard and leading to a touchdown that helped seal the deal.