There have been several title-game blowouts, but none were bigger than the 1990 clash featuring the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos. The 49ers defeated the Broncos 55-10 to form the greatest beatdown in Super Bowl history.
49ers Defeated Broncos 55-10 in Most One-Sided Super Bowl of All Time
The 49ers totaled 317 yards and 55 points on Jan. 28, 1990, defeating the Broncos in Super Bowl 24. San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana completed 22 of 29 passes for 297 yards and five touchdowns, while wide receiver Jerry Rice had seven receptions, 148 yards, and three touchdowns. Roger Craig and Tom Rathman combined for three rushing touchdowns to pace the champions.
In Super Bowl 20, the Chicago Bears defeated the New England Patriots 46-10 in the second-largest blowout in Super Bowl history. Regarded as one of the best defenses in league history, “Da Bears” were every bit as good as they were flashy as evidenced by their pregame production of “The Super Bowl Shuffle.”
In their victory over the Patriots, the Bears set or tied Super Bowl records for sacks (seven), fewest rushing yards allowed (seven), and margin of victory (36 points), which has since been eclipsed.
The defense of the Bears, the “46 Zone,” the brain child of the late defensive genius Buddy Ryan, who is the father of USC linebacker coach Rob Ryan and former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan.
In Super Bowl 27, the Dallas Cowboys notched the third-largest win in Super Bowl history, led by Pro Football Hall of Fame triplets — quarterback Troy Aikman, wide receiver Michael Irvin, and running back Emmitt Smith. Big D dismantled the Bills 52-17.
The Cowboys scored 35 points off of a Super Bowl record nine Buffalo turnovers, including three first-half touchdowns. Aikman was named Super Bowl MVP, completing 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards and four touchdowns for a passer rating of 140.6.
The Seattle Seahawks tied the Cowboys’ margin of a 35-point victory when they defeated Peyton Manning and the Broncos 43-8. It was the largest margin of victory for an underdog heading into the game. The game was played on Feb. 2, 2014, at MetLife Stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the first Super Bowl played outdoors in a cold-weather city.
Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith, who returned an interception 69 yards for a touchdown, recovered a fumble, and notched nine tackles, was named Super Bowl MVP.