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NFL Play-off Upsets Trivia Quiz

These questions discuss the NFL's biggest upsets in the play-offs.

A multiple-choice quiz by Jojo12478. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Jojo12478

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
387,491

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
247

Last 3 plays: Guest 66 (5/10), Guest 173 (9/10), Guest 136 (8/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The Chicago Bears returned to the play-offs in 1986 as the defending Super Bowl champions only to lose in the divisional round. Who did the Bears lose to? Hint

Philidelphia Eagles

New York Giants

Washington Redskins

San Francisco 49ers

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. In 1998-99, the Minnesota Vikings looked unstoppable with a record of 15-1. They breezed their way to the NFC championship game led by Randy Moss and Randall Cunningham. They were beaten in overtime, by which NFC team? Hint

San Francisco 49ers

Green Bay Packers

Atlanta Falcons

Dallas Cowboys

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. In 1996, a powerful Denver Broncos team led by John Elway looked ready to take over the NFL. They marched into the AFC divisional play-off game against a surprise play-off team and lost by three. What was the team? Hint

Pittsburgh Steelers

Jacksonville Jaguars

Indianapolis Colts

New England Patriots

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. In 2010 the defending Super Bowl champs, the New Orleans Saints, were only a wild card team, but were still favored by 10.5 points. What team, with a losing record, beat them in the wild card round? Hint

Philidelphia Eagles

Green Bay Packers

Seattle Seahawks

Chicago Bears

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. On January 20, 1991, the San Francisco 49ers were favored to go back to the Super Bowl. The 49ers had dominated most of the 1980s and were still a very strong team, led by Montana and Roger Craig. Which team upended their Super Bowl hopes? Hint

Philidelphia Eagles

Chicago Bears

Washington Redskins

New York Giants

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. In 2001, the St. Louis Rams were the greatest show on turf. They were 14 point favorites in the Super Bowl against a team with a second year QB. Which team would St. Louis lose to? Hint

Tennessee Titans

New England Patriots

Baltimore Ravens

Denver Broncos

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. The Baltimore Colts were the best team in the NFL back in 1968-69 season. They were an 18 point favorite to win the game. Which upstart AFL team stole the spotlight? Hint

Miami Dolphins

Kansas City Chiefs

New York Jets

Oakland Raiders

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Super Bowl IV had a dominant Minnesota Vikings team everyone believed to be the best team in the NFL. The upstart AFL league sent which team to pull the upset? Hint

Miami Dolphins

Oakland Raiders

Kansas City Chiefs

Baltimore Colts

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Super Bowl XLII had the first undefeated team reach the big game since the 1972. The Patriots were huge favorites to win the big game only to see it slip away, to which NFC team? Hint

New York Giants

Green Bay Packers

Carolina Panthers

Seattle Seahawks

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. In the 2011 wild card round, a surprising Denver Broncos team lead by Tim Tebow somehow managed to take the Broncos to overtime and win with an 80 yard TD pass on the first play, to beat which AFC opponent? Hint

Indianapolis Colts

Pittsburgh Steelers

New England Patriots

Cinncinati Bengals

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Most Recent Scores

Mar 30 2024 : Guest 66: 5/10
Feb 29 2024 : Guest 173: 9/10
Feb 26 2024 : Guest 136: 8/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Chicago Bears returned to the play-offs in 1986 as the defending Super Bowl champions only to lose in the divisional round. Who did the Bears lose to?

Answer: Washington Redskins

The Chicago Bears were the #2 ranked team in the NFC that year and were led by Doug Flutie. Chicago was favored over the #4 seed Redskins but could do very little against the Washington D and lost 27-13.

Answer: Atlanta Falcons

The Vikings beat their opponents by a total of 260 points during the regular season and looked as though they were going to coast into the Super Bowl. They were 11 point favorites before the game started. Gary Anderson missed his first field goal of the season right before the end of regulation and Atlanta made history in overtime, winning 30-27.

Answer: Jacksonville Jaguars

The second year franchise surprised everyone going 9-7, making the play-offs and winning the wild card game before upsetting a Super Bowl favourite by 30-27. Jacksonville would lose to New England in the AFC championship game 20-6.

Answer: Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks were 7-9 and the first team to make the play-offs with a losing record. They would lose the Bears in the divisional round.

Answer: New York Giants

The New York Giants were led by Jeff Hostetler due to Phil Simms injury earlier in the season. He would lead the Giants into the Super Bowl and a victory over the Buffalo Bills 20-19.

6. In 2001, the St. Louis Rams were the greatest show on turf. They were 14 point favorites in the Super Bowl against a team with a second year QB. Which team would St. Louis lose to?

Answer: New England Patriots

The New England Patriots were led by some kid named Tom Brady. He took over for an injured Drew Bledsoe and led the Patriots to a 20-17 upset in Super Bowl XXXVI.

7. The Baltimore Colts were the best team in the NFL back in 1968-69 season. They were an 18 point favorite to win the game. Which upstart AFL team stole the spotlight?

Answer: New York Jets

The New York Jets, led by "Broadway" Joe Namath, shocked the NFL and AFL world to become champions winning 16-7.

8. Super Bowl IV had a dominant Minnesota Vikings team everyone believed to be the best team in the NFL. The upstart AFL league sent which team to pull the upset?

Answer: Kansas City Chiefs

The Vikings were heavily favored against the Chiefs, but only managed one touchdown in a lopsided 23-7 game.

9. Super Bowl XLII had the first undefeated team reach the big game since the 1972. The Patriots were huge favorites to win the big game only to see it slip away, to which NFC team?

Answer: New York Giants

The game went back and forth all game long. It was not decided until an amazing catch by David Tyree's incredible helmet catch and the last minute TD by Burress sealed the victory by 17-14.

Answer: Pittsburgh Steelers

Everyone was shocked the Broncos made it that far as Tim Tebow somehow made enough plays to push them into a play-off spot. New England would dispose of the magic team 45-10 the very next round and Tim Tebow would never have that kind of run again.

Source: Author Jojo12478

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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