Earning The #1 Seed Is a Big, Big Advantage

Published on January 3rd, 2022 6:39 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


In 1975, the NFL switched to a seeding system for their postseason.

The format continues to change - for the 2021 season, for instance, extra teams are being added to the postseason.

No matter what tweaks the NFL makes to its postseason structure, however, one thing remains the same - earning the #1 seed is a big advantage.

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Since 1976, a #1 seed in either the NFC or AFC has won the Super Bowl a total of 26 times (out of a total of 49 Super Bowls).

The NFC has won 16 of these Super Bowls, while the AFC has won the remaining 10.

The #2 seed has also done well in the Super Bowl, with the AFC's #2 seed winning six Super Bowls since 1975, and the NFC's #2 seed winning four Super Bowls.

Funnily enough, the #4 seed has managed to win the Super Bowl seven times since 1975, with AFC teams accounting for four of these wins.

#3, #5 and #6 seeds have all won the Super Bowl twice (six Super Bowls total).

Here is a percentage breakdown by seed:

#1 Seed - 53%
#2 Seed - 20.4%
#3 Seed - 4%
#4 Seed - 14.3%
#5 Seed - 4%
#6 Seed - 4%
#7 Seed - 0%

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It's not hard to see why the #1 seeds have such an edge to win the Super Bowl, as they receive two major advantages:

1) First round bye
2) Home field advantage throughout the playoffs

#2 seeds also receive a first round bye, though they will be forced to win on the road if the #1 seed doesn't lose first.

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Here is the full list of Super Bowl Winners by seed and conference since 1975:

NFC #1 Seed

1978 - Cowboys
1982 - 49ers
1983 - Redskins
1985 - 49ers
1986 - Bears
1987 - Giants
1990 - 49ers
1992 - Redskins
1994 - Cowboys
1995 - 49ers
1996 - Cowboys
1997 - Packers
2000 - Rams
2010 - saints
2014 - Seahawks
2018 - Eagles

AFC #1 Seed

1976 - Steelers
1977 - Raiders
1979 - Steelers
1984 - Raiders
1999 - Broncos
2004 - Patriots
2015 - Patriots
2016 - Broncos
2017 - Patriots
2023 - Chiefs

AFC #2 Seed

1980 - Steelers
2002 - Patriots
2005 - Patriots
2009 - Steelers
2019 - Patriots
2020 - Chiefs

NFC #2 Seed

1989 - 49ers
1991 - Giants
1993 - Cowboys
2003 - Bucs

AFC #3 Seed

2007 - Colts

NFC #3 Seed

1988 - Redskins

NFC #4 Seed

2012 - Giants
2022 - Rams

AFC #4 Seed

1981 - Raiders
1998 - Broncos
2001 - Ravens
2013 - Ravens

NFC #5 Seed

2008 - Giants

AFC #5 Seed

2021 - Buccaneers

AFC #6 Seed

2006 - Steelers

NFC #6 Seed

2011 - Packers