The 20 Super Bowl Matchups That Defined A Generation: Dynasties, Upsets, And The GOAT's Reign (2006-2025)
The landscape of American professional football has been utterly transformed over the last two decades, culminating in 20 unforgettable Super Bowl matchups. As of December 10, 2025, this 20-year span, from Super Bowl XL in 2006 to the recent Super Bowl LIX in 2025, chronicles an era dominated by legendary quarterbacks, improbable upsets, and the birth of new dynasties, offering a rich tapestry of NFL history for fans new and old.
This comprehensive look back at the Super Bowl matchups of the last 20 years reveals more than just final scores; it highlights the epic rivalries and monumental shifts in power that shaped the modern game, including the incredible run of one quarterback and the emergence of his heir apparent.
The Complete List: Super Bowl Matchups from 2006 to 2025 (SB XL to SB LIX)
The period from 2006 to 2025 covers 20 championship games, starting with the Pittsburgh Steelers' victory over the Seattle Seahawks and ending with the Philadelphia Eagles' recent triumph. This era is notable for the sheer dominance of a few franchises and the consistently high level of competition on the sport's biggest stage.
Here is the full chronological list of every Super Bowl matchup from the 2005 season (SB XL) to the 2024 season (SB LIX):
- Super Bowl LIX (2025): Philadelphia Eagles 40, Kansas City Chiefs 22
- Super Bowl LVIII (2024): Kansas City Chiefs 25, San Francisco 49ers 22 (OT)
- Super Bowl LVII (2023): Kansas City Chiefs 38, Philadelphia Eagles 35
- Super Bowl LVI (2022): Los Angeles Rams 23, Cincinnati Bengals 20
- Super Bowl LV (2021): Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31, Kansas City Chiefs 9
- Super Bowl LIV (2020): Kansas City Chiefs 31, San Francisco 49ers 20
- Super Bowl LIII (2019): New England Patriots 13, Los Angeles Rams 3
- Super Bowl LII (2018): Philadelphia Eagles 41, New England Patriots 33
- Super Bowl LI (2017): New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28 (OT)
- Super Bowl 50 (2016): Denver Broncos 24, Carolina Panthers 10
- Super Bowl XLIX (2015): New England Patriots 28, Seattle Seahawks 24
- Super Bowl XLVIII (2014): Seattle Seahawks 43, Denver Broncos 8
- Super Bowl XLVII (2013): Baltimore Ravens 34, San Francisco 49ers 31
- Super Bowl XLVI (2012): New York Giants 21, New England Patriots 17
- Super Bowl XLV (2011): Green Bay Packers 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 25
- Super Bowl XLIV (2010): New Orleans Saints 31, Indianapolis Colts 17
- Super Bowl XLIII (2009): Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23
- Super Bowl XLII (2008): New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14
- Super Bowl XLI (2007): Indianapolis Colts 29, Chicago Bears 17
- Super Bowl XL (2006): Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Seattle Seahawks 10
The Era of Dynasties: Brady, Belichick, and the Chiefs' New Reign
The last 20 Super Bowls are largely defined by two dominant forces: the New England Patriots dynasty and the emerging Kansas City Chiefs powerhouse. The presence of quarterback Tom Brady is the single most significant entity in this entire period.
The Unprecedented Tom Brady Super Bowl Run
Between 2006 and 2025, Tom Brady appeared in an astonishing seven Super Bowls, six with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is a feat of longevity and consistency that may never be matched.
His run with coach Bill Belichick saw the Patriots secure three more titles in this window: Super Bowl XLIX (vs. Seahawks), Super Bowl LI (vs. Falcons), and Super Bowl LIII (vs. Rams). The victory in Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons, an epic 34-28 comeback from a 28-3 deficit, is widely considered one of the greatest Super Bowl games ever played and the only one to be decided in overtime before 2024.
Brady’s final Super Bowl appearance in this 20-year stretch came in Super Bowl LV (2021) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he defeated Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9, cementing his status as the undisputed G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time).
The New Guard: Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs
Following the end of the Brady era, the torch was quickly passed to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Under coach Andy Reid, the Chiefs have become the dominant AFC force, appearing in four Super Bowls within a five-year span (2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025).
Their first victory in the 20-year window came in Super Bowl LIV (2020) against the San Francisco 49ers. They followed this with a thrilling victory in Super Bowl LVII (2023) over the Philadelphia Eagles, a game that became the third-highest scoring Super Bowl in history, ending 38-35. The Chiefs also became the first team in the 20-year window to win back-to-back Super Bowls since the Patriots (2004-2005, just outside this window) with their Super Bowl LVIII win against the 49ers in overtime. Their recent loss in Super Bowl LIX to the Eagles marks a new high-stakes rivalry for the NFL.
The Biggest Upsets and Closest Calls of the Last Two Decades
While dynasties provide consistency, the Super Bowl's magic often lies in the unexpected. The last 20 years delivered several stunning upsets and incredibly close finishes that added indelible moments to the league's history.
The Undefeated Season Derailed (Super Bowl XLII)
Arguably the greatest upset of the last two decades, and perhaps NFL history, was Super Bowl XLII in 2008. The New England Patriots, led by Tom Brady, entered the game with a perfect 18-0 record, facing the 10-6 New York Giants, coached by Tom Coughlin. The Giants' defense held the record-breaking Patriots offense to just 14 points, winning 17-14 in a game famous for David Tyree's "Helmet Catch" and Eli Manning's clutch performance.
The High-Scoring Shootouts and Defensive Battles
The scoring trend in the Super Bowl has seen significant fluctuation. The victory by the Philadelphia Eagles over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII (2018), 41-33, was a defensive nightmare and an offensive masterpiece, setting a combined yardage record for any NFL game. The Eagles' quarterback, Nick Foles, won MVP in the shootout, known for the "Philly Special" trick play.
In contrast, Super Bowl LIII (2019) between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams was the lowest-scoring Super Bowl of the modern era, ending in a defensive 13-3 slog. This game proved that even in the modern, high-octane NFL, a championship could still be won purely with defensive prowess and field position.
The Newest Chapter: Super Bowl LIX (2025)
The most recent championship, Super Bowl LIX, marked a significant shift in the balance of power. The Philadelphia Eagles, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22.
Hurts, who had previously set Super Bowl records for most rushing yards by a quarterback and tied the record for most rushing touchdowns in Super Bowl LVII, led a dominant performance against the Chiefs. The Eagles' victory not only denied the Chiefs a third title in six years but also solidified a new NFC powerhouse, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting decade of future Super Bowl matchups.
Looking at the full 20-year history, the Super Bowl has transitioned from the near-unbroken dominance of the New England Patriots dynasty to a more competitive landscape, featuring the rise of the Chiefs, the resurgence of the Eagles, and memorable victories by franchises like the Seattle Seahawks (SB XLVIII), Baltimore Ravens (SB XLVII), and New Orleans Saints (SB XLIV). This era has given us some of the most dramatic finishes, highest scores, and most talked-about plays in NFL history.
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