Football is a game full of surprises. Fans love rooting for the star players, the ones who rack up touchdowns, make jaw-dropping catches, and lead their teams to victory. But it’s the underdogs, the players and teams who defy the odds, that truly capture our hearts. When it comes to NFL history, some of the most unforgettable moments are born out of these shocking underdog stories. If you’re new to the scene or simply looking for some good stories to dive into, here’s a breakdown of some NFL surprises that have kept fans on the edge of their seats.

When it comes to betting or understanding the NFL landscape, a Gambling Guide Online might tell you that betting on the favorites is the safe bet. But anyone who’s been watching the NFL for long knows the unpredictable nature of the game. It’s the underdogs who often turn the game on its head, creating stories that last forever.

The Super Bowl That Changed Everything
The New England Patriots were cast as obvious underdogs for Super Bowl XXXVI against the highly favored St. Louis Rams. The Rams, led by Warner and boasting one of the most potent offenses in history, wanted revenge; however, the Patriots, under a quarterback unknown to anyone, Tom Brady, had something different in mind. Brady was in his second season and had never been to a Super Bowl. There were odds against him, and most thought he would fold under pressure.

What happened next was magic: Brady led a 53-yard drive to set up Adam Vinatieri for a field goal with just a few seconds remaining. The Patriots went on to defeat the Rams 20-17 and thus made history with their first Super Bowl victory. This game became a turning point for not only the Patriots but for Brady in his development into one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. What adds to the beauty of this story is the fact that it moved from that of a 6th-round draft pick to now leading a team that performed one of the greatest upsets in NFL history.

The 2007 New York Giants: Defying the Odds
The New York Giants, coming off a 10-6 regular season, had done everything to sneak into the playoffs in 2007. In Super Bowl XLII, they were faced with the daunting challenge of taking on the New England Patriots, who had gone through a preposterous season and yet to notch a loss. The Patriots were massive favorites, having been touted as the team that might pull it off; this wonderful run was to be capped off with their perfect season. No such expectations bothered the Giants. Their defense, characterized by fierce pass rushing, kept Brady constantly under pressure.

The climax unfolded in the fourth quarter, with less than 3 minutes on the clock, when Manning orchestrated a drive for the ages, aptly capping it with a touchdown pass for 13 yards to Plaxico Burress. Therefore, the Giants triumphed with a scoreline of seventeen to fourteen, handing the Patriots their first defeat that season and sealing for themselves the third Super Bowl title.

Super Bowl III: The Biggest Underdog Story of All Time
No underdog tale in NFL history looms larger than Super Bowl III. The heavily favored Baltimore Colts, representing the NFL, were expected to steamroll the AFL champion New York Jets. But Joe Namath had other plans. The brash young quarterback guaranteed a Jets victory days before the game, and then delivered. Namath led the Jets to a stunning 16-7 upset, shaking up the football world and helping legitimize the AFL ahead of the upcoming NFL-AFL merger. It wasn’t just a win; it was the NFL's greatest underdog story.

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With the offseason in full swing, it’s the perfect time to explore different ways to enjoy fantasy football. Whether you’re a long-time player or just getting into the game, it’s always interesting to reflect on the various formats and consider what suits your style best.

Personally, I’m at a bit of a crossroads—debating whether to invest more in best ball leagues, wait and dive into DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports), or just stick with traditional leagues and pivot to DFS if my team crashes mid-season. I imagine many of you are facing similar questions, especially with so many ways to play now.

Let’s break down the main formats and how each one offers a unique experience:

Traditional Fantasy Football

Format: 8–16+ team leagues with waiver wires and weekly lineups.

The Experience: The classic setup most people start with. You manage your team weekly—picking up free agents, making trades, and stressing over start/sit decisions.

The Question: How many leagues is too many? What's your sweet spot for maintaining excitement without burnout?

DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports)

Format: Build a new team each week—single games or Sunday slates. Options include 50/50 contests or large tournaments with big prizes.

The Experience: High-risk, high-reward. It’s perfect for quick action without season-long commitments.

The Draw: Freedom to play when you want. But does it match the emotional highs of a full-season league?

Best Ball

Format: Draft your team once—no waivers, no weekly lineups. Best scores auto-start each week.

The Experience: Drafting is the highlight here. Great for the offseason and for those who love building rosters.

The Dilemma: Is it satisfying enough without the week-to-week engagement?

Prop Parlays (Underdog, PrizePicks, etc.)

Format: Pick player props and stack them into parlays for higher payouts.

The Experience: A different kind of thrill—less about team-building, more about predicting performances.

The Fun Factor: It can be a blast to throw a few together on Sundays. But do you trust the odds and find real value?

I’d love to hear what works best for you. Most of us probably dabble in more than one format, but how do you balance them? What keeps it fresh and fun for you each season?

Let’s hear your thoughts—it could really help others who are trying to figure out their own fantasy football approach for the upcoming year!

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It's Steve again, of course. OK, all you pros who have been waiting for me to finish my "Basics of Fantasy Sports" are in luck; this is my last one. For you newcomers out there, I really hope this has been useful.

Let's talk about the Future of Fantasy Sports

Best ball formats continue gaining popularity by eliminating tedious weekly management requirements while maintaining season-long engagement. Pick'em contests simplify the experience further through player-versus-player propositions rather than complex roster construction.

NFT integration has begun transforming ownership concepts within fantasy ecosystems. Blockchain verification enables unique digital assets representing team ownership, achievement records, and collectible moments from fantasy competitions.

International expansion presents enormous growth potential, particularly across European soccer markets, Australian rules football communities, and cricket-dominant regions. Cultural adaptation of contest structures will drive global accessibility.

Artificial intelligence increasingly powers analytical tools, processing vast information quantities beyond human capability. Machine learning algorithms identify subtle performance patterns, injury indicators, and matchup advantages transforming research methodologies across casual and professional fantasy participants.

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