Everybody loves an underdog story. Who can resist cheering on a team with the odds stacked against them that comes out on top, proving nearly everyone wrong, the critics included? Stories like these keep the game interesting, keep us on our toes, and make the game of football more exciting to watch, even for those who aren’t die-hard fans.

• Philadelphia Eagles – 2017 The Eagles had a good season last year, but virtually no one (besides dedicated Eagles fans, of course) expected them to walk away winning it all. Their first big win couldn’t have been more of a fairytale story after many years of coming up short. Despite quarterback and MVP hopeful Carson Wentz falling to injury in December, Philadelphia’s win made for one of the best comeback stories in sports history.

• New York Giants – 2007 Eli Manning wasn’t a fan favorite going into the 2007 season, but that didn’t stop him from earning the Most Valuable Player title in the championship game. And while the Giants had a solid start, many couldn’t imagine they would keep it up as the year went on. However, both the team’s quarterback and the stellar defense helped beat the Green Bay Packers, leading them to the final game against the favored New England Patriots—which they won, 17-14.

• New England Patriots – 2001 It’s odd to think about a time when the Patriots weren’t at the top of their game, but such a time did exist—sans Tom Brady and sans multiple championships. Their opponent, the defending champion St. Louis Rams, had another great season in 2001 with one of the best offenses in history. Tom Brady was a sixth-round draft pick who had to step up due to then quarterback Drew Bledsoe’s severe injury. So began Brady’s legendary career, which soared after leading the Patriots to their first title.

• New York Jets – 1968 The story of the New York Jets winning the championship in 1969 is still talked about today as the greatest football upset ever, and for good reason. Not only did experts expect the Baltimore Colts to win, but they expected them to win by a lot. This was the first time the Jets had even made it to the postseason, let alone winning it all. But win it they did, with a shocking 16–7 victory over the Colts—upsetting a few, surprising a lot, inspiring the nation, and changing football forever.

These underdog stories remind people about the importance of grit, teamwork, and believing that anything can happen when the two are combined, even in the face of doubt and adversity. A winning touchdown, indeed.

Up Next:

Share the football inspiration with family and friends with this round-up of underdog stories.