Top 10 Almost Upsets in Sports History
While many fans always enjoy a big upset, sometimes, an almost upset can be just as exciting. It's when a team that's heavily picked against pushes the better team to the brink of a huge loss, only to have their hearts ripped out from underneath. These are the top 10 almost upsets in sports history.
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2017 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots
The 2017 Jaguars, winners of the AFC South, were 10-6, but after defeating the Bills in the Wild Card game, they upset the powerful Steelers 45-42 in the Divisional Round. Then, they held tough with the New England Patriots, taking a 20-10 lead in the fourth quarter. Yet, Tom Brady led the Patriots back with two touchdowns, ending the Jaguars' hopes of their first Super Bowl title.
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2010 Butler Bulldogs Men's Basketball vs. Duke
In front of their hometown fans, Butler, a mid-major and a fifth seed to start the tournament, faced off with Duke. Down the stretch, Duke built an eight-point lead, but the Bulldogs rallied and got within one point.
Gordon Hayward had a jump shot to go ahead, but missed it, and Duke got the rebound and was fouled. A free throw made the score 61-59 before the Blue Devils elected to miss the second free throw on purpose. This gave Butler the ball, and Hayward's half-court heave came so close to going in.
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1994 Vancouver Canucks vs. New York Rangers
The 1994 Canucks, with Trevor Linden, Pavel Bure, and Kirk McLean, underachieved during the regular season and finished with the seventh-best mark in the Western Conference. After overcoming a 3-1 deficit to the Flames, Vancouver steamrolled the Stars and Maple Leafs to reach the Stanley Cup Finals against the top-seeded New York Rangers.
Despite losing three of the first four games, the Canucks rallied to force a Game 7 and almost overcame a two-goal deficit before falling 3-2 to a franchise that broke a 54-year title drought.
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2008 Arizona Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Arizona Cardinals made a surprising Super Bowl run in 2008. Led by former league MVP Kurt Warner and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals went 9-7, yet shocked the Falcons, Panthers, and Eagles to reach the Super Bowl. Down 20-7 in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona rallied back for 16 unanswered points to lead 23-20. Pittsburgh responded with a game-winning drive to knock off the Cardinals and win the Super Bowl.
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2025 Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Pacers made one of the most incredible runs in NBA playoff history, with wins over the Bucks, Cavaliers, and Knicks before pushing the league's best team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, to the brink in Game 7.
One reason was Tyrese Haliburton, who stunned OKC in Game 1 and helped Indiana take a 2-1 series lead. The series ultimately came down to the final game, but Indiana's fate was sealed when Haliburton was lost to an ACL injury and OKC won.
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1973 New York Mets vs. Oakland A's
Four years after winning a miraculous World Series in 1969, the New York Mets found themselves in a position of underdogs again to a powerful team. This time, they faced off with the defending World Series champion Oakland A's. Despite finishing with 12 fewer wins, the Mets (whose famous catchphrase was You Gotta Believe) grabbed a 3-2 series lead going back to Oakland, but were unable to stop Reggie Jackson, who delivered the crushing blow to clinch the series in Game 7.
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1989 Princeton Tigers Men's Basketball vs. Georgetown
In 1989, Princeton, a 16-seed, was pitted against top-seeded Georgetown in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Despite the overwhelming talent disadvantage, the Tigers kept up with the heavily-favored Hoyas and star center Alonzo Mourning. The game came down to the last shot and Princeton had the opportunity to win and pull off the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament history. Unfortunately, they couldn't capitalize as Georgetown escaped with the win.
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2006 Edmonton Oilers vs. Carolina Hurricanes
The Edmonton Oilers were once a proud hockey dynasty in the '80s. In 2006, they barely made the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the NHL. No one expected the Oilers to get through to the Stanley Cup Finals, but they persevered against the Red Wings, Sharks, and Ducks to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. Trailing the series 3-1 against the Hurricanes, the Oilers rallied back to force a deciding Game 7, but couldn't overcome an early two-goal deficit as they fell 3-1 to Carolina.
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1995 Indianapolis Colts vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Two years prior, the Colts were one of the worst teams in the NFL. But, in 1995, they surprised everyone by reaching the AFC Championship game. In the 19 games they played, the Colts were involved in 15 one-score contests and led by quarterback Jim Harbaugh.
Following road playoff wins against heavy favorites, San Diego and Kansas City, the Colts were pitted against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Down by four late, Indianapolis drove to Pittsburgh's 30-yard line before Harbaugh's final Hail Mary attempt was almost caught by a Colts receiver. The Steelers went to the Super Bowl while the Colts came oh so close to winning.
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2020 San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
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2026 Duke Blue Devils vs. Siena Saints
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2000 Tennessee Titans vs. St. Louis Rams
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1993 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
It's hard to imagine the Lakers ever being underdogs, but in 1993, the Lakers were the eighth seed in the first round of the NBA playoffs going against the top-seeded Phoenix Suns. The Lakers, led by James Worthy and Vlade Divac, stunned the Phoenix crowd by winning the first two games of the series in Phoenix and were one win away from pulling off the first-ever eight-seed over one-seed upset in NBA history.
But, Suns head coach Paul Westphal guaranteed victory, and Phoenix stormed back to win the series in five. Although this was the end of the Showtime Lakers era, it wouldn't be long before another Laker era came into existence.
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1989 Princeton vs. Georgetown
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2024 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins
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2024 Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers
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2013 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins
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1981 Ottawa Rough Riders vs. Edmonton Eskimos