5 biggest regular-season upsets in NFL history

9/18/78: One-Man Monday Night Band

Trying to earn their fourth consecutive AFC East title, the Baltimore Colts' 1978 season got off to a brutal start: they failed to score in each of their first two games (which they lost by a combined 80-point margin) and lost franchise quarterback Bert Jones to injury. The Colts were 17.5-point underdogs going into a Monday night matchup with the New England Patriots.

But the legend of Joe Washington was born that night, which also allowed the Colts to pull off one of the biggest upsets in NFL history: through a wild fourth quarter, Washington became the first player in NFL history to earn a touchdown through the air, on the ground, and via special teams. The latter-most tally came through a 90-yard kick return for a score, one that gave the Colts the lead for good in a 34-27 triumph.

The Dolphins and Patriots during the famous 2019 showdown

12/29/19: Patriot Drains

As the clock slowly approached midnight on New England's Tom Brady era, the Patriots at least appeared to be assured of an early-winter staple: a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs. Eight consecutive postseasons had begun with the Patriots skipping the wild card round. With the 4-11 and 17.5-point underdog Miami Dolphins standing in their way during Week 17 action, New England fans were likely prepared to take the ensuing first week of January off.

The Dolphins, armed with 11 losses but a strong amound of fight, weren't ready to fold for their divisional bullies, however. Miami, capping off the season on a strong 5-4 note after a 2-7 start, earned their first win at Foxboro since 2008 through a game-winning touchdown from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Mike Gesicki with 24 seconds remaining. It also marked a win for new head coach Brian Flores, who capped off his debut season at the helm of the Dolphins with a win over his former employers.

Miami's unexpected triumph drastically shifted the AFC playoff picture. With New England removed from the conference penthouse, the Kansas City Chiefs swooped in to take the No. 2 seed and the bye that came with it. New England fell back to third and became victims of an upset victory for the sixth-seed Tennessee Titans. Brady's New England stay ended shortly after, as his next Super Bowl came in Tampa Bay.

The Jets defense celebrates Bryce Hall's first NFL interception

12/20/20: California Screamin'

If any team deserved to be handed a 17.5-point underdog spread, it was the 2020 New York Jets. By the time they received such honor prior to their December game against the Los Angeles Rams, it was clear that Adam Gase's doomed two-year tenure was on its final legs. It was an era often defined by Gase's insistence that he wasn't fighting with his team and one that sent several familiar faces elsewhere.

The Jets also weren't keeping their losses close by any means (with the exception of a famous loss to the Raiders that saw defensive coordinator Gregg Williams run a blitz that allowed Las Vegas to throw deep for the winning score) and were thus seen as mere fodder for the playoff-contending Rams.

Instead, the Jets leapt out to an early 13-0 lead thanks primarily to Sam Ficken's field goals and a Ty Johnson touchdown reception from Sam Darnold. The lead ballooned to as high as 17 thanks to a one-yard scoring rush from Frank Gore. By the time the Rams were able to generate any offensive momentum, the Jets were ready to seal the deal and earned their first win of the season in their 14th attempt.