The Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2005 NFL season stand as the lowest seeded team to win the Super Bowl, achieving this milestone as the AFC's number 6 seed. They triumphed in Super Bowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks, capping a remarkable underdog journey.
The Historic Playoff Run
As a 6 seed, the Steelers navigated the entire postseason on the road, becoming the first team to win three away playoff games en route to the Super Bowl.
- Wild Card Round: Defeated the Cincinnati Bengals (AFC's number 3 seed) 31-17.
- Divisional Round: Upset the Indianapolis Colts (AFC's number 1 seed) 21-18.
- AFC Championship: Beat the Denver Broncos (AFC's number 2 seed) 34-17.
Why It Was Shocking
Their victory stunned fans due to extreme underdog status: entering playoffs after an 11-5 regular season, facing top-seeded opponents. Key factors include strong defense led by players like Troy Polamalu and Ben Roethlisberger's clutch performances, turning improbable road wins into a championship.
