Who Beat Tom Brady in the Super Bowl? Full Breakdown

By Sarah Miller · October 17, 2026

Tom Brady was defeated in the Super Bowl by the New Orleans Saints, led by quarterback Drew Brees, in Super Bowl XLIV. This remains the only Super Bowl loss during Brady’s tenure as the New England Patriots' starting quarterback.

Understanding Tom Brady's Super Bowl Record

Tom Brady, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history, has an illustrious Super Bowl resume. Over his 23-season career, he played in a record ten Super Bowls, winning seven of them. However, one game stands out not for its victory, but for its rare defeat: Super Bowl XLIV.

Key Facts About Tom Brady's Super Bowl Appearances

Super Bowl appearances: 10
Super Bowl wins: 7 (most all-time)
Super Bowl losses: 3
Only loss while starting: Super Bowl XLIV
Other two losses: Super Bowl LII and Super Bowl LV (Brady started both)

The Defeat: Super Bowl XLIV (2010)

On February 7, 2010, the New Orleans Saints faced off against the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. However, this is not the game where Brady lost. The confusion often arises because Brady did not play in that game due to injury in 2008, but his only Super Bowl loss as a starter came later.

Correction: Tom Brady’s only Super Bowl loss as a starting quarterback occurred in Super Bowl XLII, not XLIV.

Correct Game: Super Bowl XLII (2008)

On February 3, 2008, the New York Giants defeated the previously undefeated New England Patriots 17–14 in Super Bowl XLII. The Patriots entered the game with a perfect 18–0 record, aiming to become the first NFL team to finish a season 19–0.

The Giants, led by quarterback Eli Manning and head coach Tom Coughlin, executed a dramatic upset. A defining moment was the “Helmet Catch” by David Tyree, where he pinned the ball against his helmet while being tackled, helping set up the game-winning touchdown.

Detailed Breakdown of Tom Brady's Super Bowl Games

Super Bowl	Date	Opponent	Result	Brady's Stats
XXXVI	Feb 3, 2002	St. Louis Rams	Win (20–17)	16/27, 145 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
XXXVIII	Feb 1, 2004	Carolina Panthers	Win (32–29)	21/35, 238 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT
XXXIX	Feb 6, 2005	Philadelphia Eagles	Win (24–21)	23/33, 236 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT
XLII	Feb 3, 2008	New York Giants	Loss (14–17)	29/48, 266 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
XLVI	Feb 5, 2012	New York Giants	Loss (17–21)	27/43, 276 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT
XLIX	Feb 1, 2015	Seattle Seahawks	Win (28–24)	37/50, 328 YDS, 4 TD, 2 INT
LI	Feb 5, 2017	Atlanta Falcons	Win (34–28 OT)	43/62, 466 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT
LII	Feb 4, 2018	Philadelphia Eagles	Loss (33–41)	28/48, 505 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT
LIII	Feb 3, 2019	Los Angeles Rams	Win (13–3)	21/35, 262 YDS, 0 TD, 0 INT
LV	Feb 7, 2021	Kansas City Chiefs	Win (31–9)	21/29, 201 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that Tom Brady played in 10 Super Bowls, losing three times—to the New York Giants (twice) and the Philadelphia Eagles. His performance in losses often remained elite, such as throwing for 505 yards in Super Bowl LII, the most ever in a Super Bowl loss. Despite these defeats, Brady’s overall success rate and clutch performances solidify his legacy.

Who Were the Key Opponents That Beat Tom Brady in the Super Bowl?

Three teams managed to defeat Tom Brady in the Super Bowl:

New York Giants – Super Bowl XLII and XLVI
Philadelphia Eagles – Super Bowl LII

The Giants' Two Historic Wins

The Giants pulled off two of the most shocking upsets in NFL history. In Super Bowl XLII, they stopped the Patriots from achieving a perfect season. Four years later in Super Bowl XLVI, they again defeated Brady’s Patriots, showcasing disciplined defense and timely offensive execution.

Eagles' Offensive Masterclass in Super Bowl LII

In Super Bowl LII, the Philadelphia Eagles, led by Nick Foles, outscored the Patriots in a high-octane 41–33 victory. Foles threw for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns, earning Super Bowl MVP. The Eagles’ innovative offensive scheme, including the famous “Philly Special,” overwhelmed New England’s defense.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tom Brady's Super Bowl Losses

Who beat Tom Brady in the Super Bowl?

Tom Brady was beaten in the Super Bowl by the New York Giants (Super Bowl XLII and XLVI) and the Philadelphia Eagles (Super Bowl LII).

Did Tom Brady ever lose a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

No, Tom Brady won Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021. He did not lose a Super Bowl while playing for Tampa Bay.

What was Tom Brady's record in the Super Bowl?

Tom Brady's Super Bowl record is 7 wins and 3 losses, making him the quarterback with the most Super Bowl victories and appearances in NFL history.

Why was Super Bowl XLII such a big upset?

Super Bowl XLII was a massive upset because the Patriots entered the game 18–0 and were heavy favorites. The Giants, considered underdogs, defeated them 17–14, preventing the first 19–0 season in NFL history.

Has any other quarterback beaten Tom Brady more than once in the Super Bowl?

Yes, Eli Manning defeated Tom Brady twice in the Super Bowl (XLII and XLVI), making him the only quarterback to beat Brady multiple times on the sport’s biggest stage.