Who Has Tom Brady Lost to in Super Bowl? Full Breakdown

Who Has Tom Brady Lost to in Super Bowl? Full Breakdown

By Sarah Miller ·

Tom Brady lost Super Bowl games to the New York Giants twice (XLII, XLVI) and the Philadelphia Eagles once (LII). These three losses came across his record-setting ten Super Bowl appearances.

Tom Brady's Super Bowl Losses: A Closer Look

Tom Brady, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history, played in a record ten Super Bowls, winning seven. However, even legends face defeat. Brady suffered three Super Bowl losses, two of which came against the New York Giants and one against the Philadelphia Eagles. These defeats are notable not only for their outcome but also for how they unfolded—each marked by dramatic moments and unexpected performances.

Key Questions About Brady's Super Bowl Defeats

Super Bowl XLII: Giants Stun the Undefeated Patriots

In Super Bowl XLII (2008), the 18-0 New England Patriots faced the New York Giants. The Patriots were heavy favorites, aiming to complete a perfect season. However, the Giants pulled off one of the biggest upsets in sports history with a 17-14 victory.

Why Was This Game Significant?

Super Bowl XLVI: Giants Repeat the Feat

Four years later, in Super Bowl XLVI (2012), the Patriots and Giants met again. Once more, New York emerged victorious, winning 21-17. This rematch reinforced the Giants' status as Brady’s kryptonite during his early dynasty years.

Key Moments from Super Bowl XLVI

Super Bowl LII: Eagles Soar Over the Patriots

In Super Bowl LII (2018), Tom Brady and the Patriots faced the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite a historic offensive performance, New England lost 41-33. This game featured the highest combined score in Super Bowl history.

Why Was Super Bowl LII Unique?

Detailed Breakdown of Tom Brady's Super Bowl Losses

Super Bowl Date Opponent Final Score Brady's Passing Yards Brady's TD-INT Result
XLII Feb 3, 2008 New York Giants 14-17 266 1-0 Loss
XLVI Feb 5, 2012 New York Giants 17-21 276 2-1 Loss
LII Feb 4, 2018 Philadelphia Eagles 33-41 505 3-1 Loss
Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that despite Brady’s strong individual performances—especially in Super Bowl LII, where he set a passing yardage record—his team could not secure victories. The two losses to the Giants occurred in tightly contested games with defensive dominance, while the loss to the Eagles was an offensive shootout where defense faltered on both sides. Brady’s passer rating across these three losses averaged 95.4, higher than many winning quarterbacks, underscoring that elite performance doesn't always guarantee wins.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tom Brady's Super Bowl Losses

Who defeated Tom Brady in the Super Bowl?

Tom Brady was defeated by the New York Giants in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI, and by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.

How many Super Bowls did Tom Brady lose?

Tom Brady lost three Super Bowls out of his ten appearances, giving him a 7-3 record in the big game.

Did Tom Brady ever lose a Super Bowl to the Seahawks?

No, although the Patriots lost Super Bowl XLIX to the Seattle Seahawks, that game ended in a dramatic fashion when Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson at the goal line. However, Brady led the winning drive, so this was a win for Brady, not a loss.

What was Tom Brady’s worst Super Bowl loss?

Statistically, Super Bowl LII was his most productive loss (505 yards), but emotionally, Super Bowl XLII may have been the toughest due to the Patriots’ undefeated season being ruined.

Has any other quarterback lost more Super Bowls than Tom Brady?

No. Three quarterbacks—Bob Griese, Fran Tarkenton, and Peyton Manning—each lost four Super Bowls, one more than Brady. However, Brady holds the record for most Super Bowl appearances and most wins (7).