What is the largest Super Bowl spread ever?

The largest Super Bowl spread ever recorded is 18 points. This significant spread has occurred twice in the history of the Super Bowl.

A "spread" in sports betting refers to a handicap set by oddsmakers to make a game more balanced for wagering purposes. The favorite team is given a negative spread, meaning they must win by more than that amount of points for a bet on them to pay out, while the underdog is given a positive spread, meaning they can lose by less than that amount of points (or win outright) for a bet on them to pay out.

Instances of the 18-Point Super Bowl Spread

The 18-point spread has been set in two distinct Super Bowls, highlighting games where one team was heavily favored over the other.

• Super Bowl III: This historic game, played in 1969, featured an 18-point spread favoring the Baltimore Colts over the New York Jets. Despite being massive underdogs, the New York Jets famously upset the Colts with a 16-7 victory, a moment that remains one of the most iconic upsets in sports history. This win validated the American Football League (AFL) as a legitimate competitor to the established National Football League (NFL).
• Second Occurrence: Another 18-point spread was seen 26 years after Super Bowl III. While the specific details of this second game are not always highlighted as prominently as the Super Bowl III upset, it signifies another instance where oddsmakers anticipated a highly one-sided contest.

The occurrence of such a large spread underscores the perceived disparity in team strength entering these championship games. However, as Super Bowl III famously demonstrated, a larger spread doesn't always guarantee the favored team's dominance, making for compelling and unpredictable outcomes.

Here's a brief overview of the documented 18-point spread: