Throwback Thursday: History of the Super Bowl Coin Toss

This Flicker was originally published on 2/6/20. 

The only excitement over the opening coin toss of the Super Bowl probably comes from the people that have a bet riding on it. It's always important to get a fast start in a game but a fast start has to be made on offense and defense. It doesn't really matter much which comes first. More significant than getting the ball first in the first half is getting the ball first in the second half. If played right, a team can get consecutive possessions. If a team can score at the end of the first half and at the start of the second half while stealing a possession from their opponent they can blow the game open. The opening coin toss is more pageantry than important. The most important coin toss in Super Bowl history didn't come at the start of the game. Here's the history of the Super Bowl Coin Toss. 

Super Bowl	Teams, Score	Coin Toss Winner
I	Packers 35,  Chiefs 10	Packers
II	Packers 33, Raiders 14	Raiders
III	Jets 16, Colts 7	Jets
IV	Chiefs 23, Vikings 7	Vikings
V	Colts 16, Cowboys 13	Cowboys
VI	Cowboys 24, Dolphins 3	Dolphins
VII	Dolphins 14, Redskins 7	Dolphins
VIII	Dolphins 24, Vikings 7	Dolphins
IX	Steelers 16, Vikings 6	Steelers
X	Steelers 21, Cowboys 17	Cowboys
XI	Raiders 32, Vikings 14	Raiders
XII	Cowboys 27, Broncos 10	Cowboys
XIII	Steelers 35, Cowboys 31	Cowboys
XIV	Steelers 31, Rams 19	Rams
XV	Raiders 27, Eagles 10	Eagles
XVI	49ers 26, Bengals 21	49ers
XVII	Redskins 27, Dolphins 17	Dolphins
XVIII	Raiders 38, Redskins 9	Raiders
XIX	49ers 38, Dolphins 16	49ers
XX	Bears 46, Patriots 10	Bears
XXI	Giants 39, Broncos 20	Broncos
XXII	Redskins 42, Broncos 10	Redskins
XXIII	49ers 20, Bengals 16	49ers
XXIV	49ers 55, Broncos 10	Broncos
XXV	Giants 20, Bills 19	Bills
XXVI	Redskins 37, Bills 24	Redskins
XXVII	Cowboys 52, Bills 17	Bills
XXVIII	Cowboys 30, Bills 13	Cowboys
XXIX	49ers 49, Chargers 26	49ers
XXX	Cowboys 27, Steelers 17	Cowboys
XXXI	Packers 35, Patriots 21	Patriots
XXXII	Broncos 31, Packers 24	Packers
XXXIII	Broncos 34, Falcons 19	Falcons
XXXIV	Rams 23, Titans 16	Rams
XXXV	Ravens 34, Giants 7	Giants
XXXVI	Patriots 20, Rams 17	Rams
XXXVII	Buccaneers 48, Raiders 21	Buccaneers
XXXVIII	Patriots 32, Panthers 29	Panthers
XXXIX	Patriots 24, Eagles 21	Eagles
XL	Steelers 21, Seahawks 10	Seahawks
XLI	Colts 29, Bears 17	Bears
XLII	Giants 17, Patriots 14	Giants
XLIII	Steelers 27, Cardinals 23	Cardinals
XLIV	Saints 31, Colts 17	Saints
XLV	Packers 31, Steelers 25	Packers
XLVI	Giants 21, Patriots 17	Patriots
XLVII	Ravens 34. 49ers 31	Ravens
XLVIII	Seahawks 43, Broncos 8	Seahawks
XLIX	Patriots 28, Seahawks 24	Seahawks
50	Broncos 24, Panthers 10	Panthers
LI	Patriots 34, Falcons 28	Falcons-opening/Patriots-OT
LII	Eagles 41, Patriots 33	Patriots
LIII	Patriots 13, Rams 3	Rams
LIV	Cheifs 31, 49ers 20	49ers

The most important coin toss in Super Bowl history was the one that the New England Patriots won to start overtime in Super Bowl LI. 

The New Orleans Saints winning the coin toss in Super Bowl XLIV turned out to be pretty significant. Kicking off to start the second half allowed the Saints the opportunity to stun the Colts with an onside kick.

The Rams have won the coin toss in all four of their Super Bowls. They are 1-3 in those four Super Bowls.

Teams winning the opening coin toss of the Super Bowl are 24-30.