It’s tough to win a Super Bowl, much less two in a row. The quest for a three-peat—winning three straight Super Bowls—has proven elusive even for some of the greatest teams in NFL history. This postseason, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs might have one of the best shots at it ever.

Here, we highlight the best teams that came close to this monumental accomplishment but ultimately fell short.

Green Bay Packers (1965-1967)

Before the Super Bowl era officially began, the Green Bay Packers under legendary head coach Vince Lombardi were the gold standard of professional football. The Packers won NFL championships in 1965, 1966, and 1967, with the latter two victories marking the first two Super Bowls in league history. Bart Starr, the team’s quarterback, orchestrated an offense that was as efficient as it was dominant, while the defense featured stalwarts like Ray Nitschke.

The Packers’ Super Bowl victories against the Kansas City Chiefs (35-10) in Super Bowl I and the Oakland Raiders (33-14) in Super Bowl II solidified their dynasty. However, the pursuit of a third consecutive Super Bowl title was derailed by the team’s decline following Lombardi’s retirement as head coach after the 1967 season. While technically achieving a three-peat with their 1965 championship, the Packers’ inability to extend their dominance post-Lombardi remains a notable historical what-if.

Miami Dolphins (1971-1974)

The Miami Dolphins, coached by Don Shula, delivered one of the most iconic runs in NFL history. After falling short in Super Bowl VI, the Dolphins achieved perfection in the 1972 season, going undefeated en route to a Super Bowl VII victory. They followed it up with another championship in 1973, defeating the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl VIII.

In their quest for a third straight title, the 1974 Dolphins posted a 11-3 regular-season record but were stunned by the Oakland Raiders in a thrilling AFC Divisional Round playoff game, famously dubbed the “Sea of Hands” game. Despite their aspirations and undeniable talent—led by Hall of Famers Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, and Paul Warfield—the Dolphins’ dynasty came to an abrupt halt, leaving them just short of immortality.

Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-1979)

The Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s are often regarded as one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history. Under head coach Chuck Noll, the Steelers won four Super Bowls in a six-year span (1974, 1975, 1978, and 1979). Led by quarterback Terry Bradshaw, wide receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, and the legendary “Steel Curtain” defense anchored by Joe Greene and Jack Lambert, the Steelers were virtually unstoppable.

However, their quest for three straight titles never materialized. After winning Super Bowls IX and X, the Steelers’ hopes for a three-peat in the 1976 season were dashed by injuries to key players, including Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier. Despite a dominant regular season that saw their defense record five shutouts, the Steelers fell to the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship Game. Their back-to-back titles in 1978 and 1979 similarly fell short of culminating in a third consecutive win.

San Francisco 49ers (1988-1990)

The San Francisco 49ers dominated the late 1980s under head coach Bill Walsh and, later, George Seifert. With Joe Montana at quarterback and Jerry Rice as his go-to receiver, the 49ers secured consecutive Super Bowl victories in 1988 and 1989. Their 1989 team, in particular, is widely considered one of the greatest in NFL history, culminating in a 55-10 demolition of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV.

The 49ers’ bid for a third straight championship ended in heartbreak during the 1990 NFC Championship Game. Facing the New York Giants, the 49ers held a late lead but were undone by a fumble from running back Roger Craig. The Giants kicked a last-second field goal to win 15-13, denying San Francisco a chance to three-peat.

Dallas Cowboys (1992-1995)

The Dallas Cowboys of the early 1990s, led by head coach Jimmy Johnson and later Barry Switzer, were a powerhouse. With a core of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin, the Cowboys captured Super Bowl titles in the 1992 and 1993 seasons, solidifying their status as a dynasty.

However, their hopes for a third consecutive championship in the 1994 season were thwarted by the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. San Francisco’s victory, bolstered by key offseason acquisitions like Deion Sanders, proved too much for the Cowboys to overcome. Although Dallas reclaimed the Super Bowl title in the 1995 season, their failure to achieve the elusive three-peat remains a notable gap in their otherwise stellar legacy.

New England Patriots (2001-2004)

The New England Patriots under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady became the NFL’s most dominant franchise of the 21st century. Their first Super Bowl victories came in the 2001, 2003, and 2004 seasons, creating a dynasty fueled by Brady’s brilliance and a stingy defense.

The Patriots’ chance to secure three straight titles was disrupted by a lackluster 2002 season, in which they missed the playoffs. While their sustained excellence over two decades led to six Super Bowl championships overall, the three-peat narrowly escaped their grasp.

Conclusion

The pursuit of three consecutive Super Bowl titles has stymied even the most dominant teams in NFL history. Whether derailed by injuries, upstart opponents, or the relentless parity of the league, these near-misses underscore the extraordinary difficulty of maintaining championship-level performance year after year. While several teams have come close, the quest for a three-peat remains one of the NFL’s ultimate challenges, a feat still waiting to be achieved.