Everyone knows about the Madden curse and the SI curse, but there’s another sports curse out there that’s just as powerful – the Super Bowl host city curse.
- Super Bowl XL was held in Dallas. The Cowboys start 1-7. Starting QB Tony Romo breaks his collarbone and coach Wade Phillips is fired mid-season.
- Super Bowl XIII was held in Tampa. The Buccaneers start 9-3, but collapse late in the season as they lose their last four games and miss the playoffs. Head Coach Jon Gruden is fired.
- Super Bowl XLII was held in Arizona. Cardinal QB’s Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner both get injured during the season.
- Super Bowl XLI was held in Miami. The Dolphins go 6-10. Major off-season acquisition, QB Daunte Culpepper, gets injured after just four games and coach Nick Saban bolts for Alabama after the season.
- Super Bowl XL is held in Detroit. The Lions go 5-11. Steve Mariucci is fired mid-season. QB Joey Harrington gets hurt – twice.
- Super Bowl XXXIX is held in Jacksonville. A late-season David Garrad injury derails the Jags playoff chances.
- Super Bowl XXXVIII was held in Houston. The Texans went 5-11. QB David Carr gets hurt, as does his back-up, Tony Banks. QB Dave Ragone is called upon to start 2 games for the Texans.
- Super Bowl XXXVII was held in San Diego. The Charges start 8-4 but lose their last four games to finish out of the playoffs.
- Super Bowl XXXVI was held in New Orleans. The Siants start 7-5 but lose their last four games to miss the playoffs. They get outscored 51-160 in those last four games.
Only one team in the last ten years, has qualified for the playoffs in the same season their city hosted the Super Bowl – the 2008 Miami Dolphins.
Fans of the Saints, Giants and Jets, host cities of the next two Super Bowls, best be ready for disappointment.
The Knuckle Curve 