The NFL playoffs begin on Saturday and Sunday, January 7-8, with Wild Card Weekend. On Saturday, the Oakland Raiders play at the Houston Texans (ESPN/ABC/PULS 4, 22:35 MEZ) and the Detroit Lions visit the Seattle Seahawks (NBC/PULS 4, 2:15 MEZ). Wild Card Weekend continues Sunday with the Miami Dolphins at the Pittsburgh Steelers (CBS/PULS4, 19:05 MEZ) and the New York Giants traveling to face the Green Bay Packers (FOX/PULS4, 22:40 MEZ).
The following week (January 14-15), the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS/PULS 4, 2:15 MEZ) and Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday, NBC/PULS 4, 19:05 MEZ) in the AFC and the Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, FOX/PULS 4, 22:40 PM ET) and Atlanta Falcons (Saturday, FOX/PULS 4, 22:35 MEZ) in the NFC host the Divisional Playoffs. The Patriots and Cowboys own home-field advantage for the Conference Championship Games (January 22) if they win their Divisional contests.
The 2017 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 29 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida (ESPN, 8:00 PM ET) and Super Bowl LI will take place on Sunday, February 5 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas (FOX, 6:30 PM ET).
FRESH FACES & CONSISTENT WINNERS HIGHLIGHT PLAYOFF FIELD
There are six new playoff teams in 2016: Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Miami, the New York Giants and Oakland. Since the 12-team playoff format was adopted in 1990, at least four teams have qualified for the playoffs in every season that were not in the postseason the year before.
The teams since 1990 to make the playoffs a season after failing to qualify:
|
SEASON |
PLAYOFF TEAMS NOT IN PREVIOUS SEASON’S PLAYOFFS |
|
1990 |
7 (Cincinnati, Chicago, Kansas City, Los Angeles Raiders, Miami, New Orleans, Washington) |
|
1991 |
5 (Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, New York Jets) |
|
1992 |
6 (Miami, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, San Francisco) |
|
1993 |
5 (Denver, Detroit, Green Bay, Los Angeles Raiders, New York Giants) |
|
1994 |
5 (Chicago, Cleveland, Miami, New England, San Diego) |
|
1995 |
4 (Atlanta, Buffalo, Indianapolis, Philadelphia) |
|
1996 |
5 (Carolina, Denver, Jacksonville, Minnesota, New England) |
|
1997 |
5 (Detroit, Kansas City, Miami, New York Giants, Tampa Bay) |
|
1998 |
5 (Arizona, Atlanta, Buffalo, Dallas, New York Jets) |
|
1999 |
7 (Detroit, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Washington) |
|
2000 |
6 (Baltimore, Denver, New Orleans, New York Giants, Oakland, Philadelphia) |
|
2001 |
6 (Chicago, Green Bay, New England, New York Jets, Pittsburgh, San Francisco) |
|
2002 |
5 (Atlanta, Cleveland, Indianapolis, New York Giants, Tennessee) |
|
2003 |
8 (Baltimore, Carolina, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, New England, St. Louis, Seattle) |
|
2004 |
5 (Atlanta, Minnesota, New York Jets, Pittsburgh, San Diego) |
|
2005 |
7 (Carolina, Chicago, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, New York Giants, Tampa Bay, Washington) |
|
2006 |
7 (Baltimore, Dallas, Kansas City, New Orleans, New York Jets, Philadelphia, San Diego) |
|
2007 |
6 (Green Bay, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Washington) |
|
2008 |
7 (Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Carolina, Miami, Minnesota, Philadelphia) |
|
2009 |
6 (Cincinnati, Dallas, Green Bay, New England, New Orleans, New York Jets) |
|
2010 |
5 (Atlanta, Chicago, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Seattle) |
|
2011 |
6 (Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Houston, New York Giants, San Francisco) |
|
2012 |
4 (Indianapolis, Minnesota, Seattle, Washington) |
|
2013 |
5 (Carolina, Kansas City, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Diego) |
|
2014 |
5 (Arizona, Baltimore, Dallas, Detroit, Pittsburgh) |
|
2015 |
4 (Houston, Kansas City, Minnesota, Washington) |
|
2016 |
6 (Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Miami, New York Giants, Oakland) |
Six of the NFL’s eight divisions featured new division champions from last season, the most in a season since 2011 (seven). Only New England (AFC East) and Houston (AFC South) were repeat division champions.
|
AFC NORTH |
AFC WEST |
NFC EAST |
NFC NORTH |
NFC SOUTH |
NFC WEST |
|
|
2016 |
Pittsburgh |
Kansas City |
Dallas |
Green Bay |
Atlanta |
Seattle |
|
2015 |
Cincinnati |
Denver |
Washington |
Minnesota |
Carolina |
Arizona |
In the 15 seasons since realignment in 2002, 28 of the 32 NFL teams have won a division title at least once.
How the 2016 playoff teams have fared in the 15 seasons since realignment in 2002 (2016 division winners in bold/italics):
|
DIVISION TITLES |
PLAYOFF BERTHS |
|
|
New England Patriots |
13 |
13 |
|
Green Bay Packers |
9 |
12 |
|
Seattle Seahawks |
8 |
11 |
|
Pittsburgh Steelers |
7 |
10 |
|
Atlanta Falcons |
4 |
7 |
|
Dallas Cowboys |
4 |
6 |
|
Houston Texans |
4 |
4 |
|
New York Giants |
3 |
7 |
|
Kansas City Chiefs |
3 |
6 |
|
Miami Dolphins |
1 |
2 |
|
Oakland Raiders |
1 |
2 |
|
Detroit Lions |
0 |
3 |
The Dallas Cowboys rebounded to win the NFC East after finishing in last place in 2015. This marked the 13th time in the past 14 seasons in which at least one team went from “worst-to-first” in its division.
The teams to go from “worst-to-first” in their divisions since 2003:
|
SEASON |
TEAM |
RECORD |
PRIOR SEASON RECORD |
ADVANCED TO |
|
2003 |
Carolina Panthers |
11-5 |
7-9 |
Super Bowl XXXVIII |
|
2003 |
Kansas City Chiefs |
13-3 |
8-8* |
Divisional Playoffs |
|
2004 |
Atlanta Falcons |
11-5 |
5-11 |
NFC Championship |
|
2004 |
San Diego Chargers |
12-4 |
4-12* |
Wild Card Playoffs |
|
2005 |
Chicago Bears |
11-5 |
5-11 |
Divisional Playoffs |
|
2005 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
11-5 |
5-11 |
Wild Card Playoffs |
|
2006 |
Baltimore Ravens |
13-3 |
6-10* |
Divisional Playoffs |
|
2006 |
New Orleans Saints |
10-6 |
3-13 |
NFC Championship |
|
2006 |
Philadelphia Eagles |
10-6 |
6-10 |
Divisional Playoffs |
|
2007 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
9-7 |
4-12 |
Wild Card Playoffs |
|
2008 |
Miami Dolphins |
11-5 |
1-15 |
Wild Card Playoffs |
|
2009 |
New Orleans Saints |
13-3 |
8-8 |
Won Super Bowl XLIV |
|
2010 |
Kansas City Chiefs |
10-6 |
4-12 |
Wild Card Playoffs |
|
2011 |
Denver Broncos |
8-8 |
4-12 |
Divisional Playoffs |
|
2011 |
Houston Texans |
10-6 |
6-10* |
Divisional Playoffs |
|
2012 |
Washington Redskins |
10-6 |
5-11 |
Wild Card Playoffs |
|
2013 |
Carolina Panthers |
12-4 |
7-9* |
Divisional Playoffs |
|
2013 |
Philadelphia Eagles |
10-6 |
4-12 |
Wild Card Playoffs |
|
2015 |
Washington Redskins |
9-7 |
4-12 |
Wild Card Playoffs |
|
2016 |
Dallas Cowboys |
13-3 |
4-12 |
??? |
* Tied for last place
The 2016 field also showcases teams that have enjoyed recent postseason success. Since realignment in 2002, the New England Patriots have been to the playoffs 13 times, which is the most in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers are tied for second with 12 postseason berths and the Seattle Seahawks rank third with 11 playoff appearances.
The teams with the most playoff appearances since 2002 (includes 2016):
|
TEAM |
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES |
|
New England Patriots* |
13 |
|
Green Bay Packers* |
12 |
|
Indianapolis Colts |
12 |
|
Seattle Seahawks* |
11 |
|
Pittsburgh Steelers* |
10 |
|
Baltimore Ravens |
8 |
|
Denver Broncos |
8 |
|
Philadelphia Eagles |
8 |
*In 2016 postseason
Five of this season’s 12 playoff teams have won at least one Super Bowl since 2001, capturing eight of the past 15 Vince Lombardi Trophies. Those teams are Green Bay (XLV), New England (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX and XLIX), the New York Giants (XLII, XLVI), Pittsburgh (XL, XLIII) and Seattle (XLVIII).
|
SUPER BOWL |
SEASON |
WINNER |
|
XXXVI |
2001 |
New England Patriots* |
|
XXXVII |
2002 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
|
XXXVIII |
2003 |
New England Patriots* |
|
XXXIX |
2004 |
New England Patriots* |
|
XL |
2005 |
Pittsburgh Steelers* |
|
XLI |
2006 |
Indianapolis Colts |
|
XLII |
2007 |
New York Giants* |
|
XLIII |
2008 |
Pittsburgh Steelers* |
|
XLIV |
2009 |
New Orleans Saints |
|
XLV |
2010 |
Green Bay Packers* |
|
XLVI |
2011 |
New York Giants* |
|
XLVII |
2012 |
Baltimore Ravens |
|
XLVIII |
2013 |
Seattle Seahawks* |
|
XLIX |
2014 |
New England Patriots* |
|
50 |
2015 |
Denver Broncos |
*In 2016 postseason
ALL-TIME PLAYOFFS
The four franchises with the most postseason berths in NFL history – the Dallas Cowboys (32), Green Bay Packers (32), New York Giants (32) and Pittsburgh Steelers (30) – are all participants in the 2016 NFL playoffs.
The teams with the most seasons participating in the playoffs (includes 2016):
|
TEAM |
PLAYOFF BERTHS |
|
Dallas Cowboys* |
32 |
|
Green Bay Packers* |
32 |
|
New York Giants* |
32 |
|
Pittsburgh Steelers* |
30 |
*In 2016 playoffs
The 12 playoff teams and their postseason records:
|
TEAM |
WINS LOSSES |
PCT. |
|||
|
New England Patriots |
29 |
|
19 |
|
.604 |
|
Green Bay Packers |
32 |
|
21 |
|
.604 |
|
Pittsburgh Steelers |
34 |
|
23 |
|
.596 |
|
Oakland Raiders |
25 |
|
18 |
|
.581 |
|
Dallas Cowboys |
34 |
|
26 |
|
.567 |
|
Seattle Seahawks |
15 |
|
14 |
|
.517 |
|
New York Giants |
24 |
|
24 |
|
.500 |
|
Miami Dolphins |
20 |
|
20 |
|
.500 |
|
Houston Texans |
2 |
|
3 |
|
.400 |
|
Atlanta Falcons |
7 |
|
12 |
|
.368 |
|
Detroit Lions |
7 |
|
12 |
|
.368 |
|
Kansas City Chiefs |
9 |
|
16 |
|
.360 |
|
WILD CARD RECORDS |
|
||
|
TEAM |
WINS |
LOSSES |
PCT. |
|
Oakland Raiders |
4 |
2 |
.667 |
|
Houston Texans |
2 |
1 |
.667 |
|
Green Bay Packers |
9 |
5 |
.643 |
|
Seattle Seahawks |
7 |
4 |
.636 |
|
New York Giants |
6 |
4 |
.600 |
|
Miami Dolphins |
6 |
5 |
.545 |
|
Pittsburgh Steelers |
5 |
5 |
.500 |
|
Detroit Lions |
0 |
8 |
.000 |
|
|
|||
|
DIVISIONAL RECORDS |
|
||
|
TEAM |
WINS |
LOSSES |
PCT. |
|
New England Patriots |
13 |
6 |
.684 |
|
Dallas Cowboys |
15 |
10 |
.600 |
|
Atlanta Falcons |
3 |
5 |
.375 |
|
Kansas City Chiefs |
2 |
7 |
.222 |
THE TEAMS
WINNING FEELING: The Green Bay Packers have won 13 NFL championships, the most in league history. Of the 12 playoff teams this season, 10 have won at least one championship.
NFL championships won by the 2016 playoff teams:
|
TEAM |
NFL CHAMPIONSHIP(S) |
SEASON(S) |
|
Green Bay Packers |
13 |
1929-31, 1936, 1939, 1944, 1961-62, 1965-67, 1996, 2010 |
|
New York Giants |
8 |
1927, 1934, 1938, 1956, 1986, 1990, 2007, 2011 |
|
Pittsburgh Steelers |
6 |
1974-75, 1978-79, 2005, 2008 |
|
Dallas Cowboys |
5 |
1971, 1977, 1992-93, 1995 |
|
Detroit Lions |
4 |
1935, 1952-53, 1957 |
|
New England Patriots |
4 |
2001, 2003-04, 2014 |
|
Oakland Raiders |
3 |
1976, 1980, 1983 |
|
Miami Dolphins |
2 |
1972-73 |
|
Kansas City Chiefs |
1 |
1969 |
|
Seattle Seahawks |
1 |
2013 |
|
Atlanta Falcons |
0 |
— |
|
Houston Texans |
0 |
— |
— NFL —
PLAYOFF SUCCESS: The Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers each have 34 postseason victories, tied for the most in NFL history. The Green Bay Packers (32) and New England Patriots (29) rank third and fifth, respectively, on the all-time postseason wins list.
The teams with the most playoff victories in NFL history:
|
TEAM |
PLAYOFF WINS |
|
Dallas Cowboys* |
34 |
|
Pittsburgh Steelers* |
34 |
|
Green Bay Packers* |
32 |
|
San Francisco 49ers |
30 |
|
New England Patriots* |
29 |
*In 2016 playoffs
Postseason victories for the 2016 playoff teams:
|
TEAM |
PLAYOFF WINS |
|
Dallas Cowboys |
34 |
|
Pittsburgh Steelers |
34 |
|
Green Bay Packers |
32 |
|
New England Patriots |
29 |
|
Oakland Raiders |
25 |
|
New York Giants |
24 |
|
Miami Dolphins |
20 |
|
Seattle Seahawks |
15 |
|
Kansas City Chiefs |
9 |
|
Atlanta Falcons |
7 |
|
Detroit Lions |
7 |
|
Houston Texans |
2 |
— NFL —
HOME SWEET HOME…MAYBE: For the first time since the NFL adopted the 12-team playoff format in 1990, the No. 1 seed from both the AFC and NFC have advanced to the Super Bowl in three consecutive seasons. However, only 27 of the 52 (52 percent) No. 1 seeds have advanced to the Super Bowl, with 12 No. 1 seeds being crowned champions (23 percent).
Dallas is the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the fourth time since 1990 and the first since 2007, while the Patriots are the top seed in the AFC for the fourth time since 2010.
How the No. 1 seeds have fared since 1990:
|
SEASON |
AFC NO. 1 SEED |
SEASON RESULT |
NFC NO. 1 SEED |
SEASON RESULT |
|
|
1990 |
Buffalo |
Lost Super Bowl XXV |
|
San Francisco |
Lost NFC Championship |
|
1991 |
Buffalo |
Lost Super Bowl XXVI |
|
Washington |
Won Super Bowl XXVI |
|
1992 |
Pittsburgh |
Lost Divisional |
|
San Francisco |
Lost NFC Championship |
|
1993 |
Buffalo |
Lost Super Bowl XXVIII |
|
Dallas |
Won Super Bowl XXVIII |
|
1994 |
Pittsburgh |
Lost AFC Championship |
|
San Francisco |
Won Super Bowl XXIX |
|
1995 |
Kansas City |
Lost Divisional |
|
Dallas |
Won Super Bowl XXX |
|
1996 |
Denver |
Lost Divisional |
|
Green Bay |
Won Super Bowl XXXI |
|
1997 |
Kansas City |
Lost Divisional |
|
San Francisco |
Lost NFC Championship |
|
1998 |
Denver |
Won Super Bowl XXXIII |
|
Minnesota |
Lost NFC Championship |
|
1999 |
Jacksonville |
Lost AFC Championship |
|
St. Louis |
Won Super Bowl XXXIV |
|
2000 |
Tennessee |
Lost Divisional |
|
New York Giants |
Lost Super Bowl XXXV |
|
2001 |
Pittsburgh |
Lost AFC Championship |
|
St. Louis |
Lost Super Bowl XXXVI |
|
2002 |
Oakland |
Lost Super Bowl XXXVII |
|
Philadelphia |
Lost NFC Championship |
|
2003 |
New England |
Won Super Bowl XXXVIII |
|
Philadelphia |
Lost NFC Championship |
|
2004 |
Pittsburgh |
Lost AFC Championship |
|
Philadelphia |
Lost Super Bowl XXXIX |
|
2005 |
Indianapolis |
Lost Divisional |
|
Seattle |
Lost Super Bowl XL |
|
2006 |
San Diego |
Lost Divisional |
|
Chicago |
Lost Super Bowl XLI |
|
2007 |
New England |
Lost Super Bowl XLII |
|
Dallas |
Lost Divisional |
|
2008 |
Tennessee |
Lost Divisional |
|
New York Giants |
Lost Divisional |
|
2009 |
Indianapolis |
Lost Super Bowl XLIV |
|
New Orleans |
Won Super Bowl XLIV |
|
2010 |
New England |
Lost Divisional |
|
Atlanta |
Lost Divisional |
|
2011 |
New England |
Lost Super Bowl XLVI |
|
Green Bay |
Lost Divisional |
|
2012 |
Denver |
Lost Divisional |
Atlanta |
Lost NFC Championship |
|
|
2013 |
Denver |
Lost Super Bowl XLVIII |
|
Seattle |
Won Super Bowl XLVIII |
|
2014 |
New England |
Won Super Bowl XLIX |
|
Seattle |
Lost Super Bowl XLIX |
|
2015 |
Denver |
Won Super Bowl 50 |
|
Carolina |
Lost Super Bowl 50 |
|
2016 |
New England |
??? |
Dallas |
??? |
— NFL —
DIVISION DOMINANCE: Since realignment in 2002, the New England Patriots have won 13 division titles, the most in the NFL during that span. The Green Bay Packers lead the NFC with nine division titles since 2002.
The teams with the most division titles since 2002:
|
TEAM |
DIVISION TITLES |
|
New England Patriots* |
13 |
|
Indianapolis Colts |
9 |
|
Green Bay Packers* |
9 |
|
Seattle Seahawks* |
8 |
|
Pittsburgh Steelers* |
7 |
|
Denver Broncos |
6 |
|
Philadelphia Eagles |
6 |
*2016 division champion
— NFL —
PATRIOT PLACE: The New England Patriots won the AFC East for the eighth consecutive season in 2016, passing the Los Angeles Rams (1973-79) for the most consecutive division titles in NFL history.
The teams to finish first in their division in the most consecutive seasons:
|
TEAM |
YEARS |
CONSECUTIVE FIRST-PLACE FINISHES |
|
New England Patriots |
2009-16 |
8* |
|
Los Angeles Rams |
1973-79 |
7 |
|
Cleveland Browns |
1950-55 |
6 |
|
Dallas Cowboys |
1966-71 |
6 |
|
Minnesota Vikings |
1973-78 |
6 |
|
Pittsburgh Steelers |
1974-79 |
6 |
|
Seven teams tied |
|
5 |
|
*Active streak |
|
|
— NFL —
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The New England Patriots finished the 2016 regular season undefeated on the road.
The Patriots are only the seventh team since 1978 – when the 16-game schedule was instituted – to post an 8-0 record on the road. Of the previous six teams to accomplish the feat, four have gone to the Super Bowl (66.7 percent).
The teams (since 1978) to post an 8-0 road record and their final season result:
|
SEASON |
TEAM |
OVERALL |
RESULT |
|
1984 |
San Francisco 49ers |
15-1 |
Won Super Bowl XIX |
|
1989 |
San Francisco 49ers |
14-2 |
Won Super Bowl XXIV |
|
1990 |
San Francisco 49ers |
14-2 |
Advanced to NFC Championship |
|
2001 |
St. Louis Rams |
14-2 |
Advanced to Super Bowl XXXVI |
|
2007 |
New England Patriots |
16-0 |
Advanced to Super Bowl XLII |
|
2014 |
Dallas Cowboys |
12-4 |
Advanced to NFC Divisional |
|
2016 |
New England Patriots |
14-2 |
??? |
— NFL –
EXTRA TIME IN THE POSTSEASON: The playoffs have featured at least one overtime game in 13 of the past 16 postseasons.
In 2010, the NFL adopted a modified sudden-death system for the playoffs, which was expanded to cover all NFL games in 2012. The system guarantees each team a possession or the opportunity to possess, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession. Play continues in sudden death until a winner is determined, and the game automatically ends upon any score.
A look at NFL overtime playoff games since 2000:
|
SEASON |
ROUND |
TEAMS |
GAME-WINNING SCORE |
|
2000 |
WC |
Miami 23, Indianapolis 17 |
RB Lamar Smith scores on 17-yard TD run. |
|
2001 |
Div. |
New England 16, Oakland 13 |
K Adam Vinatieri connects on 23-yard FG. |
|
2002 |
Div. |
Tennessee 34, Pittsburgh 31 |
K Joe Nedney wins it with 26-yard FG. |
|
2003 |
WC |
Green Bay 33, Seattle 27 |
CB Al Harris returns INT 52 yards for TD. |
|
2003 |
Div. |
Carolina 29, St. Louis 23 (2 OT) |
QB Jake Delhomme connects with WR Steve Smith on 69-yard TD. |
|
2003 |
Div. |
Philadelphia 20, Green Bay 17 |
K David Akers wins game with 31-yard FG. |
|
2004 |
WC |
NY Jets 20, San Diego 17 |
K Doug Brien converts 28-yard FG. |
|
2004 |
Div. |
Pittsburgh 20, NY Jets 17 |
K Jeff Reed connects on 33-yard game-winner. |
|
2006 |
Div. |
Chicago 27, Seattle 24 |
K Robbie Gould converts game-winning 49-yard FG. |
|
2007 |
Champ. |
NY Giants 23, Green Bay 20 |
K Lawrence Tynes wins it with 47-yard FG. |
|
2008 |
WC |
San Diego 23, Indianapolis 17 |
RB Darren Sproles scores on 22-yard TD run. |
|
2009 |
WC |
Arizona 51, Green Bay 45 |
LB Karlos Dansby scores on 17-yard FR-TD. |
|
2009 |
Champ. |
New Orleans 31, Minnesota 28 |
K Garrett Hartley converts 40-yard game-winning FG. |
|
2011 |
WC |
Denver 29, Pittsburgh 23 |
WR Demaryius Thomas catches 80-yard TD from QB Tim Tebow. |
|
2011 |
Champ. |
NY Giants 20, San Francisco 17 |
K Lawrence Tynes connects on 31-yard FG. |
|
2012 |
Div. |
Baltimore 38, Denver 35 (2 OT) |
K Justin Tucker converts 47-yard game-winning FG. |
|
2014 |
Champ. |
Seattle 28, Green Bay 22 |
QB Russell Wilson throws 35-yard TD to WR Jermaine Kearse. |
|
2015 |
Div. |
Arizona 26, Green Bay 20 |
QB Carson Palmer connects with WR Larry Fitzgerald on 5-yard TD. |
— NFL —
THE PLAYERS
POSTSEASON QUARTERBACKS: Quarterbacks TOM BRADY of New England, AARON RODGERS of Green Bay, MATT RYAN of Atlanta, ALEX SMITH of Kansas City and RUSSELL WILSON of Seattle have enjoyed postseason success. They all rank among the leaders in many postseason passing categories.
Smith (99.1) ranks fourth all-time in career postseason passer rating, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer BART STARR (104.8), KURT WARNER(102.8) and DREW BREES (100.7). Rodgers ranks fifth all-time with a 98.2 passer rating.
The quarterbacks with the highest postseason passer rating (min. 150 attempts):
|
QUARTERBACK |
COMP. |
ATT. |
YARDS |
TD |
INT |
RATING |
|
Bart Starr |
130 |
213 |
1,753 |
15 |
3 |
104.8 |
|
Kurt Warner |
307 |
462 |
3,952 |
31 |
14 |
102.8 |
|
Drew Brees |
306 |
464 |
3,539 |
24 |
6 |
100.7 |
|
Alex Smith* |
112 |
186 |
1,309 |
11 |
1 |
99.1 |
|
Aaron Rodgers* |
298 |
467 |
3,454 |
27 |
8 |
98.2 |
*Active in 2016 playoffs
Brady is the all-time postseason passing leader in career attempts (1,183), completions (738), yards (7,957) and touchdowns (56).
The top five all-time playoff leaders in completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns:
|
PLAYER |
COMPLETIONS |
|
PLAYER |
ATTEMPTS |
|
Tom Brady* |
738 |
|
Tom Brady* |
1,183 |
|
Peyton Manning |
649 |
|
Peyton Manning |
1,027 |
|
Brett Favre |
481 |
|
Brett Favre |
791 |
|
Joe Montana |
460 |
|
Joe Montana |
734 |
|
Dan Marino |
385 |
|
Dan Marino |
687 |
|
*Active in 2016 playoffs |
|
*Active in 2016 playoffs |
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
PLAYER |
PASSING YARDS |
|
PLAYER |
TD PASSES |
|
Tom Brady* |
7,957 |
|
Tom Brady* |
56 |
|
Peyton Manning |
7,339 |
|
Joe Montana |
45 |
|
Brett Favre |
5,855 |
|
Brett Favre |
44 |
|
Joe Montana |
5,772 |
|
Peyton Manning |
40 |
|
John Elway |
4,964 |
|
Dan Marino |
32 |
|
*Active in 2016 playoffs |
|
*Active in 2016 playoffs |
||
Brady has 10 career 300-yard passing games in the postseason, the most all-time.
|
QUARTERBACK |
PLAYOFF GAMES |
300-YARD GAMES |
|
Tom Brady* |
31 |
10 |
|
Peyton Manning |
27 |
9 |
|
Joe Montana |
23 |
6 |
|
Kurt Warner |
13 |
6 |
|
Drew Brees |
11 |
6 |
*Active in 2016 playoffs
Ryan has completed 124 of 187 passes for a 66.3 completion percentage, the second-best mark in league playoff history, trailing only Warner (66.5 percent). Rodgers ranks seventh in league postseason history with a 63.8 completion percentage.
The quarterbacks with the highest postseason completion percentage (min. 150 attempts):
|
QUARTERBACK |
COMP. |
ATT. |
PCT. |
|
Kurt Warner |
307 |
462 |
66.5 |
|
Matt Ryan* |
124 |
187 |
66.3 |
|
Ken Anderson |
110 |
166 |
66.3 |
|
Drew Brees |
306 |
464 |
65.9 |
|
Warren Moon |
259 |
403 |
64.3 |
|
Rich Gannon |
154 |
240 |
64.2 |
|
Aaron Rodgers* |
298 |
467 |
63.8 |
|
Troy Aikman |
320 |
502 |
63.7 |
*Active in 2016 playoffs
— NFL —
AIR ATTACK: Seattle quarterback RUSSELL WILSON is averaging 8.43 yards per pass attempt (2,328 yards, 276 attempts), the third-highest in NFL postseason history (minimum 200 attempts).
The quarterbacks with the highest postseason yards per attempt average (min. 200 attempts):
|
QUARTERBACK |
PASS YARDS |
ATTEMPTS |
YARDS/ATT. |
|
Kurt Warner |
3,952 |
462 |
8.55 |
|
Joe Theismann |
1,782 |
211 |
8.45 |
|
Russell Wilson* |
2,328 |
276 |
8.43 |
|
Jim Plunkett |
2,293 |
272 |
8.43 |
|
Terry Bradshaw |
3,833 |
456 |
8.41 |
*Active in 2016 postseason
— NFL —
PASSING BY: Green Bay’s AARON RODGERS is the only quarterback in the 2016 playoffs with a 400-yard passing game in the postseason.
The 19 400-yard passing performances in NFL postseason history:
|
QUARTERBACK |
TEAM |
OPPONENT |
DATE |
PASSING YARDS |
|
Bernie Kosar |
Cleveland Browns |
New York Jets |
1/3/87 |
489 |
|
Drew Brees |
New Orleans Saints |
Detroit Lions |
1/7/12 |
466 |
|
Drew Brees |
New Orleans Saints |
San Francisco 49ers |
1/14/12 |
462 |
|
Peyton Manning |
Indianapolis Colts |
Denver Broncos |
1/9/05 |
458 |
|
Andrew Luck |
Indianapolis Colts |
Kansas City Chiefs |
1/4/14 |
443 |
|
Dan Fouts |
San Diego Chargers |
Miami Dolphins |
1/2/82 |
433 |
|
Kelly Holcomb |
Cleveland Browns |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
1/5/03 |
429 |
|
Jeff George |
Minnesota Vikings |
St. Louis Rams |
1/16/00 |
423 |
|
Aaron Rodgers* |
Green Bay Packers |
Arizona Cardinals |
1/10/10 |
423 |
|
Dan Marino |
Miami Dolphins |
Buffalo Bills |
12/30/95 |
422 |
|
Dan Marino |
Miami Dolphins |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
1/6/85 |
421 |
|
Kurt Warner |
St. Louis Rams |
Tennessee Titans |
1/30/00 |
414 |
|
Randall Cunningham |
Philadelphia Eagles |
Chicago Bears |
12/31/88 |
407 |
|
Jim Kelly |
Buffalo Bills |
Cleveland Browns |
1/6/90 |
405 |
|
Drew Brees |
New Orleans Saints |
Seattle Seahawks |
1/8/11 |
404 |
|
Don Strock |
Miami Dolphins |
San Diego Chargers |
1/2/82 |
403 |
|
Peyton Manning |
Indianapolis Colts |
San Diego Chargers |
1/13/08 |
402 |
|
Daryle Lamonica |
Oakland Raiders |
New York Jets |
12/29/68 |
401 |
|
Peyton Manning |
Denver Broncos |
New England Patriots |
1/19/14 |
400 |
|
*Active in 2016 postseason |
||||
— NFL —
SUPER BOWL MVPs: There are four players in the 2016 postseason who have been named Super Bowl MVP: Quarterback TOM BRADY of New England (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX), quarterback ELI MANNING of the New York Giants (XLII, XLVI), quarterback AARON RODGERS of Green Bay (XLV) and linebacker MALCOLM SMITH of Oakland (XLVIII with Seattle).
|
PLAYER |
CURRENT TEAM |
SUPER BOWL MVPs |
|
Tom Brady |
New England Patriots |
3 (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX) |
|
Eli Manning |
New York Giants |
2 (XLII, XLVI) |
|
Aaron Rodgers |
Green Bay Packers |
1 (XLV) |
|
Malcolm Smith |
Oakland Raiders |
1 (XLVIII*) |
|
*With Seattle |
||
Five players in NFL history have been named Super Bowl MVP multiple times, including Brady (three) and Manning (two). Brady and Pro Football Hall of Famer JOE MONTANA are the only players to win the award three times.
The five players in NFL history to be named Super Bowl MVP multiple times:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SUPER BOWL MVPs |
|
Tom Brady* |
New England Patriots |
3 (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX) |
|
Joe Montana |
San Francisco 49ers |
3 (XVI, XIX, XXIV) |
|
Terry Bradshaw |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
2 (XIII, XIV) |
|
Eli Manning* |
New York Giants |
2 (XLII, XLVI) |
|
Bart Starr |
Green Bay Packers |
2 (I, II) |
*Active in 2016 playoffs
WHEN IT COUNTS: New England quarterback TOM BRADY has a 22-9 (.710) career postseason record, the most playoff wins all-time by a starting quarterback.
The starting quarterbacks with the most playoff wins in NFL history:
|
QUARTERBACK |
TEAM(S) |
PLAYOFF WINS |
|
Tom Brady* |
New England Patriots |
22 |
|
Joe Montana |
San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs |
16 |
|
Terry Bradshaw |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
14 |
|
John Elway |
Denver Broncos |
14 |
|
Peyton Manning |
Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos |
14 |
|
Brett Favre |
Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings |
13 |
*Active in 2016 playoffs
Brady’s 22-9 (.710) postseason record trails only Pro Football Hall of Famers TERRY BRADSHAW and TROY AIKMAN for the best winning percentage as a starting quarterback in NFL playoff history (minimum 15 starts).
Pittsburgh’s BEN ROETHLISBERGER (11-6, .647) is tied for seventh all-time.
The quarterbacks with the best winning percentage in postseason starts (minimum 15 starts):
|
QUARTERBACK |
WIN PCT. |
RECORD |
|
Terry Bradshaw |
.737 |
14-5 |
|
Troy Aikman |
.733 |
11-4 |
|
Tom Brady* |
.710 |
22-9 |
|
Joe Montana |
.696 |
16-7 |
|
John Elway |
.667 |
14-7 |
|
Joe Flacco |
.667 |
10-5 |
|
Ben Roethlisberger* |
.647 |
11-6 |
|
Roger Staubach |
.647 |
11-6 |
*Active in 2016 playoffs
— NFL —
A PROVEN WINNER: New England’s TOM BRADY is one of three quarterbacks in NFL history to win four Super Bowls.
Only 12 QBs in NFL history have won multiple Super Bowls. Of the 12, three are active, including Brady, the New York Giants’ ELI MANNING (two) and Pittsburgh’s BEN ROETHLISBERGER (two), and seven have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The starting quarterbacks to win multiple Super Bowls:
|
QUARTERBACK |
SUPER BOWL WINS |
|
Tom Brady** |
4 |
|
Terry Bradshaw* |
4 |
|
Joe Montana* |
4 |
|
Troy Aikman* |
3 |
|
John Elway* |
2 |
|
Bob Griese* |
2 |
|
Eli Manning** |
2 |
|
Peyton Manning |
2 |
|
Jim Plunkett |
2 |
|
Ben Roethlisberger** |
2 |
|
Bart Starr* |
2 |
|
Roger Staubach* |
2 |
*Member of Pro Football Hall of Fame
**Active in 2016 playoffs
— NFL —
PLAYOFF STARTERS: Seattle quarterback RUSSELL WILSON helped lead the Seahawks to the postseason for the fifth consecutive season and can join JOE FLACCO as the only Super Bowl-era quarterbacks to start a playoff game in each of their first five seasons beginning with their rookie year.
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASONS |
|
Joe Flacco |
Baltimore Ravens |
2008-12 |
|
Russell Wilson* |
Seattle Seahawks |
2012-15 |
Wilson has seven playoff wins in his first four seasons and trails only TOM BRADY (nine), JOE FLACCO (nine) and BEN ROETHLISBERGER (eight) in postseason victories among quarterbacks in their first five seasons in the league.
The quarterbacks with the most postseason victories in their first five seasons:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASONS |
POSTSEASON WINS |
|
Tom Brady |
New England Patriots |
2000-04 |
9 |
|
Joe Flacco |
Baltimore Ravens |
2008-12 |
9 |
|
Ben Roethlisberger |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
2004-08 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russell Wilson |
Seattle Seahawks |
2012-15 |
7* |
|
*Through four seasons |
|||
— NFL —
SMITH KEEPS IT SAFE: Kansas City quarterback ALEX SMITH has made five career postseason starts, completing 112 of 186 passes (60.2 percent) for 1,309 yards with 11 touchdowns and one interception for a 99.1 passer rating.
Smith’s 0.5 interception percentage is the lowest by a quarterback in postseason history (minimum 150 attempts). Dallas’ TONY ROMOand Green Bay’s AARON RODGERS rank second and fifth, respectively, in career interception percentage in NFL postseason history.
The lowest interception percentages in postseason history (minimum 150 attempts):
|
PLAYER |
TEAM(S) |
INTERCEPTION PERCENTAGE |
|
Alex Smith* |
San Francisco, Kansas City |
0.5 |
|
Tony Romo* |
Dallas |
1.1 |
|
Drew Brees |
San Diego, New Orleans |
1.3 |
|
Bart Starr |
Green Bay |
1.4 |
|
Aaron Rodgers* |
Green Bay |
1.7 |
|
*Active in 2016 postseason |
||
— NFL —
FIRST-TIMERS: Several teams may feature a quarterback making his first career playoff start. Among those are Dallas rookie DAK PRESCOTT, Houston’s BROCK OSWEILER, Miami’s MATT MOORE and Oakland rookie CONNOR COOK.
The players with the most passing yards in their first career postseason start:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
PASSING YARDS |
|
Kelly Holcomb |
Cleveland Browns |
429 |
|
Aaron Rodgers |
Green Bay Packers |
423 |
|
Randall Cunningham |
Philadelphia Eagles |
407 |
|
Kurt Warner |
St. Louis Rams |
391 |
|
Neil Lomax |
St. Louis Cardinals |
385 |
— NFL —
TAKING A PASS: Atlanta quarterback MATT RYAN led the NFL with a 117.1 passer rating, the fifth-highest single-season passer rating in league history. New England’s TOM BRADY (112.2), Dallas’ DAK PRESCOTT (104.9) and Green Bay’s AARON RODGERS (104.2) each recorded a passer rating of at least 100 and led their respective teams into the playoffs.
The quarterbacks with the highest passer rating in a single postseason (min. 50 attempts):
|
QUARTERBACK |
TEAM |
SEASON |
ATT. |
COMP. |
YARDS |
TD |
INT |
RATING |
|
Joe Montana |
San Francisco |
1989 |
83 |
65 |
800 |
11 |
0 |
146.4 |
|
Bart Starr |
Green Bay |
1966 |
51 |
35 |
554 |
6 |
1 |
135.6 |
|
Phil Simms |
New York Giants |
1986 |
58 |
38 |
494 |
8 |
0 |
131.8 |
|
Kurt Warner |
Arizona |
2009 |
59 |
46 |
584 |
5 |
1 |
129.1 |
|
Troy Aikman |
Dallas |
1992 |
89 |
61 |
795 |
8 |
0 |
126.4 |
— NFL –
THREE FOR 300: Detroit quarterback MATTHEW STAFFORD passed for 4,327 yards, including four games with at least 300 passing yards, this season. Stafford has at least 300 passing yards in each of his first two postseason starts and is one of only four quarterbacks in postseason history with at least two consecutive games with 300+ passing yards.
The most consecutive postseason games with at least 300 passing yards to begin a career:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH 300+ PASSING YARDS |
|
Dan Fouts |
San Diego Chargers |
4 |
|
Matthew Stafford |
Detroit Lions |
2* |
|
Matt Hasselbeck |
Seattle Seahawks |
2 |
|
Marc Bulger |
St. Louis Rams |
2 |
|
*Active streak |
||
— NFL –
RUSHING INTO THE RECORD BOOKS: Dallas rookie running back EZEKIEL ELLIOTT led the NFL with 1,631 rushing yards, the third-highest rushing total by a rookie in NFL history.
The players with the most rushing yards in a single postseason:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
RUSH YARDS |
RUSH TDS |
|
John Riggins |
Washington Redskins |
1982 |
610 |
4 |
|
Terrell Davis |
Denver Broncos |
1997 |
581 |
8 |
|
Terrell Davis |
Denver Broncos |
1998 |
468 |
3 |
|
Marcus Allen |
Los Angeles Raiders |
1983 |
466 |
4 |
|
Eddie George |
Tennessee Titans |
1999 |
449 |
3 |
The rookies with the most rushing yards in a single postseason:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
RUSH YARDS |
|
Timmy Smith |
Washington Redskins |
1987 |
342 |
|
Jamal Lewis |
Baltimore Ravens |
2000 |
338 |
|
James Starks |
Green Bay Packers |
2010 |
315 |
|
Duane Thomas |
Dallas Cowboys |
1970 |
313 |
|
Ickey Woods |
Cincinnati Bengals |
1988 |
307 |
The rookies with the most rushing touchdowns in a single postseason:
|
PLAYER, |
TEAM |
SEASON |
RUSH TDs |
|
Norm Standlee |
Chicago Bears |
1941 |
4 |
|
Tony Dorsett |
Dallas Cowboys |
1977 |
4 |
|
William Floyd |
San Francisco 49ers |
1994 |
4 |
|
Jamal Lewis |
Baltimore Ravens |
2000 |
4 |
— NFL —
FINDING PAYDIRT: New England running back LE GARRETTE BLOUNT led the NFL with a franchise-record 18 rushing touchdowns in 2016.
The players with the most rushing touchdowns in a single postseason:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
TOTAL TDs |
|
Terrell Davis |
Denver Broncos |
1997 |
8 |
|
Emmitt Smith |
Dallas Cowboys |
1995 |
6 |
|
Ricky Watters |
San Francisco 49ers |
1993 |
6 |
|
Gerald Riggs |
Washington Redskins |
1991 |
6 |
|
John Riggins |
Washington Redskins |
1983 |
6 |
|
Franco Harris |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
1974 |
6 |
|
Larry Csonka |
Miami Dolphins |
1973 |
6 |
— NFL —
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: Pittsburgh wide receiver ANTONIO BROWN ranked second in the NFL with 106 receptions. Brown, who has at least 100 catches in four consecutive seasons, is tied with Pro Football MARVIN HARRISON for the most consecutive seasons with at least 100 catches in NFL history.
The players with the most receptions in a single postseason:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
CATCHES |
|
Larry Fitzgerald |
Arizona Cardinals |
2008 |
30 |
|
Hakeem Nicks |
New York Giants |
2011 |
28 |
|
Demaryius Thomas |
Denver Broncos |
2013 |
28 |
|
Steve Smith Sr. |
Carolina Panthers |
2005 |
27 |
|
Wes Welker |
New England Patriots |
2007 |
27 |
— NFL —
CATCHING ON: Detroit wide receiver ANQUAN BOLDIN has eight touchdown receptions in his postseason career. With two touchdown catches, Boldin will become the eighth player in NFL history with at least 10 postseason touchdown receptions and move into a tie for the third-most all-time.
The players with the most touchdown catches in postseason history:
|
PLAYER |
TOUCHDOWN CATCHES |
|
Jerry Rice |
22 |
|
John Stallworth |
12 |
|
Fred Biletnikoff |
10 |
|
Antonio Freeman |
10 |
|
Larry Fitzgerald |
10 |
|
Randy Moss |
10 |
|
Hines Ward |
10 |
|
Rob Gronkowski |
9 |
|
Andre Reed |
9 |
|
Steve Smith Sr. |
9 |
|
Lynn Swann |
9 |
|
Reggie Wayne |
9 |
|
|
|
|
Anquan Boldin |
8* |
|
*Active in 2016 postseason |
|
— NFL —
WELCOME RECEPTION: There are 11 players in the 2016 playoff field who recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in the regular season: Atlanta’s JULIO JONES (1,409), the New York Giants’ ODELL BECKHAM JR. (1,367), Pittsburgh’s ANTONIO BROWN (1,284), Green Bay’s JORDY NELSON (1,257), Oakland’s AMARI COOPER (1,153), Miami’s JARVIS LANDRY (1,136), Seattle’s DOUG BALDWIN (1,128), Kansas City’s TRAVIS KELCE (1,125), New England’s JULIAN EDELMAN (1,106), Detroit’s GOLDEN TATE (1,077) and Oakland’s MICHAEL CRABTREE (1,003).
The players with the most receiving yards in a single postseason:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
REC. |
RECEIVING YARDS |
TD |
|
Larry Fitzgerald |
Arizona Cardinals |
2008 |
30 |
546 |
7 |
|
Hakeem Nicks |
New York Giants |
2011 |
28 |
444 |
4 |
|
Jerry Rice |
San Francisco 49ers |
1988 |
21 |
409 |
6 |
|
Steve Smith Sr. |
Carolina Panthers |
2003 |
18 |
404 |
3 |
|
Charlie Brown |
Washington Redskins |
1983 |
14 |
401 |
1 |
— NFL —
200 CLUB: Atlanta wide receiver JULIO JONES (300 yards, Week 4), New York Giants wide receiver ODELL BECKHAM JR. (222 yards, Week 6) and Detroit wide receiver MARVIN JONES JR. (205 yards, Week 3) each had at least 200 receiving yards in a single game in 2016. There have been eight 200-yard receiving games in NFL postseason history.
The players with at least 200 receiving yards in a postseason game:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
DATE |
OPPONENT |
REC. |
RECEIVING YARDS |
TD |
|
Eric Moulds |
Buffalo Bills |
1998 |
1/2/99 |
Miami |
9 |
240 |
1 |
|
Anthony Carter |
Minnesota Vikings |
1987 |
1/9/88 |
San Francisco |
10 |
227 |
0 |
|
T.Y. Hilton |
Indianapolis Colts |
2013 |
1/4/14 |
Kansas City |
13 |
224 |
2 |
|
Reggie Wayne |
Indianapolis Colts |
2004 |
1/9/05 |
Denver |
10 |
221 |
2 |
|
Steve Smith Sr. |
Carolina Panthers |
2005 |
1/15/06 |
Chicago |
12 |
218 |
2 |
|
Jerry Rice |
San Francisco 49ers |
1988 |
1/22/89 |
Cincinnati |
11 |
215 |
1 |
|
Calvin Johnson |
Detroit Lions |
2011 |
1/7/12 |
New Orleans |
12 |
211 |
2 |
|
Demaryius Thomas |
Denver Broncos |
2011 |
1/8/12 |
Pittsburgh |
4 |
204 |
1 |
— NFL —
TD PARTY: Green Bay wide receiver JORDY NELSON led the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns in 2016. Pittsburgh wide receiver ANTONIO BROWNled the AFC with 12 touchdown catches this season.
The players with the most receiving touchdowns in a single postseason:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
TD CATCHES |
|
Larry Fitzgerald |
Arizona Cardinals |
2008 |
7 |
|
Jerry Rice |
San Francisco 49ers |
1988 |
6 |
|
Dave Casper |
Oakland Raiders |
1977 |
5 |
|
Alvin Garrett |
Washington Redskins |
1982 |
5 |
|
Jerry Rice |
San Francisco 49ers |
1989 |
5 |
— NFL —
ROOKIE RECEIVERS: New York Giants wide receiver STERLING SHEPARD ranked second among rookies with 65 catches and 683 receiving yards and tied for second with eight touchdown catches in 2016.
The rookies with the most receiving yards in a playoff game:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
DATE |
OPPONENT |
RECEIVING YARDS |
|
Jeremy Maclin |
Philadelphia Eagles |
2009 |
1/9/10 |
Dallas |
146 |
|
Keith Jackson |
Philadelphia Eagles |
1988 |
12/31/88 |
Chicago |
142 |
|
Keenan Allen |
San Diego Chargers |
2013 |
1/12/14 |
Denver |
142 |
|
Reggie Bush |
New Orleans Saints |
2006 |
1/21/07 |
Chicago |
132 |
|
Billy Cannon |
Houston Oilers |
1960 |
1/1/61 |
L.A. Chargers |
128 |
The rookies with the most receptions and receiving yards in a single postseason:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
RECEPTIONS |
|
Joseph Addai |
Indianapolis Colts |
2006 |
22 |
|
Torry Holt |
St. Louis Rams |
1999 |
20 |
|
Austin Collie |
Indianapolis Colts |
2009 |
17 |
|
Chad Morton |
New Orleans Saints |
2000 |
15 |
|
David Johnson |
Arizona Cardinals |
2015 |
15 |
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
RECEIVING YARDS |
|
Torry Holt |
St. Louis Rams |
1999 |
242 |
|
Austin Collie |
Indianapolis Colts |
2009 |
241 |
|
DeSean Jackson |
Philadelphia Eagles |
2008 |
207 |
|
Steve Junker |
Detroit Lions |
1957 |
201 |
|
Ricky Nattiel |
Denver Broncos |
1987 |
171 |
— NFL —
TIGHT ENDS MAKING MARK: Kansas City’s TRAVIS KELCE led all NFL tight ends with 1,125 receiving yards and ranked second with 86 receptions in 2016. New England’s MARTELLUS BENNETT tied for third among tight ends with seven touchdowns catches.
The tight ends with the most receiving yards in a single postseason:
|
TIGHT END |
TEAM |
SEASON |
RECEIVING YARDS |
|
Dallas Clark |
Indianapolis Colts |
2006 |
317 |
|
Vernon Davis |
San Francisco 49ers |
2011 |
292 |
|
Rob Gronkowski |
New England Patriots |
2011 |
258 |
|
Vernon Davis |
San Francisco 49ers |
2012 |
254 |
|
Dan Ross |
Cincinnati Bengals |
1981 |
244 |
The tight ends with the most touchdown receptions in a single postseason:
|
TIGHT END |
TEAM |
SEASON |
RECEIVING TDs |
|
Dave Casper |
Oakland Raiders |
1977 |
5 |
|
Vernon Davis |
San Francisco 49ers |
2011 |
4 |
|
Many Tied |
— |
— |
3 |
— NFL —
SPECIAL DELIVERY: There have been 26 kickoff-return touchdowns in NFL postseason history. The last postseason kickoff-return touchdown was scored by Kansas City’s KNILE DAVIS, who returned the opening kickoff 106 yards for a touchdown in the Chiefs’ Wild Card win at Houston last season.
Ten kickoffs have been returned for touchdowns in Super Bowl history, with the last coming on PERCY HARVIN’s 87-yard kickoff-return touchdown to open the second half of Super Bowl XLVIII. RON DIXON of the New York Giants (2000-02) is the only player with two career kickoff-return touchdowns in the playoffs.
Chiefs rookie TYREEK HILL and Miami rookie KENYAN DRAKE are the only players in the 2016 postseason who returned a kickoff for a touchdown this season.
There have been only 21 punt-return touchdowns in playoff history. The last player with a punt-return touchdown in the postseason was Denver’s TRINDON HOLLIDAY in the 2012 Divisional round (90 yards, the longest in NFL playoff history). No player has ever recorded more than one in a career.
Among the players in the 2016 postseason who returned a punt for a touchdown this season are Hill (two), Detroit’s ANDRE ROBERTS (two), Houston’s WILL FULLER (one) and Miami’s JAKEEM GRANT (one).
Hill, who was selected to the Pro Bowl as a return specialist, is the only player in the NFL this season to return both a kickoff and punt for a touchdown.
— NFL —
SACK ATTACK I: Atlanta defensive end DWIGHT FREENEY and Green Bay linebacker CLAY MATTHEWS tie for the lead among players in the 2016 playoff field with 10 career postseason sacks. Both players are on the verge of entering the top five in the category.
The top five players with the most postseason sacks (since 1982):
|
PLAYER |
SACKS |
|
Willie McGinest |
16.0 |
|
Bruce Smith |
14.5 |
|
Terrell Suggs |
12.5 |
|
Reggie White |
12.0 |
|
Charles Haley |
11.0 |
|
LaMarr Woodley |
11.0 |
SACK ATTACK II: Seven players in the 2016 playoff field recorded at least 10 sacks this season: Atlanta’s VIC BEASLEY JR. (15.5), Seattle’s CLIFF AVRIL (11.5), Miami’s CAMERON WAKE (11.5), Oakland’s KHALIL MACK (11), Green Bay’s NICK PERRY (11), Seattle’s FRANK CLARK (10) and Kansas City’s DEE FORD (10).
The players with the most sacks in a postseason game:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SACKS |
OPPONENT |
DATE |
|
Willie McGinest |
New England Patriots |
4.5 |
Jacksonville |
January 7, 2006 |
|
Richard Dent |
Chicago Bears |
3.5 |
New York Giants |
January 5, 1986 |
|
Rich Milot |
Washington Redskins |
3.5 |
Chicago |
December 30, 1984 |
The players with the most sacks in a single postseason:
|
MOST SACKS IN A POSTSEASON |
|||
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SACKS |
SEASON |
|
LaMarr Woodley |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
6 |
2008 |
|
Michael McCrary |
Baltimore Ravens |
6 |
2000 |
|
Richard Dent |
Chicago Bears |
6 |
1985 |
|
Von Miller |
Denver Broncos |
5 |
2015 |
|
Terrell Suggs |
Baltimore Ravens |
5 |
2010 |
|
Willie McGinest |
New England Patriots |
5 |
2003 |
|
Tony Tolbert |
Dallas Cowboys |
5 |
1995 |
— NFL —
BALL HAWKS: Houston’s QUINTIN DEMPS, Kansas City’s MARCUS PETERS and the New York Giants’ DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE tied for second in the NFL with six interceptions each this season. The Giants’ duo of Rodgers-Cromartie (six) and LANDON COLLINS (five) were the only pair of teammates in the league with at least five interceptions apiece.
The players with the most interceptions in a playoff game and an entire postseason:
MOST INTERCEPTIONS IN PLAYOFF GAME |
|||||
|
SEASON |
PLAYER |
TEAM |
INTERCEPTIONS |
OPPONENT |
DATE |
|
1979 |
Vernon Perry |
Houston Oilers |
4 |
San Diego Chargers |
December 29, 1979 |
|
— |
Many tied |
— |
3 |
— |
— |
|
MOST INTERCEPTIONS IN A POSTSEASON |
|||
|
SEASON |
PLAYER |
TEAM |
INTERCEPTIONS |
|
1980 |
Lester Hayes |
Oakland Raiders |
5 |
|
1979 |
Vernon Perry |
Houston Oilers |
5 |
|
— |
Many tied |
|
4 |
— NFL —
ROOKIE DEFENDER: Pittsburgh cornerback ARTIE BURNS and Atlanta linebacker DEION JONES tied for the NFL rookie lead with three interceptions each this season.
The rookies with the most interceptions in a playoff game and an entire postseason:
MOST INTERCEPTIONS IN A PLAYOFF GAME, ROOKIE |
||||
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
INT |
OPPONENT |
DATE |
|
Vernon Perry |
Houston Oilers |
4 |
San Diego Chargers |
December 29, 1979 |
|
Ricky Manning, Jr. |
Carolina Panthers |
3 |
Philadelphia Eagles |
January 18, 2004 |
|
Many tied |
— |
2 |
— |
— |
|
MOST INTERCEPTIONS IN A POSTSEASON, ROOKIE |
||||
|
SEASON |
PLAYER |
TEAM |
INT |
|
|
1979 |
Vernon Perry |
Houston Oilers |
5 |
|
|
2003 |
Ricky Manning Jr. |
Carolina Panthers |
4 |
|
|
1980 |
Roynell Young |
Philadelphia Eagles |
3 |
|
|
1969 |
Jim Marsalis |
Kansas City Chiefs |
3 |
|
|
— |
Many tied |
— |
2 |
|
— NFL —
MR. RELIABLE: New England kicker STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI has made 15 consecutive field goals in the postseason dating back to the 2011 season. Gostkowski ties for fourth all-time in career postseason points, trailing only ADAM VINATIERI (234), DAVID AKERS (175) and GARY ANDERSON (153).
The players with the most career points scored in the postseason:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM(S) |
POINTS |
|
Adam Vinatieri |
New England, Indianapolis |
234 |
|
David Akers |
Philadelphia, San Francisco |
175 |
|
Gary Anderson |
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Minnesota, Tennessee |
153 |
|
Stephen Gostkowski |
New England |
132 |
|
Jerry Rice |
San Francisco, Oakland |
132 |
The kickers with the most points scored in a single postseason:
|
SEASON |
PLAYER |
TEAM |
POINTS |
|
2006 |
Adam Vinatieri |
Indianapolis Colts |
49 |
|
1992 |
Steve Christie |
Buffalo Bills |
39 |
|
1987 |
Chuck Nelson |
Minnesota Vikings |
36 |
|
2003 |
John Kasay |
Carolina Panthers |
35 |
|
2011 |
Lawrence Tynes |
New York Giants |
34 |
|
1985 |
Tony Franklin |
New England Patriots |
34 |
— NFL —
BEST NFL PLAYOFF PERFORMANCES
(Single postseason)
|
PASSING YARDS |
|||||||
|
PLAYER, TEAM |
SEASON |
COMP. |
ATT. |
YARDS |
TD |
INT |
|
|
Eli Manning, New York Giants |
2011 |
106 |
163 |
1,219 |
|
9 |
1 |
|
Kurt Warner, Arizona |
2008 |
92 |
135 |
1,147 |
|
11 |
3 |
|
Joe Flacco, Baltimore |
2012 |
73 |
126 |
1,140 |
|
11 |
0 |
|
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay |
2010 |
90 |
132 |
1,094 |
|
9 |
2 |
|
Kurt Warner, St. Louis |
1999 |
77 |
121 |
1,063 |
|
8 |
4 |
|
RUSHING YARDS |
|||||
|
PLAYER, TEAM |
SEASON |
ATT. |
YARDS |
TD |
|
|
John Riggins, Washington |
1982 |
136 |
|
610 |
4 |
|
Terrell Davis, Denver |
1997 |
112 |
|
581 |
8 |
|
Terrell Davis, Denver |
1998 |
78 |
|
468 |
3 |
|
Marcus Allen, Los Angeles Raiders |
1983 |
58 |
|
466 |
4 |
|
Eddie George, Tennessee |
1999 |
108 |
|
449 |
3 |
|
RECEIVING YARDS |
||||
|
PLAYER, TEAM |
SEASON |
REC. |
YARDS |
TD |
|
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona |
2008 |
30 |
546 |
7 |
|
Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants |
2011 |
28 |
444 |
4 |
|
Jerry Rice, San Francisco |
1988 |
21 |
409 |
6 |
|
Steve Smith, Carolina |
2003 |
18 |
404 |
3 |
|
Charlie Brown, Washington |
1983 |
14 |
401 |
1 |
|
RECEPTIONS |
||||
|
PLAYER, TEAM |
SEASON |
REC. |
YARDS |
TD |
|
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona |
2008 |
30 |
546 |
7 |
|
Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants |
2011 |
28 |
444 |
4 |
|
Demaryius Thomas, Denver |
2013 |
28 |
306 |
3 |
|
Steve Smith, Carolina |
2005 |
27 |
335 |
3 |
|
Wes Welker, New England |
2007 |
27 |
213 |
2 |
|
SCRIMMAGE TOUCHDOWNS |
||||
|
PLAYER, TEAM |
SEASON |
TOTAL TDs |
RUSH TD |
REC. TD |
|
Terrell Davis, Denver |
1997 |
8 |
8 |
0 |
|
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona |
2008 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
Larry Csonka, Miami |
1973 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
|
Franco Harris, Pittsburgh |
1974 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
|
John Riggins, Washington |
1983 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
|
Jerry Rice, San Francisco |
1988 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
|
Gerald Riggs, Washington |
1991 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
|
Ricky Watters, San Francisco |
1993 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
|
Emmitt Smith, Dallas |
1995 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
THE COACHES
HEAD OF THE CLASS: New England Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK has 23 career postseason victories, the most all-time.
The head coaches with the most playoff wins:
|
HEAD COACH |
TEAM(S) |
PLAYOFF WINS |
|
Bill Belichick* |
Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots |
23 |
|
Tom Landry |
Dallas Cowboys |
20 |
|
Don Shula |
Baltimore Colts, Miami Dolphins |
19 |
|
Joe Gibbs |
Washington Redskins |
17 |
|
Chuck Noll |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
16 |
*Active in 2016 postseason
Since joining New England in 2000, Belichick has led the Patriots to four Super Bowl titles (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX), which is tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer CHUCK NOLL (IX, X, XIII, XIV) of Pittsburgh for the most in history.
— NFL —
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT: Four head coaches in the 2016 postseason field have won at least one Super Bowl title – New England’s BILL BELICHICK(XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX), Seattle’s PETE CARROLL (XLVIII), Pittsburgh’s MIKE TOMLIN (XLIII) and Green Bay’s MIKE MC CARTHY (XLV). Additionally, Kansas City’s ANDY REID (XXXIX with Philadelphia) and Detroit’s JIM CALDWELL (XLIV with Indianapolis) have each led a team that advanced to the Super Bowl.
The head coaches in the 2016 playoff field with Super Bowl experience:
|
HEAD COACH |
CURRENT TEAM |
SUPER BOWL TEAM |
SUPER BOWL WINS |
SUPER BOWL LOSSES |
|
Bill Belichick |
New England |
New England |
XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX |
XLII, XLVI |
|
Pete Carroll |
Seattle |
Seattle |
XLVIII |
XLIX |
|
Mike Tomlin |
Pittsburgh |
Pittsburgh |
XLIII |
XLV |
|
Mike McCarthy |
Green Bay |
Green Bay |
XLV |
— |
|
Andy Reid |
Kansas City |
Philadelphia |
— |
XXXIX |
|
Jim Caldwell |
Detroit |
Indianapolis |
— |
XLIV |
— NFL —
POSTSEASON RECORDS OF 2016 PLAYOFF HEAD COACHES
|
COACH |
TEAM |
W |
L |
PCT. |
|
Bill Belichick |
New England Patriots |
23 |
10 |
.697 |
|
Pete Carroll |
Seattle Seahawks |
9 |
6 |
.600 |
|
Mike Tomlin |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
6 |
5 |
.545 |
|
Mike McCarthy |
Green Bay Packers |
8 |
7 |
.533 |
|
Andy Reid |
Kansas City Chiefs |
11 |
11 |
.500 |
|
Jason Garrett |
Dallas Cowboys |
1 |
1 |
.500 |
|
Jim Caldwell |
Detroit Lions |
2 |
3 |
.400 |
|
Jack Del Rio |
Oakland Raiders |
1 |
2 |
.333 |
|
Bill O’Brien |
Houston Texans |
0 |
1 |
.000 |
|
Adam Gase |
Miami Dolphins |
– |
– |
— |
|
Ben McAdoo |
New York Giants |
– |
– |
— |
|
Dan Quinn |
Atlanta Falcons |
– |
– |
— |
###
