We watch football for a reason and that’s to see greatness, excitement, and most importantly, memorable moments. These can be defined in so many ways. It’s the last-second game-winning touchdown drive, complete with the miraculous helmet catch. It’s the jaw-dropping goal-line interception in the final minute to win the Super Bowl. It’s a backup quarterback torching a dynasty in the Super Bowl, or a historic defense shutting down a historic offense.
Memorable isn’t just exciting. It’s more than that. There have been thrilling wild card games that are more exciting than boring Super Bowls. But in the end, we’re more likely to remember the Super Bowl because of the championship that was at stake. We remember controversial calls, like The Tuck Rule. We remember great endings, game-winning kicks and shocking coaching decisions.
Below is a list of the 209 football games in the postseason, since 2000, ranked from most memorable to least memorable. Why since 2000? Because that’s when I vividly remember starting to follow football closely. Side note: A game played in the 2000 regular season is listed for the 2000 season even though it was likely played in 2001.
1. 2016 Super Bowl: New England 34, Atlanta 28 (OT)
The wildest, most entertaining, jaw-dropping fourth quarter of any postseason game in NFL history. A 25-point comeback engineered by Tom Brady will go down as the signature moment in the career of the NFL’s all-time greatest player. The game was as good as tied when the Patriots got the ball back, down eight, with 91 yards to go in 3:30, and when the Patriots won the toss in overtime, nobody had any doubt for the game’s final outcome. Lost in the excitement from the comeback is Julian Edelman’s bobbling catch that should go down in NFL folklore.
2. 2008 Super Bowl: Pittsburgh 27, Arizona 23
The greatest throw (or catch) in Super Bowl history will go down in Super Bowl history, as Ben Roethlisberger’s six-yard corner end zone strike to Santonio Holmes clinched the franchise’s record-setting sixth Super Bowl victory. The first half produced arguably the most famous defensive touchdown in Super Bowl history, with James Harrison rumbling 100 yards on an interception on the final play of the first half. (Side note: Watch the replay. He wasn’t in.)
3. 2014 Super Bowl: New England 28, Seattle 24
Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception in the closing seconds is the single biggest play in Super Bowl history. It was essentially the moment that ended the Seahawks’ potential dynasty. While this play will forever be remembered as the time Marshawn Lynch didn’t get the ball, it’s worth noting that Lynch was one for five from the one-yard line on goal-line rushed during the 2014 regular season. The play call was smart. It was the outcome that wasn’t desired. Overshadowed in the game is Brady’s tremendous fourth quarter performance, with two scoring drives completing a day where he completed 37 passes for 328 yards and four touchdowns. Also forgotten is Jermaine Kearse’s acrobatic 33-yard reception on the final drive, a play that seemed destined to go down with David Tyree’s catch as one of the greatest in playoff history.
4. 2017 Super Bowl: Philadelphia 41, New England 33
How did a backup quarterback take down the greatest dynasty in the history of professional sports? It peaked with the Philly Special and ended with a Brandon Graham sack fumble. In between, Nick Foles threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns. Tom Brady’s 505 yards and three scores are easily the best performance by a losing quarterback in the Super Bowl. Also remembered in this game is Belichick shockingly benching starting cornerback Malcolm Butler, a decision for which there still is no explanation.
5. 2007 Super Bowl: NY Giants 17, New England 14
The greatest upset in NFL playoff history. The luckiest play in NFL playoff history. The greatest game-winning drive in NFL playoff history. Super Bowl XLII had it all, with Eli Manning’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress completing the only championship-winning drive to end in a touchdown in the game’s final minute where anything less than a touchdown would have resulted in a loss. The Giants’ five sacks of MVP Tom Brady played the largest role in limiting the greatest offense in history to just 14 points and preventing the Patriots’ perfect season.
6. 2006 AFC Championship: Indianapolis 38, New England 34
The signature moment of Peyton Manning’s postseason career came when he led an 18-point comeback against a dynasty with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. Rookie running back Joseph Addai’s three-yard touchdown gave Indianapolis a 38-34 lead with 1:00 to play and Marlin Jackson’s midfield interception of Tom Brady sealed the deal for the Colts. Incredibly, the game featured three linemen scoring touchdowns: Dan Klecko and Jeff Saturday for the Colts, and Logan Mankins for the Patriots.
7. 2003 Super Bowl: New England 32, Carolina 29
The most underrated Super Bowl ever. The score in the first three quarters: 14-10 New England. The score in the final quarter: 19-18 Carolina. In the end, it was the Patriots with yet another last-second field goal by Adam Vinatieri to capture their second championship in three seasons. History has forgotten Jake Delhomme’s 323 yards and three touchdowns, one of the best performances by a losing Super Bowl quarterback.
8. 2018 AFC Championship: New England 37, Kansas City 31 (OT)
24 combined points in the first three quarters, 44 combined points after the fourth quarter. One of the more dramatic conference championship games in history featured three lead changes in the final 3:32 of the fourth quarter before a Rex Burkhead rushing touchdown in overtime sent New England to its ninth Super Bowl in 18 years. New England controlled the clock for more than 43 minutes and held the Chiefs’ league-leading defense in sacks without a sack.
9. 2005 AFC Divisional: Pittsburgh 21, Indianapolis 18
One of the more thrilling playoff endings saw road underdog Pittsburgh narrowly edge a once 13-0 Indianapolis team. Peyton Manning was still in search of his first Super Bowl ring, while the sixth-seeded Steelers were fueled by a “win one for Jerome” campaign as their future Hall of Fame retirement had announced his retirement after the season. Protecting a 21-18 lead with just over a minute to play, Bettis fumbled on an end zone plunge, as Colts cornerback Nick Harper picked up the ball but was tackled near midfield on a touchdown-saving tackle by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Even more remarkably, Harper had been stabbed in the knee by his wife during a domestic dispute the previous day. Manning led the Colts down the field, but Mike Vanderjagt, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, missed a potential 46-yard kick on a field goal that was at least ten yards wide right. Arguably the most haunting loss of Manning’s postseason career became the catalyst for a Steelers team that would become the first six seed to win a Super Bowl title.
10. 2011 NFC Divisional: San Francisco 36, New Orleans 32
A wild back-and-forth affair featured a playoff record four lead changes in the final 4:02, with Alex Smith hitting Vernon Davis for a 14-yard game-winning touchdown with nine seconds remaining. Smith’s first playoff start was magical, as he threw for 299 yards and three scores, plus a 28-yard rushing touchdown. Davis set a postseason record for a tight end with 180 yards on seven catches, two going for touchdowns. Losing quarterback Drew Brees completed 40 of 63 passes for 466 yards and four touchdowns, although he did throw a pair of interceptions. Darren Sproles set a playoff record with 15 catches, while Marques Colston (136 yards) and Jimmy Graham (103 yards) also had tremendous games.
11. 2012 Super Bowl: Baltimore 34, San Francisco 31
Head coaches who were brothers. The final game of Ray Lewis’s career. Joe Flacco still playing for a new contract. Colin Kaepernick’s surge after replacing Alex Smith as quarterback. This Super Bowl had no shortage of storylines, although it did have a shortage of power for 34 minutes midway through the third quarter. It was Flacco who emerged as the game’s MVP, throwing for 287 yards and three touchdowns. Jacoby Jones returned a kick 108 yards for a touchdown and added an acrobatic 56-yard touchdown reception. Kaepernick threw for 302 yards and a touchdown, but three straight end zone incompletions to Michael Crabtree gave the Niners a turnover on downs with 1:46 left to essentially seal the loss.
12. 2014 NFC Championship: Seattle 28, Green Bay 22 (OT)
Seattle completed one of the more improbable comebacks in playoff history, as they trailed 16-0 at halftime and 19-7 with just over three minutes remaining in the game. They key play in Seattle’s comeback was a successful onside kick with 2:09 remaining, aided by the ball bouncing right through the hands of Packers tight end Brandon Bostick. For Russell Wilson, it was a roller coaster day, as he threw four interceptions, but delivered the game-winning 35-yard touchdown strike in overtime to Jermaine Kearse.
13. 2009 NFC Wild Card: Arizona 51, Green Bay 45 (OT)
The highest scoring game in NFL postseason history set records for points (96) and touchdowns (13), yet a sack fumble return for a touchdown by Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby proved to be the difference. Kurt Warner’s performance is arguably the greatest ever by a quarterback in a playoff game, as he completed 29 of 33 passes for 379 yards and five touchdowns, against the NFL’s seventh-best scoring defense. Aaron Rodgers’ first postseason appearance ended on a sour note, but he did still throw for 422 yards and four touchdowns, while leading Green Bay back from a 31-10 third quarter deficit.
14. 2012 AFC Divisional: Baltimore 38, Denver 35 (OT)
This game had everything. Two long touchdowns by Denver return man Trindon Holliday. A pick six by Baltimore defensive back Corey Graham. An incredible 70-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to Jacoby Jones to tie the game and force overtime with 31 seconds left in the fourth quarter. A second interception from Manning to Graham at the end of the first overtime. And a walkoff 47-yard field goal by Justin Tucker early in the game’s sixth quarter. Peyton Manning’s incredible Comeback Player of the Year season ended with yet another disappointing postseason loss.
15. 2011 AFC Divisional: Denver 29, Pittsburgh 23 (OT)
The Tim Tebow game, home of arguably the biggest upset in wild card history. The former first-round pick somehow stunned the NFL’s top-ranked defense with an 80-yard scoring strike to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime. Tebow’s 316 yards on just 10 completions broke the single-game playoff record with 31.6 yards per completion.
16. 2017 NFC Divisional: Minnesota 29, New Orleans 24
The only regulation walkoff touchdown in NFL postseason history is now known simply as The Minneapolis Miracle. Trailing 24-23, Case Keenum heaved a sideline pass that was caught by Stefon Diggs, who steadied himself with one hand before racing the last 34 yards into the end zone. Saints safety Marcus Williams completely whiffed on a tackle attempt that would have ended the game because the Vikings had no timeouts. Lost in the hoopla of the dramatic finish is the fact that the lead changed four times in the final 3:01, a first in postseason history.
17. 2001 Super Bowl: New England 20, St. Louis 17 (OT)
The beginning of the Patriots’ dynasty involved a Hall of Fame game plan by head coach Bill Belichick, a last-minute game-winning drive by Tom Brady and a walkoff 47-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri. The Rams’ Greatest Show On Turf offense produced 427 yards to 267 for the Patriots, but three turnovers, including a pick six by Ty Law, provided the difference in one of the biggest upsets in NFL history.
18. 2018 NFC Championship: LA Rams 29, New Orleans 23 (OT)
A game that will be remembered solely by Saints fans for a missed pass interference call in the final two minutes of regulation should also be remembered for its dramatic finish in the fourth quarter and overtime. Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein connected on a 48-yard field goal in the closing seconds of regulation before his 57-yard attempt, the longest game-winning kick in postseason history, sent the Rams to the Super Bowl.
19. 2009 NFC Championship: New Orleans 31, Minnesota 28 (OT)
40-year-old Brett Favre’s magical season in Minnesota ended with an interception to Tracy Porter at the end of regulation with the Vikings fighting to get into field goal range. In overtime, Drew Brees led the Saints down the field, with rookie kicker Garrett Hartley’s 40-yard field goal sending New Orleans to its first Super Bowl. The excessive roughness of the Saints’ defense throughout the game gained more notoriety in 2012 with the Bountygate scandal. Minnesota outgained New Orleans 475-257 in total yards, but also turned the ball over five times, three on fumbles, plus a pair of Favre interceptions.
20. 2011 Super Bowl: NY Giants 21, New England 17
It’s almost unfathomable that the greatest dynasty in the history of American sports managed to lose in the Super Bowl to the same team in almost identical fashion. Eli Manning’s last-minute touchdown drive, highlighted by a perfect 38-yard sideline completion to Mario Manningham, completed a tremendous underdog postseason run for the 9-7 Giants. Tom Brady threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns, but he threw an interception, committed an intentional grounding for a safety and failed to lead the Patriots into the end zone in the game’s final 26 minutes.
21. 2015 NFC Divisional: Arizona 26, Green Bay 20 (OT)
Aaron Rodgers’ Hail Mary to Jeff Janis on the final play of regulation tied the game and completed an improbable touchdown drive in which Rodgers connected with Janis on two completions for 101 yards. But Carson Palmer connected with Larry Fitzgerald for a 75-yard catch-and-run on the first play of overtime, and a five-yard shovel pass touchdown two plays later, to send Arizona to the conference championship. The game marked Rodgers’ third playoff overtime loss, and second straight season where he didn’t get to touch the ball after regulation. For 13-year NFL veteran Carson Palmer, the game stands as his only playoff victory.
22. 2013 NFC Championship: Seattle 23, San Francisco 17
You probably remember this game more for what happened off the field than on the field. Richard Sherman’s end zone deflection was caught by teammate Malcolm Smith with 22 seconds remaining to complete a wild fourth quarter that featured Colin Kaepernick turning the ball over on each of his last three possessions. Sherman then delivered his legendary “I’m the best corner in the game” rant. For the 49ers and Jim Harbaugh, this loss ended a brief three-year run that included a Super Bowl appearance and three straight trips to the conference championship.
23. 2009 Super Bowl: New Orleans 31, Indianapolis 17
On paper, Drew Brees against Peyton Manning is the greatest pair of Super Bowl quarterbacks we’ve ever had. But this one came down to defense. Tracy Porter’s 74-yard pick six of Peyton Manning with 3:12 remaining in the fourth quarter should go down as the most important defensive score in league history. Also remembered from this game is Sean Payton’s gutsy decision to begin the second half with a successful surprise onside kick. It pales in comparison to Brady against Atlanta in 2016, but at the time, Drew Brees’ 10-point comeback was tied for the largest in Super Bowl history.
24. 2013 AFC Wild Card: Indianapolis 45, Kansas City 44
Andrew Luck led the Colts back from a 38-10 third quarter deficit, a 28-point comeback that stands as the second-biggest in a postseason game in NFL history. It was a heartbreaking end to Andy Reid’s first season in Kansas City, as the team started 9-0 but lost six of their final eight games, while extending their postseason winless drought to 20 seasons. Luck threw for 443 yards and four touchdowns, and added a fumble recovery for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. TY Hilton’s 13-catch, 224-yard, two-touchdown performance is one of the best ever for a receiver in the postseason.
25. 2001 AFC Divisional: New England 16, Oakland 13 (OT)
The Tuck Rule game, probably the most controversial moment in NFL history. Also the game with arguably the most impressive field goal kick in NFL history, a 45-yard line drive by Adam Vinatieri in the swirling winds to tie the game at the end of regulation. It was this game when the legend began for both Brady and Belichick.
26. 2010 Super Bowl: Green Bay 31, Pittsburgh 25
One of the least remembered great Super Bowls, probably because Ben Roethlisberger’s attempt at a last-minute touchdown drive to win it ended in a relatively uneventful turnover on downs. Rodgers’ three touchdowns helped the Packers become just the second six seed to win it all.
27. 2014 AFC Divisional: New England 34, Baltimore 31
The Patriots became the first team to overcome a pair of 14-point deficits in the same game. Tom Brady turned in one of his finest playoff performances, completing 33 of 50 passes for 367 yards and three touchdowns, as well as a rushing touchdown, despite New England’s running backs contributing a total of 14 rushing yards. Joe Flacco threw four touchdowns, but an end zone interception by Patriots safety Duron Harmon with 1:37 remaining essentially sealed the deal.
28. 2016 NFC Divisional: Green Bay 34, Dallas 31
Dak Prescott led the Cowboys back from a 21-3 deficit in his first postseason game, but a pair of 50+ yard field goals by Mason Crosby in the final two minutes gave the Packers an improbable walkoff victory. Aaron Rodgers threw for 355 yards and two touchdowns, including a 36-yard sideline strike to tight end Jared Cook with three seconds remaining to set up the game-winning kick. For the Packers, the win was their eighth in a row, and the 2016 Cowboys remain the only one of the last 12 number one seeds to lose in the divisional round.
29. 2007 NFC Championship: NY Giants 23, Green Bay 20 (OT)
Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes missed a pair of field goals in the second half of the fourth quarter before converting a 47-yard attempt in overtime to send Big Blue to its fourth Super Bowl. Brett Favre’s interception on the second play of overtime will go down as his last pass as a member of the Packers. The game featured four lead changes, with Donald Driver’s 90-yard touchdown catch serving as the game’s signature play, and Plaxico Burress’s 11 catches for 154 yards serving as the signature performance.
30. 2002 NFC Wild Card: San Francisco 39, NY Giants 38
Jeff Garcia (331 yards and three touchdowns) and Terrell Owens (176 yards and two touchdowns) led the 49ers to the final 25 points in a game dubbed by NFL Films as the fourth-greatest comeback in history. Trailing 39-38, the Giants lined up for a 41-yard field goal on the game’s final play, but 41-year-old long snapper Trey Junkin, who had come out of retirement less than a week earlier, botched the snap, something he had never done during his 19-year career. Holder Matt Allen attempted a downfield pass to guard Rich Seubert, which fell incomplete. Later the NFL would admit that pass interference should have been called on 49ers defensive end Chike Okeafor for tackling Seubert, which would have given the Giants an extra untimed down. Saints fans may think they had the worst missed call in playoff history, but 2002 Giants fans have a legitimate argument.
31. 2002 AFC Wild Card: Pittsburgh 36, Cleveland 33 (OT)
Tommy Maddox led the Steelers to 22 points in the fourth quarter, erasing a 17-point deficit, in Cleveland’s only postseason appearance since re-entering the NFL in 1999. Maddox’s 367 yards and three touchdowns ruined a spectacular performance by Kelly Holcomb, who threw for 429 yards and three touchdowns while filling in for an injured Tim Couch.
32. 2012 NFC Divisional: Atlanta 30, Seattle 28
A wild affair featured Atlanta taking a 20-0 halftime lead, Russell Wilson leading a 20-point comeback, and Atlanta winning on a 49-yard field goal by Matt Bryant with eight seconds left in the game. Matt Ryan and Tony Gonzalez each earned their first career playoff victory; for Ryan, it came after three losses in the previous four years, and for Gonzalez, it came after 16 seasons.
33. 2008 NFC Championship: Arizona 32, Philadelphia 25
The last of four NFC championship losses for Reid and McNabb. This one as arguably the most painful, as the Eagles overcame a 24-6 deficit, took a 25-24 lead and squandered it late. Kurt Warner threw four touchdowns and the Eagles’ secondary had no answer for Larry Fitzgerald, who caught 9 passes for 152 yards and three scores.
34. 2012 NFC Championship: San Francisco 28, Atlanta 24
San Francisco overcame a 17-point deficit, the largest in NFC championship game history, despite Julio Jones’ 182 yards and two touchdowns. The 49ers forced a turnover on downs by Atlanta on the ten-yard line with just 1:09 remaining to essentially seal the victory. This was the peak of the short-lived reign of success by Jim Harbaugh in San Francisco.
35. 2017 AFC Divisional: Jacksonville 45, Pittsburgh 42
Le’Veon Bell’s tweet a few days before the game about a rematch with the New England Patriots, well, that didn’t happen. A surprising shootout ended in the Jaguars’ favor, despite 469 yards and five touchdowns from Ben Roethlisberger. Bell and Antonio Brown each scored twice in the loss, while Leonard Fournette rushed for three touchdowns.
36. 2011 NFC Championship: NY Giants 20, San Francisco 17 (OT)
Both of the Giants’ Super Bowl titles with Eli Manning came on a walkoff field goal in overtime after a key turnover. 49ers’ punt returner Kyle Williams’ lost fumble set up Lawrence Tynes’ 31-yard chip shot field goal, and his lost fumble in the fourth quarter allowed the Giants to score their only touchdown of the second half. Eli Manning threw 58 passes and took six sacks, but two touchdowns and no turnovers were enough to send the Giants to their second Super Bowl against the Patriots.
37. 2011 AFC Championship: New England 23, Baltimore 20
Billy Cundiff’s 32-yard missed field goal in the closing seconds should go down as arguably the second most costly missed kick in NFL history, trailing just Scott Norwood’s 47-yard field goal try on the final play of the 1990 Super Bowl.
38. 2015 AFC Championship: Denver 20, New England 18
History has already forgotten this down to the wire finish. Brady and Gronk converted a pair of fourth downs on the final drive, including a score, but a missed two-point conversion gave the NFL’s number one defense a surprising home victory. This was the final of five Manning-Brady postseason contests.
39. 2014 NFC Divisional: Green Bay 26, Dallas 21
Dez caught it. Unless he didn’t. The final postseason pass of Tony Romo’s career will go down in the books as a simple fourth down incompletion. Green Bay improved to 9-0 at home in 2014, with Aaron Rodgers throwing three touchdowns and Davante Adams and Randall Cobb each topping 100 yards receiving.
40. 2015 AFC Wild Card: Pittsburgh 18, Cincinnati 16
Cincinnati overcame a 15-0 deficit to take a 16-15 lead, only to lose on a Steelers field goal with 18 seconds remaining. This one had no shortage of storylines, as Ben Roethlisberger left in the third quarter with a shoulder injury and re-entered for the game-winning drive. For the Bengals, AJ McCarron made his fourth start after Andy Dalton suffered a season-ending broken thumb in December. Antonio Brown was lost for the game, and next week’s game, with a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit by Vontaze Burfict in the game’s final minute. The game, incredibly, featured a Steelers interception and a Bengals lost fumble on consecutive plays in the final two minutes before a complete meltdown by the Bengals’ defense handed their division rival a win. The closest Marvin Lewis came to winning any of his seven playoff games in Cincinnati is this one, and ironically it was led by his backup quarterback
41. 2002 AFC Divisional: Tennessee 34, Pittsburgh 31 (OT)
Titans kicker Joe Nedney missed a 48-yard field goal at the end of regulation and a 31-yard field goal in overtime. But a running into the kicker penalty on Steelers defensive back Dewayne Washington gave Nedney a second chance, which he converted for the victory. Tennessee won despite two interceptions by Steve McNair and two lost fumbles by Eddie George.
42. 2007 AFC Wild Card: Jacksonville 31, Pittsburgh 29
Ben Roethlisberger led an 18-point fourth quarter comeback to give the Steelers a 29-28 lead, but David Garrard’s 32-yard run on fourth down led to a game-winning Josh Scobee field goal with 37 seconds remaining. Garrard completed just nine passes all game, but Jacksonville collected three interceptions and six sacks of Roethlisberger. The Jaguars became the first team ever to beat Pittsburgh at home twice in the same season.
43. 2017 AFC Championship: New England 24, Jacksonville 20
Tom Brady threw a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to Danny Amendola as the Patriots overcame a ten-point deficit to advance to their eighth Super Bowl in 17 seasons. Jaguars coach Doug Marrone drew heavy criticism for choosing to kneel the ball with 55 seconds remaining in the first half.
44. 2006 AFC Divisional: New England 24, San Diego 21
The Chargers went 14-2 in 2006, including a perfect record at home, with a roster that featured nine Pro Bowlers. But they blew an eight-point fourth quarter lead against the Patriots, ultimately losing on a last-second missed 54-yard field goal by Nate Kaeding. The key play came on Brady’s third interception, midway through the fourth quarter, when Patriots receiver Troy Brown stripped the ball from Marlon McCree during the return. The Patriots recovered and tied the game two minutes later. Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer became the first head coach fired after a 14-2 season.
45. 2003 NFC Divisional: Carolina 29, St. Louis 23 (2OT)
Steve Smith’s 69-yard touchdown catch at the start of double overtime essentially ended the last hurrah for the Rams’ Greatest Show On Turf. Marc Bulger threw three interceptions, including one to Ricky Manning at the end of the fifth quarter. Each kicker missed a long field goal in a sloppy overtime period. Rams coach Mike Martz’s decision to play for the tie at the end of regulation instead of going for a touchdown ultimately cost his team a victory.
46. 2003 NFC Divisional: Philadelphia 20, Green Bay 17 (OT)
The famous 4th and 26 game, as Donovan McNabb’s 28-yard completion to Freddie Mitchell kept the drive alive for the Eagles in the final minutes. David Akers tied the game on a 37-yard field goal with five seconds remaining. Brian Dawkins recorded an interception of Brett Favre in overtime and another Akers field goal sent the Eagles to their third straight conference championship game. McNabb threw two touchdowns, set a postseason record for a quarterback with 107 rushing yards, and survived eight Green Bay sacks.
47. 2006 Super Bowl: Indianapolis 29, Chicago 17
Peyton Manning finally earned his first Super Bowl win after crushing losses in each of the previous three postseasons. Other than a kick return touchdown by Devin Hester on the game’s first play, the game was a sloppy, wet mess. Chicago lost three fumbles and Rex Grossman threw two interceptions, the second a game-sealing touchdown return by Kelvin Hayden in the fourth quarter. Manning threw an interception and lost a fumble, but did throw for 247 yards and a touchdown against the NFL’s best defense.
48. 2010 NFC Wild Card: Seattle 41, New Orleans 36
The first team with a losing record to reach the playoffs, Seattle shocked the football world by winning a shootout against Drew Brees and the Saints after entering the game as a ten-point home underdog. Marshawn Lynch’s 67-yard touchdown run to clinch the victory with 3:22 remaining is probably the greatest individual run in NFL history and caused a fan reaction that registered on a local seismograph.
49. 2001 NFC Championship: St. Louis 29, Philadelphia 24
The Eagles contained MVP Kurt Warner, but couldn’t stop Offensive Player of the Year Marshall Faulk, who carried 31 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns. The Rams became the first team to score more than 21 points against the 2001 Eagles, sealing the victory with an Aeneas Williams interception with 1:47 remaining.
50. 2003 AFC Divisional: Indianapolis 38, Kansas City 31
The expected offensive shootout between the Colts and Chiefs became the first puntless game in NFL playoff history. Priest Holmes rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns and Dante Hall took a kick back for a score, but three touchdown passes by Peyton Manning and two rushing scores by Edgerrin James propelled Indianapolis into the AFC championship.
51. 2014 AFC Championship: New England 45, Indianapolis 7
The Deflategate game and ensuing fallout from the scandal overshadowed the largest playoff victory of the Brady-Belichick era. The game was over by halftime, as LeGarrette Blount (30-148-3) ran all over the Colts for the second straight postseason. Tom Brady’s three touchdown passes helped him become the first quarterback to play in six Super Bowls.
52. 2003 NFC Wild Card: Green Bay 33, Seattle 27 (OT)
The game is remembered for Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck’s proclamation “We want the ball and we’re going to score” after Seattle won the coin toss to begin overtime. Hasselbeck did throw the game-winning touchdown, but it went to Packers cornerback Al Harris in the first overtime defensive touchdown in postseason history.
53. 2004 Super Bowl: New England 24, Philadelphia 21
Brady and Belichick established a dynasty, winning their third Super Bowl in four seasons, as New England’s stifling defense intercepted Donovan McNabb three times and added four sacks. Deion Branch’s 11 catches for 133 yards earned game MVP honors, while Terrell Owens’ nine catches for 122 yards, just six weeks after a broken ankle, were all but forgotten in Super Bowl lore.
54. 2002 Super Bowl: Tampa Bay 48, Oakland 21
The Gruden Bowl featured Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden facing the team that had traded him the previous offseason. The Bucs, owners of the fifth-best single season defense since the advent of the 16-game era in 1978, intercepted regular season MVP Rich Gannon five times, returning three for scores (two by Dwight Smith and one by Defensive Player of the Year linebacker Derrick Brooks).
55. 2003 AFC Championship: New England 24, Indianapolis 14
Patriots cornerback Ty Law turned in one of the best individual performances in postseason history, intercepting three Peyton Manning passes while physically dominating Colts’ receivers to the extreme that the NFL instituted more strictly enforced illegal contact penalties in 2004. The victory gave Brady and Belichick their fifth straight playoff victory, dating back to 2001.
56. 2013 Super Bowl: Seattle 43, Denver 8
Seattle’s dominance over Denver remains arguably the most impressive individual performance by any team in a Super Bowl. The league’s top-scoring defense dismantled the greatest single season offense in NFL history, holding Peyton Manning and company to just a single third-quarter touchdown. From a safety on the game’s first play to a Malcolm Smith pick six to a Percy Harvin kick return touchdown, the Seahawks were in control from start to finish in the least competitive Super Bowl of the last 25 years.
57. 2010 AFC Divisional: NY Jets 28, New England 21
Rex Ryan called this game the second most important in Jets history before delivering a shocking 28-21 upset victory. Mark Sanchez played the best game of his much-maligned NFL career, tossing three touchdowns without a turnover. This remains the most recent win for any AFC East team other than New England, and it’s the last time the Patriots failed to reach the conference championship game.
58. 2014 NFC Wild Card: Dallas 24, Detroit 20
Widely remembered for the non-call pass interference by Dallas linebacker Anthony Hitchens on Detroit tight end Brandon Pettigrew midway through the fourth quarter. Tony Romo led a go-ahead touchdown drive with 2:39 remaining before a pair of DeMarcus Lawrence sack fumbles (he recovered the first and fumbled it away) sealed the deal for Dallas.
59. 2006 NFC Divisional: New Orleans 27, Philadelphia 24
The first year of the Sean Payton Drew Brees combination resulted in a narrow victory, highlighted by Deuce McAllister’s 143 rushing yards. The loss marked the end of the Jeff Garcia magic in Philly. Still talked about in Eagles lore is Sheldon Brown’s crushing hit on Reggie Bush on Drew Brees’ first ever playoff pass in New Orleans.
60. 2006 NFC Wild Card: Seattle 21, Dallas 20
Among the more memorable finishes in wild card history is the Tony Romo fumbled snap game, a crushing end to his surprising breakout season. The loss marked the final game of Bill Parcells’ coaching career and kick started Romo’s reputation as a postseason choker.
61. 2009 AFC Championship: NY Jets 30, Indianapolis 17
The Jets actually took a 17-6 lead and appeared on the verge of a Super Bowl despite rookies at both head coach and quarterback (Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez, in case you forgot). But three Peyton Manning touchdown passes gave the Colts their second Super Bowl trip in four years.
62. 2012 NFC Divisional: San Francisco 45, Green Bay 31
Colin Kaepernick threw for 263 yards and a pair of scores, while rushing for a quarterback record 181 yards and two more touchdowns. As a team, the 49ers ran 42 times for a ridiculous 323 yards and four touchdowns. This was the first of consecutive Kaepernick-Rodgers playoff games.
63. 2012 NFC Wild Card: Seattle 24, Washington 14
This is the game where the Redskins allowed RGIII to play despite a badly damaged leg. His ACL tear essentially ended his career as a productive starting quarterback. Seattle became the second team ever to win a playoff game on the road, the first of Russell Wilson’s career, despite a 14-0 deficit on the road after the first quarter.
64. 2000 Super Bowl: Baltimore 34, NY Giants 7
The greatest single-season defense in NFL history turned in an absolutely dominant performance, holding Kerry Collins to 112 yards on 39 passes, plus four interceptions (one touchdown). The third quarter featured the only time in NFL history, regular or postseason, that a touchdown was scored on three consecutive plays: a 49-yard interception by Duane Starks, a 97-yard kick return by Ron Dixon and an 84-yard kick return by Jermaine Lewis.
65. 2017 AFC Wild Card: Tennessee 22, Kansas City 21
This might be the most embarrassing postseason loss of Andy Reid’s career. His Chiefs somehow blew a 21-3 halftime lead against a Titans team that should go down as one of the worst playoff teams this millennium. The signature play was a Marcus Mariota touchdown pass to… Marcus Mariota.
66. 2010 AFC Divisional: Pittsburgh 31, Baltimore 24
Ben Roethlisberger led a 14-point comeback in the second half for his second playoff win in three seasons over Joe Flacco. This marked the second time in three seasons that Roethlisberger and Flacco played in the postseason.
67. 2005 NFC Divisional: Carolina 29, Chicago 21
Steve Smith capped off a regular season receiving triple crown with a dominant 11-218-2 performance against the league’s top-ranked scoring defense.
68. 2005 AFC Divisional: Denver 27, New England 13
The first loss of Belichick and Brady’s tenure in New England, remembered for a 100-yard interception return by Champ Bailey and a massive hit by tight end Ben Watson at the one-yard line.
69. 2000 NFC Wild Card: New Orleans 31, St. Louis 28
The Greatest Show on Turf is one of the most unusual should-be dynasties in NFL history. The Rams had a dominant offense each year from 1999 to 2001, but it was the 2000 season that will be remembered for the worst defense by a playoff team in history. The Rams fell behind the Saints 31-7 early in the fourth quarter, with Aaron Brooks hooking up with Willie Jackson for three scores in a span of 12 game minutes. A late surge brought the Rams within three, 31-28, but Az-Zahir Hakim’s fumbled punt with 1:51 remaining clinched a Saints playoff victory, their first 34 seasons.
70. 2005 AFC Wild Card: Pittsburgh 31, Cincinnati 17
Cincinnati’s first playoff appearance in 15 years was essentially over on the game’s opening drive when breakout star Carson Palmer suffered a career-threatening knee injury on a low hit by Steelers defensive tackle Kimo von Oelhoffen. Veteran Jon Kitna actually led the Bengals to a 17-7 lead, but Ben Roethlisberger threw three touchdowns as the Steelers scored the game’s final 24 points.
71. 2013 NFC Wild Card: New Orleans 26, Philadelphia 24
The lone playoff appearance for Chip Kelly ended in disappointing fashion, as Saints kicker Shayne Graham connected for just the third come-from-behind walkoff field goal in NFL postseason history. Foles threw for a pair of touchdowns without an interception, giving him 29 touchdown passes against just 2 interceptions for the 2013 season.
72. 2015 Super Bowl: Denver 24, Carolina 10
A Super Bowl largely remembered for the poor play and poor attitude of regular season MVP Cam Newton, who failed to jump on his own fumble in the game’s closing minutes, and then pouted his way through a press conference that barely lasted five minutes. Peyton Manning managed the Broncos to a victory in the final game of his Hall of Fame career, while Von Miller collected MVP with 2.5 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.
73. 2010 AFC Championship: Pittsburgh 24, NY Jets 19
Rex Ryan’s second straight conference championship game loss came after the Jets climbed back from a 24-0 deficit but ultimately couldn’t complete a desperate comeback attempt. The Steelers won despite Ben Roethlisberger throwing two interceptions, fumbling twice and taking a sack for a safety. The game remains the most recent postseason appearance for the New York Jets.
74. 2004 AFC Divisional: New England 20, Indianapolis 3
Peyton Manning’s 49 touchdowns and 121.1 passer rating during the 2004 regular season will go down as arguably the greatest individual year any quarterback has ever had. But Manning led the Colts to just three points in a defensive performance that ranks among Bill Belichick’s all-time greatest work.
75. 2007 AFC Divisional: San Diego 28, Indianapolis 24
Peyton Manning’s 402 yards and three touchdowns couldn’t overshadow his two interceptions, as the Colts lost at home despite entering the game as 11-point favorites. Philip Rivers threw three touchdowns, but left in the fourth quarter with what would later be called a partially torn ACL.
76. 2007 NFC Divisional: Dallas 21, NY Giants 17
Tony Romo’s fourth down pass into the end zone was intercepted by Giants cornerback R.W. McQuarters with nine seconds remaining to hand the surging Giants their ninth straight road victory of the 2007 season. Dallas’s loss marked the first time the NFC’s top seed had been eliminated in the divisional round since 1987.
77. 2007 NFC Divisional: Green Bay 42, Seattle 20
Ryan Grant survived a pair of first quarter fumbles to rush for 201 yards and three scores, Brett Favre threw for three scores, and Green Bay survived an early 14-0 deficit to score the game’s final six touchdowns.
78. 2008 AFC Championship: Pittsburgh 23, Baltimore 14
Troy Polamalu returned Joe Flacco’s third interception for a touchdown with just over four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, sending the Steelers to their second Super Bowl in the Ben Roethlisberger era.
79. 2011 NFC Divisional: NY Giants 37, Green Bay 20
Arguably the best NFL team to lose its first playoff game, Green Bay steamrolled through the regular season, winning 15 games and scoring 560 points, the third-highest in NFL history. But some Eli Manning to Hakeem Nicks magic, including a Hail Mary touchdown to end the first half, handed the Packers an absolutely crushing home loss.
80. 2010 NFC Wild Card: Green Bay 21, Philadelphia 16
Michael Vick’s magical Comeback Player of the Year season came to an abrupt ending against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, as Vick’s end zone pass to Riley Cooper was intercepted by Tramon Williams to seal the deal with 33 seconds remaining. Aaron Rodgers collected his first playoff victory after a heartbreaking loss in the 2009 wild card round.
81. 2018 NFC Divisional: New Orleans 20, Philadelphia 14
This marked the end of the Nick Foles magic in Philly, as the Eagles jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, but failed to score a point in the final 49 minutes. Alshon Jeffery’s drop handed Marshon Lattimore a game-sealing interception with 1:52 remaining. Michael Thomas’s 171 receiving yards propelled the top-seeded Saints into the conference championship game.
82. 2015 AFC Divisional: Denver 23, Pittsburgh 16
Ben Roethlisberger was severely limited by a shoulder injury. Le’Veon Bell was out with a torn MCL. And Antonio Brown was out with a concussion. Even in declining form, Peyton Manning was able to game-manage Denver into the conference championship.
83. 2015 NFC Wild Card: Seattle 10, Minnesota 9
One of the most famous missed field goals in postseason history came in the final minute as Blair Walsh hooked a 27-yard chip shot wide left. The Seahawks held rushing champion Adrian Peterson to just 45 yards on 23 carries.
84. 2018 NFC Wild Card: Philadelphia 16, Chicago 15
The double doink game. Cody Parkey’s 43-yard field goal attempt on the game’s final play was tipped by Eagles defensive tackle Treyvon Hester and bounced off both the upright and crossbar before bouncing out. Shortly before, Nick Foles’ fourth and goal touchdown pass to midseason trade acquisition Golden Tate gave the Eagles a 16-15 lead with 56 seconds remaining.
85. 2017 NFC Wild Card: New Orleans 31, Carolina 26
New Orleans led for the entire game, as Drew Brees threw for 376 yards and two touchdowns. Cam Newton’s late comeback attempt was thwarted by a Vonn Bell fourth down sack in the closing seconds.
86. 2010 AFC Wild Card: NY Jets 17, Indianapolis 16
The final game of Peyton Manning’s tenure in Indianapolis ended on a walkoff 32-yard field goal by Jets kicker Nick Folk. Ten-year veteran LaDainian Tomlinson had a turn-back-the-clock performance, rushing for 82 yards and scoring both Jets touchdowns in the win.
87. 2017 NFC Championship: Philadelphia 38, Minnesota 7
The most dominant performance in Eagles postseason history, as backup Nick Foles decimated the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense with 352 yards and three touchdowns. Slot cornerback Patrick Robinson’s 50-yard pick six midway through the first quarter stands as the most dramatic defensive score in franchise history.
88. 2004 NFC Championship: Philadelphia 27, Atlanta 10
After three straight losses in the NFC championship, the last two at home, the Eagles played a complete game to reach the franchise’s first Super Bowl in 24 seasons. Donovan McNabb threw two touchdowns without Terrell Owens, the Eagles’ defense harassed Michael Vick all game, and Brian Dawkins delivered a crushing blow on Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler.
89. 2015 AFC Divisional: New England 27, Kansas City 20
The final half of the fourth quarter was déjà vu to the 2004 Super Bowl, as Andy Reid’s offense faced a two-score deficit and used all but about one minute to score a touchdown. The victory sent Brady and Belichick to their 10th AFC championship, including fifth in a row.
90. 2007 AFC Divisional: New England 31, Jacksonville 20
Tom Brady completed 26 of 28 passes for a playoff record 92.9 completion percentage, and his three touchdowns propelled the now 17-0 Patriots into the AFC championship game.
91. 2005 Super Bowl: Pittsburgh 21, Seattle 10
The Steelers became the first six seed to win the Super Bowl, although Ben Roethlisberger’s two interceptions gave him the lowest passer rating (22.6) for a winning quarterback. The two big plays were Willie Parker’s 75-yard touchdown run and Antwaan Randle El’s 43-yard touchdown pass to game MVP Hines Ward. The game is also widely remembered for some controversial officiating, all calls going against Seattle.
92. 2018 Super Bowl: New England 13, LA Rams 3
The highly-anticipated matchup between boy wonder Sean McVay and the NFL’s greatest coach ever, Bill Belichick, was no contest. Belichick ran circles around McVay, utilizing a tremendous game plan that held the Rams’ high-powered offense to just three points. The disappearing act for Todd Gurley continued, as the 2017 Offensive Player of the Year was held to just 11 touches for 34 yards. MVP Julian Edelman caught 10 passes for 141 yards, giving him more than half of Tom Brady’s passing yards. The win gave Brady and Belichick their sixth Super Bowl victory.
93. 2011 NFC Wild Card: New Orleans 45, Detroit 28
New Orleans scored 35 second-half points behind Drew Brees’ 466 passing yards and three touchdowns. Calvin Johnson’s 12-211-2 statline is one of the best ever for an offensive player in a postseason loss.
94. 2001 AFC Championship: New England 24, Pittsburgh 17
The first great playoff upset of the Belichick-Brady era was all Belichick and very little Brady, who was knocked out of the game in the second quarter on a hit by Steelers safety Lethon Flowers. Veteran Drew Bledsoe managed the Patriots to a win, but the story was New England’s two special teams touchdowns and three interceptions of Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart.
95. 2008 AFC Wild Card: San Diego 23, Indianapolis 17 (OT)
Darren Sproles’ 22 carries were his second most in a game over his 14-year career, and his overtime touchdown run allowed the 8-8 Chargers to shock the 12-4 Colts in the first round of the playoffs. Sproles added 172 yards on seven kick and punt returns, giving him 328 all-purpose yards, the third-highest ever for a playoff game.
96. 2013 NFC Wild Card: San Francisco 23, Green Bay 20
For the second straight postseason, Colin Kaepernick ran all over the Packers, this time for 98 yards, as the Niners advanced on a walkoff field goal.
97. 2016 AFC Divisional: Pittsburgh 18, Kansas City 16
Andy Reid keeps finding new ways to lose in the playoffs. In this one, the Chiefs became the first team ever to lose a playoff contest when they scored multiple touchdowns and their opponent scored none. They actually tied the game with 2:43 to play, but a holding penalty on former number one overall pick Eric Fisher negated the conversion.
98. 2012 AFC Championship: Baltimore 28, New England 13
This is that one time when Joe Flacco beat Tom Brady by 15 points on the road in a conference championship game. It wasn’t all the Ravens’ defense either, as Flacco threw for three touchdowns without a turnover.
99. 2013 AFC Championship: Denver 26, New England 16
The first Peyton Manning vs Tom Brady playoff matchup in nine seasons was essentially a blowout, as Denver took a 23-3 lead into the fourth quarter. Peyton Manning threw for 400 yards and a pair of touchdowns as he advanced to his third Super Bowl with his third different head coach.
100. 2007 AFC Championship: New England 21, San Diego 12
Philip Rivers and his partially torn ACL were obviously no match for the 16-0 Patriots, even with Brady tossing three interceptions. The Patriots improved to within one win of a perfect season.
101. 2017 NFC Divisional: Philadelphia 15, Atlanta 10
The beginning of the underdogs march for Nick Foles and the Eagles, who were the first number one seed to be a home underdog in the divisional round. It took a key goal-line stop by the Eagles’ defense (also known as a Julio Jones dropped pass in the end zone) to send Philly into the conference championship round.
102. 2009 AFC Divisional: NY Jets 17, San Diego 14
Darrelle Revis turned in one of the all-time great lockdown performances by a cornerback, as he turned his receiver’s three targets into two pass deflections and an interception. Mark Sanchez game-managed the Jets’ offense, becoming the second quarterback to win two postseason games as a rookie, while the Chargers’ spectacular 13-3 season ended without a playoff victory.
103. 2009 AFC Wild Card: Baltimore 33, New England 14
The only blowout loss ever sustained by Belichick and Brady in the postseason, as the Ravens jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. ‘Winning quarterback’ Joe Flacco completed 4 of 10 passes for 34 yards and an interception.
104. 2005 AFC Championship: Pittsburgh 34, Denver 17
That one time Jake Plummer made an AFC championship game is the ‘oh yeah’ moment from this game. This one wasn’t close, with the six-seeded Steelers continuing their Super Bowl march.
105. 2002 NFC Wild Card: Atlanta 27, Green Bay 7
Mike Vick led a shocking upset of Brett Favre and the Packers, the first ever for a visiting team in Lambeau in the postseason.
106. 2002 NFC Championship: Tampa Bay 27, Philadelphia 10
Ronde Barber’s 92-yard interception touchdown in the final minutes sent one of the game’s best single-season defenses ever to its first Super Bowl. It was the second straight NFC championship loss for Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb.
107. 2010 NFC Championship: Green Bay 21, Chicago 14
This is the game where Jay Cutler rode a bike on the sidelines while his backups attempted but ultimately failed to lead a late comeback. Aaron Rodgers uncharacteristically struggled, but the Packers still became the second six seed to advance to the Super Bowl.
108. 2010 NFC Divisional: Green Bay 48, Atlanta 21
It’s actually become somewhat common for a six seed to beat a one seed, but we’ve never seen anything like the performance displayed by Aaron Rodgers and the Packers against the 13-3 Falcons. Rodgers was as good as he’s ever been, completing 31 of 36 passes for 366 yards and three touchdowns. Matt Ryan threw two interceptions and took five sacks, dropping to 0-3 in the playoffs.
109. 2016 AFC Championship: New England 36, Pittsburgh 17
Chris Hogan (9-180-2) emerged as the unlikely hero in just the second postseason matchup between Brady and Roethlisberger. The Steelers were overmatched from the beginning and losing Le’Veon Bell to a groin injury after just six carries all but ended the game.
110. 2016 NFC Championship: Atlanta 44, Green Bay 21
MVP Matt Ryan vs peak Aaron Rodgers. The game should have been a shootout. Instead it was 31-0 by early in the third quarter. Ryan finished with 392 yards and four touchdowns, while Julio Jones caught 9 for 180 and a pair of scores.
111. 2004 AFC Championship: New England 41, Pittsburgh 27
The first loss of Ben Roethlisberger’s career came after a 13-0 regular season plus a playoff win. The game marked the eighth straight playoff win for Brady and Belichick. The 29 combined regular season wins for the two teams (15 by Pittsburgh and 14 by New England) are tied for a playoff record.
112. 2003 NFC Championship: Carolina 14, Philadelphia 3
The third straight NFC championship loss for Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb. Panthers rookie cornerback Ricky Manning collected three interceptions, while Eagles starting wide receivers Todd Pinkston and James Thrash combined to catch one pass on 10 targets.
113. 2005 NFC Championship: Seattle 34, Carolina 14
Regular season MVP Shaun Alexander set a league record with 28 rushing touchdowns, and he added two more on an impressive 34-132-2 performance as the Seahawks routed Carolina to reach their first Super Bowl.
114. 2018 NFC Wild Card: Dallas 24, Seattle 22
Dallas’s trio of Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper led the Cowboys to their first playoff victory since 2014, and the Cowboys’ defense held the league’s best rushing offense to just 73 yards on 24 carries.
115. 2002 AFC Championship: Oakland 41, Tennessee 24
MVP Rich Gannon threw for 286 yards and three touchdowns as Oakland scored the game’s final 14 points to reach the Super Bowl a year after the controversial Tuck Rule loss. Raiders head coach Bill Callahan became the fourth rookie head coach to lead his team to the Super Bowl.
116. 2008 NFC Divisional: Philadelphia 23, NY Giants 11
The Eagles entered as winners of five of their last six, while the Giants had backed into the playoffs with losses in three of their final four after the Plaxico Burress debacle. So it really wasn’t a big surprise when the six-seeded Eagles knocked off the defending Super Bowl champions and NFC’s top seed.
117. 2015 NFC Championship: Carolina 45, Arizona 19
The two best quarterbacks during the 2015 season were Cam Newton and Carson Palmer, and they couldn’t have played any more differently with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. Cam threw for 335 yards and two touchdowns and added 47 yards and two more touchdowns on the ground, while Palmer threw for four interceptions and lost two fumbles. His six turnovers equaled a single game postseason record. Carolina became just the third team in the 16-game era to reach the Super Bowl with just one loss.
118. 2001 NFC Divisional: St. Louis 45, Green Bay 17
Brett Favre completely self-destructed against the Rams’ Greatest Show On Turf, throwing a playoff-record six interceptions, three returned for touchdowns. Rams cornerback Aeneas Williams became the first player to collect two pick sixes in the same playoff game.
119. 2001 NFC Divisional: Philadelphia 33, Chicago 19
Donovan McNabb threw for two touchdowns and rushed for a third, and the Eagles’ defense forced three interceptions and allowed just 89 passing yards in an upset road victory. Eagles’ defensive end Hugh Douglas knocked Bears quarterback Jim Miller out of the game with a separated shoulder, but Shane Matthews was just as ineffective against an Eagles’ defense that had become the first team ever to not allow more than 21 points in any game all season.
120. 2008 NFC Wild Card: Arizona 30, Atlanta 24
Kurt Warner and the Cardinals began their surge to the Super Bowl with a win over rookie Matt Ryan. Larry Fitzgerald’s historic 2008 postseason included six catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.
121. 2003 AFC Wild Card: Indianapolis 41, Denver 10
More pressure was on Peyton Manning heading into the 2003 postseason than perhaps any quarterback ever without a playoff win. Manning, 0-3 in the playoffs and league MVP in 2003, turned in one of the greatest single-game performances by a quarterback in NFL history, completing 22 of 26 for 377 yards and five scores in a dominant victory.
122. 2000 NFC Championship: NY Giants 41, Minnesota 0
The Giants entered the 2000 NFC championship as a home underdog. They ended it as winners of the most one-sided playoff game in NFC conference championship game history. Kerry Collins threw for 381 yards and five touchdowns, while Daunte Culpepper completed 13 of 28 passes for 78 yards and three interceptions.
123. 2002 NFC Divisional: Philadelphia 20, Atlanta 6
Donovan McNabb returned to action just eight weeks after a broken ankle, throwing for 247 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles’ defense shut down second-year sensation Mike Vick, highlighted by a Bobby Taylor 39-yard interception touchdown.
124. 2015 NFC Divisional: Carolina 31, Seattle 24
The first of consecutive blowouts for the 15-1 Panthers on their way to the Super Bowl. MVP Cam led Carolina to a 31-0 halftime lead before Russell Wilson made a late comeback attempt.
125. 2006 NFC Championship: Chicago 39, New Orleans 14
The duo of Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson rushed 43 times for 183 yards and three touchdowns, and Rex Grossman managed to throw 26 passes without an interception. Drew Brees and Sean Payton’s first season together in New Orleans ended with the first conference championship game appearance in team history.
126. 2003 AFC Divisional: New England 17, Tennessee 14
A defensive struggle ended in a Patriots victory when Adam Vinatieri kicked a 46-yard field goal with four minutes remaining. Steve McNair followed up an MVP season with a disappointing offensive performance, throwing one touchdown and one interception.
127. 2016 NFC Divisional: Atlanta 36, Seattle 20
Matt Ryan followed his MVP season by lighting up the Legion of Boom for 338 yards and three touchdowns. The game was the final in the playoffs for many of the core members of Seattle’s legendary defense, including Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Michael Bennett.
128. 2006 NFC Wild Card: Philadelphia 23, NY Giants 20
The final game of Tiki Barber’s career ended with the should-be Hall of Famer carrying 26 times for 137 yards, but it was Jeff Garcia and the streaking Eagles who emerged victorious on David Akers’ 38-yard walkoff field goal.
129. 2004 AFC Divisional: Pittsburgh 20, NY Jets 17 (OT)
The 15-1 Steelers survived a scare in Ben Roethlisberger’s first playoff start following a terrific rookie season. Jets kicker Doug O’Brien’s 43-yard miss on the final play of regulation allowed the Steelers to win in overtime.
130. 2011 AFC Divisional: New England 45, Denver 10
Tim Tebow’s magic completely dried up, as he completed just 9 of 26 passes, while Tom Brady threw a playoff record six touchdowns. This one was over by the end of the first quarter.
131. 2000 AFC Wild Card: Miami 23, Indianapolis 17 (OT)
The first of three overtime playoff losses for Peyton Manning. The Lamar Smith Game ended with the 30-year-old Dolphins running back totaling a postseason single-game record 40 carries for 209 yards and a pair of scores, including the walkoff in overtime.
132. 2000 AFC Divisional: Baltimore 24, Tennessee 10
The greatest single-season defense in NFL history dispatched their division rival on the road, with a defensive and special teams touchdown overshadowing Trent Dilfer’s five (yes, five) completion game.
133. 2000 AFC Championship: Baltimore 16, Oakland 3
The Ravens’ defense continued their historic postseason, allowing just a field goal against a Raiders team that had scored 479 points during the regular season. Baltimore collected four interceptions and Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe caught a 96-yard touchdown pass.
134. 2015 NFC Wild Card: Green Bay 35, Washington 18
If the NFL had a Breakout Player of the Year award, it would have gone to Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins for his 29-touchdown season in 2015. A surprise division champion, the Redskins took an 11-0 lead in the wild card game, but Rodgers threw two touchdowns and the Packers collected six sacks in a relatively easy victory.
135. 2009 NFC Wild Card: Dallas 34, Philadelphia 14
The final game for Donovan McNabb with the Eagles came to a bitter end, as the Eagles suffered a blowout loss to the Cowboys for the second straight week. This game marks the largest defeat for Andy Reid in any of his 14 postseason berths. And it helped silence the critics who said Tony Romo would never win a playoff game.
136. 2018 AFC Wild Card: LA Chargers 23, Baltimore 17
It was a predictably disastrous playoff debut for rookie first round pick Lamar Jackson, who completed fewer than than half his passes, took seven sacks and fumbled three times. Philip Rivers won just his second playoff game since 2009.
137. 2009 NFC Divisional: New Orleans 45, Arizona 14
The final game of Kurt Warner’s career ended in very disappointing fashion, as the 38-year-old was knocked out in the third quarter with a concussion. Ultimately it didn’t have much impact on the game, as the Saints had scored 35 first-half points behind three Drew Brees touchdown passes.
138. 2009 NFC Divisional: Minnesota 34, Dallas 3
The last great postseason moment of Brett Favre’s career, as the 40-year-old gunslinger tossed four touchdowns in an easy win. Dallas’s divisional round appearance is tied for their deepest postseason run in the last 23 seasons.
139. 2008 AFC Divisional: Pittsburgh 35, San Diego 24
The Chargers became the first team to start 4-8 and reach the playoffs, and then shocked Peyton Manning and the Colts with a road overtime win the wild card round. But they were no match for the 12-4 Steelers, who won easily behind Willie Parker’s 146 yards and two touchdowns.
140. 2008 AFC Divisional: Baltimore 13, Tennessee 10
Rookie Joe Flacco game-managed the six-seeded Ravens past the AFC’s top playoff seed, highlighted by Matt Stover’s game-winning 43-yard field goal in the final minute. History will forget the year Kerry Collins led the Tennessee Titans to the AFC’s top seed.
141. 2006 AFC Divisional: Indianapolis 15, Baltimore 6
The NFL’s first playoff game without a touchdown in 27 years was an ugly defensive affair, as co-MVPs Peyton Manning and Steve McNair each threw two interceptions. Adam Vinatieri, who signed with Indianapolis from New England in free agency, kicked five field goals in the victory.
142. 2013 NFC Divisional: Seattle 23, New Orleans 15
The greatest defense of the last decade easily stifled Drew Brees, pitching a shutout until the fourth quarter. Seattle pounded the ground game, with Marshawn Lynch rushing 28 times for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
143. 2013 AFC Divisional: New England 43, Indianapolis 22
The LeGarrette Blount game. The big power back carried 24 times for 166 yards and four touchdowns, while Stevan Ridley added 52 yards and two more scores. Andrew Luck’s four interceptions made this one a non-competitive blowout.
144. 2008 NFC Divisional: Arizona 33, Carolina 13
It’s not hyperbole to call this game one of the biggest upsets in NFL postseason history. The 2008 Arizona Cardinals are the only team ever to be a 10-point underdog and win a playoff game by at least 20 points. This one was courtesy of a complete meltdown by Jake Delhomme, who threw five interceptions and lost a fumble. Kurt Warner connected with Larry Fitzgerald eight times for 166 yards and a touchdown.
145. 2012 AFC Divisional: New England 41, Houston 28
The most successful season in the short history of the Houston Texans ended with a divisional round loss to the Patriots that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score indicated. Tom Brady threw for three touchdowns and Wes Welker pulled in eight receptions for 131 yards.
146. 2008 NFC Wild Card: Philadelphia 26, Minnesota 14
The Eagles needed a Sunday of miracles in week 17 to even reach the playoffs as the NFC’s final wild card team. They used two huge plays to take down the Vikings in their first of three straight road playoff games: a 44-yard interception touchdown by Asante Samuel and a 71-yard screen pass touchdown reception by Brian Westbrook.
147. 2016 NFC Wild Card: Green Bay 38, NY Giants 13
Aaron Rodgers turned in a vintage postseason performance against the NFL’s second-ranked scoring defense, throwing for four touchdowns, including three to Randall Cobb. It was a disastrous showing by Odell Beckham and the Giants’ offense less than one week after the famous boat trip picture.
148. 2018 NFC Divisional: LA Rams 30, Dallas 22
The Sean McVay hype reached full force after a 2017 Coach of the Year campaign and an even more impressive 2018 season. So the pressure on the Rams to win in the playoffs after a no-show in the 2017 wild card round was enormous. The Rams delivered, pounding CJ Anderson for 123 yards and two scores and Todd Gurley for 115 yards and a touchdown.
149. 2004 NFC Divisional: Philadelphia 27, Minnesota 14
The Eagles survived their first playoff game without Terrell Owens as an unlikely hero stepped up. Former first-round pick Freddie Mitchell scored a pair of touchdowns, one on a reception and the second on a fumble recovery in the end zone.
150. 2018 AFC Divisional: New England 41, LA Chargers 28
There was real talk that the Patriots’ dynasty was coming to an end after an 11-5 season, their lowest number of victories since 2009. But this one was an absolute rout, as the Patriots jumped out to a 35-7 lead by halftime. Sony Michel rushed for three touchdowns and James White caught 15 passes, tying the single-game record for running backs.
151. 2006 NFC Divisional: Chicago 27, Seattle 24 (OT)
Chicago survived the first taste of postseason action for Rex Grossman, winning on a 49-yard field goal by Robbie Gould in overtime.
152. 2018 AFC Divisional: Kansas City 31, Indianapolis 13
Patrick Mahomes’ first playoff game broke a 25-year streak for the Chiefs without a home playoff win. The Colts, winners of 10 of their last 11, looked flat throughout most of the game.
153. 2008 AFC Wild Card: Baltimore 27, Miami 9
Chad Pennington’s Comeback Player of the Year season turned sour, as four interceptions, including two by Ed Reed, handed the Ravens an easy win in rookie Joe Flacco’s first career playoff game.
154. 2014 AFC Wild Card: Baltimore 30, Pittsburgh 17
Joe Flacco avenged two previous postseason losses to the Steelers by tossing two touchdowns in a surprisingly easy win. It remains his last postseason victory.
155. 2014 NFC Divisional: Seattle 31, Carolina 17
Seattle became the first defending Super Bowl champion to win a playoff game since the 2005 Patriots. Russell Wilson threw for three touchdowns and the Legion of Boom forced three turnovers of Cam Newton, including a 90-yard pick six by Kam Chancellor.
156. 2004 NFC Wild Card: Minnesota 31, Green Bay 17
The Vikings were the first team ever to reach the playoffs with a 3-7 record in their final 10 games. Two of those losses came to Brett Favre and the Packers. But the Vikings achieved revenge in the wild card round, as Daunte Culpepper threw four touchdowns and Brett Favre threw four interceptions. Also remembered in this game is Randy Moss’s “disgusting act” of pretending to moon the Packers crowd after scoring a touchdown.
157. 2005 NFC Wild Card: Carolina 23, NY Giants 0
Three interceptions and not a single point scored in Eli Manning’s first playoff game. It was a brutal end to a breakout sophomore season.
158. 2015 AFC Wild Card: Kansas City 30, Houston 0
From a disastrous 1-5 start to an 11-5 finish, Andy Reid’s magic continued as his defense intercepted Brian Hoyer four times, while winning their first playoff game in 22 seasons.
159. 2004 NFC Divisional: Atlanta 47, St. Louis 17
Atlanta ran for 327 yards, the fourth highest ever in a playoff game, behind 142 from Warrick Dunn and another 119 from Mike Vick.
160. 2000 NFC Divisional: NY Giants 20, Philadelphia 10
Ron Dixon’s kick return touchdown on the game’s first play set the tone. Jason Sehorn added an acrobatic interception touchdown, giving the Giants a third double-digit win against the Eagles in McNabb’s first full season.
161. 2017 NFC Wild Card: Atlanta 26, LA Rams 13
Sean McVay’s magical Coach of the Year season ended in a clunker, as the Rams produced just 13 points of offense in a home loss.
162. 2001 NFC Wild Card: Green Bay 25, San Francisco 15
Brett Favre improved to 4-1 in his career against the 49ers in the playoffs, this one coming against Jeff Garcia after four against Steve Young.
163. 2004 AFC Wild Card: Indianapolis 49, Denver 24
Another year, same result. Peyton Manning torched Denver again for 458 yards and four touchdowns in a game that was 35-3 by halftime.
164. 2011 NFC Wild Card: NY Giants 24, Atlanta 2
The latest quarterback to undergo extreme pressure for failure to win a playoff game early in his career was Matt Ryan, who lost after an 11-5 season in 2008 and as the number one seed in 2010. His struggles peaked against the eventual Super Bowl champion Giants, who held Ryan and the Falcons scoreless.
165. 2004 AFC Wild Card: NY Jets 20, San Diego 17 (OT)
Drew Brees’ lone playoff contest as a member of the San Diego Chargers included 319 passing yards and two touchdowns, the second tying the game on fourth down with just 15 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. But a missed 40-yard field goal in overtime by Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding allowed the Jets to win on a field goal with just five seconds left in the fifth quarter.
166. 2004 NFC Wild Card: St. Louis 27, Seattle 20
The 8-8 Rams edged the 9-7 Seahawks with a last-second goal-line stop. The 17 combined regular season wins for the two teams is the fewest ever for a playoff game in the 16-game era.
167. 2002 AFC Divisional: Oakland 30, NY Jets 10
Rich Gannon’s MVP season continued with an easy win over Chad Pennington, as the 16th-year quarterback reached his first conference championship game.
168. 2014 AFC Divisional: Indianapolis 24, Denver 13
Peyton Manning had a chance at a revenge game against his old team in the playoffs and turned in a dud, leading the NFL’s second-best scoring offense to just 13 points. It would be Manning’s fifth home one-and-done in the divisional round.
169. 2002 AFC Wild Card: NY Jets 41, Indianapolis 0
Peyton Manning’s early career playoff struggles peaked with a historically awful loss to a Jets team that had gone from 2-5 halfway through the season to 9-7 and winners of a playoff game.
170. 2006 AFC Wild Card: New England 37, NY Jets 16
One of just three wild card games by Brady and Belichick, this one against Belichick’s former defensive coordinator Eric Mangini. Just like their 2005 wild card game, the Patriots won in a blowout.
171. 2006 AFC Wild Card: Indianapolis 23, Kansas City 8
Football is a strange game. An example would be the Colts, with the NFL’s worst run defense, holding the league’s best running back, Larry Johnson, to just 13 carries for 32 yards. In the end, it didn’t matter that Peyton Manning threw three interceptions.
172. 2002 NFC Divisional: Tampa Bay 31, San Francisco 6
The 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers should go down as one of the five best single-season defenses in league history. Their 48.4 passer rating allowed to opposing quarterbacks is the best mark by any team in the last 30 seasons. Their dominance continued against the 49ers in the divisional round, as they forced Jeff Garcia into three interceptions without a touchdown pass.
173. 2018 AFC Wild Card: Indianapolis 21, Houston 7
Arguably the two hottest teams in the AFC faced in the first round of the postseason. But Houston, winners of 10 of its last 11, were easily overmatched by the Colts, whose win gave them their own collection of 10 wins in 11 games.
174. 2009 AFC Divisional: Indianapolis 20, Baltimore 3
Indianapolis’s defense set season-highs in turnovers forced (4) and fewest points allowed (3) and Peyton Manning threw for a pair of touchdown strikes in a lopsided victory.
175. 2001 AFC Divisional: Pittsburgh 27, Baltimore 10
Even with Jerome Bettis a last-minute surprise inactive, the Steelers controlled the clock for 40:45 and rushed for 154 yards. Elvis Grbac’s final NFL game featured three interceptions in a near meltdown by the Ravens’ offense.
176. 2010 NFC Divisional: Chicago 35, Seattle 24
Jay Cutler’s lone career playoff win came against the only team in history to win a playoff game with a 7-9 record. Cutler actually played really well, becoming just the second quarterback in postseason history to throw for a pair of touchdowns and rush for a pair of touchdowns in the same game.
177. 2013 NFC Divisional: San Francisco 23, Carolina 10
Cam Newton’s first playoff game was a major disappointment, as the former number one overall draft pick threw a pair of interceptions and took five sacks. The 49ers became the first NFC team since the 2001-2004 Eagles to reach three straight conference championship games.
178. 2009 AFC Wild Card: NY Jets 24, Cincinnati 14
Before the start of the postseason, Rex Ryan stated that the Jets should be the AFC favorite to reach the Super Bowl. It was a bold claim for a rookie head coach, with a rookie quarterback, after a 9-7 season that resulted in a wild-card berth. But Ryan’s defense was the best in the NFL and they allowed just 14 points, with 171 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, in an upset road win.
179. 2000 NFC Wild Card: Philadelphia 21, Tampa Bay 3
The first of ten playoff wins by Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb came as a rare home underdog. McNabb played well, tossing two touchdowns and rushing for a third, while veteran Chris Warren emerged as an unlikely workhorse, carrying 22 times despite not signing with the team until December.
180. 2001 NFC Wild Card: Philadelphia 31, Tampa Bay 9
For the second straight year, the Eagles’ suffocating defense didn’t allow a touchdown in an easy victory over Tony Dungy’s Buccaneers. Veteran Brad Johnson threw four interceptions in the blowout loss.
181. 2005 NFC Divisional: Seattle 20, Washington 10
Washington entered the divisional round as one of the NFL’s hottest teams, winning their final five regular season games and a road playoff contest. But Mark Brunell and company were stifled by the NFC’s top seed.
182. 2000 AFC Divisional: Oakland 27, Miami 0
Miami running back Lamar Smith posted a ridiculous 40-209-2 stat line in the team’s surprising wild card win over Peyton Manning’s Colts. He turned in a disastrous performance against Oakland, carrying 8 times for 5 yards, plus a fumble. Jay Fiedler’s three interceptions handed 14-year veteran Rich Gannon his first career playoff victory.
183. 2012 AFC Wild Card: Baltimore 24, Indianapolis 9
The final home game of Ray Lewis’s career, as Joe Flacco became the first quarterback to win a playoff game in each of his first five seasons. And ultimately a disappointing end to a terrific rookie season by Andrew Luck.
184. 2005 NFC Wild Card: Washington 17, Tampa Bay 10
Veteran Mark Brunell turned in one of the worst playoff performances ever by a winning quarterback, completing 7 of 15 passes for 41 yards and an interception. It was ultimately a fumble return for a touchdown by All-Pro safety Sean Taylor that stands as the game’s biggest play.
185. 2005 AFC Wild Card: New England 28, Jacksonville 3
Brady and Belichick improved to 10-0 in the playoffs in New England, as their opponent, the 2005 Jaguars, have to be one of the more forgettable 12-4 teams in history.
186. 2010 AFC Wild Card: Baltimore 30, Kansas City 7
Matt Cassel’s Pro Bowl year ended with 27 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Add in his only career playoff start and it’s 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. You do the math.
187. 2003 NFC Wild Card: Carolina 29, Dallas 10
Give credit to Bill Parcells for taking a team quarterbacked by Quincy Carter to the postseason, but they were no match for a streaking Panthers team that would eventually shock the NFC and reach the Super Bowl.
188. 2012 NFC Wild Card: Green Bay 24, Minnesota 10
This win was gift-wrapped for Aaron Rodgers, as the Vikings had to start Joe Webb after Christian Ponder sustained a deep triceps bruise in week 17. Webb hadn’t thrown a pass all season. This one was over before it began.
189. 2007 NFC Wild Card: NY Giants 24, Tampa Bay 14
Eli Manning’s quest for the most unlikely Super Bowl title ever began with a relatively easy playoff win over Jon Gruden’s Bucs. This was Eli’s first postseason victory after losses in both 2005 and 2006. Ironically, Garcia played the Giants in the wild card round for the second straight year, the previous year with the Eagles. For the Bucs, it’s been 11 consecutive seasons, and counting, without a postseason appearance.
190. 2000 AFC Wild Card: Baltimore 21, Denver 3
Denver scored 485, the third-most points in the NFL. Baltimore allowed 165, the fewest ever in a single season. Something had to give. Denver had no chance in this one, especially with backup Gus Frerotte forced to start after a Brian Griese shoulder injury.
191. 2016 AFC Divisional: New England 34, Houston 16
Tom Brady vs Brock Osweiler in an actual divisional playoff game. Brady sleepwalked through this one, competing under half his passes with two picks, and the Patriots still won by 18.
192. 2017 AFC Divisional: New England 35, Tennessee 14
Another year, another home divisional win for Brady and Belichick. This one came against a joke Titans playoff team that was outscored by 22 points during the regular season.
193. 2003 AFC Wild Card: Tennessee 20, Baltimore 17
Gary Anderson’s 46-yard field goal in the final minute helped the Titans escape with a victory, despite MVP Steve McNair’s three interceptions.
194. 2007 NFC Wild Card: Seattle 35, Washington 14
One of the more underappreciated underdog stories is Todd Collins for the 2007 Washington Redskins. The 13-year journeyman held the NFL record with ten years in between starts before a season-ending injury to Jason Campbell forced Collins into action for the final three games of the year. Collins actually won all three starts, leading the Redskins to a surprising playoff appearance, but his luck ran out as he threw two interception touchdowns in the fourth quarter of the team’s postseason contest. The game was the final of Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs’ coaching career.
195. 2000 NFC Divisional: Minnesota 34, New Orleans 16
Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss hooked up for a pair of 50-yard touchdown scores in a dominant victory over Aaron Brooks and the Saints.
196. 2013 AFC Divisional: Denver 24, San Diego 17
The greatest single-season offense in league history was held to ‘only’ 24 by the Chargers defense, but it was still a relatively easy win for Peyton Manning and company.
197. 2017 NFC Wild Card: Seattle 26, Detroit 6
Thomas Rawls rushed for 157 yards during the regular season and then exploded for 161 yards and a score in the playoff win. For Matt Stafford, it was a third one-and-done, leaving him without a playoff victory nine years into his career.
198. 2007 AFC Wild Card: San Diego 17, Tennessee 6
Philip Rivers outdueled Vince Young in a relatively uninspiring playoff game that did feature a tremendous fourth down goal line touchdown run by LaDainian Tomlinson.
199. 2011 AFC Divisional: Baltimore 20, Houston 13
Playoff veteran Joe Flacco vs TJ Yates, probably the worst quarterback ever to appear in the divisional round of the postseason.
200. 2011 AFC Wild Card: Houston 31, Cincinnati 10
The best chance for Andy Dalton to any of his five playoff games, as both Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart were injured for Houston. But number three quarterback TJ Yates game-managed a win, highlighted by a pick six from rookie defensive end JJ Watt.
201. 2001 AFC Wild Card: Baltimore 20, Miami 3
A turn back the clock moment for Baltimore’s defense, which returned to 2000 form for one more playoff game. Elvis Grbac and Jay Fielder are two of the more mediocre quarterbacks to start a postseason game this century.
202. 2001 AFC Wild Card: Oakland 38, NY Jets 24
The GOAT receiver, 39-year-old Jerry Rice, turned in one last vintage postseason performance, catching nine passes for 183 yards and a touchdown. Oakland scored 22 points in the fourth quarter, as 36-year-old Rich Gannon outdueled 38-year-old Vinny Testaverde.
203. 2014 AFC Wild Card: Indianapolis 26, Cincinnati 10
A fourth straight postseason appearance for the Bengals, and a fourth straight complete no-show by Andy Dalton and the Bengals’ offense.
204. 2013 AFC Wild Card: San Diego 27, Cincinnati 10
A third straight wild card loss for Andy Dalton, and a fifth straight postseason loss for Marvin Lewis. This game also marked the only postseason victory for Philip Rivers between 2008 and 2018.
205. 2012 AFC Wild Card: Houston 19, Cincinnati 13
Matt Schaub vs Andy Dalton in a playoff game. Who wouldn’t want to see that? Houston did the better job of hiding their quarterback, as Arian Foster’s 32-140-1 stat line propelled the Texans into the divisional round for the second straight year.
206. 2017 AFC Wild Card: Jacksonville 10, Buffalo 3
The legendary Tyrod Taylor vs Blake Bortles playoff game. Nathan Peterman made a brief appearance, and of course he threw an interception. Winning quarterback Blake Bortles threw for 87 yards. All game.
207. 2016 AFC Wild Card: Pittsburgh 30, Miami 12
The one time Ryan Tannehill led his team to the playoffs, he wasn’t able to play because of a torn ACL. Matt Moore actually wasn’t too bad, but two touchdowns each by Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown made this one a blowout.
208. 2014 NFC Wild Card: Carolina 27, Arizona 16
Carolina won their division, and somehow a playoff game, despite a 7-8-1 record, solely because the opposing quarterback was Ryan Lindley, arguably the least-qualified quarterback to start a playoff game in NFL history.
209. 2016 AFC Wild Card: Houston 27, Oakland 14
The worst postseason game of the new millennium. With Derek Carr and his backup Matt McGloin both injured, the Raiders had to start rookie Connor Cook, who predictably threw three interceptions. The winning quarterback for Houston was Brock Osweiler, who the team traded to Cleveland that offseason, along with a second-round pick, just to be rid of his massive contract.
