NFL Playoff Guide to the Galaxy
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The NFL playoffs begin on Saturday and Sunday, January 9-10, with Wild Card Weekend. On Saturday, the Kansas City Chiefs play at the Houston Texans (ESPN/ABC, 4:35 PM ET) and the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Cincinnati Bengals (CBS, 8:15 PM ET). Wild Card Weekend continues Sunday with the Seattle Seahawks at the Minnesota Vikings (NBC, 1:05 PM ET) and the Green Bay Packers traveling to face the Washington Redskins (FOX, 4:40 PM ET).
The following week (January 16-17), the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 4:35 PM ET) and Denver Broncos (Sunday, CBS, 4:40 PM ET) in the AFC and the Arizona Cardinals (Saturday, NBC, 8:15 PM ET) and Carolina Panthers (Sunday, FOX, 1:05 PM ET) in the NFC host the Divisional Playoffs. The Broncos and Panthers own home-field advantage for the Conference Championship Games (January 24) if they win their Divisional contests.
The 2016 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 31 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii (ESPN, 7:00 PM ET) and Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, February 7 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California (CBS, 6:30 PM ET).
FRESH FACES & CONSISTENT WINNERS HIGHLIGHT PLAYOFF FIELD
There are four new playoff teams in 2015: Houston, Kansas City, Minnesota and Washington.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)
In the 14 seasons since realignment in 2002, 28 of the 32 NFL teams have won a division title at least once.
How the 2015 playoff teams have fared in the 14 seasons since realignment in 2002 (2015 division winners in bold/italics):
DIVISION TITLES
PLAYOFF BERTHS
New England
12
12
Green Bay
8
11
Seattle
7
10
Pittsburgh
6
9
Denver
6
8
Cincinnati
4
7
Carolina
5
6
Kansas City
2
5
Minnesota
3
5
Arizona
3
4
Washington
2
4
Houston
3
3
The Washington Redskins (NFC East) rebounded to win their division after finishing in last place in 2014. This marked the 12th time in the past 13 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
11-5
7-9
Super Bowl XXXVIII
2003
Kansas City
13-3
8-8*
Divisional Playoffs
2004
Atlanta
11-5
5-11
NFC Championship
2004
San Diego
12-4
4-12*
Wild Card Playoffs
2005
Chicago
11-5
5-11
Divisional Playoffs
2005
Tampa Bay
11-5
5-11
Wild Card Playoffs
2006
Baltimore
13-3
6-10*
Divisional Playoffs
2006
New Orleans
10-6
3-13
NFC Championship
2006
Philadelphia
10-6
6-10
Divisional Playoffs
2007
Tampa Bay
9-7
4-12
Wild Card Playoffs
2008
Miami
11-5
1-15
Wild Card Playoffs
2009
New Orleans
13-3
8-8
Won Super Bowl XLIV
2010
Kansas City
10-6
4-12
Wild Card Playoffs
2011
Denver
8-8
4-12
Divisional Playoffs
2011
Houston
10-6
6-10*
Divisional Playoffs
2012
Washington
10-6
5-11
Wild Card Playoffs
2013
Carolina
12-4
7-9*
Divisional Playoffs
2013
Philadelphia
10-6
4-12
Wild Card Playoffs
2015
Washington
9-7
4-12
???
* Tied for last place
The 2015 field also showcases teams that have enjoyed recent postseason success. Since realignment in 2002, the New England Patriots have been to the playoffs 12 times, which is tied for the most in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers are third with 11 postseason berths and the Seattle Seahawks rank fourth with 10 playoff appearances.
The teams with the most playoff appearances since 2002 (includes 2015):
TEAM
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES
New England Patriots*
12
Indianapolis Colts
12
Green Bay Packers*
11
Seattle Seahawks*
10
Pittsburgh Steelers*
9
Baltimore Ravens
8
Denver Broncos*
8
Philadelphia Eagles
8
*In 2015 postseason
Four of this season’s 12 playoff teams have won at least one Super Bowl since 2001, capturing eight of the past 14 Vince Lombardi Trophies. Those teams are Green Bay (XLV), New England (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX and XLIX), Pittsburgh (XL, XLIII) and Seattle (XLVIII).
SUPER BOWL
SEASON
WINNER
XXXVI
2001
New England*
XXXVII
2002
Tampa Bay
XXXVIII
2003
New England*
XXXIX
2004
New England*
XL
2005
Pittsburgh*
XLI
2006
Indianapolis
XLII
2007
New York Giants
XLIII
2008
Pittsburgh*
XLIV
2009
New Orleans
XLV
2010
Green Bay*
XLVI
2011
New York Giants
XLVII
2012
Baltimore
XLVIII
2013
Seattle*
XLIX
2014
New England*
*In 2015 postseason
ALL-TIME PLAYOFFS
The Green Bay Packers will participate in the playoffs for the 31st time, tying the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants for the most postseason appearances in NFL history. The Pittsburgh Steelers are making their 29th postseason appearance, the fourth-most in league history.
The teams with the most seasons participating in the playoffs (includes 2015):
TEAM
PLAYOFF BERTHS
Green Bay Packers
31*
Dallas Cowboys
31
New York Giants
31
Pittsburgh Steelers
29*
*In 2015 playoffs
The 12 playoff teams and their postseason records:
TEAM
WINS LOSSES
PCT.
New England Patriots
28
18
.609
Green Bay Packers
31
20
.608
Pittsburgh Steelers
33
22
.600
Washington Redskins
23
18
.561
Carolina Panthers
7
6
.538
Seattle Seahawks
14
13
.519
Denver Broncos
20
19
.513
Houston Texans
2
2
.500
Arizona Cardinals
6
8
.429
Minnesota Vikings
19
27
.413
Kansas City Chiefs
8
15
.348
Cincinnati Bengals
5
13
.278
WILD CARD RECORDS
TEAM
WINS
LOSSES
PCT.
Houston Texans
2
0
1.000
Washington Redskins
6
2
.750
Green Bay Packers
8
5
.615
Seattle Seahawks
6
4
.600
Minnesota Vikings
6
6
.500
Pittsburgh Steelers
4
5
.444
Kansas City Chiefs
2
7
.222
Cincinnati Bengals
1
7
.125
DIVISIONAL RECORDS
TEAM
WINS
LOSSES
PCT.
New England Patriots
11
6
.647
Denver Broncos
9
6
.600
Carolina Panthers
3
3
.500
Arizona Cardinals
1
4
.200
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, eight have won at least one championship.
NFL championships won by the 2015 playoff teams:
TEAM
NFL CHAMPIONSHIP(S)
SEASON(S)
Green Bay Packers
13
1929-31, 1936, 1939, 1944, 1961-62, 1965-67, 1996, 2010
Pittsburgh Steelers
6
1974-75, 1978-79, 2005, 2008
Washington Redskins
5
1937, 1942, 1982, 1987, 1991
New England Patriots
4
2001, 2003-04, 2014
Arizona Cardinals
2
1925, 1947
Denver Broncos
2
1997-98
Kansas City Chiefs
1
1969
Seattle Seahawks
1
2013
Carolina Panthers
0
–
Cincinnati Bengals
0
–
Houston Texans
0
–
Minnesota Vikings
0
–
– NFL –
PLAYOFF SUCCESS: The Pittsburgh Steelers have won 33 postseason games and need one more win to tie Dallas (34) for the most in NFL history. The Green Bay Packers (31) and New England Patriots (28) 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*
33
Green Bay Packers*
31
San Francisco 49ers
30
New England Patriots*
28
*In 2015 playoffs
Postseason victories for the 2015 playoff teams:
TEAM
PLAYOFF WINS
Pittsburgh Steelers
33
Green Bay Packers
31
New England Patriots
28
Washington Redskins
23
Denver Broncos
20
Minnesota Vikings
19
Seattle Seahawks
14
Kansas City Chiefs
8
Carolina Panthers
7
Arizona Cardinals
6
Cincinnati Bengals
5
Houston Texans
2
– NFL –
HOME SWEET HOME…MAYBE: While home-field advantage throughout the playoffs is a coveted prize, it has been no guarantee of a trip to the Super Bowl. And like so much about the NFL, an unpredictable result is seemingly the only predictable outcome.
Since the NFL adopted the 12-team playoff format in 1990, only 25 of the 50 (50 percent) No. 1 seeds have advanced to the Super Bowl, with 11 No. 1 seeds being crowned champions (22 percent). 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
??
Carolina
??
– NFL –
DIVISION DOMINANCE: Since realignment in 2002, the New England Patriots have won 12 division titles, the most in the NFL during that span. The Green Bay Packers lead the NFC with eight division titles since 2002.
The teams with the most division titles since 2002:
TEAM
DIVISION TITLES
New England*
12
Indianapolis
9
Green Bay
8
Seattle
7
Denver*
6
Philadelphia
6
Pittsburgh
6
*2015 division champion
– NFL –
PATRIOT PLACE: The New England Patriots won the AFC East for the seventh consecutive season in 2015, tying the Los Angeles Rams (1973-79) for the most consecutive division titles in NFL history.
The Denver Broncos secured their fifth consecutive AFC West title this season, which is tied for the seventh-longest streak in NFL annals.
The teams to finish first in their division in the most consecutive seasons:
TEAM
YEARS
CONSECUTIVE FIRST-PLACE FINISHES
Los Angeles Rams
1973-79
7
New England Patriots
2009-15*
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 –
UNDEFEATED AT HOME: The Carolina Panthers finished the 2015 regular season undefeated at home.
Since 2000, 26 teams – including the Panthers this year – have posted a perfect regular-season record at home. Of the previous 25 teams before the 2015 season, five have gone to the Super Bowl (20 percent).
The teams (since 2000) to finish with 8-0 records at home and their final season result:
SEASON
TEAM
OVERALL
RESULT
2002
Green Bay Packers
12-4
Advanced to Wild Card
2003
Kansas City Chiefs
13-3
Advanced to Divisional
2003
New England Patriots
14-2
Won Super Bowl XXXVIII
2003
St. Louis Rams
12-4
Advanced to Divisional
2003
Seattle Seahawks
10-6
Advanced to Wild Card
2004
New England Patriots
14-2
Won Super Bowl XXXIX
2004
Pittsburgh Steelers
15-1
Advanced to AFC Championship
2005
Denver Broncos
13-3
Advanced to AFC Championship
2005
Seattle Seahawks
13-3
Advanced to Super Bowl XL
2006
Indianapolis Colts
12-4
Won Super Bowl XLI
2006
San Diego Chargers
14-2
Advanced to Divisional
2007
New England Patriots
16-0
Advanced to Super Bowl XLII
2008
Carolina Panthers
12-4
Advanced to Divisional
2009
New England Patriots
10-6
Advanced to Wild Card
2009
Minnesota Vikings
12-4
Advanced to NFC Championship
2010
New England Patriots
14-2
Advanced to Divisional
2011
Baltimore Ravens
12-4
Advanced to AFC Championship
2011
Green Bay Packers
15-1
Advanced to Divisional
2011
New Orleans Saints
13-3
Advanced to Divisional
2012
Seattle Seahawks
11-5
Advanced to Divisional
2013
Cincinnati Bengals
11-5
Advanced to Wild Card
2013
New England Patriots
12-4
Advanced to AFC Championship
2013
New Orleans Saints
11-5
Advanced to Divisional
2014
Denver Broncos
12-4
Advanced to Divisional
2014
Green Bay Packers
12-4
Advanced to NFC Championship
2015
Carolina Panthers
15-1
???
– NFL –
SUPER ENCORE: The Seattle Seahawks posted a 10-6 record this season and became the 16th Super Bowl runner-up since 1990 to qualify for the playoffs the following season.
Since 1990, the Super Bowl runner-ups to advance to the postseason:
YEAR
TEAM
RECORD
RESULT
1991
Buffalo
13-3
Won division; Advanced to Super Bowl XXVI
1992
Buffalo
11-5
Wild Card; Advanced to Super Bowl XXVII
1993
Buffalo
12-4
Won division; Advanced to Super Bowl XXVIII
1995
San Diego
9-7
Wild Card; Advanced to Wild Card
1996
Pittsburgh
10-6
Won division; Advanced to Divisional
1997
New England
10-6
Won division; Advanced to Divisional
1998
Green Bay
11-5
Wild Card; Advanced to Wild Card
2000
Tennessee
13-3
Won division; Advanced to Divisional
2006
Seattle
9-7
Won division; Advanced to Divisional
2009
Arizona
10-6
Won division; Advanced to Divisional
2010
Indianapolis
10-6
Won division; Advanced to Wild Card
2011
Pittsburgh
12-4
Wild Card; Advanced to Wild Card
2012
New England
12-4
Won division; Advanced to AFC Championship
2013
San Francisco
12-4
Wild Card; Advanced to NFC Championship
2014
Denver
12-4
Won division; Advanced to Divisional
2015
Seattle
10-6
Wild Card; ???
– NFL –
OT & PLAYOFFS – WINNING COMBINATION: The playoffs have featured at least one overtime game in 12 of the past 15 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-yd 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.
– NFL –
THE PLAYERS
POSTSEASON QUARTERBACKS: Quarterbacks TOM BRADY of New England, PEYTON MANNING of Denver, AARON RODGERS of Green Bay and RUSSELL WILSON of Seattle have enjoyed postseason success. They all rank among the leaders in many postseason passing categories.
Rodgers (101.0) ranks third all-time in career postseason passer rating, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer BART STARR (104.8) and KURT WARNER (102.8). Wilson (97.8) ranks fifth all-time.
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
Aaron Rodgers*
253
387
2,983
23
7
101.0
Drew Brees*
306
464
3,539
24
6
100.7
Russell Wilson*
123
202
1,820
12
6
97.8
*Active
Brady is the all-time postseason passing leader in career attempts (1,085), completions (683), yards (7,345) and touchdowns (53). Manning ranks second in attempts (935), completions (598) and yards (6,800) and ranks fourth all-time in touchdown passes (38).
The top five all-time playoff leaders in completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns:
PLAYER
COMPLETIONS
PLAYER
ATTEMPTS
Tom Brady*
683
Tom Brady*
1,085
Peyton Manning*
598
Peyton Manning*
935
Brett Favre
481
Brett Favre
791
Joe Montana
460
Joe Montana
734
Dan Marino
385
Dan Marino
687
*Active in 2015 playoffs
*Active in 2015 playoffs
PLAYER
PASSING YARDS
PLAYER
TD PASSES
Tom Brady*
7,345
Tom Brady*
53
Peyton Manning*
6,800
Joe Montana
45
Brett Favre
5,855
Brett Favre
44
Joe Montana
5,772
Peyton Manning*
38
John Elway
4,964
Dan Marino
32
*Active in 2015 playoffs
*Active in 2015 playoffs
Manning has nine career 300-yard passing games in the postseason, the most all-time, while Brady (eight) ranks second.
QUARTERBACK
PLAYOFF GAMES
300-YARD GAMES
Peyton Manning*
24
9
Tom Brady*
29
8
Joe Montana
23
6
Kurt Warner
13
6
Drew Brees
11
6
*Active in 2015 playoffs
Rodgers has completed 253 of 387 passes for a 65.4 completion percentage, the fifth-best mark in league playoff history.
The quarterbacks with the highest postseason completion percentage (min. 150 attempts):
QUARTERBACK
ATT.
COMP.
PCT.
Kurt Warner
462
307
66.5
Matt Ryan
187
124
66.3
Ken Anderson
166
110
66.3
Drew Brees
464
306
65.9
Aaron Rodgers*
387
253
65.4
*Active in 2015 playoffs
AIR ATTACK: Seattle quarterback RUSSELL WILSON is averaging 9.01 yards per pass attempt (1,820 yards, 202 attempts), the 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.
Russell Wilson*
1,820
202
9.01
Kurt Warner
3,952
462
8.55
Joe Theismann
1,782
211
8.45
Jim Plunkett
2,293
272
8.43
Terry Bradshaw
3,833
456
8.41
*Active in 2015 postseason
– NFL –
PASSING BY: Quarterbacks PEYTON MANNING of Denver and AARON RODGERS of Green Bay have each had a 400-yard passing game in the postseason.
Manning (three) is one of two quarterbacks in NFL postseason history with three 400-yard passing games (DREW BREES).
The 19 400-yard passing performances in NFL postseason history:
QUARTERBACK
TEAM
OPPONENT
DATE
PASSING YARDS
Bernie Kosar
Cleveland
New York Jets
1/3/87
489
Drew Brees
New Orleans
Detroit
1/7/12
466
Drew Brees
New Orleans
San Francisco
1/14/12
462
Peyton Manning*
Indianapolis
Denver
1/9/05
458
Andrew Luck
Indianapolis
Kansas City
1/4/14
443
Dan Fouts
San Diego
Miami
1/2/82
433
Kelly Holcomb
Cleveland
Pittsburgh
1/5/03
429
Jeff George
Minnesota
St. Louis
1/16/00
423
Aaron Rodgers*
Green Bay
Arizona
1/10/10
423
Dan Marino
Miami
Buffalo
12/30/95
422
Dan Marino
Miami
Pittsburgh
1/6/85
421
Kurt Warner
St. Louis
Tennessee
1/30/00
414
Randall Cunningham
Philadelphia
Chicago
12/31/88
407
Jim Kelly
Buffalo
Cleveland
1/6/90
405
Drew Brees
New Orleans
Seattle
1/8/11
404
Don Strock
Miami
San Diego
1/2/82
403
Peyton Manning*
Indianapolis
San Diego
1/13/08
402
Daryle Lamonica
Oakland
New York Jets
12/29/68
401
Peyton Manning*
Denver
New England
1/19/14
400
*Active in 2015 postseason
– NFL –
SUPER BOWL MVPs: There are three players – all quarterbacks – in the 2015 postseason who have been named Super Bowl MVP: TOM BRADY of New England (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX),PEYTON MANNING of Denver (XLI with Indianapolis) and AARON RODGERS of Green Bay (XLV).
Brady, who was named the MVP of last year’s Super Bowl, 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
3 (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX)
Joe Montana
San Francisco
3 (XVI, XIX, XXIV)
Terry Bradshaw
Pittsburgh
2 (XIII, XIV)
Eli Manning
New York Giants
2 (XLII, XLVI)
Bart Starr
Green Bay
2 (I, II)
*Active in 2015 playoffs
– NFL –
WHEN IT COUNTS: New England quarterback TOM BRADY has a 21-8 (.724) 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
21
Joe Montana
San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs
16
Terry Bradshaw
Pittsburgh Steelers
14
John Elway
Denver Broncos
14
Brett Favre
Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
13
*Active in 2015 playoffs
Brady has an 21-8 (.724) postseason record, trailing only Pro Football Hall of FamersTERRY BRADSHAW and TROY AIKMAN for the best winning percentage as a starting quarterback in NFL playoff history (minimum 15 starts).
Pittsburgh’s BEN ROETHLISBERGER (10-5, .667) is tied for fifth 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*
.724
21-8
Joe Montana
.696
16-7
John Elway
.667
14-7
Joe Flacco
.667
10-5
Ben Roethlisberger*
.667
10-5
*Active in 2015 playoffs
– NFL –
A PROVEN WINNER: New England’s TOM BRADY is one of three quarterbacks in NFL history to win four Super Bowls.
Only 11 QBs in NFL history have won multiple Super Bowls. Of the 11, three are active, including 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
Jim Plunkett
2
Ben Roethlisberger**
2
Bart Starr*
2
Roger Staubach*
2
*Member of Pro Football Hall of Fame
**Active in 2015 playoffs
– NFL –
PLAYOFF STARTERS: Cincinnati quarterback ANDY DALTON helped lead the Bengals to the postseason for the fifth consecutive season and can join JOE FLACCO as the only quarterbacks during the Super Bowl era to start a playoff game in each of their first five seasons beginning with their rookie year.
Seattle’s RUSSELL WILSON led the Seahawks to the postseason and can join Dalton and Flacco as the only Super Bowl-era quarterbacks to start a playoff game in each of his first four career seasons.
The quarterbacks to start a playoff game in each of their first four seasons in the Super Bowl era (since 1966):
QUARTERBACK
SEASONS
TEAM
Joe Flacco
2008-12
Baltimore Ravens
Andy Dalton*
2011-15
Cincinnati Bengals
Russell Wilson*
2012-15
Seattle Seahawks
*Active in 2015 postseason
– NFL –
DANGER-RUSS: Seattle quarterback RUSSELL WILSON has guided the Seahawks to the Super Bowl in each of the past two seasons. He is aiming to join Pro Football Hall of FamersBOB GRIESE and JIM KELLY as the only quarterbacks to start three consecutive Super Bowls.
QUARTERBACK
TEAM
CONSECUTIVE SUPER BOWL STARTS
SUPER BOWLS
Jim Kelly
Buffalo Bills
4
XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII
Bob Griese
Miami Dolphins
3
VI, VII, VIII
Russell Wilson
Seattle Seahawks
2*
XLVIII, XLIX
Wilson led the Seahawks to a win in Super Bowl XLVIII and can become the 12th quarterback in NFL history to win multiple Super Bowls.
Wilson has six postseason victories and needs one win to pass TOM BRADY (six) for the most postseason wins in a quarterback’s first four seasons.
– NFL –
STREAKING SMITH: Kansas City quarterback ALEX SMITH has made three career postseason starts, completing 66 of 114 passes (57.9 percent) for 873 yards with nine touchdowns and no interceptions for a 108.6 passer rating.
Smith’s streak of 114 attempts without an INT is the second-longest in NFL postseason history to begin a career, trailing only JEFF HOSTETLER (115).
The most consecutive pass attempts without an interception to start a career in postseason history:
POSTSEASON TO START A CAREER
PLAYER
YEAR(S)
CONSECUTIVE PASS ATTEMPTS WITHOUT INT
Jeff Hostetler
1991-94
115
Alex Smith
2012-present
114*
Roger Staubach
1969-73
103
Peyton Manning
2000-03
101
*Active streak
Smith’s nine postseason touchdowns without an interception are already the most consecutive TD passes without an INT in history to begin a postseason career:
POSTSEASON TO START A CAREER
PLAYER
YEAR(S)
CONSECUTIVE TD PASSES WITHOUT INT
Alex Smith
2012-present
9*
Roger Staubach
1969-73
7
Tony Eason
1985-87
7
Jeff Hostetler
1991-94
7
*Active streak
– NFL –
FIRST-TIMERS: Minnesota’s TEDDY BRIDGEWATER, Washington’s KIRK COUSINS and Houston’s BRIAN HOYER will make their playoff debuts this postseason. Cincinnati’s AJ MC CARRON and Denver’s BROCK OSWEILER also played prominent roles for their respective clubs at the close of the regular season.
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: Seattle quarterback RUSSELL WILSON led the NFL with a 110.1 passer rating and the top five in the category – Wilson, Cincinnati’s ANDY DALTON (106.3), Arizona’sCARSON PALMER (104.6), New England’s TOM BRADY (102.2) and Washington’s KIRK COUSINS (101.6) – all lead playoff teams.
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 –
RUSHING INTO THE RECORD BOOKS: Minnesota running back ADRIAN PETERSON led the NFL with 1,485 rushing yards, the third time in his career he was the league’s rushing champion.
Seattle running back MARSHAWN LYNCH has led the NFL in postseason rushing yards in each of the past two seasons.
The players with the most rushing yards in a single postseason:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
YARDS
TD
John Riggins
Washington Redskins
1982
610
4
Terrell Davis
Denver Broncos
1997
581
8
Terrell Davis
Denver Broncos
1998
468
3
Marcus Allen
L.A. Raiders
1983
466
4
Eddie George
Tennessee Titans
1999
449
3
– NFL –
CARDINAL RULE: Arizona running back DAVID JOHNSON led NFL rookies with 13 total touchdowns in 2015 (eight rushing, four receiving and one kickoff return).
The rookies with the most total touchdowns in a single postseason:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
TOTAL TDs
William Floyd
San Francisco 49ers
1994
5
Norm Standlee
Chicago Bears
1941
4
Tony Dorsett
Dallas Cowboys
1977
4
Jamal Lewis
Baltimore Ravens
2000
4
Johnson rushed for 581 yards and eight touchdowns, the most among rookies in the 2015 playoff field.
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 –
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: Arizona wide receiver LARRY FITZGERALD holds NFL records for the most catches (30), receiving yards (546) and touchdown receptions (seven) in a single postseason. He set all three marks during the 2008 playoffs when the Cardinals advanced to Super Bowl XLIII.
The players with the most receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches in a single postseason:
MOST CATCHES, 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
Carolina Panthers
2005
27
Wes Welker
New England Patriots
2007
27
MOST RECEIVING YARDS, SINGLE POSTSEASON
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
YARDS
Larry Fitzgerald
Arizona Cardinals
2008
546
Hakeem Nicks
New York Giants
2011
444
Jerry Rice
San Francisco 49ers
1988
409
Steve Smith
Carolina Panthers
2003
404
Charlie Brown
Washington Redskins
1983
401
MOST TD CATCHES, 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
CATCHING ON: Arizona wide receiver LARRY FITZGERALD has nine touchdowns receptions in his postseason career. With one touchdown catch, Fitzgerald will become the seventh player in NFL history with at least 10 postseason touchdown receptions and move into a tie for the third-most all-time.
The top five all-time playoff leaders in touchdown receptions:
PLAYER
TD RECEPTIONS
Jerry Rice
22
John Stallworth
12
Fred Biletnikoff
10
Antonio Freeman
10
Randy Moss
10
Hines Ward
10
Larry Fitzgerald*
9
*Active in 2015 postseason
– NFL –
WELCOME RECEPTION: There are 11 players in the 2015 playoff field who recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in the regular season: Pittsburgh’s ANTONIO BROWN (1,834), Houston’sDE ANDRE HOPKINS (1,521), Denver’s DEMARYIUS THOMAS (1,304) and EMMANUEL SANDERS (1,135), Cincinnati’s A.J. GREEN (1,297), Arizona’s LARRY FITZGERALD (1,215) and JOHN BROWN (1,003), New England’s ROB GRONKOWSKI (1,176), Carolina’s GREG OLSEN (1,104), Kansas City’s JEREMY MACLIN (1,088) and Seattle’s DOUG BALDWIN(1,069).
The players with the most receiving yards in a single postseason:
PLAYER, TEAM
SEASON
REC.
RECEIVING 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
There have been eight 200-yard receiving games in NFL postseason history.
