2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ......

20
1 FOR USE AS DESIRED 1/5/18 http://twitter.com/NFL345 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY The NFL playoffs begin on Saturday and Sunday, January 6-7, with Wild Card Weekend. On Saturday, the Tennessee Titans play at the Kansas City Chiefs (ESPN/ABC, 4:35 PM ET) and the Atlanta Falcons visit the Los Angeles Rams (NBC, 8:15 PM ET). Wild Card Weekend continues Sunday with the Buffalo Bills at the Jacksonville Jaguars (CBS, 1:05 PM ET) and the Carolina Panthers traveling to face the division-rival New Orleans Saints (FOX, 4:40 PM ET). The following week (January 13-14), the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) and Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, CBS, 1:05 PM ET) in the AFC and the Philadelphia Eagles (Saturday, NBC, 4:35 PM ET) and Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, FOX, 4:40 PM ET) in the NFC host the Divisional Playoffs. The Patriots and Eagles own home-field advantage for the Conference Championship Games (January 21) if they win their Divisional contests. The 2018 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 28 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida (ESPN/ABC, 3:00 PM ET) and Super Bowl LII will take place on Sunday, February 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota (NBC, 6:30 PM ET). FRESH FACES & CONSISTENT WINNERS HIGHLIGHT PLAYOFF FIELD There are eight new playoff teams in 2017, tied for the most in a single season (2003) since the NFL adopted the 12-team playoff format in 1990: Buffalo, Carolina, Jacksonville, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota, New Orleans, Philadelphia and Tennessee. Since 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)

Transcript of 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ......

Page 1: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

1

FOR USE AS DESIRED 1/5/18 http://twitter.com/NFL345

2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY

The NFL playoffs begin on Saturday and Sunday, January 6-7, with Wild Card Weekend. On Saturday, the Tennessee Titans play at the Kansas City Chiefs (ESPN/ABC, 4:35 PM ET) and the Atlanta Falcons visit the Los Angeles Rams (NBC, 8:15 PM ET). Wild Card Weekend continues Sunday with the Buffalo Bills at the Jacksonville Jaguars (CBS, 1:05 PM ET) and the Carolina Panthers traveling to face the division-rival New Orleans Saints (FOX, 4:40 PM ET). The following week (January 13-14), the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) and Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, CBS, 1:05 PM ET) in the AFC and the Philadelphia Eagles (Saturday, NBC, 4:35 PM ET) and Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, FOX, 4:40 PM ET) in the NFC host the Divisional Playoffs. The Patriots and Eagles own home-field advantage for the Conference Championship Games (January 21) if they win their Divisional contests. The 2018 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 28 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida (ESPN/ABC, 3:00 PM ET) and Super Bowl LII will take place on Sunday, February 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota (NBC, 6:30 PM ET).

FRESH FACES & CONSISTENT WINNERS HIGHLIGHT PLAYOFF FIELD There are eight new playoff teams in 2017, tied for the most in a single season (2003) since the NFL adopted the 12-team playoff format in 1990: Buffalo, Carolina, Jacksonville, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota, New Orleans, Philadelphia and Tennessee. Since 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)

Page 2: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

2

2010 5 (Atlanta, Chicago, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Seattle)

2011 6 (Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Houston, New York Giants, San Francisco)

2012 4 (Indianapolis, Minnesota, Seattle, Washington)

2013 5 (Carolina, Kansas City, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Diego)

2014 5 (Arizona, Baltimore, Dallas, Detroit, Pittsburgh)

2015 4 (Houston, Kansas City, Minnesota, Washington)

2016 6 (Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Miami, New York Giants, Oakland)

2017 8 (Buffalo, Carolina, Jacksonville, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Tennessee)

Five teams won division titles – Jacksonville (AFC South), the Los Angeles Rams (NFC West), Minnesota (NFC North), New Orleans (NFC South) and Philadelphia (NFC East) – after missing the playoffs last season, tied for the most in NFL history. All five of the new division winners finished in third or fourth place last season.

The divisions with new champions in 2017:

AFC SOUTH NFC EAST NFC NORTH NFC SOUTH NFC WEST

2017 Jacksonville Philadelphia Minnesota New Orleans Los Angeles Rams

2016 Houston Dallas Green Bay Atlanta Seattle

In the 16 seasons since realignment in 2002, 29 of the 32 NFL teams have won a division title at least once. How the 2017 playoff teams have fared in the 16 seasons since realignment in 2002 (2017 division winners in bold/italics):

TEAM DIVISION TITLES PLAYOFF BERTHS

New England Patriots 14 14 Pittsburgh Steelers 8 11 Philadelphia Eagles 7 9 Carolina Panthers 5 7 Atlanta Falcons 4 8 Kansas City Chiefs 4 7 Minnesota Vikings 4 6 New Orleans Saints 4 6 Tennessee Titans 2 5 Los Angeles Rams 2 3 Jacksonville Jaguars 1 3 Buffalo Bills 0 1

Both the Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East) and Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC South) completed “worst-to-first” turnarounds and at least one team has won its division the season after finishing in or tied for last place in 14 of the past 15 seasons. The teams to go from “worst-to-first” in their divisions since 2003:

SEASON TEAM RECORD PRIOR SEASON RECORD ADVANCED TO

2003 Carolina Panthers 11-5 7-9 Super Bowl XXXVIII

2003 Kansas City Chiefs 13-3 8-8* Divisional Playoffs

2004 Atlanta Falcons 11-5 5-11 NFC Championship

2004 San Diego Chargers 12-4 4-12* Wild Card Playoffs

2005 Chicago Bears 11-5 5-11 Divisional Playoffs

2005 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11-5 5-11 Wild Card Playoffs

2006 Baltimore Ravens 13-3 6-10* Divisional Playoffs

2006 New Orleans Saints 10-6 3-13 NFC Championship

2006 Philadelphia Eagles 10-6 6-10 Divisional Playoffs

2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-7 4-12 Wild Card Playoffs

2008 Miami Dolphins 11-5 1-15 Wild Card Playoffs

2009 New Orleans Saints 13-3 8-8 Won Super Bowl XLIV

2010 Kansas City Chiefs 10-6 4-12 Wild Card Playoffs

2011 Denver Broncos 8-8 4-12 Divisional Playoffs

2011 Houston Texans 10-6 6-10* Divisional Playoffs

2012 Washington Redskins 10-6 5-11 Wild Card Playoffs

2013 Carolina Panthers 12-4 7-9* Divisional Playoffs

Page 3: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

3

2013 Philadelphia Eagles 10-6 4-12 Wild Card Playoffs

2015 Washington Redskins 9-7 4-12 Wild Card Playoffs

2016 Dallas Cowboys 13-3 4-12 Divisional Playoffs

2017 Jacksonville Jaguars 10-6 3-13 ???

2017 Philadelphia Eagles 13-3 7-9 ???

*Tied for last place The 2017 field also showcases teams that have enjoyed recent postseason success. Since realignment in 2002, the New England Patriots have been to the playoffs 14 times, which is the most in the NFL. The 2017 playoff teams with the most postseason appearances since 2002 (includes 2017):

TEAM POSTSEASON APPEARANCES

New England Patriots 14

Pittsburgh Steelers 11

Philadelphia Eagles 9

Atlanta Falcons 8

Carolina Panthers 7

Kansas City Chiefs 7

Four of this season’s 12 playoff teams have won at least one Super Bowl since 1999, capturing nine of the past 18 Vince Lombardi Trophies. Those teams are the Patriots (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI), Steelers (XL, XLIII), Rams (XXXIV) and Saints (XLIV).

SUPER BOWL SEASON WINNER

XXXIV 1999 St. Louis Rams*

XXXV 2000 Baltimore Ravens

XXXVI 2001 New England Patriots*

XXXVII 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

XXXVIII 2003 New England Patriots*

XXXIX 2004 New England Patriots*

XL 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers*

XLI 2006 Indianapolis Colts

XLII 2007 New York Giants

XLIII 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers*

XLIV 2009 New Orleans Saints*

XLV 2010 Green Bay Packers

XLVI 2011 New York Giants

XLVII 2012 Baltimore Ravens

XLVIII 2013 Seattle Seahawks

XLIX 2014 New England Patriots*

50 2015 Denver Broncos

LI 2016 New England Patriots*

*In 2017 postseason

Page 4: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

4

ALL-TIME PLAYOFFS The Pittsburgh Steelers are participating in their 31st postseason, one shy of the NFL record for the most playoff berths by a franchise (32, held by Dallas, Green Bay and the New York Giants). The Minnesota Vikings are making their 29th postseason appearance, the fifth-most in NFL history. The teams with the most seasons participating in the playoffs (includes 2017):

TEAM PLAYOFF BERTHS

Dallas Cowboys 32

Green Bay Packers 32

New York Giants 32

Pittsburgh Steelers* 31

Minnesota Vikings* 29

*In 2017 playoffs The 12 playoff teams and their postseason records:

TEAM WINS LOSSES PCT. New England Patriots 32 19 .627 Pittsburgh Steelers 36 24 .600 Carolina Panthers 9 7 .563 Buffalo Bills 14 15 .483 Philadelphia Eagles 19 21 .475 Jacksonville Jaguars 5 6 .455 Los Angeles Rams 19 24 .442 New Orleans Saints 7 9 .438 Tennessee Titans 14 19 .424 Atlanta Falcons 9 13 .409 Minnesota Vikings 19 28 .404 Kansas City Chiefs 9 17 .346

WILD CARD RECORDS

TEAM WINS LOSSES PCT. Carolina Panthers 3 0 1.000 Jacksonville Jaguars 3 2 .600 Tennessee Titans 7 5 .583 Buffalo Bills 3 3 .500 Atlanta Falcons 3 4 .429 Los Angeles Rams 3 5 .375 New Orleans Saints 3 5 .375 Kansas City Chiefs 3 7 .300

DIVISIONAL RECORDS

TEAM WINS LOSSES PCT. New England Patriots 13 6 .684 Pittsburgh Steelers 16 8 .667 Philadelphia Eagles 6 6 .500 Minnesota Vikings 8 11 .421

Page 5: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

5

THE TEAMS

WINNING FEELING: The Pittsburgh Steelers have won six NFL championships, the fourth-most in league history and the most among 2017 playoff teams. Of the 12 playoff teams this season, six have won at least one championship. NFL championships won by the 2017 playoff teams:

TEAM NFL CHAMPIONSHIP(S) SEASON(S)

Pittsburgh Steelers 6 1974-75, 1978-79, 2005, 2008

New England Patriots 5 2001, 2003-04, 2014, 2016

Los Angeles Rams 3 1945, 1951, 1999

Philadelphia Eagles 3 1948-49, 1960

Kansas City Chiefs 1 1969

New Orleans Saints 1 2009

Atlanta Falcons 0 --

Buffalo Bills 0 --

Carolina Panthers 0 --

Jacksonville Jaguars 0 --

Minnesota Vikings 0 --

Tennessee Titans 0 --

The Steelers have won six Super Bowls, the most in NFL history. The New England Patriots are tied for second with five Super Bowl titles. The 2017 playoff teams who have won a Super Bowl:

TEAM SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP(S) SUPER BOWL(S)

Pittsburgh Steelers 6 IX, X, XIII, XIV, XL, XLIII

New England Patriots 5 XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI

Kansas City Chiefs 1 IV

Los Angeles Rams 1 XXXIV

New Orleans Saints 1 XLIV

PLAYOFF SUCCESS: The Pittsburgh Steelers have 36 postseason victories, the most in NFL history. The New England Patriots have won 32 playoff games and rank fourth on the all-time postseason wins list. The teams with the most playoff victories in NFL history:

TEAM PLAYOFF WINS

Pittsburgh Steelers* 36

Dallas Cowboys 34

Green Bay Packers 34

New England Patriots* 32

San Francisco 49ers 30

*In 2017 playoffs Postseason victories for the 2017 playoff teams:

TEAM PLAYOFF WINS

Pittsburgh Steelers 36

New England Patriots 32

Los Angeles Rams 19

Minnesota Vikings 19

Philadelphia Eagles 19

Buffalo Bills 14

Tennessee Titans 14

Atlanta Falcons 9

Carolina Panthers 9

Kansas City Chiefs 9

New Orleans Saints 7

Jacksonville Jaguars 5

Page 6: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

6

-- NFL --

HOME SWEET HOME…MAYBE: Since the NFL adopted the 12-team playoff format in 1990, only 28 of the 54 (51.9 percent) No. 1 seeds have advanced to the Super Bowl. In those 27 seasons, a No. 1 seed has gone on to win the Super Bowl 13 times (48.1 percent). The New England Patriots are the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the seventh time since 2003. The Philadelphia Eagles have the top seed in the NFC for the fourth time since 2002. How the No. 1 seeds have fared since 1990:

SEASON AFC NO. 1 SEED SEASON RESULT NFC NO. 1 SEED SEASON RESULT

1990 Buffalo Lost Super Bowl XXV San Francisco Lost NFC Championship

1991 Buffalo Lost Super Bowl XXVI Washington Won Super Bowl XXVI

1992 Pittsburgh Lost Divisional San Francisco Lost NFC Championship

1993 Buffalo Lost Super Bowl XXVIII Dallas Won Super Bowl XXVIII

1994 Pittsburgh Lost AFC Championship San Francisco Won Super Bowl XXIX

1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional Dallas Won Super Bowl XXX

1996 Denver Lost Divisional Green Bay Won Super Bowl XXXI

1997 Kansas City Lost Divisional San Francisco Lost NFC Championship

1998 Denver Won Super Bowl XXXIII Minnesota Lost NFC Championship

1999 Jacksonville Lost AFC Championship St. Louis Won Super Bowl XXXIV

2000 Tennessee Lost Divisional New York Giants Lost Super Bowl XXXV

2001 Pittsburgh Lost AFC Championship St. Louis Lost Super Bowl XXXVI

2002 Oakland Lost Super Bowl XXXVII Philadelphia Lost NFC Championship

2003 New England Won Super Bowl XXXVIII Philadelphia Lost NFC Championship

2004 Pittsburgh Lost AFC Championship Philadelphia Lost Super Bowl XXXIX

2005 Indianapolis Lost Divisional Seattle Lost Super Bowl XL

2006 San Diego Lost Divisional Chicago Lost Super Bowl XLI

2007 New England Lost Super Bowl XLII Dallas Lost Divisional

2008 Tennessee Lost Divisional New York Giants Lost Divisional

2009 Indianapolis Lost Super Bowl XLIV New Orleans Won Super Bowl XLIV

2010 New England Lost Divisional Atlanta Lost Divisional

2011 New England Lost Super Bowl XLVI Green Bay Lost Divisional

2012 Denver Lost Divisional Atlanta Lost NFC Championship

2013 Denver Lost Super Bowl XLVIII Seattle Won Super Bowl XLVIII

2014 New England Won Super Bowl XLIX Seattle Lost Super Bowl XLIX

2015 Denver Won Super Bowl 50 Carolina Lost Super Bowl 50

2016 New England Won Super Bowl LI Dallas Lost Divisional

2017 New England ??? Philadelphia ???

-- NFL --

DIVISION DOMINANCE: Since realignment in 2002, the New England Patriots have won 14 division titles, the most in the NFL during that span. The Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for fourth with eight division titles since 2002 while the Philadelphia Eagles rank sixth with seven. The teams with the most division titles since 2002:

TEAM DIVISION TITLES

New England Patriots* 14

Green Bay Packers 9

Indianapolis Colts 9

Pittsburgh Steelers* 8

Seattle Seahawks 8

Philadelphia Eagles* 7

*2017 division champion

Page 7: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

7

-- NFL --

PATRIOT PLACE: The New England Patriots won the AFC East for the ninth consecutive season in 2017, extending their record for the most consecutive division titles in NFL history. The teams to finish first in their division in the most consecutive seasons:

TEAM YEARS CONSECUTIVE FIRST-PLACE FINISHES

New England Patriots 2009-17 9*

Los Angeles Rams 1973-79 7

Cleveland Browns 1950-55 6

Dallas Cowboys 1966-71 6

Minnesota Vikings 1973-78 6

Pittsburgh Steelers 1974-79 6

*Active streak

-- NFL --

STRONG AT THE TOP: The top two seeds in both conferences – Philadelphia (13-3) and Minnesota (13-3) in the NFC and New England (13-3) and Pittsburgh (13-3) in the AFC – all finished with 13 wins. The 2017 season marks just the second time (2007) since the league adopted the 12-team playoff format in 1990 in which the top two seeds in each conference have each won at least 13 games.

YEAR AFC NO. 1 SEED AFC NO. 2 SEED NFC NO. 1 SEED NFC NO. 2 SEED

2017 New England (13-3) Pittsburgh (13-3) Philadelphia (13-3) Minnesota (13-3)

2007 New England (16-0) Indianapolis (13-3) Dallas (13-3) Green Bay (13-3)

The four teams with at least 13 wins this season ties for the most in a season in NFL history (2011, 2007, 1999).

-- NFL --

SUPER ENCORE: The Atlanta Falcons posted a 10-6 record this season and became the 17th 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; Advanced to Divisional

2017 Atlanta 10-6 Wild Card; ???

-- NFL --

Page 8: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

8

EXTRA TIME IN THE POSTSEASON: The playoffs have featured at least one overtime game in 14 of the past 17 postseasons. Last year, the New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in Super Bowl LI, the first Super Bowl in history to be decided in overtime. In 2010, the NFL adopted a modified sudden-death system for the playoffs, which was expanded to cover all NFL games in 2012. The system guarantees each team a possession or the opportunity to possess, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession. Play continues in sudden death until a winner is determined, and the game automatically ends upon any score. A look at NFL overtime playoff games since 2000:

SEASON ROUND TEAMS GAME-WINNING SCORE

2000 WC Miami 23, Indianapolis 17 RB Lamar Smith scores on 17-yard TD run.

2001 Div. New England 16, Oakland 13 K Adam Vinatieri connects on 23-yard FG.

2002 Div. Tennessee 34, Pittsburgh 31 K Joe Nedney wins it with 26-yard FG.

2003 WC Green Bay 33, Seattle 27 CB Al Harris returns INT 52 yards for TD.

2003 Div. Carolina 29, St. Louis 23 (2 OT) QB Jake Delhomme connects with WR Steve Smith on 69-yard TD.

2003 Div. Philadelphia 20, Green Bay 17 K David Akers wins game with 31-yard FG.

2004 WC NY Jets 20, San Diego 17 K Doug Brien converts 28-yard FG.

2004 Div. Pittsburgh 20, NY Jets 17 K Jeff Reed connects on 33-yard game-winner.

2006 Div. Chicago 27, Seattle 24 K Robbie Gould converts game-winning 49-yard FG.

2007 Champ. NY Giants 23, Green Bay 20 K Lawrence Tynes wins it with 47-yard FG.

2008 WC San Diego 23, Indianapolis 17 RB Darren Sproles scores on 22-yard TD run.

2009 WC Arizona 51, Green Bay 45 LB Karlos Dansby scores on 17-yard FR-TD.

2009 Champ. New Orleans 31, Minnesota 28 K Garrett Hartley converts 40-yard game-winning FG.

2011 WC Denver 29, Pittsburgh 23 WR Demaryius Thomas catches 80-yard TD from QB Tim Tebow.

2011 Champ. NY Giants 20, San Francisco 17 K Lawrence Tynes connects on 31-yard FG.

2012 Div. Baltimore 38, Denver 35 (2 OT) K Justin Tucker converts 47-yard game-winning FG.

2014 Champ. Seattle 28, Green Bay 22 QB Russell Wilson throws 35-yard TD to WR Jermaine Kearse.

2015 Div. Arizona 26, Green Bay 20 QB Carson Palmer connects with WR Larry Fitzgerald on 5-yard TD.

2016 SB LI New England 34, Atlanta 28 RB James White scores on 2-yard TD run.

Page 9: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

9

THE PLAYERS

POSTSEASON QUARTERBACKS: Quarterbacks TOM BRADY of New England, DREW BREES of New Orleans, BEN

ROETHLISBERGER of Pittsburgh and MATT RYAN of Atlanta have enjoyed postseason success. They all rank among the leaders in many postseason passing categories. Ryan (102.4) and Brees (100.7) are two of only four quarterbacks in NFL history to have a career passer rating of at least

100 in the postseason (minimum 150 attempts). The other two – BART STARR (104.8) and KURT WARNER (102.8) – and enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The quarterbacks with the highest career 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

Matt Ryan* 194 285 2,244 18 7 102.4

Drew Brees* 306 464 3,539 24 6 100.7

Aaron Rodgers 378 595 4,458 36 10 99.4

*Active in 2017 playoffs Brady is the all-time postseason passing leader in career attempts (1,325), completions (831), yards (9,094) and touchdowns (63). Roethlisberger is tied for fifth in NFL postseason history with 385 career completions. The top five all-time playoff leaders in career completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns:

PLAYER COMPLETIONS PLAYER ATTEMPTS

Tom Brady* 831 Tom Brady* 1,325

Peyton Manning 649 Peyton Manning 1,027

Brett Favre 481 Brett Favre 791

Joe Montana 460 Joe Montana 734

Dan Marino 385 Dan Marino 687

Ben Roethlisberger* 385

*Active in 2017 playoffs *Active in 2017 playoffs

PLAYER PASSING YARDS PLAYER TD PASSES

Tom Brady* 9,094 Tom Brady* 63

Peyton Manning 7,339 Joe Montana 45

Brett Favre 5,855 Brett Favre 44

Joe Montana 5,772 Peyton Manning 40

John Elway 4,964 Aaron Rodgers 36

*Active in 2017 playoffs *Active in 2017 playoffs Brady has 12 career 300-yard passing games in the postseason, the most all-time. Brees is tied for third (six) and has thrown for 300+ yards in more than half of his postseason games.

QUARTERBACK 300-YARD GAMES PLAYOFF GAMES

Tom Brady* 12 34

Peyton Manning 9 27

Drew Brees* 6 11

Joe Montana 6 23

Aaron Rodgers 6 17

Kurt Warner 6 13

*Active in 2017 playoffs

Page 10: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

10

Ryan (68.1 percent) has the highest postseason completion percentage in NFL history (minimum 150 attempts) and Brees (65.9 percent) ranks fourth. The quarterbacks with the highest career postseason completion percentage (min. 150 attempts):

QUARTERBACK COMP. ATT. PCT.

Matt Ryan* 194 285 68.1

Kurt Warner 307 462 66.5

Ken Anderson 110 166 66.3

Drew Brees* 306 464 65.9

Warren Moon 259 403 64.3

*Active in 2017 postseason

-- NFL --

PASSING BY: New Orleans’ DREW BREES and New England’s TOM BRADY are the only quarterbacks in the 2017 playoffs with a 400-yard passing game in the postseason. Brees has three 400-yard passing games in his postseason

career, tied for the most in NFL history (PEYTON MANNING). Brady passed for a Super Bowl-record 466 yards last year in Super Bowl LI. The 20 400-yard passing performances in NFL postseason history:

QUARTERBACK TEAM OPPONENT DATE PASSING YARDS

Bernie Kosar Cleveland Browns New York Jets 1/3/87 489

Tom Brady* New England Patriots Atlanta Falcons 2/5/17 466

Drew Brees* New Orleans Saints Detroit Lions 1/7/12 466

Drew Brees* New Orleans Saints San Francisco 49ers 1/14/12 462

Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts Denver Broncos 1/9/05 458

Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts Kansas City Chiefs 1/4/14 443

Dan Fouts San Diego Chargers Miami Dolphins 1/2/82 433

Kelly Holcomb Cleveland Browns Pittsburgh Steelers 1/5/03 429

Jeff George Minnesota Vikings St. Louis Rams 1/16/00 423

Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers Arizona Cardinals 1/10/10 423

Dan Marino Miami Dolphins Buffalo Bills 12/30/95 422

Dan Marino Miami Dolphins Pittsburgh Steelers 1/6/85 421

Kurt Warner St. Louis Rams Tennessee Titans 1/30/00 414

Randall Cunningham Philadelphia Eagles Chicago Bears 12/31/88 407

Jim Kelly Buffalo Bills Cleveland Browns 1/6/90 405

Drew Brees* New Orleans Saints Seattle Seahawks 1/8/11 404

Don Strock Miami Dolphins San Diego Chargers 1/2/82 403

Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts San Diego Chargers 1/13/08 402

Daryle Lamonica Oakland Raiders New York Jets 12/29/68 401

Peyton Manning Denver Broncos New England Patriots 1/19/14 400

*Active in 2017 postseason

-- NFL --

SUPER BOWL MVPs: There are two players in the 2017 postseason who have been named Super Bowl MVP: TOM

BRADY of New England (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX, LI) and DREW BREES of New Orleans (XLIV).

PLAYER TEAM SUPER BOWL MVPs

Tom Brady New England Patriots 4 (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX, LI)

Drew Brees New Orleans Saints 1 (XLIV)

Page 11: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

11

Five players in NFL history have been named Super Bowl MVP multiple times. Brady is the only player in league annals with four career Super Bowl MVP awards. The five players in NFL history to be named Super Bowl MVP multiple times:

PLAYER TEAM SUPER BOWL MVPs

Tom Brady* New England Patriots 4 (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX, LI)

Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers 3 (XVI, XIX, XXIV)

Terry Bradshaw Pittsburgh Steelers 2 (XIII, XIV)

Eli Manning New York Giants 2 (XLII, XLVI)

Bart Starr Green Bay Packers 2 (I, II)

*Active in 2017 playoffs

-- NFL --

WHEN IT COUNTS: New England quarterback TOM BRADY has a 25-9 (.735) career postseason record, the most playoff wins all-time by a starting quarterback.

Pittsburgh’s BEN ROETHLISBERGER is tied for sixth with 13 career postseason wins. The starting quarterbacks with the most career playoff wins in NFL history:

QUARTERBACK TEAM(S) PLAYOFF WINS

Tom Brady* New England Patriots 25

Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs 16

Terry Bradshaw Pittsburgh Steelers 14

John Elway Denver Broncos 14

Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos 14

Brett Favre Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings 13

Ben Roethlisberger* Pittsburgh Steelers 13

*Active in 2017 playoffs

Brady’s 25-9 (.735) postseason record trails only Pro Football Hall of Famer TERRY BRADSHAW (.737) for the best winning percentage as a starting quarterback in NFL playoff history (minimum 15 starts). Pittsburgh’s Roethlisberger (13-7, .650) ranks seventh all-time. The quarterbacks with the best career winning percentage in postseason starts (minimum 15 starts):

QUARTERBACK WIN PCT. RECORD

Terry Bradshaw .737 14-5

Tom Brady* .735 25-9

Troy Aikman .733 11-4

Joe Montana .696 16-7

John Elway .667 14-7

Joe Flacco .667 10-5

Ben Roethlisberger* .650 13-7

Roger Staubach .647 11-6

*Active in 2017 playoffs

-- NFL --

A PROVEN WINNER: New England’s TOM BRADY is the only starting quarterback in NFL history to win five Super Bowls. Only 12 quarterbacks in NFL history have won multiple Super Bowls as a starter. Of the 12, three are active – Brady, the

New York Giants’ ELI MANNING (two) and Pittsburgh’s BEN ROETHLISBERGER (two) – and seven have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Page 12: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

12

The starting quarterbacks to win multiple Super Bowls:

QUARTERBACK SUPER BOWL WINS

Tom Brady** 5

Terry Bradshaw* 4

Joe Montana* 4

Troy Aikman* 3

John Elway* 2

Bob Griese* 2

Eli Manning 2

Peyton Manning 2

Jim Plunkett 2

Ben Roethlisberger** 2

Bart Starr* 2

Roger Staubach* 2

*Member of Pro Football Hall of Fame **Active in 2017 playoffs

-- NFL --

SMITH KEEPS IT SAFE: Kansas City quarterback ALEX SMITH has made six career postseason starts, completing 132 of 220 passes (60 percent) for 1,481 yards with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions for a 94.5 passer rating. Smith’s 0.9 interception percentage is the lowest by a quarterback in postseason history (minimum 150 attempts). New

Orleans’ DREW BREES ranks third all-time with a 1.3 interception percentage in the postseason (464 attempts, six interceptions). The lowest career interception percentages in postseason history (minimum 150 attempts):

PLAYER TEAM(S) INTERCEPTION PERCENTAGE

Alex Smith* San Francisco, Kansas City 0.9

Tony Romo Dallas 1.1

Drew Brees* San Diego, New Orleans 1.3

Bart Starr Green Bay 1.4

Aaron Rodgers Green Bay 1.7

*Active in 2017 postseason

-- NFL --

FIRST-TIMERS: Several teams will feature a quarterback making his first career playoff start. Among those slated to start

are BLAKE BORTLES (Jacksonville), JARED GOFF (Los Angeles Rams), CASE KEENUM (Minnesota), MARCUS

MARIOTA (Tennessee) and TYROD TAYLOR (Buffalo). 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 --

Page 13: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

13

TAKING A PASS: Atlanta quarterback MATT RYAN had a 135.3 passer rating in last year’s playoffs, the third-highest mark in a single postseason in NFL history (minimum 50 attempts).

Kansas City’s ALEX SMITH led the NFL with a 104.7 passer rating this season. Five quarterbacks recorded a passer rating of at least 100 this year and all five teams qualified for the postseason: Kansas City’s Smith (104.7), New Orleans’

DREW BREES (103.9), New England’s TOM BRADY (102.8), Philadelphia’s CARSON WENTZ (101.9) and the Rams’

JARED GOFF (100.5). The quarterbacks with the highest passer rating in a single postseason (min. 50 attempts):

QUARTERBACK TEAM SEASON COMP. ATT. YARDS TD INT RATING

Joe Montana San Francisco 1989 65 83 800 11 0 146.4

Bart Starr Green Bay 1966 35 51 554 6 1 135.6

Matt Ryan Atlanta 2016 70 98 1,014 9 0 135.3

Phil Simms New York Giants 1986 38 58 494 8 0 131.8

Kurt Warner Arizona 2009 46 59 584 5 1 129.1

-- NFL --

RUSHING INTO THE RECORD BOOKS: Kansas City rookie running back KAREEM HUNT led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards this season. The top five rushers in the league all play for teams which qualified for this year’s postseason:

Kansas City’s Hunt (1,327), the Rams’ TODD GURLEY (1,305), Pittsburgh’s LE’VEON BELL (1,291), Buffalo’s LE SEAN

MC COY (1,138) and New Orleans’ MARK INGRAM (1,124). The players with the most rushing yards in a single postseason:

PLAYER TEAM SEASON RUSH YARDS RUSH TDS

John Riggins Washington Redskins 1982 610 4

Terrell Davis Denver Broncos 1997 581 8

Terrell Davis Denver Broncos 1998 468 3

Marcus Allen Los Angeles Raiders 1983 466 4

Eddie George Tennessee Titans 1999 449 3

The rookies with the most rushing yards in a single postseason:

PLAYER TEAM SEASON RUSH YARDS

Timmy Smith Washington Redskins 1987 342

Jamal Lewis Baltimore Ravens 2000 338

James Starks Green Bay Packers 2010 315

Duane Thomas Dallas Cowboys 1970 313

Ickey Woods Cincinnati Bengals 1988 307

The rookies with the most rushing touchdowns in a single postseason:

PLAYER, TEAM SEASON RUSH TDs

Norm Standlee Chicago Bears 1941 4

Tony Dorsett Dallas Cowboys 1977 4

William Floyd San Francisco 49ers 1994 4

Jamal Lewis Baltimore Ravens 2000 4

-- NFL --

Page 14: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

14

FINDING PAYDIRT: Los Angeles Rams running back TODD GURLEY led the NFL with 13 rushing touchdowns this

season and New Orleans’ MARK INGRAM ranked second in the league with 12. The players with the most rushing touchdowns in a single postseason:

PLAYER TEAM SEASON TOTAL TDs

Terrell Davis Denver Broncos 1997 8

Emmitt Smith Dallas Cowboys 1995 6

Ricky Watters San Francisco 49ers 1993 6

Gerald Riggs Washington Redskins 1991 6

John Riggins Washington Redskins 1983 6

Franco Harris Pittsburgh Steelers 1974 6

Larry Csonka Miami Dolphins 1973 6

-- NFL --

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: Pittsburgh wide receiver ANTONIO BROWN had 101 receptions and became the first player in

NFL history to have at least 100 catches in five consecutive seasons. New Orleans wide receiver MICHAEL THOMAS had a franchise-record 104 catches, the most by any player in this year’s postseason. The players with the most receptions in a single postseason:

PLAYER TEAM SEASON CATCHES

Larry Fitzgerald Arizona Cardinals 2008 30

Hakeem Nicks New York Giants 2011 28

Demaryius Thomas Denver Broncos 2013 28

Steve Smith, Sr. Carolina Panthers 2005 27

Wes Welker New England Patriots 2007 27

-- NFL --

CATCHING ON: New England’s ROB GRONKOWSKI has nine touchdown receptions in his postseason career, the most by a tight end in NFL history. With two touchdown catches, Gronkowski will become the third player – at any position – in NFL history with more than 10 postseason touchdown receptions.

The players with the most career touchdown catches in postseason history:

PLAYER TOUCHDOWN CATCHES

Jerry Rice 22

John Stallworth 12

Fred Biletnikoff 10

Antonio Freeman 10

Larry Fitzgerald 10

Randy Moss 10

Hines Ward 10

Rob Gronkowski* 9

Andre Reed 9

Steve Smith, Sr. 9

Lynn Swann 9

Reggie Wayne 9

*Active in 2017 postseason

-- NFL --

Page 15: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

15

WELCOME RECEPTION: Pittsburgh’s ANTONIO BROWN led the NFL with 1,533 receiving yards. He is one of eight players in the 2017 playoff field who recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in the regular season: Pittsburgh’s Brown

(1,533), Atlanta’s JULIO JONES (1,444), Minnesota’s ADAM THIELEN (1,276), New Orleans’ MICHAEL THOMAS

(1,245), Kansas City’s TYREEK HILL (1,183), New England’s ROB GRONKOWSKI (1,084) and BRANDIN COOKS

(1,082) and the Chiefs’ TRAVIS KELCE (1,038). The players with the most receiving yards in a single postseason:

PLAYER TEAM SEASON REC. RECEIVING YARDS TD

Larry Fitzgerald Arizona Cardinals 2008 30 546 7

Hakeem Nicks New York Giants 2011 28 444 4

Jerry Rice San Francisco 49ers 1988 21 409 6

Steve Smith, Sr. Carolina Panthers 2003 18 404 3

Charlie Brown Washington Redskins 1983 14 401 1

-- NFL --

200 CLUB: Atlanta’s JULIO JONES (253 yards, Week 12) and Pittsburgh’s ANTONIO BROWN (213 yards, Week 14) each had a 200+ receiving yard game in 2017. There have been eight 200-yard receiving games in NFL postseason history. The players with at least 200 receiving yards in a postseason game:

PLAYER TEAM SEASON DATE OPPONENT REC. RECEIVING YARDS TD

Eric Moulds Buffalo Bills 1998 1/2/99 Miami 9 240 1

Anthony Carter Minnesota Vikings 1987 1/9/88 San Francisco 10 227 0

T.Y. Hilton Indianapolis Colts 2013 1/4/14 Kansas City 13 224 2

Reggie Wayne Indianapolis Colts 2004 1/9/05 Denver 10 221 2

Steve Smith, Sr. Carolina Panthers 2005 1/15/06 Chicago 12 218 2

Jerry Rice San Francisco 49ers 1988 1/22/89 Cincinnati 11 215 1

Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions 2011 1/7/12 New Orleans 12 211 2

Demaryius Thomas Denver Broncos 2011 1/8/12 Pittsburgh 4 204 1

-- NFL --

TD PARTY: Pittsburgh’s ANTONIO BROWN and Philadelphia’s ALSHON JEFFERY each had nine touchdown receptions in 2017, the most among players in this year’s playoff field. The players with the most receiving touchdowns in a single postseason:

PLAYER TEAM SEASON TD CATCHES

Larry Fitzgerald Arizona Cardinals 2008 7

Jerry Rice San Francisco 49ers 1988 6

Dave Casper Oakland Raiders 1977 5

Alvin Garrett Washington Redskins 1982 5

Jerry Rice San Francisco 49ers 1989 5

-- NFL --

Page 16: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

16

ROOKIE RECEIVERS: Running backs ALVIN KAMARA (81) of New Orleans and CHRISTIAN MC CAFFREY (80) of Carolina had the most receptions by rookies in 2017.

Pittsburgh wide receiver JU JU SMITH-SCHUSTER led all rookies with 917 receiving yards, followed by Los Angeles

Rams wide receiver COOPER KUPP (869) and the Saints’ Kamara (826). The rookies with the most receiving yards in a playoff game:

PLAYER TEAM SEASON DATE OPPONENT RECEIVING YARDS

Jeremy Maclin Philadelphia Eagles 2009 1/9/10 Dallas 146

Keith Jackson Philadelphia Eagles 1988 12/31/88 Chicago 142

Keenan Allen San Diego Chargers 2013 1/12/14 Denver 142

Reggie Bush New Orleans Saints 2006 1/21/07 Chicago 132

Billy Cannon Houston Oilers 1960 1/1/61 L.A. Chargers 128

The rookies with the most receptions and receiving yards in a single postseason:

PLAYER TEAM SEASON RECEPTIONS

Joseph Addai Indianapolis Colts 2006 22

Torry Holt St. Louis Rams 1999 20

Austin Collie Indianapolis Colts 2009 17

Chad Morton New Orleans Saints 2000 15

David Johnson Arizona Cardinals 2015 15

PLAYER TEAM SEASON RECEIVING YARDS

Torry Holt St. Louis Rams 1999 242

Austin Collie Indianapolis Colts 2009 241

DeSean Jackson Philadelphia Eagles 2008 207

Steve Junker Detroit Lions 1957 201

Ricky Nattiel Denver Broncos 1987 171

-- NFL --

TIGHT ENDS MAKING MARK: Four tight ends had at least 800 receiving yards in 2017 and all four will appear in this

postseason: New England’s ROB GRONKOWSKI (1,084), Kansas City’s TRAVIS KELCE (1,038), Philadelphia’s ZACH

ERTZ (824) and Tennessee’s DELANIE WALKER (807). Gronkowski had 258 receiving yards in the 2011 playoffs, the third-most by a tight end in a single postseason in NFL history. The tight ends with the most receiving yards in a single postseason:

TIGHT END TEAM SEASON RECEIVING YARDS

Dallas Clark Indianapolis Colts 2006 317

Vernon Davis San Francisco 49ers 2011 292

Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots 2011 258

Vernon Davis San Francisco 49ers 2012 254

Dan Ross Cincinnati Bengals 1981 244

The tight ends with the most touchdown receptions in a single postseason:

TIGHT END TEAM SEASON RECEIVING TDs

Dave Casper Oakland Raiders 1977 5

Vernon Davis San Francisco 49ers 2011 4

Many Tied -- -- 3

-- NFL --

Page 17: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

17

SPECIAL DELIVERY: There have been 27 kickoff-return touchdowns in NFL postseason history. The last postseason

kickoff-return touchdown was scored by New England’s DION LEWIS, who returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in the Patriots’ Divisional Playoff win against Houston last season.

Ten kickoffs have been returned for touchdowns in Super Bowl history, with the last coming on PERCY HARVIN’s 87-yard

kickoff-return touchdown for Seattle to open the second half of Super Bowl XLVIII. RON DIXON of the New York Giants is the only player with two career kickoff-return touchdowns in the playoffs.

The Rams’ PHAROH COOPER, Saints rookie ALVIN KAMARA, the Patriots’ Lewis and Steelers rookie JU JU SMITH-

SCHUSTER are the only active players in the 2017 postseason who returned a kickoff for a touchdown this season. There have been only 21 punt-return touchdowns in playoff history. The last player with a punt-return touchdown in the

postseason was Denver’s TRINDON HOLLIDAY in the 2012 Divisional round (90 yards, the longest in NFL playoff history). No player has ever recorded more than one in a career.

Among the players in the 2017 postseason who returned a punt for a touchdown this season are Carolina’s KAELIN

CLAY, Kansas City’s TYREEK HILL and Jacksonville’s JAYDON MICKENS.

SACK ATTACK I: New England linebacker JAMES HARRISON, who has played 19 career playoff games (18 with Pittsburgh, one with Cincinnati), has 11 career postseason sacks, tied for the fifth-most in NFL history. The players with the most career postseason sacks (since 1982):

PLAYER SACKS

Willie McGinest 16

Bruce Smith 14.5

Terrell Suggs 12.5

Reggie White 12

Dwight Freeney 11

Charles Haley 11

James Harrison 11*

Clay Matthews 11

LaMarr Woodley 11

*Active in 2017 postseason

SACK ATTACK II: Eight players in the 2017 playoff field recorded at least 10 sacks this season: Jacksonville’s CALAIS

CAMPBELL (14.5), Minnesota’s EVERSON GRIFFEN (13), New Orleans’ CAMERON JORDAN (13), Pittsburgh’s

CAMERON HEYWARD (12), the Jaguars’ YANNICK NGAKOUE (12), Carolina’s MARIO ADDISON (11) and JULIUS

PEPPERS (11), and the Los Angeles Rams’ AARON DONALD (11). The players with the most sacks in a postseason game:

PLAYER TEAM SACKS OPPONENT DATE

Willie McGinest New England Patriots 4.5 Jacksonville January 7, 2006

Richard Dent Chicago Bears 3.5 New York Giants January 5, 1986

Rich Milot Washington Redskins 3.5 Chicago December 30, 1984

The players with the most sacks in a single postseason:

MOST SACKS IN A POSTSEASON

PLAYER TEAM SACKS SEASON

LaMarr Woodley Pittsburgh Steelers 6 2008

Michael McCrary Baltimore Ravens 6 2000

Richard Dent Chicago Bears 6 1985

Von Miller Denver Broncos 5 2015

Terrell Suggs Baltimore Ravens 5 2010

Willie McGinest New England Patriots 5 2003

Tony Tolbert Dallas Cowboys 5 1995

Page 18: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

18

BALL HAWKS: Tennessee’s KEVIN BYARD tied for the NFL lead with eight interceptions this season. Seven players in

the 2017 postseason field recorded at least five interceptions this year: Tennessee’s Byard (eight), Jacksonville’s A.J.

BOUYE (six), Buffalo’s MICAH HYDE (five) and JORDAN POYER (five), New Orleans rookie MARSHON LATTIMORE

(five), Kansas City’s MARCUS PETERS (five) and Minnesota’s HARRISON SMITH (five).

The players with the most interceptions in a playoff game and an entire postseason:

MOST INTERCEPTIONS IN PLAYOFF GAME

SEASON PLAYER TEAM INTERCEPTIONS OPPONENT DATE

1979 Vernon Perry Houston Oilers 4 San Diego Chargers December 29, 1979

-- Many tied -- 3 -- --

MOST INTERCEPTIONS IN A POSTSEASON

SEASON PLAYER TEAM INTERCEPTIONS

1980 Lester Hayes Oakland Raiders 5

1979 Vernon Perry Houston Oilers 5

-- Many tied -- 4

ROOKIE DEFENDER: New Orleans’ MARSHON LATTIMORE led all NFL rookies with five interceptions this season. The rookies with the most interceptions in a playoff game and an entire postseason:

MOST INTERCEPTIONS IN PLAYOFF GAME, ROOKIE

PLAYER TEAM INT OPPONENT DATE

Vernon Perry Houston Oilers 4 San Diego Chargers December 29, 1979

Ricky Manning, Jr. Carolina Panthers 3 Philadelphia Eagles January 18, 2004

Many tied -- 2 -- --

MOST INTERCEPTIONS IN A POSTSEASON, ROOKIE

SEASON PLAYER TEAM INT

1979 Vernon Perry Houston Oilers 5

2003 Ricky Manning Jr. Carolina Panthers 4

1980 Roynell Young Philadelphia Eagles 3

1969 Jim Marsalis Kansas City Chiefs 3

-- Many tied -- 2

MR. RELIABLE: New England kicker STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI has made 22 consecutive field goals in the postseason dating back to the 2011 season. Gostkowski (160 points) ranks third all-time in career postseason points, trailing only

ADAM VINATIERI (234) and DAVID AKERS (175). The players with the most career points scored in the postseason:

PLAYER TEAM(S) POINTS

Adam Vinatieri New England, Indianapolis 234

David Akers Philadelphia, San Francisco 175

Stephen Gostkowski* New England 160

Gary Anderson Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Minnesota, Tennessee 153

Mason Crosby Green Bay 137

*Active in 2017 postseason

The kickers with the most points scored in a single postseason:

SEASON PLAYER TEAM POINTS

2006 Adam Vinatieri Indianapolis Colts 49

1992 Steve Christie Buffalo Bills 39

1987 Chuck Nelson Minnesota Vikings 36

2003 John Kasay Carolina Panthers 35

2011 Lawrence Tynes New York Giants 34

1985 Tony Franklin New England Patriots 34

Page 19: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

19

BEST NFL PLAYOFF PERFORMANCES (Single postseason)

PASSING YARDS PLAYER, TEAM SEASON COMP. ATT. YARDS TD INT Eli Manning, New York Giants 2011 106 163 1,219 9 1

Kurt Warner, Arizona 2008 92 135 1,147 11 3

Joe Flacco, Baltimore 2012 73 126 1,140 11 0

Tom Brady, New England 2016 93 142 1,137 7 3

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay 2010 90 132 1,094 9 2

RUSHING YARDS

PLAYER, TEAM SEASON ATT. YARDS TD John Riggins, Washington 1982 136 610 4

Terrell Davis, Denver 1997 112 581 8

Terrell Davis, Denver 1998 78 468 3

Marcus Allen, Los Angeles Raiders 1983 58 466 4

Eddie George, Tennessee 1999 108 449 3

RECEIVING YARDS PLAYER, TEAM SEASON REC. YARDS TD Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona 2008 30 546 7

Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants 2011 28 444 4

Jerry Rice, San Francisco 1988 21 409 6

Steve Smith, Sr., Carolina 2003 18 404 3

Charlie Brown, Washington 1983 14 401 1

RECEPTIONS

PLAYER, TEAM SEASON REC. YARDS TD Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona 2008 30 546 7

Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants 2011 28 444 4

Demaryius Thomas, Denver 2013 28 306 3

Steve Smith, Sr., Carolina 2005 27 335 3

Wes Welker, New England 2007 27 213 2

SCRIMMAGE TOUCHDOWNS PLAYER, TEAM SEASON TOTAL TDs RUSH TD REC. TD Terrell Davis, Denver 1997 8 8 0

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona 2008 7 0 7

Larry Csonka, Miami 1973 6 6 0

Franco Harris, Pittsburgh 1974 6 6 0

John Riggins, Washington 1983 6 6 0

Jerry Rice, San Francisco 1988 6 0 6

Gerald Riggs, Washington 1991 6 6 0

Ricky Watters, San Francisco 1993 6 6 0

Emmitt Smith, Dallas 1995 6 6 0

Page 20: 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY - … Football Information... · 2017 NFL PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY ... the New England Patriots (Saturday, CBS, 8:15 PM ET) ... 1995 Kansas City Lost Divisional

20

THE COACHES

HEAD OF THE CLASS: New England head coach BILL BELICHICK has 26 career postseason victories, the most all-time. The head coaches with the most career playoff wins:

HEAD COACH TEAM(S) PLAYOFF WINS

Bill Belichick* Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots 26

Tom Landry Dallas Cowboys 20

Don Shula Baltimore Colts, Miami Dolphins 19

Joe Gibbs Washington Redskins 17

Chuck Noll Pittsburgh Steelers 16

*Active in 2017 postseason Since joining New England in 2000, Belichick has led the Patriots to five Super Bowl titles (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX,

LI) and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer CHUCK NOLL (IX, X, XIII, XIV) of Pittsburgh for the most in league history.

-- NFL --

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT: Three head coaches in the 2017 postseason field have won at least one Super Bowl title –

New England’s BILL BELICHICK (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI), Pittsburgh’s MIKE TOMLIN (XLIII) and New

Orleans’ SEAN PAYTON (XLIV). Additionally, Kansas City’s ANDY REID (XXXIX with Philadelphia), Carolina’s RON

RIVERA (50) and Atlanta’s DAN QUINN (LI) have each led a team that advanced to the Super Bowl. The head coaches in the 2017 playoff field with Super Bowl experience:

HEAD COACH CURRENT TEAM SUPER BOWL TEAM SUPER BOWL WINS SUPER BOWL LOSSES

Bill Belichick New England New England XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI XLII, XLVI

Mike Tomlin Pittsburgh Pittsburgh XLIII XLV

Sean Payton New Orleans New Orleans XLIV --

Andy Reid Kansas City Philadelphia -- XXXIX

Ron Rivera Carolina Carolina -- 50

Dan Quinn Atlanta Atlanta -- LI

-- NFL --

POSTSEASON RECORDS OF 2017 PLAYOFF HEAD COACHES

COACH TEAM W L PCT.

Bill Belichick New England Patriots 26 10 .722

Dan Quinn Atlanta Falcons 2 1 .667

Sean Payton New Orleans Saints 6 4 .600

Mike Tomlin Pittsburgh Steelers 8 6 .571

Ron Rivera Carolina Panthers 3 3 .500

Andy Reid Kansas City Chiefs 11 12 .478

Mike Zimmer Minnesota Vikings 0 1 .000

Doug Marrone Jacksonville Jaguars - - ---

Sean McDermott Buffalo Bills - - ---

Sean McVay Los Angeles Rams - - ---

Mike Mularkey Tennessee Titans - - ---

Doug Pederson Philadelphia Eagles - - ---

###