First Time Top Seeds Eliminated in Divisional Round
This weekend's losses by the Titans (Ravens 13-10) and Giants (Eagles 23-11) marks the first time that both conference top-seeds have been eliminated in the divisional round playoffs. The elimination of the Titans and Giants also marks the third time that no top conference seed will advance to the Super Bowl (1992 & 1997). It is also the 4th year in a row where at least one top seed has been eliminated in the divisional round.
The last time both conference seeds advanced to the Super Bowl was 1993 when the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Buffalo Bills, 52-17, in Super Bowl XXVIII
Since the NFL expanded the playoff field from 10 to 12 teams in 1990 (six teams per conference), 36 conference champions have been crowned.
Exactly half of those were No. 1 seeds in the playoffs. Seven No. 1 seeds in the AFC have made it to the Super Bowl since 1990, and 11 NFC top seeds have appeared in the Super Bowl in the same period. Of those 18 conference champions, eight went on to claim the Super Bowl Championship and the Lombardi Trophy.
Top Seed Success in AFC & NFC since NFL playoff field expanded to 12 teams in 1990
| Year | Conference | Team | Record | Playoff Finish |
| 2008 | AFC | Tennessee | 13-3 | Lost in Divisional Playoff (Ravens 13-10) |
| NFC | N.Y. Giants | 12-4 | Lost in Divisional Playoff (Eagles 23-11) | |
| 2007 | AFC | New England | 16-0 | Lost Super Bowl XLII |
| NFC | Dallas | 13-3 | Lost in Divisional Playoff | |
| 2006 | AFC | San Diego | 14-2 | Lost in Divisional Playoff |
| NFC | Chicago | 13-3 | Lost Super Bowl XLI | |
| 2005 | AFC | Indianapolis | 14-2 | Lost in Divisional Playoff |
| NFC | Seattle | 13-3 | Lost Super Bowl XL | |
| 2004 | AFC | Pittsburgh | 15-1 | Lost AFC Championship |
| NFC | Philadelphia | 13-3 | Lost Super Bowl XXXIX | |
| 2003 | AFC | New England | 14-2 | Won Super Bowl XXXVIII |
| NFC | Philadelphia | 12-4 | Lost NFC Championship | |
| 2002 | AFC | Oakland | 11-5 | Lost Super Bowl XXXVII |
| NFC | Philadelphia | 12-4 | Lost NFC Championship | |
| 2001 | AFC | Pittsburgh | 13-3 | Lost AFC Championship |
| NFC | St. Louis | 14-2 | Lost Super Bowl XXXVI | |
| 2000 | AFC | Tennessee | 13-3 | Lost in Divisional Playoff |
| NFC | N.Y. Giants | 12-4 | Lost Super Bowl XXXV | |
| 1999 | AFC | Jacksonville | 14-2 | Lost AFC Championship |
| NFC | St. Louis | 13-3 | Won Super Bowl XXXIV | |
| 1998 | AFC | Denver | 14-2 | Won Super Bowl XXXIII |
| NFC | Minnesota | 15-1 | Lost NFC Championship | |
| 1997 | AFC | Kansas City | 13-3 | Lost in Divisional Playoff |
| NFC | San Francisco | 13-3 | Lost NFC Championship | |
| 1996 | AFC | Denver | 13-3 | Lost in Divisional Playoff |
| NFC | Green Bay | 13-3 | Won Super Bowl XXXI | |
| 1995 | AFC | Kansas City | 13-3 | Lost in Divisional Playoff |
| NFC | Dallas | 12-4 | Won Super Bowl XXX | |
| 1994 | AFC | Pittsburgh | 12-4 | Lost AFC Championship |
| NFC | San Francisco | 13-3 | Won Super Bowl XXIX | |
| 1993 | AFC | Buffalo | 12-4 | Lost Super Bowl XXVIII |
| NFC | Dallas | 12-4 | Won Super Bowl XXVIII | |
| 1992 | AFC | Pittsburgh | 11-5 | Lost in Divisional Playoff |
| NFC | San Francisco | 14-2 | Lost NFC Championship | |
| 1991 | AFC | Buffalo | 13-3 | Lost Super Bowl XXVI |
| NFC | Washington | 14-2 | Won Super Bowl XXVI | |
| 1990 | AFC | Buffalo | 13-3 | Lost Super Bowl XXV |
| NFC | San Francisco | 14-2 | Lost NFC Championship |
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NFL Playoffs - First Time Top Seeds Eliminated in Divisional Round