NFL 2016: What To Look For: Divisional Playoffs

NFL 2016: What To Look For: Divisional Playoffs

Here's what to look for during the Divisional Round of this year's NFL playoffs.

Regular Season Recap
Thriving on Offense | On the Defensive | Remarkable Rookies | Records & Milestones | Close Games

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Top Seeds Typically Top Dogs

Since the NFL moved to a 12-team playoff format in 1990, No. 1 seeds in the NFC are 22-4 (.846) in the Divisional Playoffs. In the AFC, the No. 1 seed has compiled a 16-10 (.615) record.

Both No. 1 seeds are in action this weekend when the top-seeded DALLAS COWBOYS host the GREEN BAY PACKERS in the NFC and the No. 1-seed NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS face the HOUSTON TEXANS in the AFC.

 

Top Seeds in Divisional-Round Play Since 1990

 

Winning Ways

Four of the five winningest franchises in postseason history -- the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots -- are in action in the Divisional Playoffs.

The AFC's No. 1 overall seed New England hosts Houston (8:15 PM ET, CBS) on Saturday night. On Sunday, Pittsburgh travels to Kansas City (1:05 PM ET, NBC) while Green Bay visits Dallas (4:40 PM ET, FOX).

The Steelers, who defeated Miami 30-12 in the Wild Card round, have 35 postseason wins, the most in NFL history. The Cowboys (34), Packers (33) and Patriots (29) rank second, third and fifth, respectively, in all-time postseason victories.

 

Most Postseason Wins in NFL History

 

Patriot Presence

The New England Patriots have made five consecutive appearances in the AFC Championship game, tying the 1973-77 Oakland Raiders for the longest streak of Conference Championship game appearances since the 1970 merger.

With a win against Houston on Saturday, the Patriots would become the first team since 1970 to advance to six consecutive Conference Championship games.

 

Most Consecutive Conference Championship Appearances since 1970

 

Booming Antonio Brown

Pittsburgh wide receiver ANTONIO BROWN had five receptions for 124 yards, including touchdown catches of 50 and 62 yards in the first quarter of the Steelers' 30-12 win over Miami in the Wild Card round. Brown became the first player in postseason history with two touchdown receptions of at least 50 yards in the first quarter of a game.

With 100 receiving yards on Sunday at Kansas City, Brown, who has at least 100 receiving yards in each of his past three playoff games, will join LARRY FITZGERALD (four) as the only players in postseason history to record four consecutive games with at least 100 receiving yards.

 

Most Consecutive Playoff Games with at Least 100 Yards

 

Remarkable Rushers

Pittsburgh running back LE'VEON BELL had a franchise postseason-record 167 rushing yards with two touchdowns in the Steelers' 30-12 win against Miami in the Wild Card round, while Seattle running back THOMAS RAWLS rushed for 161 yards -- the highest single-game rushing total in team postseason history -- and one touchdown in the Seahawks' 26-6 win over Detroit last week.

Only five different running backs in playoff history have recorded 300 rushing yards over a two-game span in a single postseason.

 

At least 300 rushing yards over a two-game span in single postseason

 

Have Mercilus

Houston linebacker WHITNEY MERCILUS recorded two sacks in the Texans' 27-14 Wild Card win over Oakland.

With two sacks against New England on Saturday, Mercilus, who has five sacks in his past two postseason games, would have the most sacks over any three-game span in postseason history.

 

Most Sacks Over Any Three-Game Playoff Span

 

Three For Three

Atlanta quarterback MATT RYAN ranked second in the NFL with 38 passing touchdowns during the 2016 season, including seven games with at least three touchdown passes.

With three touchdown passes against Seattle on Saturday, Ryan, who has thrown for three touchdowns in each of his past two playoff games, would become the sixth quarterback in postseason history with at least three touchdown passes in three consecutive games.

 

Most Consecutive Postseason Games with at least 3 TD Passes

 

Safe Keeping

Kansas City quarterback ALEX SMITH has thrown for 1,309 yards with 11 touchdown passes and one interception in 186 postseason passing attempts.

Smith's 0.5 interception percentage is the lowest by a quarterback in postseason history (minimum 150 attempts). Dallas' TONY ROMO (1.1) and Green Bay's AARON RODGERS (1.6) rank second and fifth, respectively, in career interception percentage in NFL postseason history.

 

Lowest Playoff INT % (minimum 150 attempts)

 

Next: NFL 2016: Divisional Playoffs Preview

[ Top 20 Passing, Rushing and Receiving leaders ]

 

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