By Dean Michaels, NFL Writer

The NFL playoffs begin on Saturday and Sunday, January 5-6, with Wild Card Weekend.

On Saturday, the Cincinnati Bengals play at the Houston Texans (NBC, 4:30 PM ET) and the Minnesota Vikings visit the Green Bay Packers (NBC, 8:00 PM ET). Wild Card Weekend continues Sunday with the Indianapolis Colts at the Baltimore Ravens (CBS, 1:00 PM ET) and the Seattle Seahawks traveling to face the Washington Redskins (FOX, 4:30 PM ET).

The following week (January 12-13), the Denver Broncos (Saturday, CBS, 4:30 PM ET) and New England Patriots (Sunday, CBS, 4:30 PM ET) in the AFC and the Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, FOX, 1:00 PM ET) and San Francisco 49ers (Saturday, FOX, 8:00 PM ET) in the NFC host the Divisional Playoffs.

The Broncos and Falcons own home-field advantage for the Conference Championship Games (January 20) if they win their Divisional contests.

The 2013 Pro Bowl will be played Sunday, January 27 in Honolulu, Hawaii followed by Super Bowl XLVII on February 3 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

Fresh Faces and Consistent Winners Highlight Playoff Field

For the first time since 2005, and just the fifth (2005, 2003, 2000, 1986) since the 16-game schedule was adopted in 1978, all teams in the playoff field have won at least 10 games.

AFC Team Record NFC Team Record
Source: NFL
1. Denver13-31. Atlanta13-3
2. New England12-42. San Francisco11-4-1
3. Houston12-43. Green Bay11-5
4. Baltimore10-64. Washington10-6
5. Indianapolis11-55. Seattle11-5
6. Cincinnati10-66. Minnesota10-6

 

There are four new playoff teams in 2012: Indianapolis, Minnesota, Seattle 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
Source: NFL
19907 (Cincinnati, Chicago, Kansas City, Los Angeles Raiders, Miami, New Orleans, Washington)
19915 (Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, New York Jets)
19926 (Miami, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, San Francisco)
19935 (Denver, Detroit, Green Bay, Los Angeles Raiders, New York Giants)
19945 (Chicago, Cleveland, Miami, New England, San Diego)
19954 (Atlanta, Buffalo, Indianapolis, Philadelphia)
19965 (Carolina, Denver, Jacksonville, Minnesota, New England)
19975 (Detroit, Kansas City, Miami, New York Giants, Tampa Bay)
19985 (Arizona, Atlanta, Buffalo, Dallas, New York Jets)
19997 (Detroit, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Washington)
20006 (Baltimore, Denver, New Orleans, New York Giants, Oakland, Philadelphia)
20016 (Chicago, Green Bay, New England, New York Jets, Pittsburgh, San Francisco)
20025 (Atlanta, Cleveland, Indianapolis, New York Giants, Tennessee)
20038 (Baltimore, Carolina, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, New England, St. Louis, Seattle)
20045 (Atlanta, Minnesota, New York Jets, Pittsburgh, San Diego)
20057 (Carolina, Chicago, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, New York Giants, Tampa Bay, Washington)
20067 (Baltimore, Dallas, Kansas City, New Orleans, New York Jets, Philadelphia, San Diego)
20076 (Green Bay, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Washington)
20087 (Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Carolina, Miami, Minnesota, Philadelphia)
20096 (Cincinnati, Dallas, Green Bay, New England, New Orleans, New York Jets)
20105 (Atlanta, Chicago, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Seattle)v
20116 (Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Houston, New York Giants, San Francisco)
20124 (Indianapolis, Minnesota, Seattle, Washington)

 

In the 11 seasons since realignment in 2002, 28 of the 32 NFL teams have won a division title at least once, including the Redskins, who claimed the NFC East for the first time since 1999.

Washington rebounded to win the NFC East after a last-place finish in 2011. This marked the NFL-record 10th consecutive season that a 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
Source: NFL *Tied for last place
2003Carolina11-57-9Super Bowl XXXVIII
2003Kansas City13-38-8*Divisional Playoffs
2004Atlanta11-55-11NFC Championship
2004San Diego12-44-12*Wild Card Playoffs
2005Chicago11-55-11Divisional Playoffs
2005Tampa Bay11-55-11Wild Card Playoffs
2006Baltimore13-36-10*Divisional Playoffs
2006New Orleans10-63-13NFC Championship
2006Philadelphia10-66-10Divisional Playoffs
2007Tampa Bay9-74-12Wild Card Playoffs
2008Miami11-51-15Wild Card Playoffs
2009New Orleans13-38-8Won Super Bowl XLIV
2010Kansas City10-64-12Wild Card Playoffs
2011Denver8-84-12Divisional Playoffs
2011Houston10-66-10*Divisional Playoffs
2012Washington10-65-11???

 

The 2012 playoff field also showcases teams that have enjoyed recent postseason success.

Since realignment in 2002, the Indianapolis Colts have been to the playoffs 10 times, the most in the NFL. The New England Patriots are second with nine postseason berths and the Green Bay Packers rank third with eight playoff appearances.

The Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks are among the teams tied for the fourth-most postseason berths since 2002 with seven.

Following are the teams with the most playoff appearances since 2002 (includes 2012):

Team Postseason Appearances
Source: NFL *In 2012 postseason
Indianapolis Colts10*
New England Patriots9*
Green Bay Packers8*
Baltimore Ravens7*
Philadelphia Eagles7
Pittsburgh Steelers7
Seattle Seahawks7*

 

Four of this season's 12 playoff teams have won at least one Super Bowl since 2000, capturing six of the past 12 Vince Lombardi Trophies. Those teams are Baltimore (XXXV), Green Bay (XLV), Indianapolis (XLI) and New England (XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX).

Super Bowl Season Winner
Source: NFL *In 2012 postseason
XXXV2000Baltimore*
XXXVI2001New England*
XXXVII2002Tampa Bay
XXXVIII2003New England*
XXXIX2004New England*
XL2005Pittsburgh
XLI2006Indianapolis*
XLII2007New York Giants
XLIII2008Pittsburgh
XLIV2009New Orleans
XLV2010Green Bay*
XLVI2011New York Giants

 

All-Time Playoffs

The Green Bay Packers will participate in the playoffs for the 28th time, the third-most postseason appearances in NFL history.

The teams with the most seasons participating in the playoffs (includes 2012):

Team Playoff Berths
Source: NFL *In 2012 postseason
New York Giants31
Dallas Cowboys30
Green Bay Packers*28
Minnesota*27*
Pittsburgh Steelers27
St. Louis Rams27

 

The 12 NFL playoff teams and their postseason records:

Team Wins Losses Pct.
Source: NFL
Green Bay Packers2917.630
San Francisco 49ers2618.591
New England Patriots2316.590
Baltimore Ravens107.588
Washington Redskins2317.575
Denver Broncos1816.529
Houston Texans11.500
Indianapolis Colts1920.487
Minnesota Vikings1926.422
Seattle Seahawks811.421
Atlanta Falcons611.353
Cincinnati Bengals510.333

 

Wild Card Game Records

Team Wins Losses Pct.
Source: NFL
Houston Texans101.000
Washington Redskins61.857
Baltimore Ravens51.833
Green Bay Packers74.636
Seattle Seahawks54.556
Minnesota Vikings65.545
Indianapolis Colts45.444
Cincinnati Bengals14.200

 

Divisional Game Playoff Records

Team Wins Losses Pct.
Source: NFL
Denver Broncos84.667
San Francisco 49ers138.619
New England Patriots96.600
Atlanta Falcons25.286

 

This Season's Playoff Teams

Winning Feeling

The Green Bay Packers have won 13 NFL championships, the most in league history. Of the 12 playoff teams this season, seven have won at least one championship.

NFL championships won by the 2012 playoff teams:

Team NFL Championship(s) Season(s)
Source: NFL
Green Bay Packers131929-31, 1936, 1939, 1944, 1961-62, 1965-67, 1996, 2010
San Francisco 49ers51981, 1984, 1988-89, 1994
Washington Redskins51937, 1942, 1982, 1987, 1991
Indianapolis Colts41958-59, 1970, 2006
New England Patriots32001, 2003-04
Denver Broncos21997-98
Baltimore Ravens12000
Atlanta Falcons0--
Cincinnati Bengals0--
Houston Texans0--
Minnesota Vikings0--
Seattle Seahawks0--

 

All-time NFL Playoff Success

The Green Bay Packers have won 29 postseason games, the most among 2012 playoff teams and the third-most most in NFL history. The San Francisco 49ers have 26 postseason victories, the second-most among 2012 playoff clubs and the fourth-most all-time. The teams with the most playoff victories in NFL history:

Team Playoff Wins
Source: NFL *In 2012 playoffs
Dallas Cowboys33
Pittsburgh Steelers33
Green Bay Packers*29
San Francisco 49ers*26
Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders25

 

Postseason victories for the 2012 playoff teams:

Team Playoff Wins
Source: NFL
Green Bay Packers29
San Francisco 49ers26
New England Patriots23
Washington Redskins23
Indianapolis Colts19
Minnesota Vikings19
Denver Broncos18
Baltimore Ravens10
Seattle Seahawks8
Atlanta Falcons6
Cincinnati Bengals5
Houston Texans1

 

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 21 of the 44 (47.7 percent) No. 1 seeds have advanced to the Super Bowl, with nine No. 1 seeds being crowned champions (20.5 percent).

How the No. 1 seeds have fared since 1990:

Season AFC No. 1 Seed Season Result NFC No. 1 Seed Season Result
Source: NFL
1990BuffaloLost Super Bowl XXVSan FranciscoLost NFC Championship
1991BuffaloLost Super Bowl XXVIWashingtonWon Super Bowl XXVI
1992PittsburghLost DivisionalSan FranciscoLost NFC Championship
1993BuffaloLost Super Bowl XXVIIIDallasWon Super Bowl XXVIII
1994PittsburghLost AFC ChampionshipSan FranciscoWon Super Bowl XXIX
1995Kansas CityLost DivisionalDallasWon Super Bowl XXX
1996DenverLost DivisionalGreen BayWon Super Bowl XXXI
1997Kansas CityLost DivisionalSan FranciscoLost NFC Championship
1998DenverWon Super Bowl XXXIIIMinnesotaLost NFC Championship
1999JacksonvilleLost AFC ChampionshipSt. LouisWon Super Bowl XXXIV
2000TennesseeLost DivisionalNew York GiantsLost Super Bowl XXXV
2001PittsburghLost AFC ChampionshipSt. LouisLost Super Bowl XXXVI
2002OaklandLost Super Bowl XXXVIIPhiladelphiaLost NFC Championship
2003New EnglandWon Super Bowl XXXVIIIPhiladelphiaLost NFC Championship
2004PittsburghLost AFC ChampionshipPhiladelphiaLost Super Bowl XXXIX
2005IndianapolisLost DivisionalSeattleLost Super Bowl XL
2006San DiegoLost DivisionalChicagoLost Super Bowl XLI
2007New EnglandLost Super Bowl XLIIDallasLost Divisional
2008TennesseeLost DivisionalNew York GiantsLost Divisional
2009IndianapolisLost Super Bowl XLIVNew OrleansWon Super Bowl XLIV
2010New EnglandLost DivisionalAtlantaLost Divisional
2011New EnglandLost Super Bowl XLVIGreen BayLost Divisional
2012Denver???Atlanta???

 

Division Dominance

Since 2000, the New England Patriots have won 10 division titles, the most in the NFL during that span. The Green Bay Packers are tied for first in the NFC with six division titles since 2000.

The NFL teams with the most division titles since 2000:

Team Division Titles
Source: NFL *2012 division winner
New England Patriots*10
Indianapolis Colts7
Green Bay Packers*6
Philadelphia Eagles6
Pittsburgh Steelers6
Seattle Seahawks5
San Diego Chargers5

 

Super Bowl Encores

The New England Patriots posted a 12-4 record this season and became the 13th Super Bowl runner-up since 1990 to qualify for the playoffs the following year.

Since 1990, the Super Bowl runner-ups to advance to the postseason:

Year Team Record Result
Source: NFL
1991Buffalo13-3Won division; Advanced to Super Bowl XXVI
1992Buffalo11-5Wild Card; Advanced to Super Bowl XXVII
1993Buffalo12-4Won division; Advanced to Super Bowl XXVIII
1995San Diego9-7Wild Card; Advanced to Wild Card
1996Pittsburgh10-6Won division; Advanced to Divisional
1997New England10-6Won division; Advanced to Divisional
1998Green Bay11-5Wild Card; Advanced to Wild Card
2000Tennessee13-3Won division; Advanced to Divisional
2006Seattle9-7Won division; Advanced to Divisional
2009Arizona10-6Won division; Advanced to Divisional
2010Indianapolis10-6Won division; Advanced to Wild Card
2011Pittsburgh12-4Wild Card; Advanced to Wild Card
2012New England12-4Won division; ???

 

Point Production

The New England Patriots scored an NFL-high 557 points this year, the third-most in a single season in NFL history.

The highest-scoring teams in NFL history and how they fared in the postseason:

Year Team Points Final Record Advanced To
Source: NFL
2007New England Patriots58916-0Super Bowl XLII
2011Green Bay Packers56015-1Divisional
2012New England Patriots55712-4???
1998Minnesota Vikings55615-1NFC Championship
2011New Orleans Saints54713-3Divisional
1983Washington Redskins54114-2Super Bowl XVIII

 

Hail To The Redskins

The Washington Redskins have won seven in a row and are the fifth team in NFL history to advance to the playoffs after a 3-6 start.

The five teams in NFL history to qualify for the postseason after a 3-6 start:

Team Year Record Playoff Result
Source: NFL
Cincinnati19708-6Advanced to Divisional
New England199410-6Advanced to Wild Card
Detroit199510-6Advanced to Wild Card
Jacksonville19969-7Advanced to AFC Championship
Washington201210-6???

 

The Indianapolis Colts, who finished 2-14 in 2011, are the second team to win 11 games following a season with two or fewer victories since 1970.

Undefeated At Home

The Seattle Seahawks finished the 2012 regular season undefeated at home.

Since 2000, only 20 teams have posted a perfect regular-season record at home. Of the previous 19 teams, five have gone to the Super Bowl (26.3 percent).

The teams (since 2000) to finish with 8-0 records at home and their final season result:

Season Team Overall Result
Source: NFL
2002Green Bay Packers12-4Advanced to Wild Card
2003Kansas City Chiefs13-3Advanced to Divisional
2003New England Patriots14-2Won Super Bowl XXXVIII
2003St. Louis Rams12-4Advanced to Divisional
2003Seattle Seahawks10-6Advanced to Wild Card
2004New England Patriots14-2Won Super Bowl XXXIX
2004Pittsburgh Steelers15-1Advanced to AFC Championship
2005Denver Broncos13-3Advanced to AFC Championship
2005Seattle Seahawks13-3Advanced to Super Bowl XL
2006Indianapolis Colts12-4Won Super Bowl XLI
2006San Diego Chargers14-2Advanced to Divisional
2007New England Patriots16-0Advanced to Super Bowl XLII
2008Carolina Panthers12-4Advanced to Divisional
2009New England Patriots10-6Advanced to Wild Card
2009Minnesota Vikings12-4Advanced to NFC Championship
2010New England Patriots14-2Advanced to Divisional
2011Baltimore Ravens12-4Advanced to AFC Championship
2011Green Bay Packers15-1Advanced to Divisional
2011New Orleans Saints13-3Advanced to Divisional
2012Seattle Seahawks11-5???

 

Mile-High Momentum

The Denver Broncos enter the postseason with 11 consecutive victories, the NFL's longest current winning streak. Denver is the No. 1 seed in the AFC and is tied for the fifth-longest winning streak to enter the playoffs since 1970.

Following are the longest single-season winning streaks entering the playoffs since 1970:

Team Year Consecutive Wins Playoff Result
Source: NFL *Undefeated in regular season
New England Patriots200716*Advanced to Super Bowl XLII
Miami Dolphins197214*Won Super Bowl VII
Pittsburgh Steelers200414Advanced to AFC Championship Game
New England Patriots200312Won Super Bowl XXXVIII
Denver Broncos201211???
Houston Oilers199311Advanced to Divisional
San Diego Chargers200911Advanced to Divisional

 

OT and Playoffs -- Winning Combination

The playoffs have featured at least one overtime game in 10 of the past 12 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.

NFL overtime playoff games since 2000

Season Round Teams Game-Winning Score
Source: NFL
2000WCMiami 23, Indianapolis 17RB Lamar Smith scores on 17-yard TD run
2001Div.New England 16, Oakland 13K Adam Vinatieri connects on 23-yard FG
2002Div.Tennessee 34, Pittsburgh 31K Joe Nedney wins it with 26-yard FG
2003WCGreen Bay 33, Seattle 27CB Al Harris returns INT 52 yards for TD
2003Div.Carolina 29, St. Louis 23 (2 OT)QB Jake Delhomme connects with WR Steve Smith on 69-yd TD
2003Div.Philadelphia 20, Green Bay 17K David Akers wins game with 31-yard FG
2004WCNY Jets 20, San Diego 17K Doug Brien converts 28-yard FG
2004Div.Pittsburgh 20, NY Jets 17K Jeff Reed connects on 33-yard game-winner
2006Div.Chicago 27, Seattle 24K Robbie Gould converts game-winning FG from 49 yards out
2007Champ.NY Giants 23, Green Bay 20K Lawrence Tynes wins it with 47-yard FG
2008WCSan Diego 23, Indianapolis 17RB Darren Sproles scores on 22-yard TD run
2009WCArizona 51, Green Bay 45LB Karlos Dansby scores on 17-yard FR-TD
2009Champ.New Orleans 31, Minnesota 28K Garrett Hartley converts 40-yard game-winning FG
2011WCDenver 29, Pittsburgh 23WR Demaryius Thomas catches 80-yard TD from QB Tim Tebow
2011Champ.NY Giants 20, San Francisco 17K Lawrence Tynes connects on 31-yard FG

 

Aaron Rodgers' Neighborhood

Green Bay Pro Bowl quarterback AARON RODGERS led the Packers to a victory in Super Bowl XLV and was named the MVP of the title game. In seven career playoff games, Rodgers ranks as one of the top postseason quarterbacks in NFL history.

His 105.5 passer rating is the highest mark in NFL postseason history (minimum 150 attempts), just ahead of another Packer, Pro Football Hall of Famer Bart Starr (104.8).

NFL quarterbacks with the highest postseason passer rating (min. 150 attempts):

Quarterback Att. Comp. Yards TD INT Rating
Source: NFL *Active
Aaron Rodgers*2201441,781154105.5
Bart Starr2131301,753153104.8
Drew Brees*3912622,980224104.2
Kurt Warner4623073,9523114102.8
Joe Montana7344605,772452195.6

 

Aaron Rodgers has completed 144 of 220 attempts in his postseason career for a 65.5 completion percentage. He is one of only four quarterbacks in NFL playoff history (minimum 150 attempts) to complete at least 65 percent of his passes.

The quarterbacks with the highest postseason completion percentage (min. 150 attempts):

Quarterback Att. Comp. Pct.
Source: NFL *Active
Drew Brees*39126267.0
Kurt Warner46230766.5
Ken Anderson16611066.3
Aaron Rodgers*22014465.5
Warren Moon40325964.3

 

Rodgers has averaged 8.10 yards per pass attempt. He and KURT WARNER are the only quarterbacks in NFL postseason history (minimum 150 attempts) to average at least 8.00 yards per attempt with a completion percentage of at least 65.

Rodgers has thrown only four interceptions in 220 career attempts in the postseason. His 1.8 interception percentage is the third-lowest in NFL postseason history (minimum 150 attempts).

 

Passing By

Pro Bowl quarterbacks PEYTON MANNING of Denver and AARON RODGERS of Green Bay have each had a 400-yard passing game in the postseason. Manning had two 400-yard games with Indianapolis (1/9/05 and 1/13/08) and Rodgers threw for 400 yards in a 2009 playoff game (1/10/10).

DREW BREES (three), Manning (two) and Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (two) are the only quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for at least 400 yards in multiple playoff games.

The 17 400-yard plus passing performances in NFL Playoff history:

Quarterback Team Opponent Date Pass Yards
Source: NFL
Bernie KosarClevelandNew York Jets1/3/87489
Drew BreesNew OrleansDetroit1/7/12466
Drew BreesNew OrleansSan Francisco1/14/12462
Peyton ManningIndianapolisDenver1/9/05458
Dan FoutsSan DiegoMiami1/2/82433
Kelly HolcombClevelandPittsburgh1/5/03429
Jeff GeorgeMinnesotaSt. Louis1/16/00423
Aaron RodgersGreen BayArizona1/10/10423
Dan MarinoMiamiBuffalo12/30/95422
Dan MarinoMiamiPittsburgh1/6/85421
Kurt WarnerSt. LouisTennessee1/30/00414
Randall CunninghamPhiladelphiaChicago12/31/88407
Jim KellyBuffaloCleveland1/6/90405
Drew BreesNew OrleansSeattle1/8/11404
Don StrockMiamiSan Diego1/2/82403
Peyton ManningIndianapolisSan Diego1/13/08402
Daryle LamonicaOaklandNew York Jets12/29/68401

 

Super Bowl MVPs

There are five players in the 2012 postseason who have been named Super Bowl MVP: quarterback TOM BRADY of New England (XXXVI, XXXVIII), wide receiver DEION BRANCH of New England (XXXIX), linebacker RAY LEWIS of Baltimore (XXXV), quarterback PEYTON MANNING of Denver (XLI with Indianapolis) and quarterback AARON RODGERS of Green Bay (XLV).

Brady is one of only five players in NFL history to be named Super Bowl MVP multiple times and aims to join Pro Football Hall of Famer JOE MONTANA as 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
Source: NFL *Active
Joe MontanaSan Francisco3 (XVI, XIX, XXIV)
Terry BradshawPittsburgh2 (XIII, XIV)
Tom Brady*New England2 (XXXVI, XXXVIII)
Eli Manning*New York Giants2 (XLII, XLVI)
Bart StarrGreen Bay2 (I, II)

 

Postseason Success

New England quarterback TOM BRADY has a 16-6 (.727) postseason record, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famers TERRY BRADSHAW and TROY AIKMAN for the third-best postseason record as a starting quarterback in NFL history (minimum 15 starts).

The NFL quarterbacks with the best records in postseason starts (minimum 15 starts):

Quarterback Record Win Pct.
Source: NFL *Active
Terry Bradshaw14-5.737
Troy Aikman11-4.733
Tom Brady*16-6.727
Joe Montana16-7.696
John Elway14-7.667

 

Tom Brady: A Proven Winner

New England's TOM BRADY is one of four quarterbacks in NFL history to win at least three Super Bowls.

Only 11 QBs in NFL history have won multiple Super Bowls. Of the 11, three are active and seven have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Following are the starting quarterbacks to win multiple Super Bowls:

Quarterback Super Bowl Wins
Source: NFL *Member of Pro Football Hall of Fame **Active
Terry Bradshaw*4
Joe Montana*4
Troy Aikman*3
Tom Brady**3
John Elway*2
Bob Griese*2
Eli Manning**2
Jim Plunkett2
Ben Roethlisberger**2
Bart Starr*2
Roger Staubach*2

 

Rookie Quarterbacks

For the first time in the Super Bowl era, three rookie quarterbacks -- ROBERT GRIFFIN III (Washington), ANDREW LUCK (Indianapolis) and RUSSELL WILSON (Seattle) -- will start a game in the same postseason. Previously, only 11 rookie quarterbacks have started a playoff game in the Super Bowl era.

The rookie quarterbacks to start a playoff game (since 1966):

Quarterback Season Team Playoff Result
Source: NFL
Dan Marino1983Miami DolphinsAdvanced to Divisional
Bernie Kosar1985Cleveland BrownsAdvanced to Divisional
Jim Everett1986L.A. RamsAdvanced to Wild Card
Todd Marinovich1991L.A. RaidersAdvanced to Wild Card
Shaun King1999Tampa Bay BuccaneersAdvanced to NFC Championship
Ben Roethlisberger2004Pittsburgh SteelersAdvanced to AFC Championship
Joe Flacco2008Baltimore RavensAdvanced to AFC Championship
Matt Ryan2008Atlanta FalconsAdvanced to Wild Card
Mark Sanchez2009New York JetsAdvanced to AFC Championship
Andy Dalton2011Cincinnati BengalsAdvanced to Wild Card
T.J. Yates2011Houston TexansAdvanced to Divisional
Robert Griffin III2012Washington Redskins???
Andrew Luck2012Indianapolis Colts???
Russell Wilson2012Seattle Seahawks???

 

The best postseason marks by rookies in NFL history:

Most Passing Yards By Rookie, Single Postseason

Quarterback Team Season Yards
Source: NFL
Mark SanchezNew York Jets2009539
Joe FlaccoBaltimore Ravens2008437
Ben RoethlisbergerPittsburgh Steelers2004407
T.J. YatesHouston Texans2011343
Sammy BaughWashington Redskins1937335

 

Most Passing TDs By Rookie, Single Postseason

Quarterback Team Season TDs
Source: NFL
Mark SanchezNew York Jets20094
Sammy BaughWashington Redskins19373
Ben RoethlisbergerPittsburgh Steelers20043
Many Tied----2

 

Highest Passer Rating By Rookie, Single Postseason

Quarterback Team Season Rating
Source: NFL (Minimum 50 attempts)
Mark SanchezNew York Jets200992.7
Ben RoethlisbergerPittsburgh Steelers200461.3
T.J. YatesHouston Texans201153.8
Joe FlaccoBaltimore Ravens200850.8
Shaun KingTampa Bay Buccaneers199947.2

 

Pro Football Hall of Famer SAMMY BAUGH holds the rookie record for the most passing yards (335) and touchdown passes (three) in a postseason game.

Most Passing Yards By Rookie, Playoff Game

Quarterback Team Date Yards
Source: NFL
Sammy BaughWashington Redskins12/12/37335
Mark SanchezNew York Jets1/24/10257
Andy DaltonCincinnati Bengals1/7/12257
Ben RoethlisbergerPittsburgh Steelers1/23/05226

 

First-Timers

Six starting quarterbacks -- ROBERT GRIFFIN III (Washington), COLIN KAEPERNICK (San Francisco), ANDREW LUCK (Indianapolis), CHRISTIAN PONDER (Minnesota), MATT SCHAUB (Houston) and RUSSELL WILSON (Seattle) -- will make their playoff debuts this postseason. The players with the most passing yards in their first career postseason start:

Quarterback Team Yards
Source: NFL
Kelly HolcombCleveland Browns429
Aaron RodgersGreen Bay Packers423
Randall CunninghamPhiladelphia Eagles407
Kurt WarnerSt. Louis Rams391
Neil LomaxSt. Louis Cardinals385

 

All Day

Minnesota running back ADRIAN PETERSON rushed for 2,097 yards, the second-most in a season in NFL history (Pro Football Hall of Famer ERIC DICKERSON, 2,105 in 1984).

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

Player, Team Season Yards TDs
Source: NFL
John Riggins, Washington19826104
Terrell Davis, Denver19975818
Terrell Davis, Denver19984683
Marcus Allen, L.A. Raiders19834664
Eddie George, Tennessee19994493

 

Peterson needs 380 yards to pass TERRELL DAVIS (2,476 in 1998) for the most rushing in a single season in NFL history, including the playoffs. Davis, who rushed for 2,476 yards in 1998 for the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, had 2,008 rushing yards in the regular season and 468 in the postseason.

The players with the most rushing yards in a single season, including the postseason:

Player, Team Season Regular Season Playoffs Total
Source: NFL
Terrell Davis, Denver19982,0084682,476
Terrell Davis, Denver19971,7505812,331
Eric Dickerson, LA Rams19842,1051072,212
Jamal Anderson, Atlanta19981,8462762,122
Barry Sanders, Detroit19972,053652,118

 

Welcome Reception

There are nine players in the 2012 playoff field who recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in the regular season: Houston's ANDRE JOHNSON (1,598), Denver's DEMARYIUS THOMAS (1,434), Indianapolis' REGGIE WAYNE (1,355), New England's WES WELKER (1,354), Atlanta's RODDY WHITE (1,351), Cincinnati's A.J. GREEN (1,350), Atlanta's JULIO JONES (1,198), San Francisco's MICHAEL CRABTREE (1,105) and Denver's ERIC DECKER (1,064).

The No. 1 seed in each conference -- Denver (AFC) and Atlanta (NFC) -- both had two 1,000-yard receivers.

The players with the most receiving yards in a single postseason:

Player, Team Season Receptions Yards TD
Source: NFL
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona2008305467
Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants2011284444
Jerry Rice, San Francisco1988214096
Steve Smith, Carolina2003184043
Charlie Brown, Washington1983144011

 

There have been seven 200-yard receiving games in NFL postseason history. Denver's Thomas and Indianapolis' Wayne have each had one such performance.

The players with the most receiving yards in a postseason game:

Player, Team Season Date Opponent Receptions Yards TD
Source: NFL
Eric Moulds, Buffalo19981/2/99Miami92401
Anthony Carter, Minnesota19871/9/88San Francisco102270
Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis20041/9/05Denver102212
Steve Smith, Carolina20051/15/06Chicago122182
Jerry Rice, San Francisco19881/22/89Cincinnati112151
Calvin Johnson, Detroit20111/7/12New Orleans122112
Demaryius Thomas, Denver20111/8/12Pittsburgh42041

 

Rookie Receivers

Indianapolis wide receiver T.Y. HILTON was second among NFL rookies this season with 861 receiving yards. He was one of only three rookie wide receivers with at least 50 catches (50).

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

Player Team Season Receptions
Source: NFL
Joseph AddaiIndianapolis200622
Torry HoltSt. Louis199920
Austin CollieIndianapolis200917
Chad MortonNew Orleans200015
Steve JunkerDetroit195713

 

Player Team Season Yards
Source: NFL
Torry HoltSt. Louis1999242
Austin CollieIndianapolis2009241
DeSean JacksonPhiladelphia2008207
Steve JunkerDetroit1957201
Ricky NattielDenver1987171

 

Special Delivery

There have been only 20 punt-return touchdowns in playoff history. The last player with a punt-return touchdown in the postseason was New Orleans' REGGIE BUSH in the 2009 Divisional round (83 yards, the third-longest in NFL playoff history). No player has ever recorded more than one in a career.

There have been 22 playoff kickoff-return touchdowns. The last player with a kickoff-return touchdown in the postseason was Atlanta's ERIC WEEMS in last year's Divisional round (102 yards, the longest in NFL playoff history). RON DIXON of the New York Giants (2000-02) is the only player with two career kickoff-return touchdowns in the playoffs.

 

Sack Attack

Four rookies had at least six sacks this season and all four are in this year's playoff field. Seattle defensive end BRUCE IRVIN led NFL rookies with eight sacks, followed by New England's CHANDLER JONES (six), Houston's WHITNEY MERCILUS (six) and Denver's DEREK WOLFE (six).

T-SIZZLE

Baltimore Ravens linebacker TERRELL SUGGS has 10 postseason sacks in 11 career playoff games. Suggs is currently tied for the seventh-most postseason sacks.

Ball-Hawk

Baltimore Ravens safety ED REED (eight) needs one interception to tie Pro Football Hall of Famer RONNIE LOTT (nine), BILL SIMPSON (nine) and CHARLIE WATERS (nine) for the most postseason interceptions in NFL History.

Rookie Defenders

Green Bay's CASEY HAYWARD led all NFL rookies with six interceptions, tied for the fifth-most in the league this season.

The Coaches

Head of The Class

New England Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK (17) is tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer JOE GIBBS (17) for the third-most playoff wins all-time, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famers TOM LANDRY (20) and DON SHULA (19).

With a win in the Divisional Playoffs, Belichick will surpass Gibbs for the third-most playoff wins.

The head coaches with the most playoff wins:

Head Coach Team(s) Playoff Wins
Source: NFL *Active
Tom LandryDallas Cowboys20
Don ShulaBaltimore Colts, Miami Dolphins19
Bill Belichick*Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots17
Joe GibbsWashington Redskins17
Chuck NollPittsburgh Steelers16

 

First-Timer

Rookie head coach CHUCK PAGANO of the Indianapolis Colts will make his postseason debut in his first year at the helm.

Since 1990, 12 rookie head coaches have won their playoff debuts. Last year, San Francisco's JIM HARBAUGH led the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game as a rookie head coach.

The rookie head coaches who won their first playoff game (since 1990):

Head Coach Team Season
Source: NFL
Bobby RossSan Diego Chargers1992
Barry SwitzerDallas Cowboys1994
Ray RhodesPhiladelphia Eagles1995
Steve MariucciSan Francisco 49ers1997
Jim HaslettNew Orleans Saints2000
Bill CallahanOakland Raiders2002
Jim MoraAtlanta Falcons2004
Sean PaytonNew Orleans Saints2006
John HarbaughBaltimore Ravens2008
Jim CaldwellIndianapolis Colts2009
Rex RyanNew York Jets2009
Jim HarbaughSan Francisco 49ers2011

 

Postseason Run

JOHN HARBAUGH of Baltimore has led the club to a 5-4 postseason record through his first four seasons, including two AFC Championship Game appearances.

Harbaugh can become the sixth head coach in NFL history to win at least six postseason games in his first five seasons as a head coach.

The most postseason wins in a head coach's first five seasons:

Head Coach Team Postseason Wins
1st 5 Seasons
Source: NFL
Tom FloresOakland/Los Angeles Raiders8
Mike HolmgrenGreen Bay Packers7
Jimmy JohnsonDallas Cowboys7
Joe GibbsWashington Redskins6
George SeifertSan Francisco 49ers6

 

Division Success

San Francisco head coach JIM HARBAUGH has guided the 49ers to the NFC West title in each of his first two seasons. Harbaugh is the eighth head coach since 1970 to win a division title in each of his first two seasons.

The eight head coaches to win a division title in each of his first two NFL seasons since 1970:

 

Head Coach Team Years
Source: NFL
Chuck KnoxLos Angeles Rams1973-77
Ted MarchibrodaBaltimore Colts1975-77
Red MillerDenver Broncos1977-78
George SeifertSan Francisco 49ers1989-90
Barry SwitzerDallas Cowboys1994-96
Mike TomlinPittsburgh Steelers2007-08
Jim CaldwellIndianapolis Colts2009-10
Jim HarbaughSan Francisco 49ers2011-12

 

Harbaugh, Knox and Marchibroda are the only head coaches since 1970 to win division titles in each of their first two seasons after inheriting a team with a losing record.

2012 Playoff Head Coaches and Their Playoff Winning Percentages

Coach, Team W L Pct.
Source: NFL
Bill Belichick, New England Patriots177.708
Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers53.625
Mike Shanahan, Washington Redskins85.615
John Fox, Denver Broncos64.600
John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens54.556
Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers11.500
Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans11.500
Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks23.400
Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals03.000
Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons03.000
Leslie Frazier, Minnesota Vikings00--
Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts00--

 

NFL Playoffs 2012 - 2012 NFL 'Super Bowl Season' Kicks Off