Drew Brees Saints QB
Standing In The Number 1 Spot
Since the NFL expanded to a 12-team playoff format in 1990, No.1 seeds in the NFC are 17-2 (.895) in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs. However, the NFC top seed has lost in the Divisional round in each of the past two seasons.
In last season's NFL playoffs, losses by the Titans (to the Ravens 13-10) and Giants (to the Eagles 23-11) marked the
first time in NFL history that both conference top-seeds had been eliminated in the divisional round playoffs. The elimination of the Titans and Giants also marked the third time that a number one conference seed did not advance to the Super Bowl (1992 & 1997). It was also the 4th year in a row where at least one top seed has been eliminated in the divisional round.
In the AFC, the No. 1 seed has compiled an 11-8 (.579) record in the Divisional round.
Both the No. 1 seeds are in action on Saturday when the top-seeded New Orleans Saints host the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC and the No. 1-seed Indianapolis Colts face the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC.
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
Bottom Line: Being the number 1 seed in your conference and having home-field advantage throughout the NFL Playoffs does not guarantee a Super Bowl appearance.
Big Game Success
The Dallas Cowboys have won 33 postseason games, the most in NFL history. With a victory against Minnesota in the Divisional Playoffs on Sunday, Dallas would advance to its 15th NFC Championship Game, surpassing the Pittsburgh Steelers (14) for the most appearances in a Conference Championship Game since 1970.
Most appearances in a Conference Championship Game since 1970
| Team | Number of Appearances |
|---|---|
| Source: NFL | |
| Dallas Cowboys | 14 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 14 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 12 |
| Raiders | 11 |
| Rams | 9 |
Road Warrior Success
This Saturday marks the 13th playoff game in Ravens history and the club's ninth on the road.
Baltimore holds a 6-2 playoff record away from home, which stands as the top road winning percentage (.750) in NFL playoff history (minimum five games). Baltimore looks to improve the mark against Indianapolis in the Divisional round.
Best road winning percentage in playoff history (minimum five games)
| Team | W-L | .PCT |
|---|---|---|
| Source: NFL | ||
| Baltimore Ravens | 6-2 | .750 |
| Carolina Panthers | 4-2 | .667 |
| New England Patriots | 7-9 | .438 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 7-9 | .438 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 9-13 | .409 |
Brett Favre-ulous
Minnesota quarterback BRETT FAVRE ranks second in NFL playoff history in completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdown passes.
Favre needs 23 completions, 14 passing attempts, 462 passing yards and seven touchdowns to set NFL postseason records in each passing category.
Warner In Range Of 4,000
Arizona Cardinals quarterback KURT WARNER has 3,747 passing yards in 12 career postseason games. With 253 passing yards against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, Warner will reach 4,000 passing yards in 13 career playoff games, making him the fastest player in NFL history to reach the milestone.
QB's to reach 4,000 postseason passing yards in fewest games
| Quarterbacks | Number of Games |
|---|---|
| Source: NFL | |
| Peyton Manning | 15 |
| Dan Marino | 16 |
| Brett Favre | 17 |
| Joe Montana | 17 |
| Tom Brady | 18 |
| John Elway | 18 |
With a 100+ passer rating against New Orleans on Saturday, Warner (3) can tie Pro Football Hall of Famers BART STARR and TROY AIKMAN (4) for the second-most consecutive playoff games with a 100+ passer rating in NFL history.
Pro Football Hall of Famer JOE MONTANA holds the record with eight straight playoff games with a 100+ passer rating.
Rookie NFL Playoff Milestones
New York Jets rookie head coach REX RYAN and his rookie quarterback MARK SANCHEZ can reach two milestones when they play at San Diego on Sunday.
With a victory, Sanchez will join Ravens quarterback JOE FLACCO as only the second rookie quarterback all-time to win his first two playoff games. Ryan can become only the sixth rookie head coach to win his first two postseason games in the Super Bowl era.
Race to 300
Indianapolis Colts MVP quarterback PEYTON MANNING and Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner have six career 300-yard postseason passing games, tied for the most in NFL playoff history with Pro Football Hall of Famer JOE MONTANA.
Joe Montana's six career 300-yard postseason passing games was over a span of 23 games. Kurt Warner achieved the mark in 12 games; Peyton Manning in 15 playoff games.
Larry Fitzgerald - Mr. Postseason
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver LARRY FITZGERALD has nine touchdown catches in five career playoff games. With a touchdown reception against the Saints on Saturday, Fitzgerald would become the sixth player in playoff history to reach 10 touchdown catches.
Fitzgerald (9) can also tie Pro Football Hall of Famer FRED BILETNIKOFF and ANTONIO FREEMAN and RANDY MOSS (10) for the third-most career postseason touchdown catches in NFL Playoff history.
Darren Sproles - Versatility Man
San Diego Chargers running back-kick-returner DARREN SPROLES has 949 total yards in five career playoff games. With 51 all-purpose yards against the Jets on Sunday, Sproles will reach 1,000 all-purpose yards in six career postseason games and would become the fastest to the mark in NFL playoff history.
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