By Dean Michaels, NFL Writer
View From The Top
Since the NFL moved to a 12-team playoff format in 1990, No. 1 seeds in the NFC are 19-4 (.826) in the Divisional Playoffs. In the AFC, the No. 1 seed has compiled a 13-10 (.565) record.
Both No. 1 seeds are in action this weekend when the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks host the New Orleans Saints in the NFC and the No. 1-seed Denver Broncos face the San Diego Chargers in the AFC.
The No. 1 seeds in Divisional-round play since 1990:
| Year | AFC No. 1 Seed | Divisional Result | NFC No. 1 Seed | Divisional Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source: NFL | ||||
| 1990 | Bills | Beat Miami 44-34 | 49ers | Beat Washington 28-10 |
| 1991 | Bills | Beat Chiefs 37-14 | Washington | Beat Falcons 24-7 |
| 1992 | Steelers | Lost to Bills 24-3 | 49ers | Beat Washington 20-13 |
| 1993 | Bills | Beat L.A. Raiders 29-23 | Cowboys | Beat Packers 27-17 |
| 1994 | Steelers | Beat Cleveland 29-9 | 49ers | Beat Bears 44-15 |
| 1995 | Chiefs | Lost to Colts 10-7 | Cowboys | Beat Eagles 30-11 |
| 1996 | Broncos | Lost to Jaguars 30-27 | Packers | Beat 49ers 35-14 |
| 1997 | Chiefs | Lost to Broncos 14-10 | 49ers | Beat Vikings 38-22 |
| 1998 | Broncos | Beat Miami 38-3 | Vikings | Beat Arizona 41-21 |
| 1999 | Jaguars | Beat Miami 62-7 | Rams | Beat Vikings 49-37 |
| 2000 | Titans | Lost to Baltimore 24-10 | Giants | Beat Eagles 20-10 |
| 2001 | Steelers | Beat Baltimore 27-10 | Rams | Beat Packers 45-17 |
| 2002 | Raiders | Beat Jets 30-10 | Eagles | Beat Falcons 20-6 |
| 2003 | Patriots | Beat Titans 17-14 | Eagles | Beat Packers 20-17 (OT) |
| 2004 | Steelers | Beat Jets 20-17 (OT) | Eagles | Beat Vikings 27-14 |
| 2005 | Colts | Lost to Steelers 21-18 | Seahawks | Beat Washington 20-10 |
| 2006 | Chargers | Lost to Patriots 24-21 | Bears | Beat Seahawks 27-24 (OT) |
| 2007 | Patriots | Beat Jaguars 31-20 | Cowboys | Lost to Giants 21-17 |
| 2008 | Titans | Lost to Baltimore 13-10 | Giants | Lost to Eagles 23-11 |
| 2009 | Colts | Beat Baltimore 20-3 | Saints | Beat Arizona 45-14 |
| 2010 | Patriots | Lost to Jets 28-21 | Falcons | Lost to Packers 48-21 |
| 2011 | Patriots | Beat Broncos 45-10 | Packers | Lost to Giants 37-20 |
| 2012 | Broncos | Lost to Baltimore 38-35 (2OT) | Falcons | Beat Seahawks 30-28 |
| 2013 | Broncos | ??? | Seahawks | ??? |
First-Round Byes
The top seeds -- SEATTLE (13-3, NFC No. 1 seed), DENVER (13-3, AFC No. 1 seed), CAROLINA (12-4, NFC No. 2 seed) and NEW ENGLAND (12-4, AFC No. 2 seed) -- earned first-round byes and will be featured in this weekend's Divisional Playoffs.
Two of the four top seeds rank among the teams with the most first-round byes since the 12-team playoff format was adopted in 1990. New England (nine) has the most, while Denver (six) has the fourth-most since 1990.
The teams with the most first-round byes since 1990:
| Team | First-Round Byes Since 1990 |
|---|---|
| Source: NFL *Includes 2013 | |
| New England Patriots | 9* |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 8 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 8 |
| Denver Broncos | 6* |
| Dallas Cowboys | 5 |
Championship Goal
This Saturday, SAN FRANCISCO (13-4, NFC No. 5 seed) travels to take on CAROLINA (12-4, NFC No. 2 seed) in a rematch of their Week 10 game when the Panthers defeated the 49ers 10-9 at Candlestick Park.
With a victory against Carolina, San Francisco would advance to its 15th NFC Championship Game, which would tie PITTSBURGH (15) for the most appearances in a Conference Championship Game since 1970.
NEW ENGLAND is tied for fifth on the all-time list with the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and can move into sole possession of fifth place with a win against Indianapolis on Saturday. This would be New England's third consecutive appearance in the AFC Championship Game.
The teams with the most appearances in a Conference Championship Game since 1970:
| Team | Conference Championship Appearances |
|---|---|
| Source: NFL *Includes 2013 | |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 15 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 14 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 14 |
| L.A./Oakland Raiders | 11 |
| L.A./St. Louis Rams | 9 |
| New England Patriots | 9 |
Passing Greats
New England quarterback TOM BRADY has thrown 42 career postseason touchdown passes, the third most in NFL postseason history. He trails BRETT FAVRE (44) and Pro Football Hall of Famer JOE MONTANA (45) for the most in NFL history.
With four TD passes against Indianapolis on Saturday, Brady would surpass Favre and Montana for the most postseason TD passes in NFL history.
Denver quarterback PEYTON MANNING (32) is tied for fourth on the all-time list with Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO and can surpass him with one TD pass against San Diego on Sunday.
The NFL quarterbacks with the most postseason TD passes in NFL history:
| Quarterback | Career | Postseason TD Passes |
|---|---|---|
| Source: NFL *Active | ||
| Joe Montana | 1979-1994 | 45 |
| Brett Favre | 1991-2010 | 44 |
| Tom Brady* | 2000-present | 42 |
| Peyton Manning* | 1998-present | 32 |
| Dan Marino | 1983-1999 | 32 |
Rocket Manning
Denver quarterback PEYTON MANNING ranks fourth in NFL postseason history with 5,679 passing yards.
With 177 yards on Sunday against San Diego, Manning can surpass Montana (5,772) and Favre (5,855) for the second-most passing yards in postseason history.
Brady holds the record for most postseason passing yards (5,949) and can extend his lead Saturday against Indianapolis.
The players with the most postseason passing yards in NFL history:
| Quarterback | Career | Postseason Passing Yards |
|---|---|---|
| Source: NFL *Active | ||
| Tom Brady* | 2000-present | 5,949 |
| Brett Favre | 1991-2010 | 5,855 |
| Joe Montana | 1979-1994 | 5,772 |
| Peyton Manning* | 1998-present | 5,679 |
| John Elway | 1983-1998 | 4,946 |
QB's on the Run
49ers quarterback COLIN KAEPERNICK has 362 career postseason rushing yards, the fifth-most rushing yards by a QB in postseason history. Kaepernick has averaged 90.5 yards-per-game in his four playoff games, the highest yards-per-game average by a QB in NFL history (minimum four games).
With 71 rushing yards Sunday at Carolina, Kaepernick can surpass DONOVAN MC NABB (422) and Pro Football Hall of Famer ROGER STAUBACH (432) for the third-most rushing yards by a QB in NFL postseason history.
The quarterbacks with the most postseason rushing yards in NFL history:
| Quarterback | Career | Rushing Yards | Yards per Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source: NFL *Active | |||
| Steve Young | 22 | 594 | 27.0 |
| John Elway | 22 | 461 | 21.0 |
| Roger Staubach | 20 | 432 | 21.6 |
| Donovan McNabb | 16 | 422 | 26.4 |
| Colin Kaepernick* | 4 | 362 | 90.5 |
Head Of The Class
New England Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK has compiled an 18-8 (.692) record in his postseason career. Belichick has the third-most playoff wins in NFL history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famers TOM LANDRY (20) and DON SHULA (19).
With a win against Indianapolis on Saturday, Belichick would tie Shula (19) for second place on the all-time wins list.
The head coaches with the most playoff wins in NFL history:
| Head Coach | Team(s) | Playoff Wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source: NFL *Active | |||
| Tom Landry | Dallas Cowboys | 20 | |
| Don Shula | Baltimore Colts, Miami Dolphins | 19 | |
| Bill Belichick* | Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots | 18 | |
| Joe Gibbs | Washington Redskins | 17 | |
| Chuck Noll | Pittsburgh Steelers | 16 | |
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NFL 2013 Divisional Playoffs Weekend - What to Look For