- MENU
- HOME
- SEARCH
- WORLD
- MAIN
- AFRICA
- ASIA
- BALKANS
- EUROPE
- LATIN AMERICA
- MIDDLE EAST
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Benelux
- Brazil
- Canada
- China
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Korea
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Poland
- Russia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Taiwan
- Turkey
- USA
- BUSINESS
- WEALTH
- STOCKS
- TECH
- HEALTH
- LIFESTYLE
- ENTERTAINMENT
- SPORTS
- RSS
- iHaveNet.com: NFL Football
What To Look For: Divisional Playoffs
View From The Top
Since the NFL moved to a 12-team playoff format in 1990, No. 1 seeds in the NFC are 21-4 (.840) in the Divisional Playoffs. In the AFC, the No. 1 seed has compiled a 15-10 (.600) record.
Both No. 1 seeds are in action this weekend when the top-seeded CAROLINA PANTHERS host the SEATTLE SEAHAWKS in the NFC and the No. 1-seed DENVER BRONCOS face the PITTSBURGH STEELERS in the AFC.
The No. 1 seeds in Divisional-round play since 1990:
Season | AFC Top Seed | Result | NFC Top Seed | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
(Source: NFL) | ||||
1990 | Buffalo | Defeated Miami 44-34 | San Francisco | Defeated Washington 28-10 |
1991 | Buffalo | Defeated Kansas City 37-14 | Washington | Defeated Atlanta 24-7 |
1992 | Pittsburgh | Lost to Buffalo 24-3 | San Francisco | Defeated Washington 20-13 |
1993 | Buffalo | Defeated L.A. Raiders 29-23 | Dallas | Defeated Green Bay 27-17 |
1994 | Pittsburgh | Defeated Cleveland 29-9 | San Francisco | Defeated Chicago 44-15 |
1995 | Kansas City | Lost to Indianapolis 10-7 | Dallas | Defeated Philadelphia 30-11 |
1996 | Denver | Lost to Jacksonville 30-27 | Green Bay | Defeated San Francisco 35-14 |
1997 | Kansas City | Lost to Denver 14-10 | San Francisco | Defeated Minnesota 38-22 |
1998 | Denver | Defeated Miami 38-3 | Minnesota | Defeated Arizona 41-21 |
1999 | Jacksonville | Defeated Miami 62-7 | St. Louis | Defeated Minnesota 49-37 |
2000 | Tennessee | Lost to Baltimore 24-10 | N.Y. Giants | Defeated Philadelphia 20-10 |
2001 | Pittsburgh | Defeated Baltimore 27-10 | St. Louis | Defeated Green Bay 45-17 |
2002 | Oakland | Defeated N.Y. Jets 30-10 | Philadelphia | Defeated Atlanta 20-6 |
2003 | New England | Defeated Tennessee 17-14 | Philadelphia | Defeated Green Bay 20-17 (OT) |
2004 | Pittsburgh | Defeated N.Y. Jets 20-17 (OT) | Philadelphia | Defeated Minnesota 27-14 |
2005 | Indianapolis | Lost to Pittsburgh 21-18 | Seattle | Defeated Washington 20-10 |
2006 | San Diego | Lost to New England 24-21 | Chicago | Defeated Seattle 27-24 (OT) |
2007 | New England | Defeated Jacksonville 31-20 | Dallas | Lost to N.Y. Giants 21-17 |
2008 | Tennessee | Lost to Baltimore 13-10 | N.Y. Giants | Lost to Philadelphia 23-11 |
2009 | Indianapolis | Defeated Baltimore 20-3 | New Orleans | Defeated Arizona 45-14 |
2010 | New England | Lost to N.Y. Jets 28-21 | Atlanta | Lost to Green Bay 48-21 |
2011 | New England | Defeated Denver 45-10 | Green Bay | Lost to N.Y. Giants 37-20 |
2012 | Denver | Lost to Baltimore 38-35 (2OT) | Atlanta | Defeated Seattle 30-28 |
2013 | Denver | Defeated San Diego 24-17 | Seattle | Defeated New Orleans 23-15 |
2014 | New England | Defeated Baltimore 35-31 | Seattle | Defeated Carolina 31-17 |
2015 | Denver | ??? | Carolina | ??? |
First-Round Byes
The top seeds -- CAROLINA (15-1, NFC No. 1 seed), DENVER (12-4, AFC No. 1 seed), ARIZONA (13-3, 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 (11) has the most, while Denver (eight) is tied for the second-most since 1990.
The teams with the most first-round byes since 1990:
Team | Byes |
---|---|
(Source: NFL) *Includes 2015 | |
New England Patriots* | 11 |
Denver Broncos* | 8 |
Pittsburgh Steelers | 8 |
San Francisco 49ers | 8 |
Dallas Cowboys | 5 |
Green Bay Packers | 5 |
Championship Goal
This weekend, PITTSBURGH (11-6, AFC No. 6 seed) travels to take on DENVER (12-4, AFC No. 1 seed).
With a victory against Denver, Pittsburgh would advance to its 16th AFC Championship Game, which would eclipse SAN FRANCISCO (15) for the most appearances in a Conference Championship Game since 1970.
NEW ENGLAND is tied for fourth on the all-time list and with a win against Kansas City on Saturday the Patriots would clinch their fifth consecutive appearance in the AFC Championship Game.
The NFL teams with the most appearances in a Conference Championship Game since 1970:
Team | Appearances |
---|---|
(Source: NFL) | |
Pittsburgh Steelers | 15 |
San Francisco 49ers | 15 |
Dallas Cowboys | 14 |
L.A./Oakland Raiders | 11 |
New England Patriots | 11 |
Playoff Success
The PITTSBURGH STEELERS have 34 postseason victories, tied for the most all-time.
With a win Sunday against Denver, the Steelers would eclipse the Dallas Cowboys (34) for the most all-time postseason wins.
The NFL teams with the most playoff victories in NFL history:
Team | Playoff Wins |
---|---|
(Source: NFL) *Active in 2015 postseason | |
Dallas Cowboys | 34 |
Pittsburgh Steelers* | 34 |
Green Bay Packers* | 32 |
San Francisco 49ers | 30 |
New England Patriots* | 28 |
On the Road Again
The GREEN BAY PACKERS travel this weekend to face Arizona. The Packers (11) have the most road wins in postseason history.
With a win this Saturday against the Cardinals, the Packers can extend their record for the most postseason wins on the road in NFL history.
The teams with the most road wins in postseason history:
Team | Playoff Road Wins |
---|---|
(Source: NFL) *On the road in Divisional Round | |
Green Bay Packers* | 11 |
Baltimore Ravens | 10 |
Dallas Cowboys | 9 |
Indianapolis Colts | 8 |
New York Giants | 8 |
Tennessee Titans | 8 |
Terrific Tight Ends
Denver tight end VERNON DAVIS has seven career postseason touchdown receptions, tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer DAVE CASPER for the most by a tight end in postseason history.
With a touchdown catch on Sunday against Pittsburgh, Davis would eclipse Casper for the most postseason touchdown receptions by a tight end in NFL history.
New England tight end ROB GRONKOWSKI (six), who is tied with KEITH JACKSON (six) and JAY NOVACEK (six) for the third-most touchdown receptions by a tight end in postseason history, can also climb the ranks on Saturday against Kansas City.
The tight ends with the most postseason touchdown receptions in NFL history:
Tight End | TD Catches |
---|---|
(Source: NFL) *Active in 2015 postseason | |
Dave Casper | 7 |
Vernon Davis* | 7 |
Rob Gronkowski* | 6 |
Keith Jackson | 6 |
Jay Novacek | 6 |
Catching On
Arizona wide receiver LARRY FITZGERALD has nine touchdowns receptions in his postseason career.
With a touchdown catch against Green Bay on Saturday, Fitzgerald would become the seventh player in NFL history with at least 10 postseason touchdown receptions and move into a tie for the third-most all-time.
The NFL players with the most postseason touchdown receptions in NFL history:
Player | TD Catches |
---|---|
(Source: NFL) *Active in 2015 postseason | |
Jerry Rice | 22 |
John Stallworth | 12 |
Fred Biletnikoff | 10 |
Antonio Freeman | 10 |
Randy Moss | 10 |
Hines Ward | 10 |
Larry Fitzgerald* | 9 |
NFL Football News & Analysis [...]
Receive our NFL News & Analysis by email by subscribing here
NFL Super Bowl History
NFL Super Bowl History, Scores, Summaries & Super Bowl MVP Articles
NFL Football: "What To Look For: Divisional Playoffs"