What To Look For: Divisional Playoffs

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 13, 2011 8:53 AM EST

VIEW FROM THE TOP: Since the NFL moved to a 12-team playoff format in 1990, No.1 seeds in the NFC are 18-2 (.900) in the Divisional Playoffs. However, the NFC top seed has lost in the Divisional round in two of the past three seasons.

In the AFC, the No. 1 seed has compiled a 12-8 (.600) record in the Divisional round during that span.

Both the No. 1 seeds are in action this weekend when the top-seeded Atlanta Falcons host the Green Bay Packers in the NFC and the No. 1-seed New England Patriots face the New York Jets in the AFC.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN: All four Divisional matchups this weekend are rematches of regular-season games. This includes two contests between division rivals for the first time since 2000.
2010 marks the sixth time since 1970 that all four Divisional playoff games are rematches of regular-season contests (1991, 1997, 2004, 2005 and 2008).

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: With a victory in Kansas City last weekend, Baltimore Ravens quarterback JOE FLACCO improved his postseason road record to 4-2 (.667).

With four postseason wins on the road, Flacco is tied with Pro Football Hall of Famers LEN DAWSON and ROGER STAUBACH and JAKE DELHOMME for the most in NFL history. With a win at Pittsburgh this weekend, Flacco can set the NFL record for road playoff wins by a quarterback with five.

CHAMPIONSHIP GOAL: With a victory against Baltimore on Saturday, Pittsburgh would advance to its 15th AFC Championship Game, surpassing Dallas (14) for the most appearances in a Conference Championship Game since 1970.

RODGERS THAT: Green Bay Packers quarterback AARON RODGERS has thrown seven touchdown passes in his first two postseason starts, the most in NFL history.

Rodgers will make his third postseason start in Atlanta this Saturday night. With three touchdown passes, Rodgers can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO, JEFF GEORGE and DARYLE LAMONICA (9) for the most touchdown passes in the first three postseason starts of any quarterback in NFL history.

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME: New England Patriots quarterback TOM BRADY holds an 8-1 (.889) record in the postseason at home, including a 2006 Wild Card victory over the New York Jets.

With a win against the Jets on Sunday, Brady can pass Pro Football Hall of Famer JIM KELLY (8-1, .889) for second place among quarterbacks with the highest winning percentage in home playoff games in the Super Bowl era. KURT WARNER posted a perfect 7-0 record at home in the playoffs.

STREAK-FREE SHINE: Seattle quarterback MATT HASSELBECK has thrown a touchdown pass in nine consecutive postseason games.

With a touchdown pass this Sunday in Chicago, Hasselbeck can become the seventh player in NFL history to throw a touchdown pass in 10 consecutive postseason games. New England’s TOM BRADY (16) holds the longest active streak among playoff participants, and can add to his total this weekend.

The opinions posted here are those of the administrator of this blog and his loyal readers. They are in no way official comments from the team, and should not be misconstued as such, even though he thinks he could do just as well or even a better job!

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Comments

Every team left in the playoffs has played each other this year. That is incredible, including a 3rd meeting for 2 of the matchups.

"My youngest brothers think I'm a dorky older brother, I can't tell jokes because, 'I'm not funny.' They're much more street smart than I am. They can say whatever they want, cause 'they're funny.' I do pick on them. I try to be funny, but they don't laugh. Even if I am funny, nothing I say is funny to them because I'm just the older brother who's not that cool." - Joe Flacco

by Mr MaLoR on Jan 13, 2011 2:02 PM EST reply actions