I'm continuing my look at the last ten years of football, the ten years of my life as a die-hard fan, by looking back at football at its best. The games. The Playoffs. This will be a ranking of the Divisional Round Games, starting with the first bunch that while interesting, were largely fogettable or average. Still, there isn't a lot of things I would pick over watching a playoff game, so they still have some appeal.
Tier I – Run to the Bunker and Cover Your Eyes, This ‘Out’ is About to ‘Blow’
52.) 2008 NFC Divisional – (N4) Cardinals 33 @ (N2) Panthers 13
Review: It all started so well for the Panthers. After back-to-back punts to open the game, the Panthers used their league-best running attack to score a quick TD after a long Williams and Stewart run. That was all the Panthers would do. It became really tough to watch late in the 2nd Quarter and into the 3rd. Jake Delhomme deserved better. Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and that great o-line deserved better. When it was over, the Cardinals had the biggest road win in terms of margin of victory in the post-2002 era in the divisional round. As fdr the Cardinals, Larry Fitzgerald couldn't be stopped. It was actually very reminiscent of Steve Smith's awesome performance in the 2005 Divisional in Chicago, as Fitzgerald just ran right through the Panthers Cover 2, providing all the offense that was really necessary.
Interesting/Memorable Fact: This was Kurt Warner’s first and only road playoff win of his career. In total, Kurt Warner played in 13 playoff games, and only two others were on the road, his losses to the Saints in 2000 and 2009. Considering that, this was the only outdoor road playoff game he ever played.
51.) 2002 NFC Divisional – (N6) Falcons 6 @ (N1) Eagles 20\
Review: Other than a notable game much higher up the list, the 2002-2004 Eagles played a string of just nauseatingly awful playoff games. They were just all so boring. This one had some interest because it was Donovan McNabb’s return to action after missing the last month of the season, and a McNabb vs. Vick showdown, but after Bobby Taylor’s first quarter pick-6 it was all over. Vick actually played decently except for two picks and McNabb played quite well, but overall, in a round where there are few lousy, unmemorable games (at least #40 had the Delhomme meltdown) this was one.
Interesting/Memorable Fact: This was the last playoff game in the coaching career of Dan Reeves. Despite losing all four of his Super Bowl, Dan Reeves is notable because after his first two playoff appearances ended one-and-done in 1983 and 1984 with Denver, Reeves went to the playoffs 7 more times and never went one-and-done.
50.) 2009 NFC Divisional – (N4) Cardinals 14 @ (N1) Saints 45
Review: Man, the Kurt Warner knows how to play in bad divisional games. This one wasn’t terrible, and had some notable moments, like Reggie Bush becoming USC Reggie Bush for one day with a punt return and a long run for a TD, and a brief Matt Leinart appearance, as well as Tim Hightower starting the game with a 70-yard rushing TD. Overall, it was a sad end to a great career for Warner, who would get injured throwing an interception right before halftime. He came back in the 2nd half, but wasn’t the same. The Cardinals could do nothing with Leinart and the game was already effectively over. Even the Superdome crowd seemed a little bored by it all by the end.
Interesting/Memorable Fact: This game will forever be known as the game that started the NFL’s initial probe into the Saints bounty system. Much talk happened with the legal hit levied on Warner after he threw his pick. In retrospect, it seems a lot dirtier than it did live.
49.) 2002 NFC Divisional – (N4) 49ers 6 @ (N2) Buccaneers 31
Review: In 2002, the top two NFC teams just were that much better than the other two. This one was a little more fun because of the offensive fireworks by the Bucs, putting up 28 points before halftime, and just getting to watch that ’02 Bucs defense is a game worth watching. Derrick Brooks had a pick and a fumble recovery. The Bucs limited the 49ers that put 39 up on the board the previous week to 6, with 5 turnovers and just 228 yards. It was a clinic by the best defense of this era, but did make for a boring second half as the Bucs were just playing out the string.
Interesting/Memorable Fact: I had no idea what to put here, but the Buccaneers are, by all accounts, the most dominant Super Bowl Champion as per their playoff performance since the dynasty 49ers and Cowboys. They won their three games 31-6, 27-10 and 48-21, for a combined 106-37. The closest any team got to them in the 2nd half was 17-10 in the Championship Game. They really are one of the most dominant one-year wonder Super Bowl teams ever.
48.) 2011 AFC Divisional – (A4) Broncos 10 @ (A1) Patriots 45
Review: If you like watching a lamb get slaughtered, then this was the game for you. The epic game right before ran late, so this one started by the time I switched over. Two minutes were gone from the game and it was already 7-0. The Patriots scored two touchdowns after the two-minute warning. Brady had all day and Gronk couldn’t be stopped. The biggest story was Tebow, in his last game as a Bronco, was simply awful., while Brady, in his first playoff win in four years, was absolutely brilliant except for one errant pick. The biggest blowout in the divisional round during this time set some records, but games that are 35-7 at halftime aren’t that fun.
Interesting/Memorable Fact: Because I hate the Pats and will do some serious Pats-ball-washing later, here's a nice stat, despite throwing six TDs, Tom Brady continued his streak of throwing an interception in his 3rd straight playoff game. He would run that streak to five with picks in the AFC Title Game and Super Bowl XLVI. Since the 2006 Divisional, Brady has thrown 15 interceptions in 10 playoff games, and had just two games without picks (2007 Divisional and Super Bowl XLII).
47.) 2010 NFC Divisional – (N4) Seahawks 24 @ (N2) Bears 35
Review: Don’t let the score fool you, this was a rubbish game. The Seahawks scored two late touchdowns to make a 35-10 (and 28-3 previously) game seem respectable (and barely letting the Bears cover). We all knew this was going to happen, and when the Bears scored after just four plays on a beautiful throw but Cutler to Greg Olsen, it was confirmed. The Bears were never tested. It was a sloppy game by the Bears though as they dropped numerous interceptions and couldn’t at least make some nice defensive plays.
Interesting/Memorable Fact: Jay Cutler threw for two TDs (one to Olsen and one to Kellen Davis) and ran for two more, making him the first player since Otto Graham in roughly 2400 BC to throw for two TDs and run for two TDs in the same playoff game.
46.) 2012 AFC Divisional - (A3) Texans 28 @ (A2) Patriots 41
Review: Everyone during the week kept bringing up the Jets in 2010 avenging their December Foxboro blowout with a win a few weeks later and comparing it to the Texans after they lost 42-14 in Foxboro. Well, congratulations, Texans, you did make it closer. There were actually two moments of doubt for Patriots fans. First was after the Texans returned the opening kickoff all the way to the Patriots 12 yard line. The Patriots did hold for a field goal, but then went three and out and the Texans were driving near mid-field. The second was after the Patriots raced to a 17-3 lead, the Texans scored 10 points in the final 1:30 of the 1st half to make it 17-13 at halftime. Of course, the Patriots scored the next three TDs to effectively put the game away. It was another absolute collapse for the Texans defense. At least JJ Watt had half a sack, but that just underscored how terrible the Texans pass defense was.
Interesting/Memorable Play: A first quarter incomplete deep ball to Rob Gronkowski would be arguably the most important play for the Patriots. Gronkowski would rebreak his arm that he broke against Indianapolis, ending his 2012 season for good just a handful of plays into his return. The second surgery begat a third and fourth and then a back surgery. That would be the last play where Gronkowski and Hernandez were on the field at the same time, a quick end for the duo that was supposed to revolutionize football.
Tier II – The Worst Kind of Football, Close but Still Boring Football
45.) 2004 NFC Divisional – (N6) Vikings 14 @ (N1) Eagles 27
Review: I told you these games by the Eagles in these days were terrible. This was also not as close as the score as it was 27-7 before the Vikings engineered a garbage-time TD and some yards to make it seem a bit closer. The big question coming in was how fresh the Eagles would be as they had the bye and rested the last two weeks of the regular season. In the end, the Eagles were fine, with Westbrook and Freddie Mitchell getting receiving TDs and McNabb was a steady 21-33 for 286 and 2 tds. Culpepper had a rougher go, and in Moss’s final game with the Vikings (in his initial go) he had a soft 3 catches for 51 yards.
Interesting/Memorable Play: Freddie Mitchell caught a fumble in the end zone for the Eagles 2nd TD. After the game, in what would become the unleashing of the ‘FredEx’ name, Freddie in his press conference would say that “[he] would like to thank his hands.”
44.) 2005 NFC Divisional – (N6) Redskins 10 @ (N1) Seahawks 20
Review: In a rainy, slightly sloppy game, the Seahawks won their first playoff game in Qwest Field in steady fashion. The biggest story in the game was the NFL MVP in 2005, Shaun Alexander, getting a concussion in the 1st quarter. He left the game, but the rest of the Seahawks played fine, with Matthew going 16-26 for 215 and a touchdown. Darrell Jackson had another huge playoff game with a 9-143-1 line, and the Seahawks iced it with a long run by Mack Strong. All in all, a boring game for the NFL’s sometime most wild team in the NFL’s wildest house.
Interesting/Memorable Fact: Both QBs in the game, Matt Hasselbeck and Mark Brunell were former Favre backups in Green Bay. This was the only time it happened. Packers camp cut Kurt Warner had a few playoff games against true backups Brooks and Rodgers.
43.) 2013 NFC Divisional - (N6) Saints 15 @ (N1) Seahawks 23
Review: This was basically a repeat of that game above, one that ended with a comfortable Seahawks win in a rain-filled game that looked far less close than the score indicated. The Seahawks offense did nothing apart from capitalize from great field position (two missed field goals helped), and another rushing TD by Marshawn Lynch that clinched the game. Russell Wilson was very shaky, completing just 9 of 18 passes and routinely missing slants. Still, he was better than Brees, who was doing nothing until garbage time when still benefitting from Earl Thomas and Walter Thurmond hitting each other to not pick off a pass. The Saints had a ridiculous comeback attempt but it was never happening in a sad, boring game.
Interesting/Memorable Play: Marshawn Lynch's run was memorable, but a case could be made he should have fallen at the 1. The Seahawks would have almost assuredly won 16-8, which would have eventually made them hold both the Saints and Broncos to 8 points. Absurd.
42.) 2014 AFC Divisional - (A3) Colts 24 @ (A2) Broncos 13
Review: It was harrowing enough to see Peyton Manning play the Colts in the playoffs, but even more harrowing to see him play like THAT. Manning, still showing effects of a thigh injury, was ineffective in a strange way. Despite not being able to step into any throw, Manning continually threw deep to counter a pressing Colts secondary, but apart from an early connection to Julius Thomas he missed every time. On the other side, Luck and the Colts were steady and managed their way to enough points to make this game pretty boring throughout. The only interesting aspect was seeing Manning look old, and slow, at a time where we really didn't know if that was going to be his last game. Thankfully it won't be as that would be a sad way for an all-timer to go out.
Interesting/Memorable Fact: After missing throwing deep in the 1st half, the Broncos then tried to go short in the 2nd, which led to an overall figure of 15 'failed' completions - catches that did not gain enough yards to be considered successful. Apparently, that is the highest figure over the last 15 years or so.
41.) 2009 AFC Divisional – (A6) Ravens 3 @ (A1) Colts 20
Review: The Colts under Manning played four divisional games at home. They lost three of them by 3, 3 and 4 points. In the only one they won, the Colts dominated the Ravens (late garbage-yardage by the Ravens made it seem close in yards). Manning threw two TDs after the 2-minute warning in the first half, the second with just three seconds left. Manning overall had an odd day. He completed 30 of 44 passes against a defense playing extremely tight, but completed them for only 246 yards. It was better than Flacco, though, as the Ravens offense picked up 71 yards on their first drive, and then just 68 on their next nine. As Dan Dierdorf said, the Colts “looked, felt and acted like a #1 seed.” Too bad the game was as boring as a classic #1 vs. #6 matchup.
Interesting/Memorable Plays: Ed Reed made two interceptions on the same Colts drive, and the Colts still scored on that drive. On the first, he was stripped by Pierre Garcon (not trying to lateral), and on the second, the play was called back after an obvious penalty.
Interesting/Memorable Play 2: The most remembered part of this game was Peyton Manning shouting “God Damnit, Donald” after Donald Brown blocked the wrong way. The best part was Manning, while trying to avoid Corey Redding and Terrell Suggs, yelling at Brown.
40.) 2002 AFC Divisional – (A4) Jets 10 @ (A1) Raiders 30
Review: The Raiders tried running the ball in the 1st half. They didn’t really succeed, and they went into the half tied 10-10. They decided to screw the run in the 2nd half. They outscored the Jets 20-0. It was a surprisingly terrible day for Chad Pennington, as he completed just 21 of 47 passes (he completed 68.9% that season) and threw two picks. Gannon was on fire, as was Jerry Porter, who caught 6 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown. Late in the 2nd half, it became boring as the Raiders ran out much of the clock and Pennington painfully threw incomplete after incomplete.
Interesting/Memorable Personal Memory: I watched this game at my neighbor’s house. He’s and his family were Jets fans, so it was nice to have my team beat theirs in their house. I’ve only watched my teams play playoff games outside of my house twice (that game and Super Bowl XLI) and my team went 2-0. Not sure why I don’t do it more often.
39.) 2008 NFC Divisional – (N6) Eagles 23 @ (N1) Giants 11
Review: The Giants are now quite used to beating #1 seeds in the divisional round, but that doesn’t make them impervious from having it done to them. This was a weird game. With the wind howling, Eli Manning was wobbling passes all game long (including missing a TD on the first offensive snap of the game). McNabb was barely better. Both QBs threw two picks, and neither team really moved the ball well. That said, for much of the game, the Giants seemed to be moving the ball a lot more easily than the Eagles, but it just never worked out for them. A sad end to what was a great team in the 2008 Giants.
Interesting/Memorable Plays: The game came down to short-yardage. Despite being awful in short-yardage for much of the year, the Eagles were able to bang home TDs on 1st and Goals from the 1 twice (it did take them five plays including penalties to do it the first time), while the Giants, with Brandon Jacobs, went 0-2 on 4th down in the 4th quarter.
Interesting/Memorable Personal Memory: This game went on when I was at my Regional Band concert, and our conducter was an Eagle’s fan getting updates. I remember him shout a loud “Shit” after McNabb was called for Intentional Grounding in the end zone.
38.) 2005 NFC Divisional – (N5) Panthers 29 @ (N2) Bears 21
Review: It was actually decently close in the 2nd half, as the Bears cut it to 16-14 and 23-21 in the 2nd half. However, it was Rex Grossman vs. Jake Delhomme, and as comical as that sounds know, Jake Delhomme was a great postseason QB in his day. The stars coming in were a dominant Bears defense, who allowed just 68 points in their eight home games in 2005. That defense was good enough to carry a rookie Kyle Orton to an eight game win streak. They didn’t show up, while Steve Smith most certainly did, with 12 catches for 218 yards and two TDs.
Interesting/Memorable Play: Steve Smith had one of the better impromptu (I’m guessing) TD celebrations I’ve ever seen, as he jumped and slid down the goal-post. There really was few things more special than Steve Smith at his best.
37.) 2013 NFC Divisional - (N5) 49ers 23 @ (N2) Panthers 10
Review: Few games could have one team totally dominate for 25 minutes and then get dominated for the next 35, but that it what we had. The Panthers started the game forcing a field goal (after some shoddy officiating helping the 49ers) driving to the goal-line before being stuffed, forcing a quick punt and scoring a TD, and then driving to another 1st-and-goal situation. This time, they went for a field goal, and the 49ers had a nice TD drive right before the half... and that was the game. Cam Newton was done in by a terrible o-line performance and a defense that got just one sack after 60 on the season. The Panthers limited Kaepernick to just 15 yards running, but Gore had a solid 17-84 game, and the 49ers won the way everyone thought they were going to.
Interesting/Memorable Fact: The Panthers became the first team ever to lose two straight playoff games with both being after a bye. Sure, they were 5 years apart and few players overlapped, but the last two great seasons in Carolina football ended the same way, getting beaten at home in the Divisional against an NFC West team.
Tier III – The Disaster Tourism of the NFL
36.) 2004 NFC Divisional – (N5) Rams 17 @ (N2) Falcons 47
Review: In the Falcons first (and only) home game in the Vick era, the Falcons did exactly what the Vick-era Falcons always did: run the ball incredibly well. Bulger went 23-35 for 299 and 2 tds with 1 pick, and they didn’t even come close. Warrick Dunn ran for 142 on 17 carries and 2 TDs. Vick had 119 yards on eight rushes (a postseason record for a QB). TJ Duckett even had 66 yards on 15 carries. The Falcons even ran back a punt, with Allen Rossum returning his three punts for 152 yards. Even the Falcons defense got in on the party. Somehow, they led the NFL in sacks in 2004, and sacked Bulger four times and once for a safety. For one night, the Georgia Dome was the hottest place in the NFL.
Interesting/Memorable Personal Memory: My good friend at the time was a big Falcons fan, and for at least the next month (so even after their loss to the Eagles the next week) kept on saying “Awesome Rossum” for fun. He was, as all the Falcons were, awesome. That line even got in our 8th Grade yearbook.
35.) 2009 NFC Divisional – (N3) Cowboys 3 @ (N2) Vikings 34
Review: Brett Favre lost to the Cowboys in the playoffs in ’93, ’94 and ’95. He didn’t bring that bad-luck to Minnesota. The Vikings absolutely dominated every facet of this game other than not having much success running the ball. The Cowboys had chances, as their first three drives made it into Viking territory, but they came away with three points. Ray Edwards had three sacks. Jared Allen had one. When Romo got time, the Vikings gave him nothing (9.0 yards per catch). Favre was excellent, going 15-24 for 234 yards and 4 tds, while Sidney Rice made a lot of money off of the game, with 6 catches for 141 yards and three tds. All in all, it was a fun day in the Metrodome for everyone other than America’s Team.
Interesting/Memorable Fact: For all the talk about the Cowboys having chances that they screwed up (two missed field goals, botched snap), the Cowboys had just one drive of over 40 yards in the game, and that was their field goal drive.
34.) 2010 NFC Divisional – (N6) Packers 48 @ (N1) Falcons 21
Review: In a rematch of a close, tight Falcons regular season win, the Packers smashed the Falcons in a way no one saw coming. First the offense: Rodgers put on one of the most entertaining, greatest shows I have ever seen. He went 31-36 for 366 yards and three tds and ran for one more. The Falcons actually got a lot of pressure on Rodgers, but he evaded blitzers time after time. Now the defense: They held Matt Ryan to under 10 ypc. They limited Michael Turner to 39 yards on 10 rushes. They limited the Falcons to 194yards, and returned a interception for a touchdown right before half to make it 28-14 and essentially end it. Basically, it was everything the last Falcons home playoff game was not.
Interesting/Memorable Fact: This game was the largest loss ever suffered by a #1 seed in their opening playoff game, and the most a #1 seed had ever been outgained in their opening playoff game. In any measure, it was the worst performance by a #1 seed in their playoff opener, ever.
33.) 2013 AFC Divisional - (A4) Colts 22 @ (A2) Patriots 43
Review: In a driving rain-storm, the Patriots decided to show how 'balanced' they were, scoring 6 rushing TDs, four from LeGarrette Blount who had a career day. Blount was important in building the lead, with the first three rushing TDs, and finishing it, with a long run with the Pats clinging to a 29-22 lead. Andrew Luck started slow, with a ghastly interception on the first series, but made a handful of ridiculous plays that three people on earth could make, and despite the loss, the Luck to Hilton connection still had over 100 yards. The Patriots didn't get anything going in the passing game (Brady finished just 13-25), but it rarely matters when you can run for 250 yards and pick off four passes.
Interesting/Memorable Play: The game seemed to be going the Colts way after the Patriots messed up a punt snap before the 2:00 warning resulting in a field goal after a lengthy review (came close to a Colts TD). The Colts then were driving right before the half when a pass bounced off Stanley Havili and into a Patriots player. The Colts managed to cut it to 21-15 in the 2nd half, but they could have had it at 21-19 at halftime.
32.) 2007 NFC Divisional – (N3) Seahawks 20 @ (N2) Packers 42
Review: In Brett Favre’s last win as a Packers starting QB, the Packers came back from an early 14-0 deficit (built off back-to-back fumbles by Ryan Grant) to score TDs on six straight drives. The Packers outrushed the Seahawks 235-28, with Ryan Grant setting a Packers record with 201 yards rushing. Favre was solid, going 18-23 for 173 yards and 3 tds with no picks and a classic Favre scramble and Favrian completion. The real star of the day, though, was the snow. In as perfect a snowstorm as possible, Lambeau truly looked like a winter-wonderland in the very best way.
Interesting/Memorable Play: Just how good were the Packers: They became just the 2nd team to score TDs on six straight drives in a playoff game. They also became just the 2nd team ever to win a playoff game by at least 14 after trailing by at least 14.
31.) 2004 AFC Divisional – (A3) Colts 3 @ (A2) Patriots 20
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Review: In a game that made me reevaluate my belief that there was such thing as an unstoppable offense, the Patriots beat the Colts in a playoff game in a more “eff-you” way than the previous year. In the opposite of the previous season, Manning was one of the few Colts who played well, going 27-42 for 238 yards. What really turned the game was two dominating drives that went 86 and 92 yards by the Patriots to turn a 6-3 game in the 3rd quarter to a 20-3 blowout. The key was a run game that went for 210 yards. The Patriots held the ball for 40 minutes and blanketed the Colts, limiting them to short gain after short gain when they didn’t have the ball. In reality, the best way to describe the game was the play where Tedy Bruschi just ripped the ball out of Dominic Rhodes’ hands. It was, arguably, the greatest day in the Patriots dynasty.
Interesting/Memorable Play 1: The turning point of the game may have been on the Colts first drive of the 2nd half. Trailing just 6-3 at that point, the Colts had a 4th and 1 on the Patriots 48, and Tony Dungy, still in his conservative phase, punted. The Patriots then immediately began their two brutal clock-killing TD drives.
Interesting/Memorable Moment: After the game, Tedy Bruschi let out what was the Patriots’ version of Bart Scott’s “Can’t Wait!” speech, telling the world, “If you want to change the rules, change them” and “that’s what we do, we win.” I still admire those Patriots because they weren’t robots. They talked quite a bit of smack.
30.) 2008 AFC Divisional – (A4) Chargers 24 @ (A2) Steelers 35
Review: The 9-8 Chargers scored a 41-yard TD on their 4th play of the game to go up 7-0 with just 1:52 gone. The Steelers scored a TD with 2:04 gone in the 4th quarter. In the 30:04 in between those plays, the Steelers outscored the Chargers 28-3, outgained them 251-69, and ran 51 plays to the Chargers 31. In the 3rd quarter, the Chargers ran one play, where Philip Rivers was intercepted. It was pure dominated. Philip Rivers did add some garbage yards, but even then, his day wasn’t all that bad. It was Willie Parker who stole the show, with 146 yards on 27 carries and two TDs. Santonio Holmes also returned a punt for a touchdown, and Roethlisberger was turnover free. That 3rd quarter was about as dominant I’ve ever seen a team play. It was pure brilliance in front of a hopping-loud crowd at Heinz Field.
Interesting/Memorable Play: Santonio Holmes punt return for a TD was off of Mike Scifres, who had basically been the team MVP for pinning four punts inside the 10 the previous week against the Colts. Also, right before the punt return, Jim Nantz gave us the information all of us needed, that Scifres was not pronounced Sigh-Fers, but Sigh-Fris, a pronunciation I don't think he's ever used again.
Interesting/Memorable Fact: Through the 16 games of the regular season, the Steelers didn’t allow any QB to throw for 300 yards or any RB to run for 100. They finished the season without the latter happening, but Rivers became the first QB to throw for over 300 against them, with 308. That said, 161 of those yards came after the game was 28-10 and effectively over.
Next Up: The Best Games from the Best Weekend in Sports.
