Worst Super Bowl Teams
This team defeated the statistically greatest team in NFL history in the Super Bowl, after finishing the regular season with a 9-7 record and a 22 point differential. Who is it?
The 2007-08 New York Giants
Perhaps the most popular sub-.500 playoff team of all team, this team clinched their division with only a 7-9 record. Despite this, they actually made it through the Wild Card Round after one of the most memorable RB plays of the 21st century. Who is it?
The 2010-11 Seattle Seahawks
Since 2002, 15 teams have pulled off the divisional sweep feat. Name 2 of them.
Saints, Colts, Steelers, Broncos, Packers, Chiefs, Patriots, Cardinals, Ravens, Bengals, Rams, Eagles, Seahawks, Titans, and Raiders.
It is often forgotten that this notorious shootout was also the playoff debut of one of the most prolific QBs in the NFL's last 20 years. Who is it?
Aaron Rodgers, in the 54-45 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in the 2009 Wild Card Round.
What QB currently holds the highest passer rating in both the regular season and in the playoffs in NFL history?
Patrick Mahomes, with a 105.7 career passer rating in the regular season and a 107.4 passer rating in the playoffs.
The statistically worst team to ever win the Super Bowl finished the regular season with a 9-7 record and a -6 point differential; not only the only team with a negative point differential to ever win the Super Bowl, but the only team in NFL history with a negative point differential to even reach the Super Bowl. Who is it?
The 2011-12 New York Giants
The 1982-83 strike-shortened season saw teams play only 9 games as opposed to 16, meaning that 2 teams made it into the playoffs with 4-5 records. Who were they?
The Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns
In the 2022-23 season, the Kansas City Chiefs achieved their second sweep of the AFC West in franchise history en route to a Super Bowl win. Before that, what was the most recent divisional sweep?
The 2020-21 New Orleans Saints achieved the first sweep of the NFC South in NFL history.
This hall-of-fame QB began his long playoff career with a 38-24 victory over the New York Giants in the 1981 Divisional Round, going 20/31 for 304 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT. Who is it?
Joe Montana
What team currently holds the record for most penalties attained in a single game?
The 2016-17 Oakland Raiders were penalized 23 times for 200 yards in a Week 8 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Not only did they win the game with a 30-24 OT victory, but Raiders QB Derek Carr was 40/59 for 513 yards with 4 TDs and 0 INTs, with a final passer rating of 117.4. To this day it is the highest single-game passer rating in both Carr's career and in Raiders' franchise history.
This team made their first (and to this day only) Super Bowl appearance after a 9-7 regular season record with a point differential of just 1. Who is it?
The 2008-09 Arizona Cardinals
After the 1982-83 season, when was the next time a .500 or below team made the playoffs?
The 1985-86 Cleveland Browns clinched the AFC Central title despite being only 8-8.
What team holds the record for the most divisional sweeps in NFL history?
Under Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, the Indianapolis Colts have swept the AFC South 4 times, in the 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2014 seasons.
This famous QB made his playoff debut in 28-24 victory over the Detroit Lions in the 1993 Wild Card Round, throwing the game-winning 40 yard TD pass with 55 seconds left in the game, and finishing with a final statline of 15/26 for 204 yards with 3 TDs and 1 INT. Who is it?
Brett Favre
The highest attainable passer rating, often referred to as a "perfect" passer rating, is 158.3. When was the last time a QB achieved this rating?
Despite posting an 11-5 regular season record, this team is on this list because of its point differential of only 21 on the way to the franchise's Super Bowl debut. Who is it?
The 2003-04 Carolina Panthers
Not only did this team make the playoffs after starting out 3-8-1, but they still hold the record to this day for fewest opponent yards allowed in a playoff game. Who is it?
The 2014-15 Carolina Panthers allowed just 78 yards against the Arizona Cardinals in their 27-16 victory in the Wild Card Round. They were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round.
The 2010-11 Oakland Raiders were 6-0 against AFC West opponents and 2-8 against everyone else.
What QB possesses what is considered to be the greatest playoff debut of all time, going 27/33 for 391 yards with 5 TDs and 1 INT versus the Minnesota Vikings in the 1999 Divisional Round?
Kurt Warner
Only 1 team has ever allowed multiple perfect passer ratings (158.3) in the same season. Who was it?
The 2013-14 Oakland Raiders allowed a perfect passer rating is 2 different game:
-Nick Foles attained a 158.3 passer rating in the Eagles' Week 9 victory over Oakland after going 22/28 for 406 yards with 7 TDs and 0 INTs.
-Alex Smith attained a 158.3 passer rating in the Chiefs' Week 15 victory over Oakland after going 15/20 for 287 yards with 5 TDs and 0 INTs.
The only non-21st century entry on this list, this team made their Super Bowl debut after a 9-7 regular season record and a point differential of only 14. Who is it?
The 1979-80 Los Angeles Rams
This team clinched its division after starting out 4-8, and to this day is the only team in NFL history to not reach the above .500 mark until the playoffs. Who is it?
The 2008-09 San Diego Chargers
Only one team has ever gone 7-0 against divisional opponents in a season. Who is it?
The 2008-09 Pittsburgh Steelers were 6-0 against AFC North opponents in the regular season, and defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship.
In this QB's playoff debut, they joined Otto Graham as just the second QB in NFL history to post 2 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs in 1 playoff game. Who is it?
Jay Cutler, in the Chicago Bears' 35-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in the 2010 Divisional Round.
In the statistically worst game of his career, Randy Moss only had 4 receptions for 16 yards and no TDs. What team was this against?
The Carolina Panthers, in Week 3 of the 2002-03 season.