What To Look For – A Look Back

ROOKIE-QB RECORD: Three rookie quarterbacks – Washington’s ROBERT GRIFFIN III, Indianapolis’ ANDREW LUCK and Seattle’s RUSSELL WILSON – started Wild Card Weekend games, the most rookie QBs to start a playoff game in a season since 1966 (two in 2011; two in 2008).

Leading the Seahawks to a 24-14 victory at Washington, Wilson became the sixth rookie quarterback to win his first playoff game and the third to accomplish the feat on the road. The game marked the second playoff game in NFL history and in as many seasons with two rookie quarterbacks starting against each other. Last year, T.J. YATES led the Texans to a 31-10 victory over ANDY DALTON and the Bengals in the Wild Card round.

The 11 rookie quarterbacks to start a playoff game (since 1966):

-- WILD CARD WEEKEND --

NFC NORTHERN EXPOSURE: On Saturday night, Green Bay claimed a 24-10 victory over NFC North rival Minnesota to advance to the Divisional Playoffs. The Packers will face the No. 2 seed San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night (8:00 PM ET, FOX).

With a 30-17 playoff record, Green Bay maintained the league’s top postseason winning percentage (.638) among teams which have played at least five postseason games and became the third club in league annals (Dallas, 33; Pittsburgh 33) with 30 playoff victories. Including last weekend’s game, the Packers (47) and Vikings (46) rank fourth and fifth, respectively, for the most postseason games all-time.

The NFL’s all-time top playoff teams by wins, games played and winning percentage (min. five games):

-- WILD CARD WEEKEND --

WINTER WAYNE: Indianapolis wide receiver REGGIE WAYNE posted a game-high nine receptions for 114 yards in the Colts’ 24-9 loss at Baltimore.  Wayne, who has 92 postseason receptions, surpassed ANDRE REED (85), Pro Football Hall of Famer MICHAEL IRVIN (87) and HINES WARD (88) for the second-most receptions in the playoffs all-time. Pro Football Hall of Famer JERRY RICE holds the record with 151 catches.

The players with the most receptions in the postseason all-time:

-- WILD CARD WEEKEND --

RELIABLE RAVEN: In the Ravens’ 24-9 win over Indianapolis, Baltimore quarterback JOE FLACCO became the first quarterback to start a postseason game in each of his first five seasons during the Super Bowl era. Flacco (6-4) has won at least one playoff game in each of his first five years.