2021 What To Look For - Wild Card Weekend
Wild Card Weekend means the playoffs are underway for the NFL.
Like last year, two additional teams have qualified for the playoffs, and the opening round will feature six games, including the first postseason game played on a Monday since 1988.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, aiming to defend their title, are seeking to become the first team to repeat as Super Bowl champions since the New England Patriots in 2004.
Three veteran quarterbacks will look to add to their career totals and climb the ranks in postseason accolades.
For many other things to watch for this weekend, read on…
MORE TEAMS, MORE GAMES, MORE WILD: The addition of a third Wild Card team in each conference and the subsequent expansion of the playoffs last year has resulted in a Super Wild Card Weekend of NFL action. For the second consecutive season, there will be six games, with two on Saturday, January 15, three on Sunday, January 16, and for the first time since 1988, an NFL postseason game will be played on a Monday (January 17).
Seven of the 12 teams in action this weekend are new to the postseason in 2021, having missed the playoffs a year ago: ARIZONA, CINCINNATI, DALLAS, LAS VEGAS, NEW ENGLAND, PHILADELPHIA and SAN FRANCISCO. Two of those teams – Cincinnati (AFC North) and Dallas (NFC East) – won their divisions.
Since 1990, at least four teams every season have qualified for the playoffs after failing to make the postseason the year before. Additionally, at least two teams have won their divisions the season after missing the playoffs in 18 of the past 19 years, including 2021.
Each of the 12 teams playing this weekend hope to earn their first of four wins needed to capture the Lombardi Trophy. Winners in the Wild Card round have won the Super Bowl 10 times, including the TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS last season.
The Wild Card round participants to win the Super Bowl:
|
SEASON |
TEAM |
SUPER BOWL RESULT |
|
|
1980 |
Oakland Raiders |
Defeated Philadelphia in Super Bowl XV, 27-10 |
|
|
1997 |
Denver Broncos |
Defeated Green Bay in Super Bowl XXXII, 31-24 |
|
|
2000 |
Baltimore Ravens |
Defeated New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV, 34-7 |
|
|
2005 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
Defeated Seattle in Super Bowl XL, 21-10 |
|
|
2006 |
Indianapolis Colts* |
Defeated Chicago in Super Bowl XLI, 29-17 |
|
|
2007 |
New York Giants |
Defeated New England in Super Bowl XLII, 17-14 |
|
|
2010 |
Green Bay Packers |
Defeated Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV, 31-25 |
|
|
2011 |
New York Giants* |
Defeated New England in Super Bowl XLVI, 21-17 |
|
|
2012 |
Baltimore Ravens* |
Defeated San Francisco in Super Bowl XLVII, 34-31 |
|
|
2020 |
Tampa Bay |
Defeated Kansas City in Super Bowl LV, 31-9 |
|
|
*Won division |
|||
POSTSEASON ALL-TIME LEADING PASSERS: Three of the top seven most prolific postseason quarterbacks are a part of the 2021 playoff field vying for the Super Bowl LVI title.
Tampa Bay quarterback TOM BRADY enters the 2021 postseason as the league’s all-time playoff leader in games started by a quarterback (45), wins by a starting quarterback (34), passing yards (12,449), touchdown passes (83), Super Bowl titles (seven) and Super Bowl MVPs (five). He led the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl LV title last season and joined Pro Football Hall of Famer PEYTON MANNING as the only starting quarterbacks to win Super Bowls with multiple franchises.
Green Bay quarterback AARON RODGERS, who will make his 2021 playoff debut in the NFC Divisional playoffs, ranks tied for second in postseason touchdown passes (45), sixth in postseason passing yards (5,669) and seventh in postseason games started (20) among quarterbacks all-time.
Pittsburgh quarterback BEN ROETHLISBERGER enters the 2021 postseason ranking fifth all-time in passing yards (5,757), fifth in quarterback starts (22) and seventh in touchdown passes (34) in playoff history.
This postseason, both Rodgers and Roethlisberger can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famers BRETT FAVRE (5,855 passing yards, third-most) and JOE MONTANA (5,772, fourth-most) on the all-time postseason passing yards list.
With a Pittsburgh victory against Kansas City on Sunday night (8:15 PM ET, NBC/Peacock/Telemundo), Roethlisberger would tie Pro Football Hall of Famers TERRY BRADSHAW (14 wins), JOHN ELWAY (14) and PEYTON MANNING (14) for the third-most playoff wins by a starting quarterback in NFL history.
The quarterbacks with the most career postseason passing yards in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM(S) |
PASSING YARDS |
|
Tom Brady* |
New England, Tampa Bay |
12,449 |
|
Peyton ManningHOF |
Indianapolis, Denver |
7,339 |
|
Brett FavreHOF |
Green Bay, Minnesota |
5,855 |
|
Joe MontanaHOF |
San Francisco, Kansas City |
5,772 |
|
Ben Roethlisberger* |
Pittsburgh |
5,757 |
|
Aaron Rodgers* |
Green Bay |
5,669 |
|
*Active in 2021 postseason |
||
The quarterbacks with the most career postseason passing touchdowns in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM(S) |
PASSING TOUCHDOWNS |
|
Tom Brady* |
New England, Tampa Bay |
83 |
|
Joe MontanaHOF |
San Francisco, Kansas City |
45 |
|
Aaron Rodgers* |
Green Bay |
45 |
|
Brett FavreHOF |
Green Bay, Minnesota |
44 |
|
Peyton ManningHOF |
Indianapolis, Denver |
40 |
|
Drew Brees |
San Diego Chargers, New Orleans |
37 |
|
Ben Roethlisberger* |
Pittsburgh |
34 |
|
*Active in 2021 postseason |
||
The quarterbacks with the most career postseason starts in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM(S) |
POSTSEASON STARTS |
|
Tom Brady* |
New England, Tampa Bay |
45 |
|
Peyton ManningHOF |
Indianapolis, Denver |
27 |
|
Brett FavreHOF |
Green Bay, Minnesota |
24 |
|
Joe MontanaHOF |
San Francisco, Kansas City |
23 |
|
Ben Roethlisberger* |
Pittsburgh |
22 |
|
John ElwayHOF |
Denver |
21 |
|
Aaron Rodgers* |
Green Bay |
20 |
|
*Active in 2021 postseason |
||
CHAMPS ARE HERE: The TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS enter the 2021 postseason aiming to become the first team to repeat as Super Bowl champions since New England in 2004. Last year, they became the first team in NFL history to score at least 30 points in four consecutive playoff games within a single postseason in route to a Super Bowl LV championship.
If Tampa Bay scores at least 30 points against Philadelphia on Sunday (1:05 PM ET, FOX/FOX Deportes), it will become the third team ever to score at least 30 points in five-or-more consecutive postseason games.
The teams to score at least 30 points in the most consecutive postseason games in NFL history:
|
TEAM |
GAMES (DATES) |
|
New Orleans Saints |
6 (Jan. 16, 2010 – Jan. 14, 2012) |
|
Kansas City Chiefs |
5 (Jan. 12, 2019 – Feb. 2, 2020) |
|
|
|
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
4* (Jan. 9, 2021 – Feb. 7, 2021) |
|
*Active streak |
|
Tampa Bay running back LEONARD FOURNETTE totaled 448 scrimmage yards (112 per game) in the Buccaneers’ four playoff games last year and scored a touchdown in each contest. Going back to his 2017 postseason with Jacksonville, Fournette has scored a touchdown in six consecutive playoff games.
With a touchdown against Philadelphia, Fournette would become the sixth running back all-time to score a touchdown in seven-or-more consecutive postseason games.
The running backs with the most consecutive postseason games with a touchdown in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM(S) |
GAMES (DATES) |
|
Thurman ThomasHOF |
Buffalo |
9 (Jan. 17, 1993 – Jan. 2, 1999) |
|
Emmitt SmithHOF |
Dallas |
8 (Jan. 23, 1994 – Dec. 28, 1996) |
|
Marcus AllenHOF |
L.A. Raiders |
7 (Jan. 8, 1983 – Jan. 5, 1986) |
|
Terrell DavisHOF |
Denver |
7 (Jan. 4, 1997 – Jan. 17, 1999) |
|
John RigginsHOF |
Washington |
7 (Jan. 15, 1983 – Dec. 30, 1984) |
|
|
|
|
|
Leonard Fournette |
Jacksonville, Tampa Bay |
6* (Jan. 14, 2018 – Feb. 7, 2021) |
|
*Active streak |
KANSAS CITY STARS: The KANSAS CITY CHIEFS enter the 2021 postseason aiming to become the fourth team ever to advance to three consecutive Super Bowls, joining Miami (1971-73), Buffalo (1990-93) and New England (2016-18).
Quarterback PATRICK MAHOMES is expected to make his ninth-career postseason start, having surpassed 250 passing yards in each of his previous eight playoff starts. With at least 250 passing yards against Pittsburgh on Sunday night (8:15 PM ET, NBC/Telemundo/Peacock), Mahomes will tie DREW BREES (nine consecutive games from Feb. 7, 2010 to Jan. 13, 2019) for the second-most consecutive postseason games with at least 250 passing yards NFL history. Only TOM BRADY (12 from Feb. 1, 2015 to Feb. 3, 2019) has more.
The players with at least 250 passing yards in the most consecutive postseason games in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
CONSECUTIVE GAMES |
|
Tom Brady |
New England |
12 (Feb. 1, 2015 – Feb. 3, 2019) |
|
Drew Brees |
New Orleans |
9 (Feb. 7, 2010 – Jan. 13, 2019) |
|
Patrick Mahomes |
Kansas City |
8* (Jan. 12, 2019 – Feb. 7, 2021) |
|
*Active streak |
||
Mahomes has guided the Chiefs to a playoff win each of the past three years and with a victory on Sunday night will become the fourth quarterback ever to win at least one postseason game in four of his first five seasons, joining JOE FLACCO, DONOVAN MCNABB and RUSSELL WILSON.
Mahomes could also become the sixth quarterback with at least one victory in each of his first four postseason appearances.
Tight end TRAVIS KELCE surpassed 100 receiving yards in each of Kansas City’s three playoff games last season and can join ANTONIO BROWN (four consecutive games from Jan. 3, 2015 to Jan. 15, 2017) and LARRY FITZGERALD (four consecutive games from Jan. 3, 2009 to Feb. 1, 2009) as the only players ever to record at least 100 receiving yards in four consecutive postseason games.
In his career, Kelce has recorded at least 100 receiving yards in six postseason games, tied for the second-most ever. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer JERRY RICE (eight games) has more.
The players with the most 100-yard receiving games in NFL postseason history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM(S) |
GAMES WITH 100 REC. YARDS |
|
Jerry RiceHOF |
San Francisco, Oakland Raiders |
8 |
|
Julian Edelman |
New England |
6 |
|
Michael IrvinHOF |
Dallas |
6 |
|
Travis Kelce |
Kansas City |
6 |
Kelce also recorded at least 10 receptions in both the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LV last year and can become the first player ever to register at least 10 catches in three consecutive postseason games and the first player in postseason history to record four games with at least 10 receptions.
Kelce has 992 receiving yards in 12 career postseason games and can join ROB GRONKOWSKI(1,273 receiving yards) as the only tight ends with at least 1,000 receiving yards in postseason history.
TOP OF THE CHARTS: The BUFFALO BILLS finished the regular season with the top-ranked scoring defense (17.0 points per game allowed), while the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS ranked second (17.8 points per game allowed).
After splitting their regular-season series, the teams will meet for a third time on Saturday night in Buffalo (8:15 PM ET, CBS/Paramount ). Since 2000, this will mark the sixth postseason matchup to feature the top-two scoring defenses.
The playoff games to feature the top-two scoring defenses since 2000:
|
NO. 1 DEFENSE |
NO. 2 DEFENSE |
SEASON |
ROUND |
RESULT |
|
Buffalo |
New England |
2021 |
AFC Wild Card |
??? |
|
Pittsburgh |
Green Bay |
2010 |
Super Bowl XLV |
GB 31, PIT 25 |
|
Pittsburgh |
New England |
2004 |
AFC Championship |
NE 41, PIT 27 |
|
Tampa Bay |
Philadelphia |
2002 |
NFC Championship |
TB 27, PHI 10 |
|
Chicago |
Philadelphia |
2001 |
NFC Divisional |
PHI 33, CHI 19 |
|
Baltimore |
Tennessee |
2000 |
AFC Divisional |
BAL 24, TEN 10 |
If New England rookie quarterback MAC JONES makes the start on Saturday, he would become the third rookie quarterback to start a playoff game against the top-ranked scoring defense in the Super Bowl era, joining JOE FLACCO (2008 AFC Championship Game) and ROBERT GRIFFIN III (2012 NFC Wild Card round).
The rookie quarterbacks to start a postseason game against the top-ranked scoring defense in the Super Bowl era:
|
ROOKIE QB |
TEAM |
SEASON |
ROUND |
OPPONENT |
RESULT |
|
Mac Jones* |
New England |
2021 |
AFC Wild Card |
at Buffalo |
??? |
|
Robert Griffin III |
Washington |
2012 |
NFC Wild Card |
Seattle |
SEA 24, WAS 14 |
|
Joe Flacco |
Baltimore |
2008 |
AFC Championship |
at Pittsburgh |
PIT 23, BAL 14 |
|
*Expected to start |
|||||
The Bills led the league in point differential ( 194) while the Patriots ranked third ( 159). The meeting between Buffalo and New England marks the first Wild Card game since 1978 and third postseason game since 1970 to occur in the first round of the playoffs to feature two teams that each had a 150-point differential.
The first-round playoff meetings between clubs each with a 150-point differential since 1970:
|
HOME TEAM |
AWAY TEAM |
SEASON |
ROUND |
RESULT |
|
Buffalo ( 194) |
New England ( 159) |
2021 |
AFC Wild Card |
??? |
|
Baltimore Colts ( 171) |
Pittsburgh ( 204) |
1976 |
AFC Divisional |
PIT 40, BAL 14 |
|
Dallas ( 179) |
L.A. Rams ( 210) |
1973 |
NFC Divisional |
DAL 27, LAR 16 |
MONDAY NIGHT HISTORY: When the LOS ANGELES RAMS host the ARIZONA CARDINALS on Monday night, (8:15 PM ET, (ESPN/ABC/ESPN2/ESPN /ESPN Deportes), it will mark the fifth postseason game played on a Monday in the Super Bowl era and first since the 1988 season. Each of the previous three games have also featured the Rams.
The Monday playoff games in the Super Bowl era:
|
ROUND |
DATE |
GAME |
RESULT |
|
2021 NFC Wild Card |
Jan. 17, 2022 |
Arizona at L.A. Rams |
??? |
|
1988 NFC Wild Card |
Dec. 26, 1988 |
L.A. Rams at Minnesota |
MIN 28, LAR 17 |
|
1983 NFC Wild Card |
Dec. 26, 1983 |
L.A. Rams at Dallas |
LAR 24, DAL 17 |
|
1977 NFC Divisional |
Dec. 26, 1977 |
Minnesota at L.A. Rams |
MIN 14, LAR 7 |
|
1977 NFC Divisional |
Dec, 26, 1977 |
Chicago at Dallas |
DAL 37, CHI 7 |
Each team enters the game with a starting quarterback that was selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft. Arizona’s KYLER MURRAY was selected first overall in 2019 and Los Angeles’ MATTHEW STAFFORD was chosen with the first pick by Detroit in 2009. Monday’s meeting will mark the fourth-ever first-round playoff game featuring two starting quarterbacks each selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft.
The first-round postseason games featuring two starting quarterbacks each selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft:
|
DATE |
GAME |
QUARTERBACKS (DRAFT YEARS) |
RESULT |
|
Jan. 17, 2022 |
Arizona at L.A. Rams |
Kyler Murray (2019) & Matthew Stafford (2009) |
??? |
|
Jan. 4, 2014 |
Kansas City at Indianapolis |
Alex Smith (2005) & Andrew Luck (2012) |
IND 45, KC 44 |
|
Jan. 9, 2000 |
Dallas at Minnesota |
Troy AikmanHOF (1989) & Jeff George (1990) |
MIN 27, DAL 10 |
|
Jan. 1, 1995 |
New England at Cleveland |
Drew Bledsoe (1993) & Vinny Testaverde (1987) |
CLE 20, NE 13 |
Stafford will be making his fourth-career postseason start (first with Los Angeles), while Murray will be making his postseason debut. With a victory, Murray would become the fourth quarterback that was selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft to win his first career postseason start since 2000.
The quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft to win their first career postseason start since 2000:
|
PLAYER (DRAFT YEAR) |
TEAM |
FIRST POSTSEASON START |
|
Baker Mayfield (2018) |
Cleveland |
2020 AFC Wild Card at Pittsburgh |
|
Alex Smith (2005) |
San Francisco |
2011 NFC Divisional vs. New Orleans |
|
Michael Vick (2000) |
Atlanta |
2002 NFC Wild Card at Green Bay |
With Arizona’s KLIFF KINGSBURY (42 years old) and Los Angeles’ SEAN MCVAY (35), Monday’s game will also feature the fourth-youngest combined age between two opposing head coaches in a postseason game since 1970.
The youngest combined age of head coaches in postseason games since 1970:
|
ROUND |
GAME |
COACHES |
COMBINED AGE |
|
1970 Divisional |
Miami at Oakland Raiders |
Don ShulaHOF & John MaddenHOF |
75 years, 253 days |
|
2020 Divisional |
L.A. Rams at Green Bay |
Sean McVay & Matt LaFleur |
76 years, 67 days |
|
1972 Divisional |
Oakland Raiders at Pittsburgh |
John MaddenHOF & Chuck NollHOF |
77 years, 245 days |
|
2021 Wild Card |
Arizona at L.A. Rams |
Kliff Kingsbury & Sean McVay |
78 years, 154 days |
Arizona running back JAMES CONNER rushed for two touchdowns in each of the two meetings against the Rams this season. With two rushing touchdowns on Monday, he would become the first player ever to record two rushing touchdowns against one team, three times in a single season.
HEY, ROOKIE: Several top rookies from the 2021 season are expected to make their postseason debuts this weekend.
New England quarterback MAC JONES led all rookies in completion percentage (67.6), passing yards (3,801), touchdown passes (22) and passer rating (92.5). He is bidding to become just the fourth rookie quarterback since 2000 and first since RUSSELL WILSON in 2012 to go on the road and win his first NFL postseason start.
Jones became the third rookie quarterback to ever win six regular-season road games, joining DAK PRESCOTT (2016) and BEN ROETHLISBERGER (2004). With a victory at Buffalo on Saturday night (8:15 PM ET, CBS, Paramount ), Jones would join JOE FLACCO (seven road wins in 2008) as the only rookie quarterbacks ever to win seven road games, including the postseason.
Jones surpassed 250 passing yards in seven games this season, the most among all rookies.
The rookies with the most passing yards ever in their first career postseason start:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
ROUND |
PASSING YARDS |
|
Dak Prescott |
Dallas |
2016 NFC Divisional vs. Green Bay |
302 |
|
Andrew Luck |
Indianapolis |
2012 AFC Wild Card at Baltimore |
288 |
|
Andy Dalton |
Cincinnati |
2011 AFC Wild Card at Houston |
257 |
Cincinnati wide receiver JA’MARR CHASE is making his postseason debut against Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon (4:35 PM ET, NBC/Peacock/Universo). Chase ranked fourth in the NFL with 1,455 receiving yards this season, the most-ever by a rookie in the Super Bowl era.
He surpassed 100 receiving yards in five games and became the first rookie ever and the fifth player in the Super Bowl era to record multiple games with at least 200 receiving yards in a single season. Philadelphia’s DEVONTA SMITH (935 receiving yards this season) is also expected to make his postseason debut this weekend at Tampa Bay.
The rookies with the most receiving yards ever in their first career postseason game:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
ROUND |
RECEIVING YARDS |
|
DK Metcalf |
Seattle |
2019 NFC Wild Card at Philadelphia |
160 |
|
Jeremy Maclin |
Philadelphia |
2009 NFC Wild Card at Dallas |
146 |
|
Keith Jackson |
Philadelphia |
1988 NFC Divisional at Chicago |
142 |
Pittsburgh running back NAJEE HARRIS is making his postseason debut on Sunday night at Kansas City (8:15 PM ET, NBC/Telemundo/Peacock). During the regular season, Harris led all rookies and ranked fourth in the league with 1,667 scrimmage yards (1,200 rushing, 467 receiving). He surpassed 100 scrimmage yards in nine games, including in Week 16 against the Chiefs (110 scrimmage yards).
The rookies with the most scrimmage yards ever in their first career postseason game:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
ROUND |
SCRIMMAGE YARDS |
|
Billy Cannon |
Houston Oilers |
1960 AFL Championship |
178 |
|
Cam Akers |
L.A. Rams |
2020 NFC Wild Card at Seattle |
176 |
|
Paul Lowe |
L.A. Chargers |
1960 AFL Championship |
170 |
San Francisco rookie running back ELIJAH MITCHELL (963 rushing yards this season) and New England rookie running back RHAMONDRE STEVENSON (606) are also each expected to make their postseason debuts this weekend. In last year’s postseason, Los Angeles Rams running back CAM AKERS (131 rushing yards against Seattle in the Wild Card round) was the only rookie to surpass 100 rushing yards in a game.