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Seeing how the Water Cooler Quarterbacks are scattered around the Pacific Southwest and the Pacific Northwest during the holiday season, this article comes strictly from your's truly. As we prepare for the NFL's 2013 version of Wildcard Weekend, I thought it would be fun to take a brief look back at how each of this year's participants have fared in the playoffs. Now, before you panic, thinking that we are going to going into the depths of NFL history to a time before most of us were born . . . let me reassure you, this is not the case. I am planning to look at a relatively narrow span of playoffs -- those playoffs in which the NFL had twelve teams competing to get into the Super Bowl
Let's start with a very brief history: It was in 1960 that the city of Denver entered into the realm of professional football when the Denver Broncos played their first game as a founding member of the American Football League (AFL). At that time, the AFL had eight teams which were divided into two divisions. The division winners would play a league championship game. On the other side of the road, the National Football League had thirteen teams, also divided into two divisions which also saw the division winners play a championship game.
In 1966, the NFL and the AFL began merger talks. As a part of the merger agreement, the leagues decided to have their league champions play an overall championship game. The first of these games took place following the 1966 season. This championship game was later given the name "Super Bowl."
In 1967, the NFL added two new teams -- the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints. The NFL chose to divide its league into four divisions. The division winners competed in a playoff game to decide which two teams would get to play for the league championship. The winner of the league championship game would get to represent the NFL in the Super Bowl. The AFL did not change its playoff format during this time.
In 1970, the two leagues officially merged under the umbrella title of the National Football League. The NFL established two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). Each conference was divided into three divisions -- East, Central and West. The three division winners plus a wild card team would play a "divisional" playoff game. The two winners would play for the conference title. The conference title winners would play in the Super Bowl.
In 1978, a second wildcard team was added to each conference bringing the playoff field to ten (five in each conference). The two wild card teams competed in a "wildcard" round. The winner advanced to face one of the three divisional winners, and the post season continued as it had previously.
In 1990, a third wildcard team was added to each conference bringing the playoff field to twelve (six in each conference). Now the wildcard round saw two wildcard teams play each other while the third played the division winner with the worst record. The two division winners with the best records had a bye week. The winners advanced a divisional round, followed by the conference championship games followed by the Super Bowl.
In 2002, when the NFL realigned the league into four divisions in each conference, one of the three wildcard teams was replaced by a divisional winner.
Since we currently have a twelve-team playoff field and that size of playoff field dates back to the 1990 season, we will be taking a look at how each of this year's twelve playoff teams have fared in the years from 1990 to the present -- in other words, how they have done in the last twenty-three seasons.
AFC
| #1 seed | Denver Broncos | 13-3-0 | 1st AFC West |
The Broncos have made the playoffs in twelve of the twenty-three seasons under consideration. They won the AFC West title in seven of those eleven seasons. They have gone 10-9 in those post season appearances -- 2-4 in the wildcard round, 4-3 in the divisional round, 2-2 in the AFC Championship game and 2-0 in Super Bowls.
When playing as the #1 seed, the Broncos have gone 3-2, losing in the divisional round in 1996 and 2012 while winning Super Bowl XXXIII in 1998.
The Broncos played a record-setting season in 2013. They closed the season by winning four of their last five and six of their final eight games (2-0 at home, 4-1 on the road). They went 7-1 at home on the season.
| Year | Seed | Record | Finish | Coach | QB | PO Rec | Notes |
| 91 | 2 | 12-4-0 | 1st AFCW | Dan Reeves | John Elway | 1-1 | W Div over Hou Oilers 26-24; L AFC Championship to Buf 7-10 |
| 93 | 5 | 9-7-0 | 3rd AFCW | Wade Phillips | John Elway | 0-1 | L WC to LA Raiders 24-42 |
| 96 | 1 | 13-3-0 | 1st AFCW | Mike Shanahan | John Elway | 0-1 | L Div to Jac 27-30 |
| 97 | 4 | 12-4-0 | 2nd AFCW | Mike Shanahan | John Elway | 4-0 | W WC over Jac 42-17; W Div over KC 14-10; W AFC Championship over Pit 24-21; Won SB XXXII over GB 31-24 |
| 98 | 1 | 14-2-0 | 1st AFCW | Mike Shanahan | John Elway | 3-0 | W Div over Mia 38-3; W AFC Championship over NYJ 23-10; Won SB XXXIII over Atl 34-19 |
| 00 | 5 | 11-5-0 | 2nd AFCW | Mike Shanahan | Brian Griese | 0-1 | L WC to Bal Ravens 3-21 |
| 03 | 6 | 10-6-0 | 2nd AFCW | Mike Shanahan | Jake Plummer | 0-1 | L WC to Ind 10-41 |
| 04 | 6 | 10-6-0 | 2nd AFCW | Mike Shanahan | Jake Plummer | 0-1 | L WC to Ind 24-49 |
| 05 | 1 | 13-3-0 | 1st AFCW | Mike Shanahan | Jake Plummer | 1-1 | W Div over NE 27-13; L AFC Championship to Pit 17-34 |
| 11 | 4 | 8-8-0 | 1st AFCW | John Fox | Tim Tebow | 1-1 | W WC over Pit 29-23OT; L Div to NE 10-45 |
| 12 | 1 | 13-3-0 | 1st AFCW | John Fox | Peyton Manning | 0-1 | L Div to Bal 35-38OT |
| 13 | 1 | 13-3-0 | 1st AFCW | John Fox | Peyton Manning | ??? | ??? |
| #2 seed | New England Patriots | 12-4-0 | 1st AFC East |
The Patriots have made the playoffs in fifteen of the twenty-three seasons. They won the AFC East title fourteen times. They have gone 20-11 in those post season appearances -- 3-3 in the wildcard round, 8-3 in the divisional round, 6-2 in the AFC Championship game and 3-3 in Super Bowls.
When playing as the #2 seed, the Patriots have gone 9-2, losing in the AFC Championship game in 2012 while winning two Super Bowls (XXXVI in 2001, XXXIX in 2004) and losing one (XXI in 1996).
The Patriots closed the season in a strong way, going 6-2 in their final eight games and winning five of their final six. They will carry an 8-0 home record into the playoffs.
| Year | Seed | Record | Finish | Coach | QB | PO Rec | Notes |
| 94 | 5 | 10-6-0 | 1st AFCE | Bill Parcells | Drew Bledsoe | 0-1 | L WC to Cle 13-20 |
| 96 | 2 | 11-5-0 | 1st AFCE | Bill Parcells | Drew Bledsoe | 2-1 | W Div over Pit 28-3; W AFC Championship over Jac 20-6; L SB XXI to GB 21-35 |
| 97 | 3 | 10-6-0 | 1st AFCE | Pete Carroll | Drew Bledsoe | 1-1 | W WC over Mia 17-3; L Div to Pit 6-7 |
| 98 | 6 | 9-7-0 | 4th AFCE | Pete Carroll | Drew Bledsoe | 0-1 | L WC to Jac 10-25 |
| 01 | 2 | 11-5-0 | 1st AFCE | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | 3-0 | W Div over Oak 16-13; W AFC Championship over Pit 24-17; W SB XXXVI over StL 20-17 |
| 03 | 1 | 14-2-0 | 1st AFCE | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | 3-0 | W Div over Ten 17-14; W AFC Championship over Ind 24-14; W SB XXXVIII over Car 32-29 |
| 04 | 2 | 14-2-0 | 1st AFCE | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | 3-0 | W Div over Ind 20-3; W AFC Championship over Pit 41-27; W SB XXXIX over Phi 24-21 |
| 05 | 4 | 10-6-0 | 1st AFCE | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | 1-1 | W WC over Jac 28-3; L Div to Den 13-27 |
| 06 | 4 | 12-4-0 | 1st AFCE | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | 2-1 | W WC over NYJ 37-16; W Div over SD 24-21; L AFC Championship to Ind 34-38 |
| 07 | 1 | 16-0-0 | 1st AFCE | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | 2-1 | W Div over Jac 31-20; W AFC Championship over SD 21-12; L SB XLII to NYG 14-17 |
| 09 | 3 | 10-6-0 | 1st AFCE | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | 0-1 | L WC to Bal 14-33 |
| 10 | 1 | 14-2-0 | 1st AFCE | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | 0-1 | L Div to NYJ 21-28 |
| 11 | 1 | 13-3-0 | 1st AFCE | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | 2-1 | W Div over Den 45-10; W AFC Championship over Bal 23-20; L SB XLVI to NYG 17-21 |
| 12 | 2 | 12-4-0 | 1st AFCE | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | 1-1 | W Div over Hou Texans 41-28; L AFC Championship to Bal 13-28 |
| 13 |
2 | 12-4-0 | 1st AFCE | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | ??? | ??? |
| #3 seed | Cincinnati Bengals | 11-5-0 | 1st AFC North |
The Bengals have made the playoffs in six of the twenty-three seasons. They have won the AFC North title five times. They have gone 1-5 in those playoff appearances -- 1-4 in the wildcard round and 0-1 in the divisional round.
When playing as the #3 seed, the Bengals have gone 1-2, never advancing further than the divisional round.
The Bengals struggled a bit in the second half of the season, going 5-3 but won five of their last six games. Like New England, the Bengals were 8-0 at home in the regular season.
| Year | Seed | Record | Finish | Coach | QB | PO Rec | Notes |
| 90 | 3 | 9-7-0 | 1st AFCC | Sam Wyche | Boomer Esiason | 1-1 | W WC over Hou Oilers 41-14; L Div to LA Raiders 10-20 |
| 05 | 3 | 11-5-0 | 1st AFCN | Marvin Lewis | Carson Palmer | 0-1 | L WC to Pit 17-31 |
| 09 | 4 | 10-6-0 | 1st AFCN | Marvin Lewis | Carson Palmer | 0-1 | L WC to NYJ 14-24 |
| 11 | 6 | 9-7-0 | 3rd AFCN | Marvin Lewis | Andy Dalton | 0-1 | L WC to Hou Texans 10-31 |
| 12 | 6 | 10-6-0 | 1st AFCN | Marvin Lewis | Andy Dalton | 0-1 | L WC to Hou 13-19 |
| 13 | 3 | 11-5-0 |
1st AFCN | Marvin Lewis | Andy Dalton | ??? | ??? |
| #4 seed | Indianapolis Colts | 11-5-0 | 1st AFC South |
The Colts have made the playoffs in fifteen of the twenty-three seasons. They have won the AFC East title one time and the AFC South title eight times. They have gone 11-13 in those appearances -- 4-6 in the wildcard round, 4-4 in the divisional round, 2-2 in the AFC Championship game and 1-1 in the Super Bowl.
This will be the first season in which the Colts enter the playoffs as the #4 seed.
The Colts went 5-3 in the second half of the season but closed with a strong effort by winning four of their last five games. They will carry a 6-2 home record into the playoffs.
| Year | Seed | Record | Finish | Coach | QB | PO Rec | Notes |
| 95 | 5 | 9-7-0 | 2nd AFCE | Ted Marchibroda | Jim Harbaugh | 2-1 | W WC over SD 35-20; W Div over KC 10-7; L AFC Championship to Pit 16-20 |
| 96 | 6 | 9-7-0 | 3rd AFCE | Lindy Infante | Jim Harbaugh | 0-1 | L WC to Pit 14-42 |
| 99 | 2 | 13-3-0 | 1st AFCE | Jim Mora | Peyton Manning | 0-1 | L Div to Ten 16-19 |
| 00 | 6 | 10-6-0 | 2nd AFCE | Jim Mora | Peyton Manning | 0-1 | L WC to Mia 17-23 |
| 02 | 5 | 10-6-0 | 2nd AFCS | Tony Dungy | Peyton Manning | 0-1 | L WC to NYJ 0-41 |
| 03 | 3 | 12-4-0 | 1st AFCS | Tony Dungy | Peyton Manning | 2-1 | W WC over Den 41-10; W Div over KC 38-31; L AFC Championship to NE 14-24 |
| 04 | 3 | 12-4-0 | 1st AFCS | Tony Dungy | Peyton Manning | 1-1 | W WC over Den 49-24; L Div to NE 3-20 |
| 05 | 1 | 14-2-0 | 1st AFCS | Tony Dungy | Peyton Manning | 0-1 | L Div to Pit 18-21 |
| 06 | 3 | 12-4-0 | 1st AFCS | Tony Dungy | Peyton Manning | 4-0 | W WC over KC 23-8; W Div over Bal 15-6; W AFC Championship over NE 38-34; W SB XLI over Chi 29-17 |
| 07 | 2 | 13-3-0 | 1st AFCS | Tony Dungy | Peyton Manning | 0-1 | L Div to SD 24-28 |
| 08 | 5 | 12-4-0 | 2nd AFCS | Tony Dungy | Peyton Manning | 0-1 | L WC to SD 17-23 |
| 09 | 1 | 14-2-0 | 1st AFCS | Jim Caldwell | Peyton Manning | 2-1 | W Div over Bal 20-3; W AFC Championship over NYJ 30-17; L SB XLIV to NO 17-31 |
| 10 | 3 | 10-6-0 | 1st AFCS | Jim Caldwell | Peyton Manning | 0-1 | L WC to NYJ 16-17 |
| 12 | 5 | 11-5-0 | 2nd AFCS | Chuck Pagano | Andrew Luck | 0-1 | L WC 9-24 to Bal |
| 13 |
4 | 11-5-0 | 1st AFCS | Chuck Pagano | Andrew Luck | ??? | ??? |
| #5 seed | Kansas City Chiefs | 11-5-0 | 2nd AFC West |
The Chiefs have made the playoffs in eleven of the twenty-three seasons. They won the AFC West title five times. They have gone 3-10 in those appearances -- 2-5 in the wildcard round, 1-4 in the divisional round and 0-1 in the AFC Championship game.
When playing as the #5 seed, the Chiefs have gone 0-1, losing a wildcard game in 1990.
The Chiefs struggled in the second half of the season, going 3-5 and losing five of their last seven games -- including a two-game losing streak to end the regular season. That said, they will be carrying a strong 6-2 road record into the playoffs.
| Year | Seed | Record | Finish | Coach | QB | PO Rec | Notes |
| 90 | 5 | 11-5-0 | 2nd AFCW | Marty Schottenheimer | Steve DeBerg | 0-1 | L WC to Mia 16-17 |
| 91 | 4 | 10-6-0 | 2nd AFCW | Marty Schottenheimer | Steve DeBerg | 1-1 | W WC over LA Raiders; L Div to Buf 14-3 |
| 92 | 6 | 10-6-0 | 2nd AFCW | Marty Schottenheimer | Dave Krieg | 0-1 | L WC to SD 0-17 |
| 93 | 3 | 11-5-0 | 1st AFCW | Marty Schottenheimer | Joe Montana | 2-1 | W WC over Pit 27-24; W Div over Hou Oilers 28-20; L AFC Championship to Buf 13-30 |
| 94 | 6 | 9-7-0 | 2nd AFCW | Marty Schottenheimer | Joe Montana | 0-1 | L WC to Mia 17-27 |
| 96 | 1 | 13-3-0 | 1st AFCW | Marty Schottenheimer | Steve Bono | 0-1 | L Div to Ind 7-10 |
| 97 | 1 | 13-3-0 | 1st AFCW | Marty Schottenheimer | Elvis Grbac | 0-1 | L Div to Den 10-14 |
| 03 | 2 | 13-3-0 | 1st AFCW | Dick Vermeil | Trent Green | 0-1 | L Div to Ind 31-38 |
| 06 | 6 | 9-7-0 | 2nd AFCW | Herman Edwards | Damon Huard/Trent Green | 0-1 | L WC to Ind 8-23 |
| 10 | 4 | 10-6-0 | 1st AFCW | Todd Haley | Matt Cassel | 0-1 | L WC to Bal 7-30 |
| 13 |
5 | 11-5-0 | 2nd AFCW | Andy Reid | Alex Smith | ??? | ??? |
| #6 seed | San Diego Chargers | 9-7-0 | 3rd AFC West |
The Chargers have made the playoffs in nine of the twenty-three seasons. They have won the AFC West title seven times. They have gone 6-8 in those appearances -- 3-2 in the wildcard round, 2-4 in the divisional round, 1-1 in the AFC Championship game and 0-1 in the Super Bowl.
This will be the first season that the Chargers have entered the playoffs as the #6 seed.
The Chargers struggled a bit in the second half of the season, going 5-3 but closed the season strong with a four-game winning streak -- which included a disputed win overtime win against the Chiefs in Week 17. They will carry a 4-4 road record into the playoffs.
| Year | Seed | Record | Finish | Coach | QB | PO Rec | Notes |
| 92 | 3 | 11-5-0 | 1st AFCW | Bobby Ross | Stan Humphries | 1-1 | W WC over KC 17-0; L Div to Mia 0-31 |
| 94 | 2 | 11-5-0 | 1st AFCW | Bobby Ross | Stan Humphries | 2-1 | W Div over Mia 22-21; W AFC Championship over Pit 17-13; L SB XXIX to SF 26-49 |
| 95 | 4 | 9-7-0 | 2nd AFCW | Bobby Ross | Stan Humphries | 0-1 | L WC to Ind 20-35 |
| 04 | 4 | 12-4-0 | 1st AFCW | Marty Schottenheimer | Drew Brees | 0-1 | L WC to NYJ 17-20 |
| 06 | 1 | 14-2--0 | 1st AFCW | Marty Schottenheimer | Philip Rivers | 0-1 | L Div to NE 21-24 |
| 07 | 3 | 11-5-0 | 1st AFCW | Norv Turner | Philip Rivers | 2-1 | W WC over Ten 17-6; W Div over Ind 28-24; L AFC Championship to NE 12-21 |
| 08 | 4 | 8-8-0 | 1st AFCW | Norv Turner | Philip Rivers | 1-1 | W WC over Ind 23-17; L Div to Pit 24-35 |
| 09 | 2 | 13-3-0 | 1st AFCW | Norv Turner | Philip Rivers | 0-1 | L Div to NYJ 14-17 |
| 13 | 6 | 9-7-0 | 3rd AFCW | Mike McCoy | Philip Rivers | ??? | ??? |
NFC
| #1 seed | Seattle Seahawks | 13-3-0 | 1st NFC West |
The Seahawks have made the playoffs in nine of the twenty-three seasons. They have won the AFC West title once (see the note below) and the NFC West title six times. They have gone 6-8 in those appearances -- 4-3 in the wildcard round, 1-4 in the divisional round, 1-0 in the NFC Championship game and 0-1 in the Super Bowl.
When playing as the #1 seed, they have gone 2-1 winning one NFC Championship (2005) and losing Super Bowl XL in 2005.
The Seahawks played well in the second half of the season, going 6-2 but struggled in their final four games -- going 2-2. They will carry a 7-1 home record into the playoffs.
| Year | Seed | Record | Finish | Coach | QB | PO Rec | Notes |
| 99 | 3 | 9-7-0 | 1st AFCW | Mike Holmgren | Jon Kitna | 0-1 | L WC to Mia 17-20 |
| 03 | 5 | 10-6-0 | 2nd NFCW | Mike Holmgren | Matt Hasselbeck | 0-1 | L WC to GB 27-33 |
| 04 | 4 | 9-7-0 | 1st NFCW | Mike Holmgren | Matt Hasselbeck | 0-1 | L WC to StL 20-27 |
| 05 | 1 | 13-3-0 | 1st NFCW | Mike Holmgren | Matt Hasselbeck | 2-1 | W Div over Was 20-10; W NFC Championship over Car 34-14; L SB XL to Pit 10-21 |
| 06 | 4 | 9-7-0 | 1st NFCW | Mike Holmgren | Matt Hasselbeck | 1-1 | W WC over Dal 21-20; L Div to Chi 24-27 |
| 07 | 3 | 10-6-0 | 1st NFCW | Mike Holmgren | Matt Hasselbeck | 1-1 | W WC over Was 35-14; L Div to GB 20-42 |
| 10 | 4 | 7-9-0 | 1st NFCW | Pete Carroll | Matt Hasselbeck | 1-1 | W WC over NO 41-36; L Div to Chi 24-35 |
| 12 | 5 | 11-5-0 | 2nd NFCW | Pete Carroll | Russell Wilson | 1-1 | W WC over Was 24-14; L Div to Atl 28-30 |
| 13 |
1 | 13-3-0 | 1st NFCW | Pete Carroll | Russell Wilson | ??? | ??? |
*Seattle entered the NFL as an expansion team in 1976. The Seahawks were placed in the NFC West for the 1976 season but were switched to the AFC West beginning in 1977. The reason for this was so that Seattle and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- the other 1976 expansion team -- would have the opportunity to play every other NFL team during their first two seasons. Seattle returned to the NFC West in 2002 as part of the NFL's realignment plan which led to four divisions in each conference.
| #2 seed | Carolina Panthers | 12-4-0 | 1st NFC South |
The Panthers have made the playoffs in five of seventeen seasons (see note below). They have won the NFC West title once and the NFC South title three times. They have gone 6-4 in those appearances -- 2-0 in the wildcard round, 3-1 in the divisional round, 1-1 in the NFC Championship and 0-1 in the Super Bowl.
When playing as the #2 seed, the Panthers have gone 1-2, never advancing beyond the divisional round.
The Panthers finished the season strong, winning seven of their last eight games -- including a three-game winning streak to end the season. They will carry a 7-1 home record into the playoffs.
| Year | Seed | Record | Finish | Coach | QB | PO Rec | Notes |
| 96 | 2 | 12-4-0 | 1st NFCW | Dom Capers | Kerry Collins | 1-1 | W Div over Dal 26-17; L NFC Championship to GB 13-30 |
| 03 | 3 | 11-5-0 | 1st NFCS | John Fox | Jake Delhomme | 3-1 | W WC over Dal 29-10; W Div over StL 29-23; W NFC Championship over Phi 14-3; L SB XXXVIII to NE 29-32 |
| 05 | 5 | 11-5-0 | 1st NFCS | John Fox | Jake Delhomme | 2-1 | W WC over NYG 23-0; W Div over Chi 29-21; L NFC Championship to Sea 14-34 |
| 08 | 2 | 12-4-0 | 1st NFCS | John Fox | Jake Delhomme | 0-1 | L Div to Ari 13-33 |
| 13 |
2 | 12-4-0 | 1st NFCS | Ron Rivera | Cam Newton | ??? | ??? |
*Carolina entered the league in 1995 as an expansion team
| #3 seed | Philadelphia Eagles | 10-6-0 | 1st NFC East |
The Eagles have made the playoffs in fourteen times in the twenty-three seasons. They have won the NFC East title seven times. They have gone 12-13 in those appearances -- 6-4 in the wildcard round, 5-4 in the divisional round, 1-4 in the NFC Championship game and 0-1 in the Super Bowl.
When playing as the #3 seed, the Eagles have gone 3-3, losing in the wildcard round in 2010, in the divisional round in 2006 and the NFC Championship game in 2001.
The Eagles finished the season in a strong fashion, going 7-1 in the second half. They closed the season with a two-game winning streak. However, they are only 4-4 at home this season.
| Year | Seed | Record | FInish | Coach | QB | PO Rec | Notes |
| 90 | 4 | 10-6-0 | 2nd NFCE | Buddy Ryan | Randall Cunningham | 0-1 | L WC to Was 6-20 |
| 92 | 5 | 11-5-0 | 2nd NFCE | Rich Kotite | Randall Cunningham | 1-1 | W WC over NO 36-20; L Div to Dal 10-34 |
| 95 | 4 | 10-6-0 | 2nd NFCE | Ray Rhodes | Rodney Peete | 1-1 | W WC over Det 58-37; L Div to Dal 11-30 |
| 96 | 5 | 10-6-0 | 2nd NFCE | Ray Rhodes | Ty Detmer/Rodney Peete | 0-1 | L WC to SF 0-14 |
| 00 | 4 | 11-5-0 | 2nd NFCE | Andy Reid | Donovan McNabb | 1-1 | W WC over TB 21-3; L Div to NYG 10-20 |
| 01 | 3 | 11-5-0 | 1st NFCE | Andy Reid | Donovan McNabb | 2-1 | W WC over TB 31-9; W Div over Chi 33-19; L NFC Championship to StL 24-29 |
| 02 | 1 | 12-4-0 | 1st NFCE | Andy Reid | Donovan McNabb | 1-1 | W Div over Atl 20-6; L NFC Championship to TB 10-27 |
| 03 | 1 | 12-4-0 | 1st NFCE | Andy Reid | Donovan McNabb | 1-1 | W Div over GB 20-17; L NFC Championship to Car 3-14 |
| 04 | 1 | 13-3-0 | 1st NFCE | Andy Reid | Donovan McNabb | 2-1 | W Div over Min 27-14; W NFC Championship over Atl 27-10; L SB XXXIX to NE 21-24 |
| 06 | 3 | 10-6-0 | 1st NFCE | Andy Reid | Donovan McNabb | 1-1 | W WC over NYG 23-20; L Div to NO 24-27 |
| 08 | 6 | 9-6-1 | 2nd NFCE | Andy Reid | Donovan McNabb | 2-1 | W WC over Min 26-14; W Div over NYG 23-11; L NFC Championship to Ari 25-32 |
| 09 | 6 | 11-5-0 | 2nd NFCE | Andy Reid | Donovan McNabb | 0-1 | L WC to Dal 14-34 |
| 10 | 3 | 10-6-0 | 1st NFCE | Andy Reid | Michael Vick | 0-1 | L WC to GB 16-21 |
| 13 |
3 | 10-6-0 | 1st NFCE |
Chip Kelly | Nick Foles | ??? | ??? |
| #4 seed | Green Bay Packers | 8-7-1 | 1st NFC North |
The Packers have made the playoffs fifteen times in the twenty-three seasons. They have won the NFC Central title three times and the NFC North title six times. They have gone 17-13 in those appearances -- 7-4 in the wildcard round, 5-6 in the divisional round, 3-2 in the NFC Championship game and 2-1 in the Super Bowl.
When playing as the #4 seed, the Packers have gone 3-3, winning in the wildcard round each time (1994, 2001, 2003) only to lose in the divisional round.
The Packers stumbled into the post season. They went 3-4-1 in their final eight games and only a victory over the Chicago Bears -- who lost four of their last six games -- in the final game of the season qualified them for the playoffs. They carry a 4-3-1 home record into the playoffs.
| Year | Seed | Record | Finish | Coach | QB | PO Rec | Notes |
| 93 | 6 | 9-7-0 | 2nd NFCC | Mike Holmgren | Brett Favre | 1-1 | W WC over Det 28-24; L Div to Dal 17-27 |
| 94 | 4 | 9-7-0 | 2nd NFCC | Mike Holmgren | Brett Favre | 1-1 | W WC over Det 16-12; L Div to Dal 9-35 |
| 95 | 3 | 11-5-0 | 1st NFCC | Mike Holmgren | Brett Favre | 2-1 | W WC over Atl 37-20; W Div over SF 27-17; L NFC Championship to Dal 27-38 |
| 96 | 1 | 13-3-0 | 1st NFCC | Mike Holmgren | Brett Favre | 3-0 | W Div over SF 35-14; W NFC Championship over Car 30-13; W SB XXI over NE 35-21 |
| 97 | 2 | 13-3-0 | 1st NFCC | Mike Holmgren | Brett Favre | 2-1 | W Div over TB 21-7; W NFC Championship over SF 23-10; L SB XXXII to Den 24-31 |
| 98 | 5 | 11-5-0 | 2nd NFCC | Mike Holmgren | Brett Favre | 0-1 | L WC to SF 2-30 |
| 01 | 4 | 12-4-0 | 2nd NFCC | Mike Sherman | Brett Favre | 1-1 | W WC over SF 25-15; L Div to StL 17-45 |
| 02 | 3 | 12-4-0 | 1st NFCN | Mike Sherman | Brett Favre | 0-1 | L WC to Atl 7-27 |
| 03 | 4 | 10-6-0 | 1st NFCN | Mike Sherman | Brett Favre | 1-1 | W WC over Sea 33-27; L Div to Phi 17-20 |
| 04 | 3 | 10-6-0 | 1st NFCN | Mike Sherman | Brett Favre | 0-1 | L WC to Min 17-31 |
| 07 | 2 | 13-3-0 | 1st NFCN | Mike McCarthy | Brett Favre | 1-1 | W Div over Sea 42-20; L NFC Championship to NYG 20-23 |
| 09 | 5 | 11-5-0 | 2nd NFCN | Mike McCarthy | Aaron Rodgers | 0-1 | L WC to Ari 45-51 |
| 10 | 6 | 10-6-0 | 2nd NFCN | Mike McCarthy | Aaron Rodgers | 4-0 | W WC over Phi 21-16; W Div over Atl 48-21; W NFC Championship over Chi 21-14; W SB XLV over Pit 31-25 |
| 11 | 1 | 15-1-0 | 1st NFCN | Mike McCarthy | Aaron Rodgers | 0-1 | L Div to NYG 20-37 |
| 12 | 3 | 11-5-0 | 1st NFCN |
Mike McCarthy | Aaron Rodgers | 1-1 | W WC over Min 24-10; L Div to SF 31-45 |
| 13 | 4 | 8-7-1 | 1st NFCN | Mike McCarthy |
Aaron Rodgers | ??? | ??? |
| #5 seed | San Francisco 49ers | 12-4-0 | 2nd NFC West |
The 49ers have made the playoffs thirteen times in the twenty-three seasons. They won the NFC West title ten times. They have gone 13-11 in those appearances -- 3-1 in the wildcard round, 7-4 in the divisional round, 2-5 in the NFC Championship game and 1-1 in the Super Bowl.
When playing as the #5 seed, the 49ers have gone 0-1, losing in the wildcard round in 2001.
The 49ers finished the season strong, winning six of their last eight games, including a six-game winning streak to close out the season. They will carry a 6-2 road record into the playoffs.
| Year | Seed | Record | Finish | Coach | QB | PO Rec | Notes |
| 90 | 1 | 14-2-0 | 1st NFCW | George Seifert | Joe Montana | 1-1 | W Div over Was 28-10; L NFC Championship to NYG 13-15 |
| 92 | 1 | 14-2-0 | 1st NFCW | George Seifert | Steve Young | 1-1 | W Div over Was 20-13; L NFC Championship to Dal 20-30 |
| 93 | 2 | 10-6-0 | 1st NFCW | George Seifert | Steve Young | 1-1 | W Div over NYG 44-3; L NFC Championship to Dal 21-38 |
| 94 | 1 | 13-3-0 | 1st NFCW | George Seifert | Steve Young | 3-0 | W Div over Chi 44-15; W NFC Championship over Dal 38-28; W SB XXIX over SD 49-26 |
| 95 | 2 | 11-5-0 | 1st NFCW | George Seifert | Steve Young | 0-1 | L Div to GB 17-27 |
| 96 | 4 | 12-4-0 | 1st NFCW | George Seifert | Steve Young | 1-1 | W WC over Phi 14-0; L Div to GB 14-35 |
| 97 | 1 | 13-3-0 | 1st NFCW | Steve Mariucci | Steve Young | 1-1 | W Div over Min 38-22; L NFC Championship to GB 10-23 |
| 98 | 4 | 12-4-0 | 2nd NFCW | Steve Mariucci | Steve Young | 1-1 | W WC over GB 30-27; L Div to Atl 18-20 |
| 01 | 5 | 12-4-0 | 2nd NFCW | Steve Mariucci | Jeff Garcia | 0-1 | L WC to GB 15-25 |
| 02 | 4 | 10-6-0 | 1st NFCW | Steve Mariucci | Jeff Garcia | 1-1 | W WC over NYG 39-38; L Div to TB 6-31 |
| 11 | 2 | 13-3-0 | 1st NFCW | Jim Harbaugh | Alex Smith | 1-1 | W Div over NO 36-32; L NFC Championship to NYG 17-20 |
| 12 | 2 | 11-4-1 | 1st NFCW | Jim Harbaugh | Alex Smith/Colin Kaepernick | 2-1 | W Div over GB 45-31; W NFC Championhip over Atl 28-24; L SB XLVII to Bal 31-34 |
| 13 |
5 | 12-4-0 | 2nd NFCW | Jim Harbaugh | Colin Kaepernick | ??? | ??? |
| #6 seed | New Orleans Saints | 11-5-0 | 2nd NFC South |
The Saints have made the playoffs nine times in the twenty-three seasons. They have won the NFC West title twice and the NFC South title three times. They have gone 6-7 in those appearances -- 2-4 in the wildcard round, 2-2 in the divisional round, 1-1 in the NFC Championship game and 1-0 in the Super Bowl.
When playing as the #6 seed, the Saints are 0-1, having lost in the wildcard round in 1990.
The Saints went 5-3 in the second half of the season but lost three of their last five games and were in danger of missing the playoffs unless they defeated Tampa Bay in the final game of the season. They will carry a 3-5 road record into the playoffs.
| Year | Seed | Record | Finish | Coach | QB | PO Rec | Notes |
| 90 | 6 | 8-8-0 | 2nd NFCW | Jim Mora | Steve Walsh | 0-1 | L WC to Chi 6-16 |
| 91 | 3 | 11-5-0 | 1st NFCW | Jim Mora | Steve Walsh/Bobby Hebert | 0-1 | L WC to Atl 20-27 |
| 92 | 4 | 12-4-0 | 2nd NFCW | Jim Mora | Bobby Hebert | 0-1 | L WC to Phi 20-36 |
| 00 | 3 | 10-6-0 | 1st NFCW | Jim Haslett | Jeff Blake | 1-1 | W WC over StL 31-28; L Div to Min 16-34 |
| 06 | 2 | 10-6-0 | 1st NFCS | Sean Payton | Drew Brees | 1-1 | W Div over Phi 27-24; L NFC Championship to Chi 14-39 |
| 09 | 1 | 13-3-0 | 1st NFCS | Sean Payton | Drew Brees | 3-0 | W Div over Ari 45-14; W NFC Championship over Min 31-28; W SB XLIV over Ind 31-17 |
| 10 | 5 | 11-5-0 | 2nd NFCS | Sean Payton | Drew Brees | 0-1 | L WC to Sea 36-41 |
| 11 | 3 | 13-3-0 | 1st NFCS | Sean Payton | Drew Brees | 1-1 | W WC over Det 45-28; L Div to SF 32-36 |
| 13 | 6 | 11-5-0 | 2nd NFCS | Sean Payton | Drew Brees |
??? | ??? |
Have a great Wildcard Weekend!!!!
Go Broncos!!!!!