Since we've got a 7-loss team and an 8-loss team advancing to the Divisional round this year, I thought I'd take a look at how high-loss teams have historically (since 1970) done in the playoffs.
9-Loss Teams
Of course, there's been just one: the 2010 Seahawks, with an upset win in the Wildcard round, and then a loss in the Divisional round.
8-Loss Teams
There's been 10 8-loss teams:
Season | Team | Result |
---|---|---|
1985 | Browns | 0-1 |
1990 | Saints | 0-1 |
1991 | Jets | 0-1 |
1999 | Cowboys | 0-1 |
1999 | Lions | 0-1 |
2004 | Vikings | 1-1 |
2004 | Rams | 1-1 |
2006 | Giants | 0-1 |
2008 | Chargers | 1-1 |
2011 | Broncos | tbd |
The Broncos are just the 4th 8-loss team to win a playoff game. If
they win on Sunday Saturday, they will be the first 8-loss team to win in the
Divisional round.
9-Loss Teams
There's been 58 7-loss teams that have advanced to the playoffs. The Giants results are pending. Of the rest, 27 lost in the Wildcard round, 22 lost in the Division round. That leaves 8 that won in the divisional round:
Season | Team | Beat | Note |
---|---|---|---|
1979 | Rams | Cowboys | |
1983 | Seahawks | Dolphins | Marino's rookie season |
1984 | Steelers | Broncos | Elway's 2nd season |
1987 | Vikings | 49ers | Strike season |
1995 | Colts | Chiefs | Marty Schottenheimer |
1996 | Jaguars | Broncos | |
2008 | Cardinals | Panthers | Jake Delhomme |
2009 | Jets | Chargers |
A number of these games feature what I would regard as extenuating circumstances:
Two games were lost by teams with quarterbacks in their first or second year.
In 1987 with "replacement players", the Vikings went 0-3, the 49ers went 3-0. If you throw out those 3 weeks, the Vikings and 49ers records are much closer.
Marty Schottenheimer is the poster boy for strong regular seasons, followed by 1-and-done playoff appearances.
Jake Delhomme's performance in the Cardinals @ Panthers playoff game is one of the biggest quarterback meltdowns I've ever seen in the playoffs.
Of these 8 teams, only 2 (the 1979 Rams and the 2008 Cardinals) advanced to the Super Bowl. Both lost, coincidentally both to the Steelers.