Here are two things to consider when watching this weekend’s NFL playoff opening-round action.
(1) Close games are imminent, but (2) some may make playing defense an afterthought.
The league has seen many classic battles during the month of January. Some ended up becoming offensive shootouts that left fans on the edge of their seats.
Top 5 Highest-Scoring Playoff Contests in League History
There are five games that have earned the title of highest-scoring ever. Two wound up surpassing a combined 90 points. Here are the five highest-scoring playoff games of all time.
Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams, 1999 Season
Combined points: 86
Final score: 49-37 Rams
How they got there: “The Greatest Show on Turf” gave fans an offensive treat in their opening run to the Super Bowl on Jan. 16, 2000. Kurt Warner hit Isaac Bruce on a 77-yard touchdown connection to set the tone. In fact, the first three touchdowns from both sides surpassed 21 yards. The Minnesota Vikings managed to rally late from a 49-17 deficit before the St. Louis Rams won by 12. That game also saw Randy Moss score on a late 44-yard touchdown grab.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers, 2017 Season
Combined points: 87
Final score: 45-42 Jaguars
How they got there: Leonard Fournette and Ben Roethlisberger put on a show in this January 14, 2018 divisional battle. The then-rookie running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars scored three rushing touchdowns. The veteran quarterback tossed five scores — two to Antonio Brown. Pittsburgh, though, fell behind 21-0 before the late rally. Jacksonville advanced to face Tom Brady and the New England Patriots for the AFC title.
Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts, 2013 Season
Combined points: 89
Final score: 45-44 Colts
How they got there: Long before Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Andy Reid-led Kansas City Chiefs were lighting up the scoreboard together, the Chiefs had a prolific offense for this playoff contest at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Except, Andrew Luck and company overcame an astonishing 38-10 deficit to pull off the miracle comeback on January 4, 2014. Luck and Alex Smith combined for eight touchdown passes. Luck’s 64-yard strike to T.Y. Hilton lifted Indy to its first lead with less than 4:30 remaining and eventually gave the Colts the comeback win.
Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles, 1995 Season
Combined points: 95
Final score: 58-37 Eagles
How they got there: At first, this December 30, 1995 game appeared to be a defensive battle, as both teams were tied at seven heading to the second quarter. Philly, however, erupted with an astonishing 31 points scored before halftime.
Fred Barnett, Barry Wilburn, Rob Carpenter, and Ricky Watters all crossed the goal line before the half — and Watters scored twice in the game on a one-yard run and 45-yard pass from Rodney Peete. Don Majkowski ended up leading a slight Detroit Lions rally by tossing three late touchdown passes.
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Season
Combined points: 96
Final Score: 51-45 Cardinals
How they got there: Warner and Aaron Rodgers helped make this the highest-scoring playoff game ever on January 10, 2010. The two legendary QBs combined for 802 passing yards and an astonishing nine touchdown passes. Yet, this game ended via a defensive play — Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby recovered a Rodgers fumble and returned it for a 17-yard touchdown to end the game in overtime at Glendale, AZ.
Honorable Mentions for Highest-Scoring Playoff Contests
Just outside of the top five are two other contest that combined for more than 80 points.
The January 10, 2021 Wild Card contest between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers saw a combined 85 points scored. But it was Baker Mayfield and company who walked out of Acrisure Stadium (then Heinz Field) with a 48-37 win in the road upset.
MORE: NFL Playoff Bracket
Meanwhile, before earning his first Super Bowl victory, Mahomes engaged in a high-scoring affair in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs on January 12, 2020. With Deshaun Watson on the opposite sideline, Mahomes spearheaded a 51-31 romp on Houston at Arrowhead Stadium. The teams combined for 82 points that afternoon.
Now, the rest of the NFL can see if any one of the six opening contests from Saturday to Monday can rearrange the top five, or even surpass what the Packers and Cardinals pulled off 14 years ago.
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