Power Ranking the Greatest Games in NFL Playoff History

Since the establishment of the NFL in 1920 there have been countless great playoff games. And as the popularity of the sport has grown, the magnitude of the postseason has also grown, but to a level of intensity and pressure that cannot be described.

That being said, in honor of the NFL playoffs currently under way, here are the best postseason games in the history of America's favorite sport.

10. 1998 NFC Championship: Falcons vs. Vikings

The Super Bowl that never was, Minnesota versus Denver, was stolen by the Atlanta Falcons in 1998-99 NFL season.

With Randy Moss, Cris Carter, Randall Cunningham and Robert Smith, the Vikings had the NFL's best offense and the perfect kicker. Then, The Dirty Birds happened and Minnesota was upset at home in The Metrodome, 30-27 in OT.

Each franchise has made the NFC title one time since; however, both failed to make the Super Bowl.

9. 1981 AFC Divisional: The Epic in Miami, Chargers vs. Dolphins

It was an aerial show of all sorts in the divisional game between Miami and San Diego, not to mention a wild roller-coaster ride.

After the first quarter Dan Fouts, Kellen Winslow Sr. and the Chargers led 24-0 over coach Don Shula and the Dolphins. Miami charged back to cut the lead to 24-17 by halftime, and it was tied at 31 heading into the final quarter.

The Chargers won in overtime, but not before complete exhaustion were to set in. Unfortunately for San Diego fans, the Bengals defeated the Chargers a week later to claim the AFC title.

8. 2006 AFC Championship: Patriots vs. Colts

It seemed every time the Patriots and Colts met up that New England would get the best of Peyton Manning. Well, after being down 21-6 at halftime, it appeared that Tom Brady and Co. were headed to another Super Bowl.

Then the Colts defense stepped up and Manning hit a rhythm. Outscoring the Pats 32-13 in the second half, Indy went on to finally overcome the Pats and eventually win the Super Bowl over Chicago.

7. 1990 NFC Championship: Giants vs. 49ers

Easily one of the most under-appreciated playoff games of all time, the 49ers and Giants met at legendary Candlestick Park for the right to play in Super Bowl XXV.

San Francisco had won two straight Super Bowls and were looking to become the first team to ever win three straight. It was one of most physical games ever played and arguably the best defensive game of all time.

The Giants were without Phil Simms, but Jeff Hostetler proved to be just as good of a quarterback. Plus, he and New York got the win over Joe Montana and San Francisco, 15-13.

6. 1986 AFC Championship: The Drive, Broncos vs. Browns

As an Ohio native it's scary to mention "The Drive" to any Browns fan. Or John Elway, for that matter.

That being said, the 1986 AFC title game was the first of three between Cleveland and Denver in the late 1980s, creating a playoff rivalry that has yet to be renewed.

Mostly known for Elway's drive, the game wasn't won until overtime by Broncos bare-footed kicker Rich Karlis, 23-20.

5. Cowboys vs. Packers: Ice Bowl, 1967 NFL Championship Game

In temperatures that would make an Eskimo freeze, the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys played a football game on ice in 1967.

Two legendary coaches in Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry, the Packers were defending their 1966 Super Bowl I title and were bound to repeat.

Thanks to a Bart Starr QB-sneak near the goal-line, Green Bay literally became Titletown.

4. 1992 AFC Wild Card: The Comeback, Oilers vs. Bills

In one of the most insane games ever played, Buffalo Bills quarterback Frank Reich (backup to Jim Kelly) was in a familiar position.

Down 35-3 at halftime was virtually the same situation Reich was in while running the show for the Maryland Terrapins in college.

There, Reich started the second half of the Terps game down 31-0 to the Miami Hurricanes at halftime in 1984. Long story short, Terps won 42-40.

Long story short about this AFC Wild Card? The Bills came back to win 41-38 in overtime and then went on to win the AFC title that same year.

3. 1981 NFC Championship: The Catch, Cowboys vs. 49ers

Rolling to his right while back-peddling simultaneously, 49ers quarterback Joe Montana was staring into the embodiment of Cowboys defensive lineman Ed "Too Tall" Jones, who stood at 6'9".

Montana was only 6'2", so it's clear his vision was blocked, not too mention Jones leaped to block the pass as well. Then, San Francisco tight end Dwight Clark appeared to have springs in his shoes and jumped to bring down the pass.

Whether we want to believe it or not, Montana knew exactly where he was throwing that football.

2. Super Bowl XXXIV: Rams vs. Titans

For anyone who's played football, you know that it's a game of inches.

Yes, it's a cliche, but this cliche could not be more true about Super Bowl XXIV between St. Louis and Tennessee.

Down 16-0 in the third quarter, the Titans and quarterback Steve "Air" McNair made a comeback to tie the game at 16 in the final quarter. After the Rams regained the lead, Tennessee drove down inside St. Louis' red zone with enough time left for one play.

On the biggest stage of America's favorite sport in the final seconds, one single yard proved to be the difference of winning and losing a Super Bowl.

Unreal.

1. 1958 NFL Championship: Colts vs Giants

Without this game, none of the previously mentioned games have any chance of being nearly as popularly exposed.

The 1958 NFL Championship game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants was played at timeless Yankee Stadium.

With numerous eventual Hall of Famers on each side, both coaches and players alike, it was only right that the game go into overtime.

And with this being the NFL's first-ever OT game, all tangible aspects included, this is most definitely The Greatest Game Ever Played.

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