NFL Wild Card Round: Best Game Year to Year Since 1990 (with Videos)

This past Wild Card weekend was one of the most exciting Wild Card weekends I can remember. Not a single game disappointed. In fact, they all lived up to their hype and ever surpassed it. Yes, even the Baltimore Ravens hard-hitting dominance over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The New York Jets beat the Indianapolis Colts on a last second field goal by Nick Folk.

The Green Bay Packers held on to a road win over the Philadelphia Eagles when Tramon Williams intercepted Michael Vick in the end zone with 33 seconds remaining.

And the one that kicked it all off for us this weekend, the Seattle Seahawks stunned the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints, which was sealed by Marshawn Lynch’s fantastic 67-yard touchdown.

These four excellent games led us to ponder which Wild Card game was the best year to year over the past 20 years.

1990: Miami Dolphins over Kansas City Chiefs, 17-16

Highlights include:

Miami kicker Pete Stoyanovich set an NFL playoff record with a 58-yard field goal kick in the second quarter to tie the game.

Dan Marino threw two fourth quarter touchdown passes, including a game-winning touchdown to Mark Clayton on an 85-yard drive.

Chiefs kicker Nick Lowery’s 52-yard game-winning field goal attempt came up short.

1991: Atlanta Falcons over New Orleans Saints, 27-20

Highlights include:

Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert’s touchdown pass to Floyd Turner to give New Orleans a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

Atlanta quarterback Chris Miller’s 61-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Michael Haynes with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Hebert then threw the game-clinching interception to Atlanta defensive back Tim McKyer after the Saints lined up at the Falcons’ 35-yard line.

1992: Buffalo Bills over Houston Oilers, 41-38

“The Comeback” highlights include:

Oilers quarterback Warren Moon throwing four touchdowns in the first half.

Houston defensive back Bubba McDowell returned an interception 58 yards to give the Oilers a 35-3 lead to essentially start the third quarter.

Buffalo quarterback would proceed to throw a touchdown to Don Beebe and three to Andre Reed following a Kenneth Davis rushing touchdown, giving the Bills a three-point lead late in the fourth quarter.

Houston kicker Al Del Greco would tie the game with 12 seconds to take the game into overtime after he converted the 26-yard field goal.

Bills defensive back Nate Odome’s intercepted Moon, leading to the 32-yard game-winning field goal by Buffalo kicker Steve Christie.

1993: Green Bay Packers over Detroit Lions, 28-24

Highlights include:

Lions running back Barry Sanders rushing for 167 yards.

Packers quarterback Brett Favre’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Sterling Sharpe in the first quarter.

Melvin Jenkins intercepted Brett Favre for a 15-yard touchdown in the third quarter to put Detroit up 17-7.

Favre to Sharpe for a 28-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.

Green Bay defensive back George Teague picking off Detroit quarterback Erik Kramer for a 101-yard touchdown to give the Packers a 21-17 lead.

Lions running back Derrick Moore’s five-yard touchdown to put the Lions back up 24-21.

Favre to Sharpe for their third touchdown, the game-winning 40-yard connection with less than a minute remaining.

1994: Cleveland Browns over New England Patriots, 20-13

Highlights include:

Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe’s five-yard touchdown pass to Leroy Thompson in the second quarter.

Cleveland quarterback Vinny Testaverde’s touchdown pass to Mark Carrier in the second quarter.

New England kicker Matt Bahr’s game-tying 23-yard field goal before halftime.

Browns back Leroy Hoard’s 10-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter to give Cleveland the lead.

New England recovered their onsides kick following Matt Bahr’s 33-yard field goal with 1:33 left in the fourth quarter.

Four straight incompletion by Drew Bledose, who threw three interceptions, to turn the ball over on downs to give the Browns the game.

1995: Philadelphia Eagles over Detroit Lions, 58-37

Highlights include:

Philadelphia scoring 31 points in the second quarter.

Philadelphia intercepted six passes.

Eagles defensive back Barry Wilburn’s 24-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Philadelphia quarterback Rodney Peete’s 43-yard Hail Mary to Rob Carpenter before halftime to give the Eagles a 38-7 lead.

Lions backup quarterback Don Majkowski throwing three touchdowns in the second half.

Second highest scoring game in NFL postseason history.

1996: Jacksonville Jaguars over Buffalo Bills, 30-27

Jaguars’ first playoff win highlights include:

Buffalo quarterback Jim Kelly’s seven-yard touchdown pass to Thurman Thomas.

Jacksonville defensive end Clyde Simmons’ shovel pass 20-yard interception touchdown on Kelly.

Jaguars running back Natrone Means’ 30-yard touchdown run.

Bills defensive back Jeff Burris’ 38-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Jacksonville kicker Mike Hollis’ game-winning 45-yard field goal with just over three minutes remaining in regulation.

1997: Minnesota Vikings over New York Giants, 23-22

Highlights include:

Vikings running back Leroy Hoard’s four-yard touchdown run.

Giants defensive back Phillippi Sparks shouting at running back Tiki Barber for fumbling.

Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham 30-yard touchdown pass to Jake Reed.

Sparks was called for a pass interference call, which helped set up the Eddie Murray game-winning field goal.

1998: San Francisco 49ers over Green Bay Packers, 30-27

Highlights include:

Packers safety Pat Terrell’s recovery of 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens’ fumble.

San Francisco defensive lineman’s recovery of Packers running back Dorsey Levens’ fumble.

49ers tight end Greg Clark’s one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Steve Young.

Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre’s two-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Antonio Freeman following Levens’ 22-yard rush.

Levens’ two-yard touchdown run to give the Packers a 17-10 lead heading into halftime.

49ers linebacker Lee Woodall intercepting Favre leading to the second touchdown connection between Young and Clark.

The Packers converting on fourth-and-one in their own territory before capping off the 89-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Favre to Freeman.

Jerry Rice fumbling but with no instant replay, the 49ers maintained possession.

Owens catching the game-winning 25-yard touchdown despite getting drilled by Packers defenders in the end zone in one of the most epic postseason catches of all-time.

1999: Tennessee Titans over Buffalo Bills, 22-16

“The Music City Miracle” highlights include:

Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse sacking Bills quarterback Rob Johnson in the end zone for a safety.

Titans quarterback Steve McNair’s one-yard touchdown run.

The Bills called for defensive holding on Titans kicker Al Del Greco’s missed 45-yard field goal attempt. Del Greco hit the next 40-yard attempt.

Bills running back Antowain Smith’s 44-yard run, leading to his four-yard touchdown rush.

Eric Moulds’ 37-yard reception, which included a roughing the passer penalty, tacking on 15 more yards.

Smith’s second four-yard touchdown run to give the Bills the lead. The Bills would fail to convert the two-point conversion.

Del Greco’s 36-yard field go with less than 1:30 to go in the game.

Bills quarterback Johnson losing his shoe, causing him to play the drive with just one shoe.

Bills kicker Steve Christie’s 41-yard field goal with 16 seconds left.

Titans fullback Lorenzo Neal picking up the following kick off and handing it to tight end Frank Wycheck who ran to one side of the field before throw it back across to the Kevin Dyson on the other side. Dyson would run up the sideline for a 75-yard game-winning touchdown.

The play was reviewed and upheld, declaring that Wycheck indeed threw the ball behind him on the lateral attempt.

2000: New Orleans Saints over St. Louis Rams, 31-28

Highlights include:

Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce’s 17-yard touchdown catch from Kurt Warner.

Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks’ touchdown pass to Robert Wilson

Saints defensive back Sammy Knight’s 52-yard interception on Kurt Warner in the second quarter leading to 33-yard Doug Brien field goal.

New Orleans’ Chris Oldham’s interception on Kurt Warner in the third quarter.

Brooks’ 10-yard touchdown pass to Willie Jackson in the third quarter.

Brooks’ 49-yard touchdown pass to Jackson in the fourth quarter.

Saints linebacker La’Roi Glover recovered Warner’s fumble leading to the third Brooks to Jackson touchdown.

Warner’s 17-yard touchdown to Ricky Proehl.

Knight’s second interception on Warner.

Rams running back Marshall Faulk’s 25-yard touchdown reception from Warner with less than four minutes remaining in the game.

Rams cornerback Dre’ Bly’s onsides kick recovery.

Warner’s five-yard touchdown run after a 38-yard completion to Az-Zahir Hakim leading to Faulk’s two-point conversion, making the score 31-28.

The Rams failed to recover the onsides kick.

After New Orleans punted, Hakim muffed the punt and the Saints recovered to clinch their first ever playoff win in franchise history.

2001: Green Bay Packers over San Francisco 49ers, 25-15

Highlights include:

Frigid temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

Packers quarterback Brett Favre’s five-yard touchdown to wide receiver Antonio Freeman.

San Francisco lineman Dana Stubblefield blocked the extra point, giving the Packers just a 6-0 lead instead of seven.

The Packers blocked a field goal of their own.

49ers running back Garrison Hearst’s two-yard touchdown run on a seven minute drive to end the first half, which was the first time the Packers trailed at home in the playoffs at halftime since the 1967 “Ice Bowl.”

Favre’s 51-yard completion to Corey Bradford before throwing a 19-yard touchdown to tight end Bubba  Franks. Wide receiver Donald Driver was stopped short on the two-point conversion, giving the Packers a 15-7 lead.

49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia’s 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tai Streets, who also caught a two-point conversion to tie the game in the fourth quarter.

Green Bay cornerback Mike McKenzie’s deflection leading to Garcia’s pass attempt being intercepted by Tyrone Williams.

Packers running back Ahman Green’s game-clinching nine-yard touchdown run with less than two minutes left in regulation as part of a Brett Favre-led eight play, 93-yard drive.

2002: San Francisco 49ers over New York Giants, 39-38

Highlights include:

49ers linebacker Julian Peterson’s interception on Giants quarterback Kerry Collins.

49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens’ 76-yard touchdown reception from Jeff Garcia.

Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer’s 12-yard touchdown reception from Collins.

Collins’ two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeremy Shockey.

Terrell Owens’ 25-yard pass to wide receiver Tai Streets leading to a one-yard Kevan Barlow touchdown run.

49ers kick returner Cedrick Wilson’s muffed punt return leading to Toomer’s eight-yard touchdown catch from Collins.

Giants defensive back Jason Sehorn’s interception on Garcia.

Collins’ 24-yard touchdown pass to Toomer with eight seconds remaining in the first half.

After the 49ers turned the ball over on downs in the third quarter, Tiki Barber finished the ensuing drive with a six-yard touchdown run.

Owens’ 26-yard touchdown reception and two-point conversion from Garcia.

Garcia’s 14-yard touchdown run followed by another two-point conversion pass to Owens to start the fourth quarter.

Giants kicker Matt Bryant’s missed 42-yard field goal attempt with less than four minutes remaining.

Garcia’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Tai Streets leading to a failed two-point conversion but a 39-38 lead with one minute remaining nonetheless.

Owens and Giants defensive back Shaun Williams flagged for personal fouls with Williams disqualified for throwing a punch at San Francisco lineman Jeremy Newberry.

The Giants’ botched snap on the potential 41-yard game-winning field goal attempt with six seconds left in the game.

2003: Green Bay Packers over Seattle Seahawks, 33-27

Highlights include:

Packers quarterback Brett Favre’s 23-yard touchdown pass to tight end Bubba Franks.

Seattle running back Shaun Alexander’s one-yard touchdown run on fourth down to tie the game in the third quarter 13-13.

Alexander’s one-yard touchdown run to put the Seahawks up 20-13.  

Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green’s one-yard touchdown to tie the game.

Green’s one-yard touchdown run to end a seven minute drive to go up 27-20.

Alexander’s third one-yard touchdown to tie the game.

Packers kicker Ryan Longwell’s missed 47-yard field goal attempt to win the game with no time left in regulation.

Matt Hasselbeck called heads before the start of overtime. When the Seahawks won the toss, Hasselbeck said, “We want the ball and we’re going to score.”

Al Harris proceeded to intercept a Hasselbeck pass for the game-winning 52-yard touchdown return, the first game in playoff history to be won on a defensive touchdown.

2004: New York Jets over San Diego Chargers, 20-17

Highlights include:

Jets Doug Brien’s missed 31-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter.

Chargers quarterback Drew Brees’ 26-yard touchdown pass to Keenan McCardell, which was ruled a touchdown after instant replay.

Jets quarterback Chad Pennington’s 13-yard touchdown to tight end Anthony Becht following a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty against San Diego earlier in the drive.

Jets defensive back Reggie Tongue intercepting Brees before halftime.

Jets wide receiver Santana Moss’ 47-yard touchdown reception from Pennington.

Jets punting instead of attempting 51-yard field goal.

Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma sacking Drew Brees and forcing a fumble but Brees recovered.

Jets linebacker Eric Barton called for roughing the passer on an incomplete fourth down pass attempt by Brees at the Jets’ two-yard line.

Brees threw a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Antonio Gates to send the game to overtime.

Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding missed a 40-yard field goal attempt in overtime.

Doug Brien’s 28-yard game-winning field goal with five seconds left in overtime.

2005: Pittsburgh Steelers over Cincinnati Bengals, 31-17

Highlights include:

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer suffering season-ending knee injury on second offensive play of the game by Steelers lineman Kimo von Oelhoffen while completing 66-yard pass to wide receiver Chris Henry, which set up a 23-yard field goal by Shayne Graham.

Cincinnati running back Rudi Johnson’s 20-yard touchdown run.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s 19-yard touchdown pass to running back Willie Parker.

Bengals backup quarterback Jon Kitna’s seven-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Roethlisberger’s five-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hines Ward before halftime.

Bengals 34-yard field goal attempt muffed as center Brad St. Louis snapped the ball over the head of holder Kyle Larson to give the ball to the Steelers after Graham recovered it.

Steelers running back Jerome Bettis’ five-yard touchdown run following a 40-yard pass interference penalty on Bengals defensive back Kevin Kaesviharn.

Steelers wide receiver Antwaan Randle El taking direct snap and running to the right sideline befpre throwing it to Ben Roethlisberger who threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Cedrick Wilson.

Steelers linebacker James Farrior picking off Kitna leading to a 23-yard field goal.

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu intercepting Kitna to seal the game.

2006: Seattle Seahawks over Dallas Cowboys, 21-20

Highlights include:

Cowboys defensive back Anthony Henry intercepting Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, leading to a game-tying 50-yard field goal by Dallas kicker Martin Gramatica.

Dallas quarterback Tony Romo’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Crayton with 11 seconds left in the first half.

Hasselbeck’s third quarter 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jerramy Stevens.

Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin’s 93-yard kick return touchdown.

Dallas safety Roy Williams intercepting Hasselbeck in the fourth quarter to set up a 29-yard field goal by Gramatica.

Dallas cornerback Terrence Williams’ pass interference penalty to give the Seahawks the ball at the one-yard line, although Seattle failed to score on all four downs.

Cowboys receiver Terry Glenn fumbling and Seattle recovering in the end zone. The play was challenged and determined a safety, to make the score 20-15, Dallas.

Hasselbeck’s 37-yard touchdown pass to Stevens, followed by a failed two-point conversion, giving the Seahawks a one-point lead.

Tight end Jason Witten’s reception originally ruled a first down at the one-yard line but overruled and determined he was at the two-yard line, bringing up fourth down.

On Gramatica’s go-ahead 19-yard field goal attempt, Romo bobbled the hold and was forced to run for a touchdown, but he was tackled before the first down marker.

2007: Jacksonville Jaguars over Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-29

Highlights include:

Steelers running back Najeh Davenport’s one-yard touchdown run.

Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew returning the kickoff for 96-yards to the Pittsburgh one-yard line, setting up a Fred Taylor touchdown to tie the game.

Jaguars defensive back Rashean Mathis intercepting Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for a 63-yard touchdown.

Mathis’ second interception on Roethlisberger leading to a 43-yard touchdown reception by Jones-Drew from Jaguars quarterback David Garrard.

Jaguars defensive tackle Derek Landri picking off Roethlisberger before halftime.

Steelers line backer picking off Garrard leading to a 28-yard Jeff Reed field goal by Pittsburgh.

Maurice Jones-Drew’s 10-yard touchdown run.

Roethlisberger’s 37-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Santonio Holmes on fourth-and-12 to open the fourth quarter.

Roethlisberger’s 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Heath Miller. The two-point conversion from Roethlisberger to wide receiver Hines Ward was negated to do penalty and the Steelers failed to convert the second attempt.

Steelers defensive back Ike Taylor intercepting Garrard.

Davenport’s one-yard touchdown run to put the Steelers up 29-28 after a failed two-point conversion.

Garrard’s 32-yard scamper on fourth-and-two to essentially set up Josh Scobee’s 25-yard game-winning field goal.

Jaguars defensive end Bobby McCray clinching the game by forcing a Roethlisberger fumble, which was recovered by Landri.

2008: San Diego Chargers over Indianapolis Colts, 23-17

Highlights include:

Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai’s one-yard touchdown run.

Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson’s one-yard touchdown run.

Chargers running back Darren Sproles’ nine-yard touchdown run.

Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne’s 72-yard touchdown pass after the Chargers were substituting players and Wayne ran past Antonio Cromartie who did not know the play started.

Sproles’ fumble in the end zone when tackled by Colts defender Tim Jennings, leading to a touchback when Colts defensive tackle Raheem Brock recovered.

 Nate Kaeding’s game-tying 26-yard field goal with 21 seconds left to send the game to overtime.

Jennings’ pass interference penalty on Chargers wide receiver Chris Chambers, followed by a 15-yard facemask penalty by Colts linebacker Clint Session.

Sproles’ game-winning 22-yard touchdown run.

2009: Arizona Cardinals over Green Bay Packers, 51-45

Highlights include:

Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie’s interception on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, leading to a one-yard Tim Hightower touchdown run.

Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby’s forced fumble on Donald Driver, recovered by defensive tackle Alan Branch to set up a 15-yard touchdown pass from Kurt Warner to Early Doucet.

Packers cornerback Charles Woodson’s forced fumble on Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, which was recovered by Packers linebacker Clay Matthews.

Aaron Rodgers’ one-yard touchdown run.

Warner’s second 15-yard touchdown pass to Doucet.

Warner’s 33-yard touchdown pass to Fitzgerald to open the second half 31-10.

Rodgers’ 35-yard completion to wide receiver Greg Jennings, leading to a six-yard Jennings touchdown from Rodgers.

Packers defensive back Brandon Underwood’s onsides kick recovery, leading to a 10-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to wide receiver Jordy Nelson.

Warner’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Fitzgerald, 38-24.

Rodgers touchdown pass to wide receiver James Jones for 30-yards.

Packers fullback John Kuhn’s game-tying one-yard touchdown run.

Warner’s 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Breaston.

Rodgers’ 11-yard touchdown pass to Spencer Havner with two minutes left in regulation to tie the game at 45.

Arizona kicker Neil Rackers’ missed 34-yard field goal attempt as time expired in regulation.

Cardinals defensive back Michael Adams’ sack on Rodgers in overtime causing a fumble, which bounced off Rodgers’ foot and caught in the air by Dansby who ran it back 17-yards for the game-winning touchdown.

Most combined points, touchdowns and first downs in a playoff game.

Second game to ever be won in the playoffs on a defensive touchdown.