Jay Cutler and the 15 Worst Performances in NFL Playoff History

After Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler went 6-of-14 for 80 yards and an interception against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game, we at Bleacher Report decided to list 15 of the worst playoff performances by players in the history of the NFL.

Bears fans can have comfort in knowing Cutler wasn't high up on this list.

But he was on this list.

Bears fans can also take comfort in the fact that a former Green Bay Packers legend is very high on this list.

For the rest of you, enjoy, and thank your lucky stars if a player from your team isn't on this list.

For the most part, this list ranks players on the entirety of their performance in a big game, but some made it on here simply based on the tragic nature of a huge gaff.

Here 15 of the worst playoff performances in NFL history.

15. Jay Cutler, 2011 NFC Championship Game

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears reacts in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty I

Can't rank Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler very high on this list, given he didn't play the second half against the Green Bay Packers due to a knee injury.

But it's not like he was all that grand before he left the game, either.

Cutler was six of 14 for 80 yards and threw an interception in a game that was supposed to be his breakthrough game.

Instead, he found himself out of the game with the Bears trailing 14-0 at the start of the second half and had to watch backups Todd Collins and Caleb Hanie stumble around in what ended up being a 21-14 loss.

14. Jackie Smith, Super Bowl XIII

Dallas Cowboys receiver Jackie Smith's infamous play didn't come at exactly a pivotal moment, but it was a determinant in the Cowboys ultimately losing Super Bowl XIII to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Smith's drop in the end zone in the third quarter ended up being the difference in the game, as the Cowboys had to kick a field goal and ended up losing by four points.

Yes, a touchdown is four points more than a field goal.

Smith also never recorded a catch in the game.

13. Earnest Byner, 1988 AFC Championship Game

Cleveland Browns running back Earnest Byner has the pleasure of one of his plays in the 1988 AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos simply being dubbed, "The Fumble."

That's because with less than 65 seconds remaining in the game, the Browns were on the goal line looking to score the game-tying touchdown.

But Byner fumbled before he reached the goal line and the Broncos recovered, ultimately sinking the Browns' hopes.

Talk to any longtime Browns fan about Earnest Byner and they will hate you forever for mentioning him.

12. Frank Reich, Super Bowl XXVII

In one the worst offensive performances ever, the Buffalo Bills committed a record nine turnovers against the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVII.

Starting quarterback Frank Reich was part of this, throwing two interceptions in the loss in working with quarterback-in-crime Jim Kelly.

11. Jim Kelly, Super Bowl XXVII

George Rose/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 31: Quarterback Jim Kelly #12 of the Buffalo Bills leaves the game after a knee injury in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXVII against the Dallas Cowboys at the Rose Bowl on January 31, 1993 in Pasadena, California. The Cowboys

Don't think you are getting out of this one, Jimbo.

Jim Kelly threw just as many interceptions as Frank Reich in Super Bowl XXVII against the Dallas Cowboys, except he only threw the ball seven times in all.

How's that for an interception percentage.

The play of Kelly was just as catastrophic to the Bills' Super Bowl hopes as Reich's was.

10. The Entire Denver Broncos' Secondary, 2004 AFC Wild Card Round

OK, so the Denver Broncos had to face Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning in this one.

But that's no excuse for what transpired.

The Broncos ended up giving 41 points to the Colts on that fateful January day, and Manning ended the game with a perfect passer rating and five touchdowns.

That, my friends, is ugly.

9. The Entire Minnesota Vikings Defense, 2001 NFC Championship

This could actually go to the whole team, but I feel even despite the shutout, the defense performed worse.

Not only did the Minnesota Vikings give up 41 points to the New York Giants in the 2001 NFC Championship Game, they let career backup Kerry Collins throw for 381 yards and a whopping five touchdowns.

8. Entire Houston Oilers Team, 1993 AFC Divisional Round

You honestly couldn't have a worse nightmare as a team than the one that fell upon the Houston Oilers' heads in the 1993 divisional matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

The Oilers were up, 35-3, in the third quarter.

The rest is history.

The Bills tied the game, 38-38, to send it into overtime, and kicked a field goal to win it, 41-38.

That's a 38-3 turnaround in about two quarters, if you were wondering.

OK, Frank Reich, you can celebrate in this one.

7. Donovan McNabb, 2004 NFC Championship Game

Against the Carolina Panthers in Philadelphia, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb threw three interceptions and passed for only 100 yards.

He didn't need that many points either, as the Panthers only scored 14.

But instead, McNabb and the Eagles scored three points at home.

6. Peyton Manning, 2004 AFC Championship Game

The championship games of 2004 did not treat Peyton Manning or Donovan McNabb kindly.

Against the New England Patriots in 2004, Manning threw four interceptions and completed less than half of his throws.

The Colts lost, 24-14.

And you thought Manning had it bad midway through this season.

5. Stan Humphries, 1993 AFC Divisional Round

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

5 Oct 1997: Quarterback Stan Humphries of the San Diego Chargers looks to pass the ball during a game against the Oakland Raiders at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Chargers won the game, 25-10. Mandatory Credit: Otto Gre

Against the Miami Dolphins in the 1993 playoffs, San Diego Chargers quarterback Stan Humphries threw four interceptions and passed for only 140 yards.

Dolphins QB Dan Marino responded by throwing three touchdowns of his own.

Talk about making someone look bad.

The Dolphins won, 31-0.

4. Rich Gannon, Super Bowl XXXVII

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 26: Ellis Wyms #96 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sacks quarterback Rich Gannon #12 of the Oakland Raiders for a one yard loss at the Oakland 17 yardline at 4:41 of the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXVII on January 26, 2003 at Qualcomm S

Rich Gannon wasn't a bad quarterback for the Oakland Raiders back in the day.

In Super Bowl XXXVII, however, he was.

Gannon threw five interceptions in the game against former coach John Gruden and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003.

The Raiders lost, 48-21.

3. Neil O'Donnell, Super Bowl XXX

Mike Powell/Getty Images

28 Jan 1996: Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher confers with quarterback Neil O'Donnell during Super Bowl XXX against the Dallas Cowboys at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Cowboys won the game, 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /All

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell wasn't doing too bad in the first half of Super Bowl XXX against the Dallas Cowboys.

In the second half, he was like that evil twin that comes back to haunt you.

O'Donnell threw three interceptions in the second half, two of which were returned for touchdowns, and the Steelers lost, 27-17.

Needless to say, coach Bill Cowher was not happy.

2. Brett Favre, 2002 NFC Divisional Round

Tom Hauck/Getty Images

20 Jan 2002 : Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers is stopped by the St.Louis Rams during the game at the Dome at America's Center in St.Louis, Missouri. The Rams won 45-17. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck/Getty Images

Future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre has thrown a boatload of touchdowns in his career.

He also holds the record for most career interceptions.

That wasn't more evident than in the 2002 playoffs against the St. Louis Rams.

Favre threw two touchdowns in the game, but he also threw SIX interceptions.

The Green Bay Packers went on to lose, 45-17.

1. Jake Delhomme, 2009 NFC Divisional Round

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CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 10: Quarterback Jake Delhomme #17 of the Carolina Panthers reacts during the game against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 10, 2009 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. (

This really was the beginning of the end for quarterback Jake Delhomme.

Delhomme threw five interceptions and lost a fumble against the Arizona Cardinals in the 2009 playoffs, and never was the same again as the Carolina Panthers went on to lose, 33-13.

Delhomme threw 15 touchdowns to 12 interception that season.

The next season he threw eight touchdowns to 18 interceptions.

The next season he found himself on the Cleveland Browns.