What a time! The NFL playoffs are underway. Who else is excited? I tell you what... I'm already looking forward to the Super Bowl. That's the one time in Australia that everybody suddenly becomes a know it all.
Remember Jarryd Hayne? He pretty much sums up the state of support that the NFL gets most times Down Under. But that's ok, I better be patient. We'll get there eventually. Anyway that's not the upset I'm here to talk about.
I'm here so we can take a look at the biggest upsets, the David vs. Goliath NFL playoff battles, where David wins!
These miraculous upsets shook the sports world, with the underdogs beating some of the best teams in history against all odds.
6. 2010 NFC Wildcard Playoffs - Seahawks vs. Saints
One of the worst NFL playoff teams in history, the 2010 Seahawks became the first team to win a division with a record below .500. They also had a -97 point differential, the worst ever for a playoff team. Somehow the Seahawks stunned the 10-point favoured Saints who were reigning Super Bowl champions and coming off an 11-5 season.
In a 41-36 win, one of the most memorable moments in Seahawks' history saw Marshawn Lynch run for a 67-yard game clinching touchdown run which is known as ‘Beast Quake’. He broke close to a dozen tackles on the play and the crowd's celebration literally caused a small tremor.
5. 1987 NFC Divisional Playoffs - Vikings vs. 49ers
In an era the San Francisco 49ers won four Super Bowls - led by future Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Jerry Rice - the Niners had a huge 1987 season ending with a 13-2 record. An 11-point underdog Minnesota Vikings would somehow stun San Francisco, winning 36-24 at Candlestick Park.
The Vikings dominated despite the fact the 49ers had the best offense and defense during the season. Montana struggled so badly, backup Steve Young came into the game to replace him. Vikings wide receiver Anthony Carter had a then playoff record 227 receiving yards on 10 receptions to help inspire the win.
4. 2011 AFC Divisional Playoffs - Giants vs. Packers
The Giants came up against the Green Bay Packers who became only the sixth team to win 15 regular season games. The Aaron Rodgers-led offense is statistically one of the best ever, the Giants finishing the regular season with a 9-7 record on the other hand. New York would stun the 9-point favourite Packers at Lambeau Field, winning the NFC Divisional round 37-20. The win would give the Giants the momentum to stun the world by winning Super Bowl XLII.
What are your biggest upsets in NFL playoff history?
...stay tuned folks cause I'll be back tomorrow to wrap it up with the final three biggest playoff upsets in NFL history.
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Wolfgang Sport started in 2017 as a way to connect my passion for American and British sports. Today it's evolved into a blockchain sports blog pushing the boundaries into the crypto world and embracing Web3 technologies.
That Seahawks-Saints Game had me off my feet! BEAST MODE!!!