Fansided

30 worst NFL Playoff teams of all time

By Cody Williams

Dec 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) runs as Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Dan Skuta (55) defends in the first quarter at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) runs as Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Dan Skuta (55) defends in the first quarter at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; A Atlanta Falcons helmet rest on the field prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; A Atlanta Falcons helmet rest on the field prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

22. 1978 Atlanta Falcons (9-7)

The 1978 Atlanta Falcons started the regular season 1-3 and, through Weeks 2-4, managed only 27 combined points over three straight losses. That’s largely indicative of what this team was, but a hot streak in the middle of the season allowed them to recover from that start and ultimately sneak into the postseason with a 9-7 record with a wildcard berth.

It’s worth noting that the Falcons defense in the 1978 season wasn’t atrocious by any stretch, though no one would ever make the mistake of calling them good, either. They allowed 18.1 points per game as a unit and were right around the league average. However, the primary reason that this Falcons team shows up on this list is the fact that their offense is one of the worst for a postseason team in league history.

The Falcons scored only 15 points per game in 1978, which was the third worst mark in the league for that year. Considering their lack of weapons and talent on that side of the ball, though, even that is somewhat impressive. Steve Barkowski was awful at quarterback with 18 interceptions to only 10 touchdown passes while the running back committee of Bubba Bean and Haskel Stanback were uninspiring to say the least. This team won a playoff game behind a great defensive outing, but was exposed in the next round by Dallas.

Next: No. 21 Bears (1994)

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