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NFL Playoffs: Top 10 Wild Card games in NFL history

By Russell S. Baxter

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during a Wild Card Playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 4, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during a Wild Card Playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 4, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe (84) catches one of his three touchdown passes during the NFL Wild Card Playoff win over the Lions. NFL Playoffs (Photo by Betsy Peabody Rowe/Getty Images)
Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe (84) catches one of his three touchdown passes during the NFL Wild Card Playoff win over the Lions. NFL Playoffs (Photo by Betsy Peabody Rowe/Getty Images) /

The opening round of the NFL postseason has provided some memorable moments. Here’s a look at the best the Wild Card Playoffs has had to offer.

Although the Kansas City Chiefs were the first team to capture a Super Bowl (IV) as a non-division winner, the revamped NFL had an eight-team playoff field starting in 1970. There were three division champions and a “wild card” team in each conference.

In 1978, the league went from 14 to 16 regular-season games and both the AFC and NFC were awarded two wild cards. This is where this series begins. It includes the 1982 Super Bowl Tournament where there were eight first-round games and continues through the current Wild Card Weekend format which began in 2020.

Lists such as these, as always, are totally subjective. However, agree or disagree, they provide great memories.

NFL Playoffs: Best Wild Card games

10. Packers 28, Lions 24 (NFC: 1993)

Green Bay was making its first postseason appearance under head coach Mike Holmgren and the franchise was in the playoffs for the first time since the strike-shortened 1982 NFL season. This come-from-behind win featured a record-setting interception return for a touchdown by safety George Teague which covered 101 yards.

Against the rival Lions, Packers’ All-Pro wide receiver Sterling Sharpe finished the afternoon with five catches for 101 yards and three touchdowns, including a 40-yard score with just 55 seconds to play to rally Green Bay to a thrilling victory at the Pontiac Silverdome.

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