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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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Running back Marshawn Lynch of the Seattle Seahawks runs for a 67-yard touchdown against the New Orleans Saints  (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Running back Marshawn Lynch of the Seattle Seahawks runs for a 67-yard touchdown against the New Orleans Saints  (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

8. Seahawks 41, Saints 36 (NFC: 2010)

Sean Payton’s New Orleans Saints had finished 13-3 in 2009 and surprised the Indianapolis Colts in South Florida in Super Bowl XLIV. However, the club was dethroned as NFC South champions a year later as Payton’s 11-5 team was edged out by the 13-3 Atlanta Falcons.

The Saints made their way to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seahawks. Pete Carroll’s club won the NFC West with a 7-9 record. Payton’s club got off to a quick 10-0 first-quarter lead and were up 17-7 before the contest turned into a back-and-forth affair.

Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw for 272 yards and four touchdowns (1 interception) and Carroll’s club would eventually take a 34-20 third-quarter lead. After New Orleans narrowed the gap to 34-30, Seahawks’ running back Marshawn Lynch iced the game with a memorable 67-yard TD run in which he broke numerous tackles and pushed around many of the Saints’ defenders on his way to diving backwards into the end zone.

Lynch finished the game with 131 yards rushing on 19 carries and the aforementioned score as his club played turnover-free football. Brees would throw for 404 yards and two touchdowns in the losing effort. Both clubs gained over 400 yards of total offense.

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