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NFL Playoffs: Top 10 Divisional Playoff games in NFL history

By Russell S. Baxter

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 23: Wide receiver Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs flashes a peace sign toward outside linebacker Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills as he heads for the end zone to score a touchdown during the 4th quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 23: Wide receiver Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs flashes a peace sign toward outside linebacker Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills as he heads for the end zone to score a touchdown during the 4th quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Head coach Don Coryell of the San Diego Chargers  (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Head coach Don Coryell of the San Diego Chargers  (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Best divisional round games in NFL history:  2. Chargers 41, Dolphins 38 (OT) (AFC: 1981)

Called by some the best game in NFL history, it’s worth mentioning that the Chargers actually owned a 24-0 first-quarter lead before their shaky defense let Miami get back in the game (sound familiar?). Don Coryell’s club got a Rolf Benirschke 32-yard field goal, a 58-yard punt return for a score by Wes Chandler, a Chuck Muncie one-yard TD run and a Dan Fouts eight-yard touchdown pass to running back James Brooks to build their early advantage.

Dolphins’ head coach Don Shula would replace starting quarterback David Woodley with veteran Don Strock. He led the team to a couple of scores to narrow the gap to 14 points. Down 24-10 with six seconds to go before halftime, Strock completed a short pass to wide receiver Duriel Harris. He quickly lateraled the ball to running back Tony Nathan, who ran into the end zone untouched for a 25-yard score.

The Dolphins would tie the score in the third quarter and the teams traded touchdowns moments later. Miami took a 38-31 lead on a Nathan 12-yard touchdown run but the teams wound up in overtime thanks to another Fouts-to-Brooks TD connection, this time with 58 seconds to play.

Both clubs had numerous chances to win in the extra session, but Benirschke’s 29-yard boot with 1:08 remaining in the first OT was the game-winner. Fouts (433) and Strock (403) each threw for 400-plus yards, and Kellen Winslow (166), Charlie Joiner (108) and Chandler (106) all finished with 100-plus receiving yards.

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