In the NFL playoffs, the conference championship games get most of the attention while the Wild Card Round is known for being, well, wild. But somehow the Divisional Round tends to get overlooked. For whatever reason, we sometimes forget that some of the best NFL playoff games of all time have happened in this round. Well, not anymore because we’ve put together a list of the best Divisional Round playoff games in NFL history.
Dolphins 27, Chiefs 24 (1971)
This game is mostly remembered for an amazing performance by Kansas City’s Ed Podolak, who set an NFL playoff record with 350 all-purpose yards (110 receiving, 85 rushing, and 155 on returns). The record still stands to this day, although the game offered far more than that. Things went back and forth all game and eventually went into double overtime.
In terms of game time, it’s the longest NFL game ever played, as it wasn’t decided until 7:20 left in the second. In the end, Podolak’s performance wasn’t enough to give the Chiefs a win.
Vikings 29, Saints 24 (2017)
Obviously, this game is best remembered for the Minneapolis Miracle when Marcus Williams completely whiffed on a tackle attempt, allowing Stefon Diggs to run into the end for a 61-yard touchdown catch on the final play of the game.
But even the lead-up to the Minneapolis Miracle was something worth remembering, as there were four lead changes in the final 3:01 of the game. Drew Brees played a great game for New Orleans, throwing three touchdown passes. However, the only thing anyone remembers is Case Keenum’s pass to Diggs for the win.
Raiders 28, Dolphins 26 (1974)
This is another game that’s best remembered for one final play at the end. But there were also three lead changes in the fourth quarter, including a 72-yard touchdown pass from Ken Stabler to Cliff Branch. After the Dolphins re-took the lead with a touchdown, the Raiders had one last chance.
They got the ball to the eight-yard line when Stabler was pressured and threw a desperation pass into the end zone. Clarence Davis somehow came up with the ball despite being surrounded by a “sea of hands” with three Miami defenders around him. It was a miraculous catch and ended any hope of the Dolphins winning three straight Super Bowls.
Steelers 13, Raiders 7 (1972)
This was the game of the “Immaculate Reception.” Terry Bradshaw’s pass with the Steelers trailing 7-6 and 30 seconds left took a crazy deflection and was somehow caught by Franco Harris before it hit the ground.
Harris proceeded to take the ball to the end zone for a game-winning 60-yard touchdown. Video has never proved conclusively if the ball hit the ground or not and the refs couldn’t tell for sure, hence the name “Immaculate Reception.”
Chargers 41, Dolphins 38 (1981)
Known as the “Epic in Miami,” this might be the best playoff game ever played outside of a Super Bowl. The Chargers led 24-0 after the first quarter, only for Miami to fight back behind backup quarterback Don Strock to take the lead. San Diego needed a fourth-quarter touchdown and a blocked field goal by Kellen Winslow (who played a sensational game) just to force overtime.
After all of that, the Chargers got the game-winning field goal, avoiding a disastrous collapse after seeing their 24-0 lead disappear.