What to Look For - Divisional Playoffs

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR – DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

VIEW FROM THE TOP: Since the NFL moved to a 12-team playoff format in 1990, No. 1 seeds in the NFC are 19-4 (.826) in the Divisional Playoffs. In the AFC, the No. 1 seed has compiled a 13-10 (.565) record.

Both No. 1 seeds are in action this weekend when the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks host the New Orleans Saints in the NFC and the No. 1-seed Denver Broncos face the San Diego Chargers in the AFC.

The No. 1 seeds in Divisional-round play since 1990:

-- NFL --

FIRST-ROUND BYES: The top seeds – SEATTLE(13-3, NFC No. 1 seed),DENVER(13-3, AFC No. 1 seed), CAROLINA (12-4, NFC No. 2 seed) and NEW ENGLAND(12-4, AFC No. 2 seed) – earned first-round byes and will be featured in this weekend's Divisional Playoffs.

Two of the four top seeds rank among the teams with the most first-round byes since the 12-team playoff format was adopted in 1990. New England (nine) has the most, while Denver (six) has the fourth-most since 1990.     

The teams with the most first-round byes since 1990:

-- NFL --

CHAMPIONSHIP GOAL:This Saturday, SAN FRANCISCO(13-4, NFC No. 5 seed) will travel to take on CAROLINA(12-4, NFC No. 2 seed) in a rematch of their Week 10 game when the Panthers defeated the 49ers 10-9 at Candlestick Park.

With a victory against Carolina, San Francisco would advance to its 15th NFC Championship Game, which would tie PITTSBURGH(15) for the most appearances in a Conference Championship Game since 1970.

NEW ENGLAND is tied for fifth on the all-time list with the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and can move into sole possession of fifth place with a win against Indianapolis on Saturday. This would be New England's third consecutive appearance in the AFC Championship Game.

The teams with the most appearances in a Conference Championship Game since 1970:                         

                                                                                    *At Carolina Sunday

                                                                        ** Host Indianapolis Saturday

-- NFL --

PASSING GREATS: New England quarterback TOM BRADYhas thrown 42 career postseason touchdown passes, the third most in NFL postseason history. He trails BRETT FAVRE(44)*and Pro Football Hall of FamerJOE MONTANA* (45) for the most in NFL history.

With four TD passes against Indianapolis on Saturday, Brady would surpass Favre and Montana for the most postseason TD passes in NFL history.

Denver quarterback PEYTON MANNING (32) is tied for fourth on the all-time list with Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO and can surpass him with one TD pass against San Diego on Sunday. 

The starting quarterbacks with the most postseason TD passes in NFL history:

*                       *                                                            *Active

-- NFL --

ROCKET MANNING:Denver quarterback PEYTON MANNING ranks fourth in NFL postseason history with 5,679 passing yards. 

With 177 yards on Sunday against San Diego, Manning can surpass Montana (5,772) and Favre (5,855) for the second-most passing yards in postseason history.

Brady holds the record for most postseason passing yards (5,949) and can extend his lead Saturday against Indianapolis.

The players with the most postseason passing yards in NFL history:

                                                                                    *Active

-- NFL --

KAEP IT OFF: San Francisco quarterback COLIN KAEPERNICK has 362 career postseason rushing yards, the fifth-most rushing yards by a QB in postseason history. Kaepernick has averaged 90.5 yards-per-game in his four playoff games, the highest yards-per-game average by a QB in NFL history (minimum four games).

With 71 rushing yards Sunday at Carolina, Kaepernick can surpass DONOVAN MC NABB (422) and Pro Football Hall of Famer ROGER STAUBACH (432) for the third-most rushing yards by a QB in NFL postseason history.

The quarterbacks with the most postseason rushing yards in NFL history:

                                                            *Active

-- NFL --

HEAD OF THE CLASS: New England Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK has compiled an 18-8 (.692) record in his postseason career. Belichick has the third-most playoff wins in NFL history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famers TOM LANDRY(20) and DON SHULA(19).

With a win against Indianapolis on Saturday, Belichick would tie Shula (19) for second place on the all-time wins list.

The head coaches with the most playoff wins in NFL history:

                                                            *Active