What is it about high-scoring teams in the postseason? Thirteen teams have averaged over 32 points in the regular season, but only one of those teams has gone on to win the Super Bowl. The Broncos are just the latest.
Who can explain this?
For whatever reason, what works in the regular season doesn't seem to work in the playoffs. The defenses get better, officials let defensive backs get away with more contact, and suddenly the high-powered offenses start to look a lot more mortal.
Here's the list of all 23 teams that have averaged over 30 points since the league went to the 16-game schedule in 1978. Only five of these teams won the Super Bowl.
TEAMS AVERAGING 30-PLUS POINTS IN REGULAR SEASON GAMES | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Team | Record | Pts | end result |
2013 | Denver Broncos | 13-3 | 37.9 | lost 43-8 to Seahawks in Super Bowl |
2007 | New England Patriots | 16-0 | 36.8 | lost 17-14 to Giants in Super Bowl |
2011 | Green Bay Packers | 15-1 | 35.0 | lost 37-20 to Giants in playoffs |
2012 | New England Patriots | 12-4 | 34.8 | lost 28-13 to Ravens in playoffs |
1998 | Minnesota Vikings | 15-1 | 34.8 | lost 30-27 to Falcons in playoffs |
2011 | New Orleans Saints | 13-3 | 34.2 | lost 36-32 to 49ers in playoffs |
1983 | Washington Redskins | 14-2 | 33.8 | lost 38-9 to Raiders in Super Bowl |
2000 | St. Louis Rams | 10-6 | 33.8 | lost 31-28 to Saints in playoffs |
1999 | St. Louis Rams | 13-3 | 32.9 | beat Titans 23-16 in Super Bowl |
2004 | Indianapolis Colts | 12-4 | 32.6 | lost 20-3 to Patriots in playoffs |
2010 | New England Patriots | 14-2 | 32.4 | lost 28-21 to Jets in playoffs |
2011 | New England Patriots | 13-3 | 32.1 | lost 21-17 to Giants in Super Bowl |
1984 | Miami Dolphins | 14-2 | 32.1 | lost 38-16 to 49ers in Super Bowl |
2009 | New Orleans Saints | 13-3 | 31.9 | beat Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl |
1994 | San Francisco 49ers | 13-3 | 31.6 | beat Chargers 49-26 in Super Bowl |
2001 | St. Louis Rams | 14-2 | 31.4 | lost 20-17 to Patriots in Super Bowl |
1998 | Denver Broncos | 14-2 | 31.3 | beat Falcons 34-19 in Super Bowl |
2006 | San Diego Chargers | 14-2 | 30.8 | lost 24-21 to Patriots in playoffs |
1991 | Washington Redskins | 14-2 | 30.3 | beat Bills 37-24 in Super Bowl |
2000 | Denver Broncos | 11-5 | 30.3 | lost 21-3 to Ravens in playoffs |
2003 | Kansas City Chiefs | 13-3 | 30.3 | lost 38-31 to Colts in playoffs |
2004 | Kansas City Chiefs | 7-9 | 30.2 | did not make playoffs |
2012 | Denver Broncos | 13-3 | 30.1 | lost 38-35 to Ravens in playoffs |
--Ian Allan