Fantasy Index

Factoid

Super flops

High scoring offenses have struggled in Super Bowls

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
YearTeamRecordPtsend result
2013Denver Broncos13-337.9lost 43-8 to Seahawks in Super Bowl
2007New England Patriots16-036.8lost 17-14 to Giants in Super Bowl
2011Green Bay Packers15-135.0lost 37-20 to Giants in playoffs
2012New England Patriots12-434.8lost 28-13 to Ravens in playoffs
1998Minnesota Vikings15-134.8lost 30-27 to Falcons in playoffs
2011New Orleans Saints13-334.2lost 36-32 to 49ers in playoffs
1983Washington Redskins14-233.8lost 38-9 to Raiders in Super Bowl
2000St. Louis Rams10-633.8lost 31-28 to Saints in playoffs
1999St. Louis Rams13-332.9beat Titans 23-16 in Super Bowl
2004Indianapolis Colts12-432.6lost 20-3 to Patriots in playoffs
2010New England Patriots14-232.4lost 28-21 to Jets in playoffs
2011New England Patriots13-332.1lost 21-17 to Giants in Super Bowl
1984Miami Dolphins14-232.1lost 38-16 to 49ers in Super Bowl
2009New Orleans Saints13-331.9beat Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl
1994San Francisco 49ers13-331.6beat Chargers 49-26 in Super Bowl
2001St. Louis Rams14-231.4lost 20-17 to Patriots in Super Bowl
1998Denver Broncos14-231.3beat Falcons 34-19 in Super Bowl
2006San Diego Chargers14-230.8lost 24-21 to Patriots in playoffs
1991Washington Redskins14-230.3beat Bills 37-24 in Super Bowl
2000Denver Broncos11-530.3lost 21-3 to Ravens in playoffs
2003Kansas City Chiefs13-330.3lost 38-31 to Colts in playoffs
2004Kansas City Chiefs7-930.2did not make playoffs
2012Denver Broncos13-330.1lost 38-35 to Ravens in playoffs

--Ian Allan

Fantasy Index