NFL History: Ranking the 30 best wild card teams in NFL history

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Eli Manning #10 and Brandon Jacobs #34 of the New York Giants in action against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 6, 2013 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Eagles defeated the Giants 36-21. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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Steve Largent #80 of the Seattle Seahawks (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Ranking the 30 best wild card teams in NFL history: 28. 1983 Seattle Seahawks

Going back in time to one of the more surprising runs from a Wild Card team. The 1983 Seattle Seahawks barely snuck into the postseason with a 9-7 record. Curt Warner was the team’s offensive star, and he was able to carry his team in the run-heavy 1980s NFL. He put up close to 1,800 total yards and 14 touchdowns. Warner was one of the best runners in the game, and it helped the Seahawks mightily in the playoffs.

In the first game of the playoffs, the Seahawks beat fellow AFC West team (not a typo) the Denver Broncos. John Elway was knocked out of the game, and the Seahawks put the smackdown on them. They ended up winning the game 31-7 as Dave Krieg threw for three touchdowns and the offense could not be stopped.

The Seahawks played the Don Shula-led Dolphins in the next round, and the upset special was on. A crazy fourth quarter saw Warner take the ball in from the two-yard line to give the team the lead for good. The Seahawks run would end against the Los Angeles Raiders, who beat them in the AFC Championship Game. It was the Seahawks’ only AFC Championship Game appearance before they eventually got moved to the NFC West. It was a fun run, and the team will always remember pulling off the upsets to make it as far as they did.

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