Category Archives: Stats/Charts

The Super Bowl-winning offense

Before the season I posted a chart that looked at the 21 Super Bowl-winning offenses in the Free-Agent Era (1993-present). Almost all had a Top 10 quarterback (rating-wise), which shouldn’t surprise anybody. But it was striking how many didn’t didn’t have a running back and/or receiver who ranked that high (in terms of yards).

I bring the subject up again because the 2014 Patriots fit this same model. Tom Brady ranked fifth in the NFL in passer rating, but the Pats’ leading rusher, Jonas Gray (48th!), and leading receiver, Rob Gronkowski (15th), finished quite a bit farther down the list at their positions. This made New England the eighth NFL champion in the last 13 that didn’t have a Top 10 running back or Top 10 receiver. The details:

RECENT SUPER BOWL CHAMPS WITHOUT A TOP 10 RUSHER OR TOP 10 RECEIVER

[table]

Year,Champion,QB\, Rating (Rank),Top Rusher\, Yds (Rank),Top Receiver\, Yds (Rank)

2014,Patriots,Tom Brady\, 97.4 (5),Jonas Gray\, 412 (48),Rob Gronkowski\, 1\,124 (15)

2012,Ravens,Joe Flacco\, 87.7 (14),Ray Rice\, 1\,143 (11),Anquan Boldin\, 921 (27)

2009,Saints,Drew Brees\, 109.6 (1),Pierre Thomas\, 793 (T24),Marques Colston\, 1\,074 (18)

2008,Steelers,B.Roethlisberger\, 80.1 (24),Willie Parker\, 791 (26),Hines Ward\, 1\,043 (15)

2007,Giants,Eli Manning\, 73.9 (25),B. Jacobs\, 1\,009 (T15),Plaxico Burress\, 1\,025 (21)

2005,Steelers,B.Roethlisberger\, 98.6 (3),Willie Parker\, 1\,202 (12),Hines Ward\, 975 (22)

2003,Patriots,Tom Brady\, 85.9 (10),Antowain Smith\, 642 (30),Deion Branch\, 803 (32)

2002,Bucs,Brad Johnson\, 92.9 (3),Michael Pittman\, 718 (32),K. Johnson\, 1\,088 (16)

[/table]

As you can see — and as I noted in August — it’s more about Spreading the Ball Around these days. Not that it isn’t nice to have a DeMarco Murray or an Antonio Brown on your team; it just isn’t necessary. Far from it, in fact.

You can win the Super Bowl without a 500-yard rusher or a 1,000-yard wide receiver, as the Patriots just demonstrated. (Julian Edelman led their wideouts with 972.) You just need contributions from a lot of people — along, of course, with quality quarterbacking, It’s something to think about as the free-agency period approaches and owners get ready to whip out their checkbooks. More doesn’t necessarily mean more.

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Statistical curiosities of 2014 (Part 2)

The Broncos might have bombed out in the first round of the playoffs again, but — sorry if this sounds like a Holiday Inn Express commercial — they did have two 1,400-yard receivers. Demaryius Thomas finished with 1,619 and free-agent addition Emmanuel Sanders with 1,404, making them the fourth such tandem in NFL history. Here’s what the group looks like:

TEAMS WITH TWO 1,400-YARD RECEIVERS IN THE SAME SEASON

[table]

Year  Team (W-L),Receivers\, Yards,Result

1995  Lions (10-6),Herman Moore 1\,686\, Brett Perriman 1\,488,Wild card

2000  Rams (10-6),Torry Holt 1\,635\, Isaac Bruce 1\,471,Wild card

2005  Cardinals (5-11),Larry Fitzgerald 1\,409\, Anquan Boldin 1\,402,Missed playoffs

2014  Broncos (12-4),Demaryius Thomas 1\,619\, Emmanuel Sanders 1\,404,Won division

[/table]

Also, for the first time this year, the NFL had three 1,000-yard rookie receivers. That makes eight rookie receivers with 1,000-plus yards since 2003. Why is this notable? Because there were only 12 in all the seasons before that (AFL included).

            1,000-YARD ROOKIE RECEIVERS SINCE 2003

[table width=”450px”]

Year   Receiver\, Team,Rec,Yds,Avg,TD

2014  Odell Beckham\, Giants,91,1\,305,14.3,12

2014  Mike Evans\, Bucs,68,1\,051,15.5,12

2014  Kelvin Benjamin\, Panthers,73,1\,008,13.8,9

2013  Keenan Allen\, Chargers,71,1\,046,14.7,8

2011  A.J. Green\, Bengals,65,1\,057,16.3,7

2006  Marques Colston\, Saints,70,1\,038,14.8,8

2004  Michael Clayton\, Bucs,80,1\,193,14.9,7

2003  Anquan Boldin\, Cardinals,101,1\,377,13.7,8

[/table]

What this suggests is that quarterbacks aren’t the only players coming out of college these days who are more advanced in the passing game. Their receivers are, too — and like the QBs, are capable of making a more immediate impact in the pros.

Consider: Since 2003, there have been eight 1,000-yard rookie receivers and 15 1,000-yard rookie rushers. From 1932 to 2002 — which is as far back as statistics go — there were 12 1,000-yard rookie receivers and 46 1,000-yard rookie rushers.

In other words, where before it was much more common for a rookie to rush for 1,000 yards (an almost 4-to-1 ratio), now it’s only somewhat more common (slightly less than 2-to-1). And as time goes on, given the devaluation of the running game, the gap may continue to shrink.

Source: pro-football-reference.com

How long before the 1,000-yard rookie receiver is more common than the 1,000-yard rookie rusher?

How long before the 1,000-yard rookie receiver is more common than the 1,000-yard rookie rusher?

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How good was Gronk’s postseason?

Rob Gronkowski, finally healthy again, was worth a touchdown a game to the Patriots in the playoffs. That’s not an average or an approximation. He caught a TD pass against every opponent as the Pats made off with their fourth Lombardi Trophy.

A postseason trifecta like that is rare for a tight end. The only other one who’s done it Gronkowski’s way — division round, conference title game, Super Bowl — is the 49ers’ Brent Jones in 1989. Interesting parallel, don’t you think? After all, Gronk’s quarterback was Tom Brady, who was in the process of winning his fourth ring, and Jones’ quarterback was Joe Montana, who was in the process of winning his fourth ring in ’89.

Just four tight ends have had touchdown receptions in three games in a single postseason. Here’s how they compare:

ROB GRONKOWSKI, PATRIOTS, 2014

[table width=”400px”]

Opponent,Rec,Yds,Avg,TD,Length

Ravens,7,108,15.4,1,5

Colts,3,28,9.3,1,5

Seahawks (SB),6,68,12.3,1,22

Totals,16,204,12.8,3,

[/table]

DENNIS PITTA, RAVENS, 2012

[table width=”400px”]

Opponent,Rec,Yds,Avg,TD,Length

Colts,2,27,13.5,1,20

Broncos,3,55,18.3,0,–

Patriots,5,55,11.0,1,5

49ers (SB),4,26,6.5,1,1

Totals,14,163,11.6,3,

[/table]

DUSTIN KELLER, JETS, 2009

[table width=”400px”]

Opponent,Rec,Yds,Avg,TD,Length

Bengals,3,99,33.0,1,45

Chargers,3,19,16.3,1,2

Colts,6,63,10.5,1,9

Totals,12,181,15.1,3,

[/table]

BRENT JONES, 49ERS, 1989

[table width=”400px”]

Opponent,Rec,Yds,Avg,TD,Length

Vikings,3,24,8.0,1,8

Rams,4,46,11.5,1,20

Broncos (SB),1,7,7.0,1,7

Totals,8,77,9.6,3,

[/table]

Gronkowski’s postseason certainly measures up to any of these. But in terms of total touchdowns, Dave Casper’s 1977 and Vernon Davis’ 2011 are still the gold standard in the playoffs, even though neither got to the Super Bowl. Their game-by-games:

DAVE CASPER, RAIDERS, 1977

[table width=”400px”]

Opponent,Rec,Yds,Avg,TD,Lengths

Colts,4,70,17.5,3,8\, 10\, 10*

Broncos,5,71,14.2,2,7\, 17

Totals,9,141,15.7,5

[/table]

VERNON DAVIS, 49ERS, 2011

[table width=”400px”]

Opponent,Rec,Yds,Avg,TD,Lengths

Saints,7,180,25.7,2,49\, 14*

Giants,3,112,37.3,2,73\, 28

Totals,10,292,29.2,4,

[/table]

*game winner

Davis, amazingly, had three of the four longest touchdowns scored by these tight ends — 73, 49 and 28 yards. That explains his equally ridiculous 29.2-yards-per-catch average.

As for Casper, his game against the Colts in the ’77 playoffs — when they were still in Baltimore — was one for the ages. In addition to his three TDs, the last in the second overtime period to give the Raiders a 37-31 win, he also had a 42-yard catch late in regulation that tied it up.

That’s the famous Ghost to the Post play (Ghost being the pale-white Casper’s nickname). Watch:

Casper had a classic quote about his touchdown in OT:

The final play was K-17 and was designed for me all the way. We wanted to do something they didn’t expect. The cornerback was doing his job, protecting against the run. He was in a tough situation.

I faked inside and went outside. Any stiff could have done it. I’m glad I’m the stiff that did it.

The video:

So, yeah, Gronkowski had a terrific postseason — and unlike some of the others, he has a ring to show for it. But he didn’t go quite as wild, touchdown-wise, as Casper and Davis did, and he didn’t have a signature moment like Casper’s Ghost to the Post (or Dave’s overtime TD, for that matter). Perhaps that’s still to come. I mean, the guy’s only 25.

Source: pro-football-reference.com

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski beats Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright for a 22-yard touchdown in the Super Bowl.

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski beats Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright for a 22-yard TD in the Super Bowl.

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2014 receivers: plus/minus

Same drill as yesterday. This time, though, I wanted to look at receivers — tight ends and wideouts only — and determine whose production had vacillated the most from 2013 to 2014. The leader in the plus column was the Falcons’ Julio Jones (an increase of 1,013 receiving yards over last season). The leader in the minus column was the Browns’ Josh Gordon (a decrease of 1,343), who was suspended for 10 games because of a DUI conviction.

Again, this isn’t necessarily a measure of whether a player was better or worse. Injuries, naturally, can cause big swings one way or the other. The question is more: What did his team get out of him?

BIGGEST GAINERS

[table width=”450px”]

Receiver\, Team,2013,2014,Gain

Julio Jones\, Falcons,580,1593,+1013

Travis Kelce\, Chiefs,     0*,   862,   +862

Randall Cobb\, Packers,433,1287,   +854

Malcolm Floyd\, Chargers,149,   856,   +707

Emmanuel Sanders\, Broncos,740,1404,   +664

Kenny Britt\, Rams,   96,   748,   +652

Andrew Hawkins\, Browns,199,   824,   +625

Larry Donnell\, Giants,   31,   623,   +592

Marcus Wheaton\, Steelers,   64,   644,   +580

Rob Gronkowski\, Patriots,592,1124,   +532

[/table]

*Played in one game.

And just think: Jones missed a game. Otherwise, his total would have been even higher. As for Sanders, he certainly made a great free-agent decision to pair up with Peyton Manning. His yards nearly doubled.

BIGGEST DECLINERS

[table width=”450px”]

Receiver\, Team,2013,2014,Drop

Josh Gordon\, Browns,1646,303,-1343

Rod Streater\, Raiders,   888,   84,   -804

Victor Cruz\, Giants,   998,337,   -661

Jarrett Boykin\, Packers,   681,   23,   -658

Vernon Davis\, 49ers,   850,245,   -605

Pierre Garcon\, Redskins,1346,752,   -594

Denarius Moore\, Raiders,   695,115,   -580

Brandon Marshall\, Bears,1295,721,   -574

Brian Hartline\, Dolphins,1016,474,   -542

Harry Douglas\, Falcons,1067,556,   -511

[/table]

On this side of the street, you have Boykin, whose yardage totals in his first three seasons have bounced from 27 to 681 (when Cobb was hurt) to 23 (when Cobb was healthy again), and Garcon, whose stats took a big hit after the Redskins signed DeSean Jackson (and the quarterback situation turned into a three-headed mess).

OK, I’ve got that out of my system. Make of the data what you will. Just wanted to throw it out there.

Source: pro-football-reference.com

Healthy again, Julio Jones' receiving yards for the Falcons increased more than 1,000 yards this season.

Healthy again, Julio Jones saw his receiving yards for the Falcons increase by more than 1,000 this season.

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2014 running backs: plus/minus

In case you were wondering, the NFL’s plus/minus leaders this season — running backs division — were the Ravens’ Justin Forsett (1,235-yard increase over his 2013 rushing total) and the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson (1,191-yard decrease, thanks to the “off-field trouble” that limited him to one game).

You don’t necessarily have to read a lot into this. Maybe a player just got an opportunity (and his yards shot up), or maybe he just got hurt (and they went down). In other words, it’s less a measure of how well a back played and more a matter of his production compared to the year before. (Just one of the ways I keep myself entertained in the offseason: by looking at numbers from all sorts of angles.)

BIGGEST GAINERS

[table width=”450px”]

Running back\, Team,2013,2014,Gain

Justin Forsett\, Ravens,     31,1266,+1235

C.J. Anderson\, Broncos,     38,   849,   +811

DeMarco Murray\, Cowboys,1121,1845,   +724

Arian Foster\, Texans,   542,1246,   +704

Jonathan Stewart\, Panthers,   180,   809,   +629

Mark Ingram\, Saints,   386,   964,   +578

Denard Robinson\, Jaguars,     66,   582,   +516

Le’Veon Bell\, Steelers,   860,1361,   +501

Matt Asiata\, Vikings,   166,   570,   +404

Lamar Miller\, Dolphins,   709,1099,   +390

[/table]

Note: The first five backs all made the playoffs (and three played for teams that didn’t make it the season before).

BIGGEST DECLINERS

[table width=”450px”]

Running back\, Team,2013,2014,Drop

Adrian Peterson\, Vikings,1266,   75,-1191

Ryan Mathews\, Chargers,1255,330,   -925

Knowshon Moreno\, Broncos,1038,148,   -890

Reggie Bush\, Lions,1006,297,   -709

Maurice Jones-Drew\, Raiders,   803,   96,   -707

Zac Stacy\, Rams,   973,293,   -680

C.J. Spiller\, Bills,   933,300,   -633

DeAngelo Williams\, Panthers,   843,219,   -624

Bilal Powell\, Jets,   697,141,   -556

Stevan Ridley\, Patriots,   773,340,   -433

[/table]

Obviously, most of these backs were injured, forcing their teams to scramble a bit at the running back position. Some of the clubs (Broncos, Lions, Panthers, Patriots) dealt with the situation better than others. But then, Denver, Detroit and New England weren’t that dependent on the running game to begin with.

Next: receivers.

Source: pro-football-reference.com

The Ravens' Justin Forsett rushed for an NFL-high 1,235 more yards than in 2013.

The Ravens’ Justin Forsett rushed for an NFL-high 1,235 more yards than in 2013.

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Statistical curiosities of 2014 (Part 1)

Every NFL season has its statistical curiosities. In fact, if I can find a publisher, my next book might be Statistical Curiosities and the Fans Who Love Them (like me). Anyway, I just noticed one while scanning the final receiving stats. Ready? Here goes:

In 2014 Broncos tight end Julius Thomas became the first player in NFL history to catch 12 or more touchdown passes while gaining less than 500 receiving yards. (Quite a mouthful, huh?)

Thomas’ final numbers in 13 games — he missed three with an ankle injury — were 43 catches, 489 yards, 12 TDs. Others have had 12 or more TDs on fewer than 43 receptions. In 1985, for instance, the Seahawks’ Darryl Turner had 13 on 34 grabs. But nobody, not even in the early days, gained as few as 489 yards. That’s mind-boggling.

Of course, if Thomas had played all 16 games, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. But since he didn’t, we have a terrific Statistical Curiosity for an Offseason Day. The details:

     12 OR MORE TD CATCHES, 800 OR LESS RECEIVING YARDS

[table width=”500px”]

Year,Receiver\, Team,Rec,Yds,Avg,TD

2014,Julius Thomas\, Broncos,43,489,11.4,12

1951,Leon Hart\, Lions,35,544,15.5,12

1962,Chris Burford\, Texans (AFL),45,645,14.3,12

1985,Daryl Turner\, Seahawks,34,670,19.7,13

1963,Gary Collins\, Browns,43,674,15.7,13

1977,Nat Moore\, Dolphins,52,765,14.7,12

2004,Randy Moss\, Vikings,49,767,15.7,13

2012,James Jones\, Packers,64,784,12.3,14

2013,Julius Thomas\, Broncos,65,788,12.1,12

1965,Art Powell\, Raiders (AFL),52,800,15.4,12

[/table]

As you can see, Thomas made the list twice. Last season he had 12 touchdowns on just 788 yards. I have no idea what his career holds for him, but I do know this: The man scores a lot of TDs and — just as important in this Recycling Era — he doesn’t waste yards.

Source: pro-football-reference.com

I could have run yet another photo of Julius Thomas here, but how often does Daryl Turner's name come up?

I could have run yet another photo of Julius Thomas here, but how often does Daryl Turner’s name come up?

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Brady vs. Montana vs. Bradshaw vs. . . .

Tom Brady’s fourth Super Bowl win with the Patriots puts him pretty close to the top of the heap, championship-wise. After all, only four other quarterbacks have won four or more NFL titles — Hall of Famers Bart Starr (5), Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw and Sid Luckman.

Here’s how Brady’s championship-game numbers compare to theirs. I included Otto Graham because he just seems to belong in this group. Graham played in the title game in all six of his NFL seasons (1950-55), and he might have played in more if he hadn’t spent his first four years in the rival All-America Conference.

BRADY VS. THE GREATS (CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES ONLY)

[table]

Span  Quarterback\, Team,W-L,Att,Comp,Pct,Yds,TD,Int,Rating,High,Low

1981-89  Montana\, 49ers,4-0,122,   83,68.0,1142,11,   0,127.8,147.6,100.0

1974-79  Bradshaw\, Steelers,4-0,   84,   49,58.3,   932,   9,   4,112.8,122.5,101.9

2001-14  Brady\, Patriots,4-2,247,164,66.4,1605,13,   4,   95.3,110.2,   82.5

1960-67  Starr\, Packers,5-1,137,   79,57.7,1026,   8,   2,   94.7,130.9,   54.7

1940-46  Luckman\, Bears,4-1,   76,   41,53.9,   680,   7,   4,   93.1,135.6*,     9.7

1950-55  Graham\, Browns,3-3,160,   86,53.8,1161,10,12,   66.7,122.2,     0.0

[/table]

(Note: “Span” is the span of seasons they played in title games, not the span of their careers. “High” and “Low” are their best and worst passer ratings in those games.)

In Starr’s case, the first four games were NFL championship games and the last two were Super Bowls against the teams that won the AFL title. Interestingly, if you exclude the two Super Bowls — against a lesser league — and count the 1966 and ’67 NFL championship games against the Cowboys instead, his rating actually goes up. This is what his revised line would look like:

[table]

Span  Quarterback\, Team,W-L,Att,Comp,Pct,Yds,TD,Int,Rating,High,Low

1960-67  Starr\, Packers,5-1,142,83,58.5,1069,11,1,105.0,143.5,54.7

[/table]

A 105 rating, of course, would move him ahead of Brady and not far behind Montana and Bradshaw. Starr was a gamer, all right.

As you can see in the chart, Montana and Bradshaw never posted a rating below 100 in a Super Bowl. Amazing. Brady hasn’t been able to match that, but he has topped 100 three times. The other three QBs all had at least one game where they stunk it up (or played well below their standards). Check out this game by Graham (a rating of 0.0!) and this one by Luckman (9.7). Yikes.

Keep in mind: We’re looking only at passing proficiency here. We’re not taking into account weather conditions, other abilities the quarterbacks might have (e.g. Graham’s running), the quality of the defenses they went up against or the rules they played under. All that would make for a much longer — if not endless — discussion. You have to admit, though, Brady measures up well against the legends, and he might not be done collecting rings.

*Luckman had a 156.3 rating in the 73-0 obliteration of the Redskins in 1940, but he attempted only four passes. So I went with his 135.6 rating against Washington in ′43, when he threw 26 times.

Source: pro-football-reference.com

The Patriots' Tom Brady is fantabulous, but Joe Montana put up better numbers in the Super Bowl.

The Patriots’ Tom Brady is fantabulous, but Joe Montana put up better numbers in the Super Bowl.

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A decade between championships

Hall of Fame quarterbacks tend to win titles in bunches. Terry Bradshaw won his four in six seasons. Troy Aikman won his three in four. John Elway and Bob Griese won their two back-to-back. It looked like it might be that way for Tom Brady, too. He won three championships in four years (2001, ’03-04) and then . . .

Until Sunday night, that is. Against the defending champion Seahawks, the Patriots’ living legend finally got his fourth ring — a decade after No. 3.  His 10-year gap between titles is the second-longest in NFL history for a quarterback. Indeed, only half a dozen QBs have had even a 5-year gap. The list looks like this:

LONGEST GAP BETWEEN TITLES FOR AN NFL QUARTERBACK

[table width=”500px”]

Quarterback\, Team,Won in,Next Title,Gap

Johnny Unitas\, Colts,1959,     1970,11 Years

Tom Brady\, Patriots,2004,     2014,10 Years

Norm Van Brocklin\, Rams/Eagles,1951,     1960,9 Years

Roger Staubach\, Cowboys,1971,     1977,6 Years

Tobin Rote\, Lions/Chargers,1957,     1963,6 Years

Bob Waterfield\, Rams,1945,     1951,6 Years

Sammy Baugh\, Redskins,1937,     1942,5 Years

[/table]

As you may have noticed, I slipped in a seventh quarterback — Rote, who won with the ’57 Lions and ’63 Chargers (when they were still in the AFL). Tobin even spent some time in Canada between those titles. Gotta love that. Also, Waterfield and Van Brocklin shared the quarterbacking for the ’51 Rams. But since they’re both in Canton, I thought they should be included.

Of course, we’re dealing with a pretty small pool here. It’s hard enough, after all, to win one championship, never mind two (or more). Unitas, by the way, lost two title games between 1959 and ’70 (1964 plus the ’68 Super Bowl as a backup), just as Brady did between 2004 and ’14 (2007, ’11). So they have that in common as well.

Source: pro-football-reference.com

The one and only Johnny U, getting ready to throw a long one.

The one and only Johnny U, getting ready to throw a long one.

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On the brink of going back-to-back

The Seahawks are back in the Super Bowl looking to repeat. Which raises the question: How often has a team in that situation finished the job?

Answer: Of the 11 previous defending champs that returned to the Super Bowl, eight won the game — 72.7 percent. That’s pretty good odds for Seattle (even if it does have to beat the Patriots, the Team of the 2000s). The details:

DEFENDING CHAMPS THAT RETURNED TO THE SUPER BOWL THE NEXT YEAR

[table]

Team,First Super Bowl,Second Super Bowl

1966-67 Packers,Beat Chiefs\, 35-10,Beat Raiders\, 33-14

1972-73 Dolphins,Beat Redskins\, 14-7,Beat Vikings\, 24-7

1974-75 Steelers,Beat Vikings\, 16-6,Beat Cowboys\, 21-17

1977-78 Cowboys,Beat Broncos\, 27-10,Lost to Steelers\, 35-31

1978-79 Steelers,Beat Cowboys\, 35-31,Beat Rams\, 31-19

1982-83 Redskins,Beat Dolphins\, 27-17,Lost to Raiders\, 38-9

1988-89 49ers,Beat Bengals\, 20-16,Beat Broncos\, 55-10

1992-93 Cowboys,Beat Bills\, 52-17,Beat Bills\, 30-13

1996-97 Packers,Beat Patriots\, 35-21,Lost to Broncos\, 31-24

1997-98 Broncos,Beat Packers\, 31-24,Beat Falcons\, 34-19

2003-04 Patriots,Beat Panthers\, 32-29,Beat Eagles\, 24-21

2013-14 Seahawks,Beat Broncos\, 43-8,Vs. Patriots\, SB 49

[/table]

The last time a defending champ lost the Super Bowl, in other words, the winning score came on a conceded touchdown. (The Packers offered no resistance on Terrell Davis’ 1-yard TD run so they could get the ball back with 1:45 left.)

The Packers defensive line opens wide in Super Bowl 32 to let Denver's Terrell Davis score.

The Packers defensive line opens wide in Super Bowl 32 to let Denver’s Terrell Davis score in the final two minutes.

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Tom Brady’s staying power

It’s not just that Tom Brady is getting ready to start in his sixth NFL title game, tying the record for quarterbacks shared by Otto Graham and Bart Starr. It’s that those Super Bowls have spanned 14 seasons, from 2001 to ’14 — the longest stretch for any QB. Pretty remarkable.

After all, if injuries don’t get you in the demolition derby of pro football, age usually will. Or maybe, later in your career, you won’t be surrounded by the same kind of talent you were earlier. But here Brady is, all these years later, still putting the Patriots in position to win championships. And at 37, he might not be done. I mean, it’s not like the Pats’ roster is a seniors community.

Here’s the list Brady now heads:

LONGEST SPAN OF SEASONS AS A STARTING QB IN THE NFL TITLE GAME

[table]

Quarterback\, Team(s),First Title Game,Last Title Game,Span

Tom Brady\, Patriots,2001 vs. Rams (W),2014 vs. Seahawks,   14

Johnny Unitas\, Colts,1958 vs. Giants (W),1970 vs. Cowboys (W),   13

John Elway\, Broncos,1986 vs. Giants (L),1998 vs. Falcons (W),   13

Norm Van Brocklin\, Rams/Eagles,1950 vs. Browns (L),1960 vs. Packers (W),   11

Arnie Herber\, Packers/Giants,1936 vs. Redskins (W),1944 vs. Packers (L),     9

Sammy Baugh\, Redskins,1937 vs. Bears (W),1945 vs. Rams (L),     9

Joe Montana\, 49ers,1981 vs. Bengals (W),1989 vs. Broncos (W),     9

Bart Starr\, Packers,1960 vs. Eagles (L),1967 vs. Raiders (W),     8

Roger Staubach\, Cowboys,1971 vs. Dolphins (W),1978 vs. Steelers (L),     8

Sid Luckman\, Bears,1940 vs. Redskins (W),1946 vs. Giants (W),     7

Bob Waterfield\, Rams,1945 vs. Redskins (W),1951 vs. Browns (W),     7

[/table]

Note: Van Brocklin and Waterfield split the quarterbacking for the Rams in 1950 and ’51. So if you want to kick them off the list, go ahead. I included them because, well, they’re both Hall of Famers.

Also, if you want to get technical about it, Starr’s 1967 win over the Raiders wasn’t in the NFL title game, it was in the AFL-NFL title game. (The leagues hadn’t merged yet.) He beat the Cowboys for the NFL championship — in the storied Ice Bowl.

Graham’s name, by the way, is missing because he played his first four seasons in the rival All-America Conference. If you include those years, his Championship Span was exactly a decade (1946-55), which would put him just behind Van Brocklin.

As you can see, Unitas won titles in 1958 and ’70 — a span of 13 seasons. That’s the record for a quarterback . . . and one Brady would break if the Patriots knock off the defending champion Seahawks.

Source: pro-football-reference.com

Arnie Herber lets fly with a jump pass for the '36 Packers.

Arnie Herber lets fly with a jump pass for the ’36 Packers.

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