Jacoby Jones' unbelievable TD catch late in the fourth quarter helped Baltimore knock off top-seeded Denver. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Well, at least Matt Bryant saved the Atlanta Falcons from being another No. 1 seed in the NFL playoffs that would make a hasty exit.
It seems it’s not so great being the top seed anymore.
Baltimore’s win over Denver Saturday was the ninth time in 16 games since 2005 that the No. 1 seed lost its first game in the playoffs. Only once since 2005 did both top seeds win their first game, and that was in 2009 when Indianapolis and New Orleans not only won but advanced to the Super Bowl.
Furthermore, five of the nine wins have been by the No. 6 seed in the playoffs.
Here’s the list:
2005: Indianapolis lost to No. 6 seed Pittsburgh, which won the Super Bowl over Seattle.
2006: San Diego lost to No. 4 seed New England, which lost the AFC Championship Game to Indianapolis.
2007: Dallas lost to No. 5 seed New York Giants, which won the Super Bowl over New England.
2008: Tennessee lost to No. 6 seed Baltimore, which lost the AFC Championship game to Pittsburgh. New York Giants lost to No. 6 seed Philadelphia, which lost the NFC Championship Game to Arizona.
2010: New England lost to No. 6 seed New York Jets, which lost the AFC Championship game to Pittsburgh. Atlanta lost to No. 6 seed Green Bay, which won the Super Bowl over Pittsburgh.
2011: Green Bay lost to No. 4 seed New York Giants, which won the Super Bowl over New England.
2012: Denver lost to No. 4 seed Baltimore, which … we’ll have to wait and see.
