Best Big-Game Players in NFL History
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It’s easier to get a belly laugh out of Bill Belichick than to assume the short list of best big-game players in NFL history. OK, that may be a slight exaggeration, but you get the point. So much greatness, so little room.
Here are some of the co-conspirators you won’t find here: Fred Biletnikoff, Roger Craig, Larry Csonka, Willie Davis, Richard Dent, John Elway, Larry Fitzgerald, Rodney Harrison, Chuck Howley, Michael Irvin, Patrick Mahomes (not yet, anyway), Ed Reed, Lawrence Taylor, Hines Ward, Mike Webster … See what we mean?
The methodology included postseason statistics and team records, Super Bowl championships, historical significance and the eye test, not necessarily in that order. Candidates were required to play at least five playoff games to be eligible.
And now, here’s something we hope you’ll really like . . .
30. Adam Vinatieri
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Position: Placekicker
Career: 24 seasons (1996-2019)
Teams: New England Patriots (1996-2005), Indianapolis Colts (2005-19)
Postseason record: 21-11 (.656)
Postseason statistics: 56-69 field goals-attempts/.812 field goal percentage
Super Bowl championships: 4 (1996, 2001, 2003, 2006)
Bottom Line: Adam Vinatieri
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“Adam Vinatieri is the greatest kicker of all time.”
You mean Bill Belichick said that? OK, then we have to put the guy who kicked the game-winning field goal in blizzard-like conditions in the 2001 AFC playoffs and booted the game-winners in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII on the list. Nobody scored more points, converted more 3-pointers and nailed more clutch ones in the postseason.
29. Russell Maryland
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Position: Defensive tackle
Career: 10 seasons (1991-2000)
Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1991-95), Oakland Raiders (1996-99), Green Bay Packers (2000)
Postseason record: 10-2 (.625)
Postseason statistics/game: 4.0 sacks
Super Bowl championships: 3 (2002-03, 2005)
Bottom Line: Russell Maryland
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From Bob Lilly to Randy White to Harvey Martin, Big D has had its share of stellar d-linemen over the years. Yet none had a greater impact than Maryland in their Super Bowl seasons.
The Cowboys allowed a scant 79.1 yards per game on the ground en route to three league championships, and the mayhem started with this 300-pound load in the middle. The guy was known to steal a few paychecks in the regular season, but come playoff time, he was in full beast mode.
28. Ted Hendricks
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Position: Linebacker
Career: 15 seasons (1969-1983)
Teams: Baltimore Colts (1969-73), Green Bay Packers (1974), Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1975-83)
Postseason record: 17-4 (.810)
Postseason statistics/game: 10.0 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries
Super Bowl championships: 4 (1970, 1976, 1980, 1983)
Bottom Line: Ted Hendricks
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We’re not sure what Green Bay Packers coach-general manager Bart Starr was thinking when he gave away Hendricks after the best statistical season of his Hall of Fame career, but we’re fairly certain that it was a 6-foot-7, 220-pound mistake.
The Raiders allowed The Mad Stork the freedom to roam at either edge, where all that size, smarts and swag made him the most valuable chess piece on the board.
27. Thurman Thomas
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Position: Running back
Career: 13 seasons (1988-2000)
Teams: Buffalo Bills (1988-1999), Miami Dolphins (2000)
Postseason record: 11-10 (.524)
Postseason statistics/game: 19.8 ball touches/100.7 yards from scrimmage/1.0 total touchdowns
Super Bowl championships: 0
Bottom Line: Thurman Thomas
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\Thomas set the tone for Super Bowl XXVI when he couldn’t locate his helmet — not that helmets are important or anything — but there were plenty of co-conspirators to go around in the blowout loss.
We can’t overlook that the guy gained more yards from scrimmage than any back in postseason play. And only Jerry Rice scored more touchdowns.
26. Eli Manning
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Position: Quarterback
Career: 16 seasons (1983-98)
Teams: New York Giants
Postseason record: 8-4
Postseason statistics/game: .605 completion percentage/234.6 pass yards/1.5 pass touchdowns/0.75 interceptions
Super Bowl championships: 2 (2007, 2011)
(1997, 1998)
Bottom Line: Eli Manning
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Peyton was superior in the regular season, but Eli was better when the stakes were highest. Two Super victories against Tom Brady, and the New England Patriots make him a borderline Hall of Fame candidate.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he’s a Manning.
25. Julian Edelman
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Position: Wide receiver
Career: 11 seasons (2009-2016, 2018-present)
Teams: New England Patriots
Postseason record: 13-6 (.684)
Postseason statistics/game: 6.2 pass receptions/75.9 pass yards/0.3 pass touchdowns
Super Bowl championships: 3 (2014, 2016, 2018)
Bottom Line: Julian Edelman
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Edelman hasn’t lit up many scoreboards, but the Super Bowl LIII Most Valuable Player has made as many big plays as he has nicknames. Which is to say, many of them.
The one-time parachute for Tom Brady is second in pass receptions and yards in postseason play.
24. Lynn Swann and John Stallworth
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Position: Wide receiver
Careers: Swann 12 seasons (1974-82), Stallworth 14 seasons (1974-87)
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers
Postseason record: Swann 13-3 (.8125),Stallworth 13-5 (.722)
Postseason statistics/game: Swann 3.0/56.7/0.6, Stallworth 3.2/58.6/0.7
Super Bowl championships: 4 each (1974-75, 1978-79)
Bottom Line: Lynn Swann and John Stallworth
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Swann or Stallworth? Stallworth or Swann? The longtime teammates entered the league together. They put up eerily similar postseason numbers. They dominated one Super Bowl each, winning four brass rings apiece.
They’re joined at the hip forever, so it’s only fair to combine them into one. Are we sure they weren't the same guy?
23. Charles Haley
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Position: Defensive end-linebacker
Career: 10 seasons (1986-90, 1992-95, 1998)
Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1986-90, 1998), Dallas Cowboys (1992-95)
Postseason record: 16-5 (.762)
Postseason statistics: 11.0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception
Super Bowl championships: 5 (1988-89, 1992-93, 1995)
Bottom Line: Charles Haley
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All Haley could do was harass quarterbacks, collect Super Bowl rings and annoy the hell out of team management. He was the first player to win five Super Bowls, and only four others have more sacks in the postseason.
As talented as the Cowboys were at the other side of the ball, they don’t win three Super Bowls without this final piece to the puzzle.
22. Tony Dorsett
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Position: Running back
Career: 12 seasons (1977-88)
Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1977-87), Denver Broncos (1988)
Postseason record: 10-7 (.588)
Postseason statistics/game: 20.5/105.1/0.6
Super Bowl championships: 1 (1977)
Bottom Line: Tony Dorsett
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Dorsett was so smooth and consistent for so long that it was easy to take him for granted at times. His best five-year playoff run (1977-81) was about as good as any at his position — 1,259 total yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games.
He averaged a healthy 4.6 yards per attempt in the postseason, and a lot of them came between the tackles, where his vision, instincts and burst speed left many a defender in his wake.
21. Marcus Allen
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Position: Running back
Career: 16 (1982-97)
Teams: Oakland Raiders (1982-92), Kansas City Chiefs (1993-97)
Postseason record: 7-9 (.4375)
Postseason statistics/game: 20.0/117.3/0.8
Super Bowl championships: 1 (1983)
Bottom Line: Marcus Allen
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Allen’s 74-yard pirouette in Super Bowl XVIII remains one of the most electric touchdowns in postseason history.Yep,I can still hear John Facenda now: “On came Marcus Allen, running with the night.”
One of the all-time dual threats checks in at No. 5 in yards and No. 7 in touchdowns on the ground as well as No. 5 in pass receptions among backs.
20. Kurt Warner
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Position: Quarterback
Career: 12 seasons (1998-2009)
Teams: St. Louis Rams (1998-2003), New York Giants (2004), Arizona Cardinals (2005-09)
Postseason record: 9-4 (.692)
Postseason statistics/game: .665/304.0/2.4/1.1
Super Bowl championships: 1 (1994)
Bottom Line: Kurt Warner
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Warner put up postseason numbers that are as impressive as any quarterback around. The career postseason leader in yards per attempt (8.6) also ranks second in passer rating (102.8) and sixth in yards per game. Only a second Super Bowl title stands between him and a spot in the top 10 here.
If Ben Roethlisberger hadn’t threaded a football through the eye of a needle late in Super Bowl XLIII, he just might have it, too.
19. John Riggins
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Position: Running back
Career: 14 seasons (1971-79, 1981-85)
Teams: New York Jets (1971-75), Washington Redskins (1976-79, 1981-85)
Postseason record: 6-3 (.667)
Postseason statistics/game: 28.6/115.7/1.3
Super Bowl championships: 1 (1982)
Bottom Line: John Riggins
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Every football fan in North America knew that Riggins would carry the ball early and often, but few defenses could do a dang thing about it. Take his signature play in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XVII. On fourth-and-a-foot against a stacked line, The Diesel flicked off a Miami Dolphins defender like a gnat at the line of scrimmage then outran another 43 yards to pay dirt.
There were six times that he went over the 100-yard mark in the postseason, and his team won every one of them.
18. Herb Adderley
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Position: Cornerback
Career: 1961-72 (12 seasons)
Teams: Green Bay Packers (1961-69), Dallas Cowboys (1970-72)
Postseason record: 14-1
Postseason statistics: 5 interceptions/1 fumble recovery/1 touchdown
NFL/Super Bowl championships: 6 (1961-62, 1965-67, 1971
Bottom Line: Herb Adderley
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Six championship rings in 12 seasons? Fourteen-and-one record? Craaa-zy.
Adderley made history when he scored the first defensive touchdown in Super Bowl history, a 60-yard exclamation point against the Oakland Raiders in the second AFL-NFL championship game.
17. Jack Lambert
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Position: Linebacker
Career: 11 seasons (1974-84)
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers
Postseason record: 13-5 (.722)
Postseason statistics: 3 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 0.5 sacks
Super Bowl championships: 4 (1974-75, 1978-79)
Bottom Line: Jack Lambert
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We’d argue that the Steel Curtain has the greatest defense ever over an extended period, and Jack Splat is a primary reason for it. Two momentous plays summed up the man and the player: his body-slam of mouthy Cliff Harris in Super Bowl X and late interception in Super Bowl XIV.
They said it all about his emotional leadership, physicality and athletic talent.
16. Ronnie Lott
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Position: Safety-cornerback
Career: 14 seasons (1981-94)
Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1981-90), Oakland Raiders (1991-92), New York Jets (1993-94)
Postseason record: 14-6 (.700)
Postseason statistics: 9 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 touchdowns
Super Bowl championships: 4 (1981, 1984, 1988-89)
Bottom Line: Ronnie Lott
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Lott would give the tip of his left pinky finger to play in the postseason. You know, the one that was amputated before the 1985 playoffs. The guy was half lunatic, half warrior and full-time turnover machine — his 11 interceptions are tied for the most in postseason history.
And versatile? He started games at right cornerback, free safety and strong safety in the playoffs.
15. Troy Aikman
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Position: Quarterback
Career: 12 seasons (1989-2000)
Teams: Dallas Cowboys
Postseason record: 11-4 (.733)
Postseason statistics/game: .637/240.6/1.4/1.1
Super Bowl championships: 3 (1992, 1993, 1995)
Bottom Line: Troy Aikman
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Could the Cowboys have won three Super Bowls in four seasons with a loud-mouth narcissist as quarterback? Maybe, but probably not.
Aikman was low-key and Cali cool, the ideal complement to the many egomaniacs around him. Not many QBs have thrown a football with his kind of precision and accuracy.
14. Forrest Gregg
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Position: Tackle-guard
Career: 15 seasons (1956, 1958-71)
Teams: Green Bay Packers (1956, 1958-70), Dallas Cowboys (1971)
Postseason record: 9-1
Postseason statistics: 1 fumble recovery
Super Bowl championships: 5 (1961-62, 1965-67)
Bottom Line: Forrest Gregg
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Legendary head coach Vince Lombardi referred to Gregg as ”the finest player I ever coached.”
Who are we to argue? The Hall of Famer provided the daylight for a vaunted power run game that was the hallmark of the Packers dynasty. In his 10 appearances, the offense averaged 150.3 yards on the ground, a lot of it behind the iron man who blocked like a tackle and moved like a guard.
13. Terrell Davis
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Position: Running back
Career: 7 seasons (1995-2001)
Teams: Denver Broncos
Postseason record: 7-1
Postseason statistics/game: 25.5/142.5/1.5
Super Bowl championships: 2 (1997, 1998)
Bottom Line: Terrell Davis
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A healthy Davis in his mid-20s could have won without quarterback John Elway, but a creaky Elway in his late-30s couldn’t have won without him.
If his 1997 postseason doesn’t rank as the best at his position — 619 total yards and eight touchdowns in four games — then it’s on a very short list.
12. Rob Gronkowski
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Position: Tight end
Career: 11 seasons (2010-present)
Teams: New England Patriots 2010-2019, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-present)
Postseason record: 16-4 (.800)
Postseason statistics/game: 4.45/63.7/0.7
Super Bowl championships: 3 (2014, 2018, 2020)
Bottom Line: Rob Gronkowski
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It’s not a stretch to say that Gronk has been the single worst matchup nightmare for pass defenses in playoff history, especially in the red zone. He checks in at fourth in pass receptions and fifth in yards, and only Jerry Rice scored more often.
Oh, and like too many tight ends in his pass-crazy era, the guy isn’t allergic to contact in the run game, either.
11. Ray Lewis
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Position: Linebacker
Career: 17 (1996-2012)
Teams: Baltimore Ravens
Postseason record: 14-7 (.667)
Postseason statistics: 2 interceptions/2.0 sacks/1 touchdown
Super Bowl championships: 2 (2002, 2012)
Bottom Line: Ray Lewis
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As we know,Lewis was about as likeable as a double hernia. Yet it’s hard to deny his impact as the ringleader of a defense that allowed a scant 15.5 points per game in the postseason while he roamed the field.
In that span, opponents scored as many as 20 points only eight times.
10. Franco Harris
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Position: Running back
Career: 13 seasons (1972-84)
Teams: (Pittsburgh Steelers (1972-83), Seattle Seahawks (1984)
Postseason record: 14-5 (.737)
Postseason statistics/game: 23.7/108.4/0.9
Super Bowl championships: 4 (1974-75, 1978-79)
Bottom Line: Franco Harris
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From the Immaculate Reception (1972) to a Super Bowl Most Valuable Player performance (1974) to the last hurrah (1979), Generalissimo Franco defined a decade like no other feature back before or since.
Only Emmitt Smith ran for more yards and touchdowns in the second season, and nobody toted the ball more often.
9. Otto Graham
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Position: Quarterback
Career: 6 seasons (1950-55)
Teams: AAFC Cleveland Browns (1946-49), Browns (1950-55)
Postseason record: 4-3 (.571)
Postseason statistics/game: .530/172.0/1.4/1.9
NFL championships: 3 (1950, 1954-55)
Bottom Line: Otto Graham
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Now that MLB recognizes Negro League records, it’s time for the NFL to do the same with the All-America Football Conference (as well as the American Football League and United States Football League, for that matter).
Include what Graham accomplished in the AAFC — a 5-0 record and four league titles in four seasons — and he’s no worse than No. 2 on this list.
8. Jerry Rice
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Position: Wide receiver
Career: 17 seasons (1985-2001)
Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1985-98), Oakland Raiders (1999-2000), Seattle Seahawks (2001)
Postseason record: 17-12 (.586)
Postseason statistics/game: 5.2/77.4/0.8
Super Bowl championships: 3(1988-89, 1994)
Bottom Line: Jerry Rice
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Let’s cut to the chase —Rice is the most dominant non-quarterback in playoff history. He’s the runaway postseason leader in the three major categories at the position — pass receptions, yards and touchdowns.
The guy is so far ahead of the pack, it would take a two-day Amtrak ride to find the next person on the list.
7. Emmitt Smith
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Position: Running back
Career: 15 seasons (1990-2004)
Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1990-2002), Arizona Cardinals (2003-04)
Postseason record: 12-5 (.706)
Postseason statistics/game: 23.2/113.4/1.2
Super Bowl championships: 3 (1992, 1993, 1995)
Bottom Line: Emmitt Smith
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Smith was more than the bread and butter of the Cowboys offensive game plan. The all-time postseason ground-gainer and touchdown leader also was its toast and jam.
In the seven games that he rushed for at least 100 yards, his team never lost. Equally impressive was his 4.5 yards per attempt, more than a third of a yard better than his regular-season norm.
6. Joe Greene
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Position: Defensive tackle
Career: 13 seasons (1969-81)
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers
Postseason record: 13-4 (.765)
Career statistics: 2 fumble recoveries, 7.0 sacks, 1 interception
Super Bowl championships: 4 (1974-75, 1978-79)
Bottom Line: Joe Greene
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Greene didn’t just will success like he did in Super Bowl IX when he recovered a fumble and became the first d-lineman to pick off a pass.
The greatest Stiller of them all did something far more difficult — changed the culture of a franchise that had played too nice for way too long.
5. Terry Bradshaw
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Position: Quarterback
Career: 14 seasons (1970-83)
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers
Postseason record: 14-5 (.737)
Postseason statistics/game: .572/201.7/1.6/1.4
Super Bowl championships: 4 (1974-75, 1978-79)
Bottom Line: Terry Bradshaw
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All those Super Bowls aside, what impressed us about the guy was his cannon arm and desire to use it. No dinks and dunks here.
He ranks third in pass yards per attempt and completion as well as fourth in touchdown percentage in postseason history.
4. Joe Montana
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Position: Quarterback
Career: 15 seasons (1979-90, 1992-94)
Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1979-90, 1992), Kansas City Chiefs (1993-94)
Postseason record: 16-7 (.696)
Postseason statistics/game: .627/251.0/2.0/0.9
Super Bowl championships: 4 (1981, 1984, 1988-89)
Bottom Line: Joe Montana
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Montana shows up in every major statistical category in postseason history — fifth in touchdown percentage, ninth in passer rating, 12th in yards per attempt and 13th in completion percentage.
Joe Cool fun fact: Four of his best five performances came after he turned 31 years old.
3. Johnny Unitas
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Position: Quarterback
Career: 18 seasons (1956-73)
Teams: Baltimore Colts (1956-72), San Diego Chargers (1973)
Postseason record: 4-1 (.800)
Postseason statistics/game: .531/184.8/0.8/1.1
Super Bowl championships: 3 (1958-59, 1970)
Bottom Line: Johnny Unitas
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Those career numbers are more deceptive than a career politician. The three games in his 20s are the truth: .629/236.0/1.0/1.0. Yet his legacy extends far beyond stats.
The enormous impact of his epic performance in the 1958 league championship game cannot be understated. It was there that Johnny U. redefined the position and set a new standard for the modern quarterback.
2. Tom Brady
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Position: Quarterback
Career: 21 years (2000-present)
Teams: New England Patriots (2000-2019), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-present)
Postseason record: 34-11 (.756)
Postseason statistics/game: .627/276.6/1.8/0.8
Super Bowl championships: 7 (2001, 2003-04, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020)
Bottom Line: Tom Brady
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Take away two of his tainted Super Bowl titles, and Brady still has one more than any quarterback in league history. The most recent at 43 years of age may be his greatest achievement yet.
Should we be surprised if he’s still chuckin’ at 50?
1. Bart Starr
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Position: Quarterback
Career: 12 seasons (1956-1971)
Teams: Green Bay Packers (1957-1969)
Postseason record: 9-1 (.900)
Postseason statistics/game: .610/175.3/1.5/0.3
NFL-Super Bowl championships: 5 (1961-62, 1965-67)
Bottom Line: Bart Starr
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Old farts believe Starr is numero uno. Newbies are stuck on Tom Brady. We’ll take the all-time postseason leader in passer rating (104.8) for this reason: His overall numbers in the let-‘em-play, run-oriented 1960s are a tad more impressive than Tomboy’s in the pass-happy 1990s and 2000s, when the rules protected QBs if not downright coddled them.
Maybe we should mention that record?