NFL Media created a countdown list of the Top 5 Playoff Performances in NFL History – a ranking of what they believe to be the top playoff runs by an individual player – and a legendary San Francisco 49ers player came in second place. Joe Montana's 1989 season playoff run, culminating in a Super Bowl victory, was good enough to make him the runner up on the list.
You can watch the entire video for the ranking below.
Top 5 Playoff Performances in NFL History
During the 1989 season's playoffs, Montana threw for 800 yards, 11 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 78.3 completion percentage over three games. The first was a 41-13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. The second was a 30-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Then there was the historic 55-10 victory in Super Bowl XXIV over the Denver Broncos. That win was one of four Super Bowl victories by Montana.
Who beat out Montana for the top spot? The answer likely will not please 49ers fans. It was another Joe 23 years later. Joe Flacco's 2012 playoff run earned him the top spot on the list. As most of the Niner Faithful will remember, that run ended with a Super Bowl XLVII victory over the Jim Harbaugh led 49ers. Flacco passed for 1,140 yards, 11 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 57.9 completion percentage during that postseason run.
Below is the entire Top 5 list from this ranking.
- Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens, 2012)
- Joe Montana (San Francisco 49ers, 1989)
- John Riggins (Washington Redskins, 1982)
- Terrell Davis (Denver Broncos, 1997)
- Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals, 2008)