The NFL playoffs are a showdown of the best of the best teams. This is one of the grandest sporting events. Teams compete for the ultimate prize - the Super Bowl
As the next NFL playoff nears, let us take a trip down memory lane to understand the teams with the most playoff wins.
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5 NFL teams with the most playoff wins
The following is a list of the teams with the most playoff wins. This is ranked based on the number of wins and not the winning percentage as per Statmuse. Let's take a look.
#5 - Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a total of 36 playoff wins. The AFC North giants clinched their first postseason wins in 1972. The Steelers began their dynasty in the 1970s with Terry Bradshaw leading them to four Super Bowl victories from 1975 through 1980. Their other two Super Bowl victories came in 2006 and 2009 when Ben Roethlisberger led the franchise. They are among the winningest franchises with only six losing seasons.
#4 - Dallas Cowboys
America's team, the Dallas Cowboys has had a total of 36 playoff wins. They’ve had one of the most dominant dynasties in the 1990s led by the legendary Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Emmitt Smith. They won three Super Bowls during that run. They’ve yet to make a trip to the Super Bowl since 1996. Their most recent win in the playoffs came in January 2023 when they triumphed over the Buccaneers in the Wild Card round.
#3 - Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers were the first team to win the first-ever Super Bowl. They won 35-10 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers have won a total of 37 playoff wins to date. Green Bay has produced two of the greatest quarterback talents in Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers who’ve led the franchise to postseason glory.
#2 - New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, who found themselves in a slump after Tom Brady’s exit, were arguably the best team in the NFL for a long time. During the phase from 2000 to 2021, they amassed 37 playoff wins, led by the lethal combination of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. They won six Super Bowls in this time.
#1 - San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are among the most celebrated franchises in the NFL. Led by legends such as Joe Montana, Steve Young, and Jerry Rice, the franchise had its dynasty run in the 1980s winning three trophies and two more in the early 1990s. The 49ers have a total of 38 playoff wins.
Which NFL team has been to the playoffs the most?
The Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers are the teams that have made the playoffs most times. The Cowboys have 36 appearances in the postseason while the Packers have made it into the postseason 37 times. However, when it comes to the most playoff games played, this record belongs to the Dallas Cowboys who have played a total of 67 games in the postseason as of the end of the 2024 regular season.
FAQs
A. The Minnesota Vikings have the most playoff wins (21) without winning a Super Bowl.
A. The New England Patriots have the most number of playoff wins (30) in the last 25 years.
A. The San Francisco 49ers have the best playoff record in the NFL with 38-24 as per Statmuse.
A. Tom Brady has played in 48 NFL playoff games, which is the most by any player.