The Top Eight Biggest Blowouts in NFL Playoff History
Summary
This list details the largest margins of victory in NFL playoff history since 1970. The rankings include the 49ers’ 44-3 win over the Giants (1993), two 41-0 shutouts by the Giants (2000) and Jets (2002), and Washington’s 51-7 defeat of the Rams (1983). The top five features the 49ers’ 55-10 Super Bowl XXIV win, the Giants’ 49-3 divisional victory over the 49ers (1986), and the Bills’ 51-3 AFC Championship rout of the Raiders (1991).
The most lopsided game remains the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 62-7 demolition of the Miami Dolphins in the 1999 AFC Divisional round, a 55-point margin that stands as the NFL playoff record. Such extreme blowouts are now rare in an era of greater parity, where playoff games are typically much closer contests.
When the Seattle Seahawks dominated the San Francisco 49ers from start to finish, the 35-point win in the Divisional round was one of the largest margins of victory in recent playoff history. But that result didn’t even crack our list. So here it is, as we take a look back at the biggest blowouts in NFL playoff history and how they rank since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970.
8. San Francisco 44, New York Giants 3 (41-point margin)
It was lopsided from the beginning as the 49ers jumped out to a 23-0 lead and cruised to an easy 41-point win against the Giants in the NFC Divisional round. 49ers running back Ricky Watters rushed for 118 yards, caught five passes for 46 yards, and scored an NFL playoff record five touchdowns. San Francisco amassed 413 total yards of offense and controlled the game throughout. The 49ers would go on to lose to the Cowboys in the NFC Championship game.Â
T6. New York Giants 41, Minnesota Vikings 0 (41-point margin)
This remains the biggest shutout margin of victory in NFL playoff history. In the 2000 NFC Championship, the Giants would score a touchdown less than two minutes into the game, and that’s all they would need. New York would lead 14-0 less than 3 minutes in, 34-0 at the break, as they would cruise to the win. Quarterback Kerry Collins threw for 381 yards and five touchdowns while the defense held the high-power Vikings offense to just 114 total yards. The win sent the Giants to Super Bowl XXXV, where they ultimately lost to the Baltimore Ravens.
T6. New York Jets 41, Indianapolis Colts 0 (41-point margin)
Just like the previous game, this was a 41-0 shutout win as the Jets laid a beating on the Colts in the 2002 NFL Playoffs. It remains the Jets’ biggest playoff margin ever as Chad Pennington threw three touchdowns and LaMont Jordan scored two, shutting out a Peyton Manning-led Colts team. An interesting fact about this game was that it was the first time two Black head coaches (Herman Edwards for the Jets and Tony Dungy for the Colts) met in a playoff game.
5. Washington Redskins 51, Los Angeles Rams 7 (44-point margin)
In the 1983 NFC Divisional Round, the Washington Redskins blew out the Los Angeles Rams 51-7. Washington dominated from the start, building up a 38-7 lead by halftime, a record for most points in the first half of an NFL playoff game at the time. John Riggins rushed for 119 yards and tied an NFL playoff record with three rushing touchdowns. Washington would reach the Super Bowl but lose to the Raiders 38-7.
4. San Francisco 49ers 55, Denver Broncos 10 (45-point margin)
In what remains the biggest margin of victory in a Super Bowl, the 49ers put a whipping on the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV, a massive 55-10 win. San Francisco led 27-3 at the half and would score four more touchdowns in the second half as Joe Montana had himself a night, five touchdown passes, earning himself MVP. Broncos QB John Elway threw two interceptions and was sacked four times. To this day, the 55 points remain the highest ever in a Super Bowl, and the 49ers are one of just two teams ever to score 50+ in a Super Bowl (Dallas 52 points vs. Bills, Super Bowl XXVII)
3. New York Giants 49, San Francisco 49ers 3 (46-point margin)
In an NFC divisional playoff game, the New York Giants put a 49-3 licking on the San Francisco 49ers. They sent Joe Montana to the hospital with a concussion and his teammates back home with a case of severely wounded pride. The Giants led 21-3 late in the first half when Jim Burt hammered Montana, the ball came loose, and Lawrence Taylor returned it for a touchdown.
Giants quarterback Phil Simms completed just 9-of-19 passes, but four passes were for TDs. New York went on to win the Super Bowl.
2. Buffalo Bills 51, vs. Los Angeles Raiders 3 (48-point margin)
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Los Angeles Raiders 51–3 in the AFC Championship game in 1991, which sent the Bills to their first-ever Super Bowl. The Bills dominated from the opening kickoff, jumping out to a 41-3 lead at the half, at the time, setting an NFL postseason record for most points in a half. The Bills’ no-huddle offense amassed over 500 total yards, while their defense forced seven turnovers and intercepted Raiders quarterback Jay Schroeder five times.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars 62, Miami Dolphins 7 (55-point margin)
The Jaguars delivered one of the most lopsided results in NFL playoff history, demolishing the Dolphins 62–7 in what became Miami’s final game under head coach Jimmy Johnson and quarterback Dan Marino. The 1999 AFC Divisional game was essentially over at the half as the Jags led 41–7. Miami’s only points came on a first-quarter touchdown pass from Marino to Oronde Gadsden. Mark Brunell threw for 245 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Fred Taylor added 90 rushing yards and 2 scores. And the defense had two interceptions and four sacks. The 55-point margin of victory remains the largest in NFL playoff history.
Conclusion
In a day where there is parity in the NFL, huge blowouts are rare, as the average margin of victory in this year’s playoffs is just over 7 points (not including Seahawks/49ers).  This list may not change for a while, as fans are usually treated to close, entertaining playoff games rather than lopsided blowouts.
