Lies, Damned Lies & Statistics: A Review of Ravens perched in the NFL Playoff Record Book
We can argue all winter over the value of statistics and records in football but they do provide an excellent starting point for some fierce debates. Also, if nothing else, a review of the playoff record book can generate some great trivia questions at any Super Bowl party!
Trivia Question #1: There is only one active running back in the Top 20 for rushing yardage in NFL playoff history (all playoff games including Super Bowls), who is it?
Hint: The leader is Emmitt Smith with 1,586 yards.
Answer: Ray Rice is the only active running back in the top 20; his 750 yards puts him 15th on the list.
Trivia question #2: Who holds the rushing record for the second longest rush from scrimmage in NFL playoff history?
Hint: The longest, 90 yards, is held by Fred Taylor.
Answer: Ray Rice holds the record for the second longest rush from scrimmage in playoff history. Many Ravens fans can fondly recall Rice’s 83 yard run against New England in 2010. After all these years, Tom Matte is still hanging in there at 33rd place on this list with his 58 yard rush against the Jets in Super Bowl III.
Trivia Question #3: Who holds the playoff record for the longest kickoff return? Who holds the second longest kickoff return?
Hint: The Ravens were involved in both games, three weeks apart!
Answer: Jacoby Jones holds the longest playoff kickoff return with his magnificent 108 yard masterpiece against San Francisco in last year’s Super Bowl. Trindon Holliday returned the 2nd longest kickoff 104 yards against the Ravens in Denver last year.
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Trivia Question #4: Who holds the record for the longest pass from scrimmage in NFL playoff history? Who caught the pass?
Hint: Both players are now TV analysts.
Answer: Trent Dilfer’s 96 yard pass to Shannon Sharpe against Oakland on January 14, 2001 is the record holder for both quarterback and receiver.
Trivia Question #5: There are four players tied for the most interceptions in playoff history. Name one.
Hint: His uniform number was #20.
Answer: Charlie Waters, Bill Simpson, Ronnie Lott and Ed Reed are tied for the lead with nine playoff interceptions.
Trivia Question #6: Who is tied for 3rd place in career playoff sacks?
Hint: He is tied with Reggie White with 12 career playoff sacks.
Answer: Terrell Suggs. Willie McGinest (16) and Bruce Smith (14.5) are #1 and #2 respectively.
Trivia Question #7: Who is in 4th place for career playoff punting yards?
Hint: (1) Ray Guy, (2) Craig Hentrich, (3) Sean Landeta are above him on the list.
Answer: Sam Koch is 4th on this list with 3,318 career playoff punting yards.
Trivia Question #8: Who are #1 and #2 in career playoff passing yards?
Hint: The Ravens beat both of these guys last year.
Answer: Tom Brady (6,424) and Peyton Manning (6,309) top the list for career playoff passing yards.
Go Ravens! Get ‘em next year!
Enjoy the Super Bowl everybody!
