The 2016–17 NFL playoffs delivered a historic overtime Super Bowl
In short: The 2016–17 postseason was a season of dramatic shifts and statistical anomalies. From the first Super Bowl to ever require overtime, to a divisional game rescheduled due to an ice storm, the tournament redefined what viewers could expect from primetime football.
The tournament, which began on January 7, 2017, culminated in Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017. At Houston's NRG Stadium, the Atlanta Falcons were beaten by the New England Patriots during overtime in a landmark victory. This marked the first Super Bowl to require an overtime period, a rarity that would not be repeated until the 2023–24 playoffs.
The postseason also saw significant shifts in team dominance. The Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins both returned to the playoffs for the first time in years—since 2002 and 2008, respectively. Conversely, the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos failed to qualify for the first time since 2010, while the Carolina Panthers missed out for the first time since 2012.
Individual performances and weather events added to the drama. The Pittsburgh-Kansas City game was rescheduled from its original 1:05 p.m. slot to Sunday night due to public safety concerns regarding an ice storm in the Great Plains. This move, which NBC proclaimed the highest-rated primetime playoff game ever seen in the Wild Card or Divisional rounds, served as a test for the league regarding future primetime scheduling.
On the field, the Oakland Raiders' season was marred by injuries to starting quarterback Derek Carr and backup Matt McGloin. This compelled Connor Cook to lead his first NFL postseason game, marking the initial time a quarterback debuted in the playoffs during the Super Bowl era.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2016–17 NFL playoffs
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