The 8 Debate

Last weekend's wild-card games were decidedly unwild: Only one of the four games was decided by fewer than 10 points. And certainly none stacks up with these eight, the best conference playoff games in NFL history.

1 Chargers 41, Dolphins 38

AFC Divisional Playoff, Jan. 2, 1982

At the conclusion of the Epic in Miami, which the Chargers won in overtime after blowing a 24--0 first-quarter lead, San Diego tight end Kellen Winslow (right), who caught 13 passes and blocked a potential game-winning field goal, said, "I've never felt so close to death before. That's what Muhammad Ali said in Manila, and that's how I felt out there at the end."

2 49ers 28, Cowboys 27

NFC Championship, Jan. 10, 1982

San Francisco booked its first Super Bowl trip with the Catch, Dwight Clark's leaping grab of a Joe Montana pass with 51 seconds left.

3 Broncos 23, Browns 20

AFC Championship, Jan. 11, 1987

John Elway led Denver on the Drive, a 15-play, 98-yard TD trek that sent the game to OT, where the Broncos won.