The NFL's Most Exciting Playoff Rounds
Using play-by-play win probability analysis, we measure the total movement in each game's heartbeat signature across 16 years of playoff football. Our Heart Rate Index weights games by team strength (ELO), QB rating, and playoff implications to identify which rounds consistently deliver the most dramatic games.
From
—To
Group By
Heart Rate Index
Average excitement per game, unweighted
1
WILD CARD '25
26.2
2
DIVISIONAL '21
24.1
3
WILD CARD '19
19.9
4
WILD CARD '13
18.2
5
DIVISIONAL '25
17.2
6
DIVISIONAL '11
17.1
7
DIVISIONAL '17
16.6
8
WILD CARD '10
16.2
9
WILD CARD '15
16.1
10
DIVISIONAL '14
14.6
