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Manning's worst statistical performance.

Manning's worst statistical performance.

Scott Kacsmar recently wrote about how Daunte Culpepper had the worst performance of his career in his biggest game. In his only NFC Championship Game appearance, Culpepper went 13-of-28 for 78 yards with three interceptions and four sacks. Which made me wonder: how many other great quarterbacks have had their worst game in the playoffs?

I’ll define worst game using the methodology from my Greatest QB of All-Time series [1]For pre-2008, I will be using estimated sack data based on the following formula: Team Sacks allowed X (QB pass attempts / team pass attempts). This means I will calculate each quarterback’s ANY/A [2]I will also include rushing touchdowns and count them the same as passing touchdowns, but will not include any other rushing data. and compare it to league average for that season.

For example, Peyton Manning‘s worst game came in November 2007 against the Chargers. He threw for 328 yards and 2 touchdowns, but that came on 58 dropbacks and with six interceptions. He averaged 1.44 ANY/A that game, in a season where the league average was 5.52 ANY/A. That means Manning was 4.08 ANY/A below average on 58 pass plays, which gave him 239 Adjusted Net Yards below average. The table below shows some of the top quarterbacks in NFL history and which games were their worst. For quarterbacks like Johnny Unitas and Bart Starr, the records are incomplete, as our individual games database only goes back to 1960. The “VALUE” column shows how many Adjusted Net Yards each quarterback was below average.

QuarterbackTmOppYrBoxscoreDatePost?VALUEANY/ALgAvgCmp/AttYdTDINTSk/Skyd
Peyton ManningINDSDG2007Boxscore11-11-2007no-2391.45.5234/56328262/17
Dan MarinoMIADAL1999Boxscore11-25-1999no-258-1.665.1815/36178051.8/14
Steve YoungSFOJAX1999Boxscore09-12-1999no-175-0.875.189/2696023/23.8
Joe MontanaKANSDG1994Boxscore11-13-1994no-1831.565.3820/46178022/13
Tom BradyNWEBUF2003Boxscore09-07-2003no-230-2.575.214/28123041.6/16
Fran TarkentonMINGNB1962Boxscore09-16-1962no-302-5.415.0111/23100156/52
Johnny UnitasBALDET1966Boxscore11-20-1966no-267-7.84.299/1993053.1/32.4
Dan FoutsSDGATL1973Boxscore10-21-1973no-236-2.493.8913/3699041/11
Brett FavreGNBSEA1999Boxscore11-01-1999no-209-0.265.1814/35180143.4/25.6
Drew BreesNORTEN2007Boxscore09-24-2007no-2160.835.5229/45225041/7
Ken AndersonCINOAK1975Boxscore10-19-1975no-182-5.534.044/1975040/0
Sonny JurgensenWASDET1965Boxscore10-03-1965no-237-12.595.016/1119042.4/21.6
Roger StaubachDALMIN1973Boxscore12-30-1973ccg-210-4.883.8910/2189043/26
Len DawsonKANOAK1963Boxscore11-08-1963no-246-3.614.326/2549026/71
Kurt WarnerARICAR2009Boxscore11-01-2009no-2300.855.6527/46242252/16
Aaron RodgersGNBTAM2008Boxscore09-28-2008no-1171.735.714/27165232.5/15.2
Joe NamathNYJMIA1975Boxscore10-19-1975no-310-7.54.048/2496062.9/26.2
Philip RiversSDGDEN2012Boxscore10-15-2012no-1901.715.9325/41241244/24
Daryle LamonicaOAKKAN1969Boxscore01-04-1970ccg-185-0.124.2315/39167033.5/32.1
John HadlSDGKAN1968Boxscore12-08-1968no-323-7.374.229/24110063.9/39.6
John ElwayDENKAN1983Boxscore12-18-1983no-207-1.09513/34143040/0
John BrodieSFOBAL1964Boxscore11-29-1964no-283-3.284.614/34135051.9/27.2
Jeff GarciaCLEDAL2004Boxscore09-19-2004no-226-2.465.638/2771031/4.8
Boomer EsiasonCINMIN1992Boxscore09-27-1992no-238-4.584.8811/2197044.2/30.2
Tony RomoDALPHI2007Boxscore12-16-2007no-1691.35.5213/36214034/27
Jim HartSTLBAL1968Boxscore11-17-1968no-254-0.734.4617/47163042/18.6
Trent GreenKANBUF2005Boxscore11-13-2005no-2150.675.3423/40220036/54
Warren MoonHOUCLE1986Boxscore11-30-1986no-246-5.24.965/2368041.2/10.9
Donovan McNabbPHINWE2003Boxscore09-14-2003no-2270.985.218/46186027.7/41.2
Roman GabrielRAMOAK1972Boxscore10-29-1972no-197-7.394.283/1667040.9/9.1
Bert JonesBALSTL1980Boxscore10-26-1980no-1611.954.8719/432501212/73
Steve McNairTENHOU2004Boxscore10-17-2004no-1931.055.6319/41210141/6
Bart StarrGNBCHI1963Boxscore09-15-1963no-219-4.654.8711/2283041/10
Jim KellyBUFPIT1996Boxscore09-16-1996no-251-2.455.1415/31116042/17
Rich GannonMINGNB1990Boxscore10-28-1990no-2080.335.2919/41230151/11
Troy AikmanDALPHI1991Boxscore09-15-1991no-277-2.55.1811/251120311/67
Bob GrieseMIAKAN1969Boxscore10-19-1969no-1890.374.2321/45192034/39
Ben RoethlisbergerPITBAL2006Boxscore11-26-2006no-2171.025.3821/41214028.8/71.3
Mark BrunellJAXPIT1996Boxscore11-17-1996no-2011.345.1428/47215026/54
Terry BradshawPITSDG1979Boxscore11-18-1979no-294-2.784.6118/36153053.8/36.9
Jim EverettNORCAR1995Boxscore10-22-1995no-2071.185.4127/48241041/3
Matt SchaubHOUTEN2008Boxscore09-21-2008no-1920.95.717/37188033/17
Craig MortonDENOAK1980Boxscore12-01-1980no-241-1.654.8718/35134042/15
Steve GroganNWEHOU1988Boxscore09-25-1988no-223-1.225.0216/34136041.7/18.3
Randall CunninghamPHIDET1986Boxscore11-16-1986no-265-1.564.9616/301400310.6/66.8
Earl MorrallNYGDAL1965Boxscore09-19-1965no-193-2.855.016/2163023.6/34
Daunte CulpepperMINNYG2000Boxscore01-14-2001ccg-242-2.345.2113/2878034/18
Billy KilmerWASPHI1976Boxscore09-27-1976no-183-1.324.0711/3396031/6
Vinny TestaverdeTAMGNB1989Boxscore12-03-1989no-280-1.285.2419/39188054/18
Ken StablerHOUSEA1980Boxscore10-05-1980no-290-0.824.8723/50174151/11
Joe TheismannWASPHI1975Boxscore12-21-1975no-188-4.744.048/2055031.5/14.1
Mark RypienWASBUF1993Boxscore11-01-1993no-236-0.255.1115/42169042/0
Bernie KosarCLEPIT1989Boxscore10-15-1989no-252-0.635.2415/41162042/9
Brad JohnsonMINCHI2006Boxscore12-03-2006no-280-4.165.3811/2673043.3/14.7
Milt PlumDETWAS1965Boxscore10-03-1965no-297-6.425.017/2342043/29
Carson PalmerCINNYJ2010Boxscore11-25-2010no-1881.155.7317/38135123/18
Chad PenningtonNYJNWE2003Boxscore12-20-2003no-2190.555.224/43229054/17
Frank RyanCLEGNB1967Boxscore11-12-1967no-216-4.754.327/2197042.9/29.6
Michael VickPHIARI2011Boxscore11-13-2011no-1790.925.916/34128022/5
Greg LandryDETMIN1969Boxscore10-26-1969no-279-3.534.6714/28116046/56
Brian SipeCLEPIT1983Boxscore10-16-1983no-2350.39527/49310062/20
Matt HasselbeckSEAARI2004Boxscore10-24-2004no-2170.485.6314/41187141/7
Doug WilliamsTAMCHI1979Boxscore12-02-1979no-235-6.684.615/1960041.8/16.5
Charley JohnsonSTLPHI1965Boxscore11-28-1965no-201-0.425.0115/37169150/0
Joe FergusonBUFHOU1974Boxscore11-10-1974no-300-5.773.9110/28110063/19
Jim McMahonCHIGNB1986Boxscore11-23-1986no-199-1.254.9612/3295030/0
Phil SimmsNYGBAL1979Boxscore12-16-1979no-208-7.114.617/1467143.7/32.7
Matt RyanATLARI2012Boxscore11-18-2012no-2081.515.9328/46301051/5
Ron JaworskiPHISTL1983Boxscore12-18-1983no-2161.14521/452981411/74
Don MeredithDALCLE1963Boxscore11-24-1963no-248-3.164.8713/3093040.9/9.4
Doug FlutieBUFBAL1999Boxscore10-31-1999no-2000.535.1818/40155133/17
Neil LomaxSTLDAL1986Boxscore09-29-1986no-261-2.514.9614/33112041.9/19.4
Dave KriegSEAKAN1990Boxscore10-21-1990no-246-1.565.2913/35132041/8
Danny WhiteDALDET1987Boxscore11-08-1987no-220-0.325.0417/38193043/26
Bill NelsenPITGNB1965Boxscore09-19-1965no-207-1.815.017/26122034.3/37.3
Steve DeBergTAMSFO1986Boxscore09-07-1986no-313-2.334.9618/40214173/19
Jeff HostetlerRAISEA1994Boxscore09-11-1994no-1990.335.3817/36181033.3/27.6
Bill KenneyKANPIT1987Boxscore11-08-1987no-223-1.735.0414/29155044/32
Neil O'DonnellPITDAL1995Boxscore01-28-1996sb-1951.745.4128/49239134/32
Chris ChandlerSTLCAR2004Boxscore12-12-2004no-204-0.755.6316/29246163/20
Wade WilsonNORPIT1993Boxscore10-17-1993no-214-35.116/2385033.4/23
Norm SneadPHISTL1966Boxscore10-02-1966no-289-1.064.2916/45247059/79
Elvis GrbacBALPIT2001Boxscore01-20-2002div-215-0.185.1918/37153033/25
Jeff GeorgeINDBUF1990Boxscore12-09-1990no-220-2.035.2913/2593035/41
Tom FloresOAKSDG1961Boxscore09-17-1961no-219-3.933.8514/2394035.1/62.2
Marc BulgerSTLSEA2007Boxscore10-21-2007no-2260.75.5221/40225037/57
Bobby HebertNORNYG1988Boxscore11-27-1988no-226-0.925.0215/33145035/45
Eli ManningNYGMIN2007Boxscore11-25-2007no-2131.425.5221/49273143/39
Jim ZornSEANWE1982Boxscore12-19-1982no-238-1.684.7615/35134042/16
Jake DelhommeCARNYJ2009Boxscore11-29-2009no-285-2.055.6514/34130043/26
Tommy KramerMINPHI1980Boxscore01-03-1981div-230-0.624.8719/39209153/30
Bill MunsonRAMCHI1964Boxscore10-11-1964no-239-9.574.64/1542041.9/19.7
Steve BeuerleinCARATL2000Boxscore10-29-2000no-1950.965.2121/41202035/23
Steve BartkowskiATLNWE1977Boxscore12-04-1977no-195-3.963.557/18124148/67
James HarrisSDGKAN1978Boxscore11-26-1978no-226-1.494.0315/41164050/0
David GarrardJAXPHI2010Boxscore09-26-2010no-2050.195.7313/30105017/53
Ken O'BrienNYJCIN1986Boxscore12-21-1986no-216-24.9613/27106034/33
Jake PlummerARIKAN2002Boxscore12-01-2002no-266-2.335.3514/3188033.6/26.7
Jim HarbaughINDSDG1996Boxscore11-03-1996no-2440.265.1418/44203146/30
Erik KramerSDGGNB1999Boxscore10-24-1999no-1830.365.1818/36161032/8

Philip Rivers had the worst game of his career in that miraculous meltdown against Denver last year, although that wasn’t Rivers’ worst day ever. In addition to Culpepper, a few other quarterbacks in the above table had their worst game in the playoffs. Roger Staubach also had his worst performance come in an NFC Championship Game, but since it came after he had already won a Super Bowl, no one questioned his clutchness. The Vikings had a great defense and 1973 was a brutal passing environment, but by any measure, 10/21 for 89 yards with 4 interceptions and 3 sacks in a home playoff game is pretty bad.

Daryle Lamonica went 13/17 and threw 6 touchdowns and 276 yards in a 56-7 blowout win over the Oilers in the first round of the AFL playoffs in 1969. That’s one of the great playoff performances in football history, but a week later, he had the worst game of his career against the Chiefs (Lamonica also threw 5 TDs and 0 INTs in a 41-6 playoff rout of the Chiefs a year earlier). So much for momentum.

Tommy Kramer and Elvis Grbac had miserable performances in the divisional round of the playoffs. For Grbac, he retired after the implosion against the Steelers. But Pittsburgh has been on the wrong end of things in even bigger stakes: Neil O’Donnell had a solid career, but his Larry Brown-fueled disaster in the Super Bowl will be his lasting memory for many NFL fans.

Many other quarterbacks have had terrible Super Bowls, but they just didn’t show up as the quarterback’s worst game. Rich Gannon had a terrible game back in 1990, while Jim Kelly‘s performance in Super Bowl XXVI was only the third worst performance of his career. Craig Morton was also profiled in Kacsmar’s post — Scott argued that Morton’s worst game came in his biggest, Super Bowl XII against the Cowboys. Morton went 4/15 for 4 interceptions, so it’s hard to argue with Kacsmar’s takeaway. And it was certainly the biggest game of his career, considering the stakes and his opponent. But because he had under 20 pass plays, Morton (ANY/A of -8.8) only was credited with 215 yards below average. His performance against the Raiders in 1980 narrowly edged his ugly game in the Super Bowl (as did a game against Green Bay in 1965) due to the larger number of attempts.

We can also look at each quarterback’s best game using the same formula.

QuarterbackTmOppYrBoxscoreDatePost?VALUEANY/ALgAvgCmp/AttYdTDINTSk/Skyd
Peyton ManningINDDEN2003Boxscore01-04-2004wc34218.355.222/26377500/0
Dan MarinoMIAPIT1984Boxscore01-06-1985ccg29614.25521/32421410/0
Steve YoungSFODET1993Boxscore12-19-1993no31618.875.1117/23354400/0
Joe MontanaSFOGNB1990Boxscore11-04-1990no25911.785.2925/40411300/0
Tom BradyNWEMIA2007Boxscore10-21-2007no31917.855.5221/25354600.9/8.9
Fran TarkentonMINRAM1972Boxscore11-19-1972no27914.254.2814/28319400/0
Johnny UnitasBALATL1967Boxscore11-12-1967no36422.54.3217/20370400/0
Dan FoutsSDGSFO1982Boxscore12-11-1982no31611.334.7633/48444500/0
Brett FavreGNBOAK2003Boxscore12-22-2003no31115.235.222/30399401/7
Drew BreesNORNWE2009Boxscore11-30-2009no33119.465.6518/23371501/4
Ken AndersonCINBUF1975Boxscore11-17-1975no29110.234.0430/46447201/6
Sonny JurgensenWASCHI1968Boxscore09-15-1968no24515.594.4614/21276401/13
Roger StaubachDALBAL1976Boxscore09-26-1976no24312.24.0722/28339201.9/12.6
Len DawsonDTXDEN1962Boxscore11-18-1962no25918.173.7611/17275301/8
Kurt WarnerSTLSDG2000Boxscore10-01-2000no28714.255.2124/30390401.8/12.4
Aaron RodgersGNBNYG2010Boxscore12-26-2010no25212.215.7325/37404402/8
Joe NamathNYJBAL1972Boxscore09-24-1972no44119.484.2815/28496611/6
Philip RiversSDGCLE2009Boxscore12-06-2009no25815.585.6518/25373201/8
Daryle LamonicaOAKMIA1968Boxscore09-21-1968no29915.734.2215/24344402/15
John HadlSDGNYJ1971Boxscore10-31-1971no29214.753.9319/27358410/0
John ElwayDENCLE1989Boxscore01-14-1990ccg24311.815.2420/36385301/8
John BrodieSFOCHI1961Boxscore11-19-1961no29319.894.4911/19322300/4
Jeff GarciaSFOATL1999Boxscore01-03-2000no23011.755.1826/34373201/10
Boomer EsiasonCINNYJ1986Boxscore12-21-1986no31214.724.9623/30425512/9
Tony RomoDALTAM2009Boxscore09-13-2009no24614.435.6516/27353301/9
Jim HartSTLNYG1973Boxscore10-28-1973no222153.8913/18235402/15
Trent GreenKANDET2003Boxscore12-14-2003no27116.045.220/25341300/0
Warren MoonHOUKAN1990Boxscore12-16-1990no31111.775.2927/45527303/22
Donovan McNabbPHIGNB2004Boxscore12-05-2004no28311.685.6332/43464503.8/14.3
Roman GabrielRAMSFO1969Boxscore11-09-1969no26215.64.6713/23319301/9
Bert JonesBALNWE1977Boxscore12-18-1977no25010.913.5519/30340304/29
Steve McNairTENHOU2003Boxscore10-12-2003no33517.185.218/27421301/0
Bart StarrGNBMIN1961Boxscore10-29-1961no22713.64.4918/24311201/10.6
Jim KellyBUFNWE1992Boxscore09-27-1992no27018.44.8815/20308300/0
Rich GannonOAKTEN2002Boxscore09-29-2002no23511.075.3529/39381402/7
Troy AikmanDALPHO1992Boxscore09-20-1992no22015.384.8814/21263300/0
Bob GrieseMIACHI1975Boxscore11-02-1975no27118.324.0412/19288300/0
Ben RoethlisbergerPITGNB2009Boxscore12-20-2009no24410.435.6529/46503305/31
Mark BrunellJAXNWE1996Boxscore09-22-1996no21710.445.1423/39432312/19
Terry BradshawPITBAL1976Boxscore12-19-1976div23716.684.0714/18264300.8/5.3
Jim EverettRAMSEA1988Boxscore10-23-1988no23513.745.0220/27311300/0
Matt SchaubHOUTEN2009Boxscore09-20-2009no21711.215.6525/39357400/0
Craig MortonDALHOU1970Boxscore12-20-1970no287194.1613/17349512.3/18.5
Steve GroganNWENYJ1979Boxscore09-09-1979no30420.254.6113/18315501.4/7.2
Randall CunninghamMINGNB1998Boxscore10-05-1998no35216.315.3120/32442400/0
Earl MorrallNYGPHI1965Boxscore10-17-1965no28722.945.0110/15296401/9
Daunte CulpepperMINCAR2000Boxscore11-19-2000no23312.975.2122/29357301/28
Billy KilmerNORSTL1969Boxscore11-02-1969no27113.134.6722/32345610/0
Vinny TestaverdeTAMGNB1992Boxscore09-13-1992no23713.14.8822/25363203.8/28.8
Ken StablerOAKSDG1976Boxscore10-10-1976no22812.524.0720/26339311/16
Joe TheismannWASPHI1982Boxscore09-12-1982no24310.834.7628/39382301/9
Mark RypienWASATL1991Boxscore11-10-1991no40318.195.1816/31442600/0
Bernie KosarCLEPIT1986Boxscore11-23-1986no1818.894.9628/46414210/0
Brad JohnsonTAMMIN2002Boxscore11-03-2002no24713.325.3524/31313500/0
Milt PlumCLEPIT1960Boxscore10-02-1960no253214.1510/14308101/12
Carson PalmerCINSDG2006Boxscore11-12-2006no23510.65.3831/42440303/23
Chad PenningtonNYJSEA2004Boxscore12-19-2004no17813.045.6318/24253300/0
Frank RyanCLESTL1966Boxscore12-17-1966no28613.254.2917/30367401.9/21.6
Michael VickPHIWAS2010Boxscore11-15-2010no25714.585.7320/28333401/1
Greg LandryDETGNB1971Boxscore10-10-1971no20410.733.9318/29302411/15
Brian SipeCLEBAL1978Boxscore11-19-1978no30017.684.0315/22309400/0
Matt HasselbeckSEADAL2004Boxscore12-06-2004no22110.95.6328/40414302/16
Doug WilliamsTAMATL1981Boxscore12-06-1981no21712.23519/29336201/9
Charley JohnsonDENOAK1972Boxscore10-22-1972no28114.324.2820/28361200/0
Joe FergusonBUFNYJ1979Boxscore09-23-1979no300144.6119/30367502/19
Jim McMahonCHIMIN1985Boxscore09-19-1985no20418.064.868/15236300.5/3.2
Phil SimmsNYGPHI1984Boxscore09-02-1984no30814.63523/30409402/21
Matt RyanATLKAN2012Boxscore09-09-2012no17111.275.9323/31299301/7
Ron JaworskiPHINOR1980Boxscore11-09-1980no21911.524.8721/32323301/3
Don MeredithDALPHI1966Boxscore10-09-1966no36718.044.2919/26394500.7/4.8
Doug FlutieBUFSEA2000Boxscore12-23-2000no29617.045.2120/25366300/0
Neil LomaxSTLDAL1984Boxscore10-07-1984no21911.67519/29354303.9/28
Dave KriegDETBUF1994Boxscore11-24-1994no25614.855.3820/25351302/10
Danny WhiteDALSFO1980Boxscore10-12-1980no19413.34.8716/22239401/12.4
Bill NelsenPITATL1966Boxscore12-18-1966no22812.854.2917/25334201.6/21.8
Steve DeBergKANNWE1990Boxscore12-02-1990no24516.415.2915/21331201/10
Jeff HostetlerRAIDEN1993Boxscore01-09-1994wc24416.715.1113/19294302/3
Bill KenneyKANNOR1985Boxscore09-08-1985no23511.394.8622/34397311.9/1.9
Neil O'DonnellPITCIN1995Boxscore11-19-1995no24612.885.4124/31377302/12
Chris ChandlerHOUCIN1995Boxscore09-24-1995no28415.935.4123/26352401/2
Wade WilsonATLTAM1992Boxscore12-13-1992no27314.714.8819/26324501.7/10.4
Norm SneadPHIPIT1969Boxscore09-28-1969no22411.664.6722/30335512/17
Elvis GrbacSFOMIA1995Boxscore11-20-1995no22910.865.4131/41382401/6
Jeff GeorgeATLSTL1995Boxscore11-19-1995no20510.955.4120/34352403/27
Tom FloresOAKHOU1963Boxscore12-22-1963no23410.814.3217/29407627/48
Marc BulgerSTLSDG2002Boxscore11-10-2002no27611.15.3536/48453400/0
Bobby HebertNORPHO1992Boxscore10-18-1992no23213.484.8819/26355311/6
Eli ManningNYGPHI2009Boxscore12-13-2009no20710.715.6527/38391303/12
Jim ZornSEANOR1979Boxscore11-18-1979no28412.744.6124/33384401.9/17.5
Jake DelhommeCARMIN2005Boxscore10-30-2005no23212.845.3421/30341301/2.9
Tommy KramerMINWAS1986Boxscore11-02-1986no31312.974.9620/35490414/19
Bill MunsonDETCHI1968Boxscore09-22-1968no15710.324.4615/23279313.8/24
Steve BeuerleinCARSFO1999Boxscore12-18-1999no24011.335.1827/38368401/6
Steve BartkowskiATLDEN1979Boxscore09-16-1979no23212.624.6120/29326200/0
James HarrisRAMMIA1976Boxscore10-03-1976no30514.234.0717/29436211/10
David GarrardJAXDAL2010Boxscore10-31-2010no18713.525.7317/21260403/22
Ken O'BrienNYJSEA1986Boxscore11-02-1986no33014.684.9626/32431401.9/11.6
Jake PlummerDENPHI2005Boxscore10-30-2005no19710.815.3422/35309401/0
Jim HarbaughINDMIA1997Boxscore12-14-1997no19412.335.1620/26255401/2
Erik KramerDETDAL1991Boxscore01-05-1992div19510.185.1829/38341301/4

I’ll let you guys comment on this one, but one name left off the above list was Y.A. Tittle (because his career started in 1948). Tittle had one of the great games of all time with 450 Adjusted Net Yards above average in this monster win against the Redskins.

References

References
1 For pre-2008, I will be using estimated sack data based on the following formula: Team Sacks allowed X (QB pass attempts / team pass attempts).
2 I will also include rushing touchdowns and count them the same as passing touchdowns, but will not include any other rushing data.
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