2010–11 NFL playoffs
This was only the second postseason in NFL history that included a team with a losing record, and the first to occur with a full regular season. The Seattle Seahawks won their division with a 7–9 record, as all four teams in the NFC West had losing seasons in 2010. Only the 1982–83 NFL playoffs, following the strike-shortened 1982, had previously included teams with losing records (under a modified 16-team tournament, with eight from each conference, the 1982 Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions qualified with records of 4–5). Six days after winning the division, the Seahawks defeated the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints to become the first playoff team with a losing record to win in the postseason.


2010–11 NFL playoffs
In the opening wildcard round of the playoffs, three of the four home teams had fewer wins than the away team. The exception was the Green Bay Packers–Philadelphia Eagles match, where both were 10–6 (the Packers had defeated the Eagles in Week 1 of the season, but were on the road because they were the wild card team). But away teams finished 6–4 this playoff season for wins.


2010–11 NFL playoffs
This was the second time since the 1979 NFL season where neither of the number one playoff seeds advanced to their conference's respective championship game, the other time being in the 2008–09 NFL playoffs. Also, had the New York Jets also won their conference championship game, it would have been the first  Super Bowl between two #6 seeds, let alone two wild card teams.


2010–11 NFL playoffs
Unless otherwise noted, all times listed are Eastern Standard Time (UTC−05)


2010–11 NFL playoffs, New overtime rules
This was the first time that the new postseason overtime rules were in effect, although none of the playoff games this season ended up going into the extra period. Under these new changes, instead of a straight sudden death, the game will not immediately end if the team that wins the coin toss only scores a field goal on its first possession (the game will end if they score a touchdown). Instead, the other team gets a possession. If the coin toss loser then scores a touchdown, it is declared the winner. If the score is tied after both teams had a possession, then it goes back to sudden death.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Participants
Within each conference, the four division winners and the two wild card teams (the top two non-division winners with the best overall regular season records) qualified for the playoffs. The four division winners are seeded 1 through 4 based on their overall won-lost-tied record, and the wild card teams are seeded 5 and 6. The NFL does not use a fixed bracket playoff system, and there are no restrictions regarding teams from the same division matching up in any round.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Participants
In the first round, dubbed the wild-card playoffs or wild-card weekend, the third-seeded division winner hosts the sixth seed wild card, and the fourth seed hosts the fifth. The 1 and 2 seeds from each conference then receive a bye in the first round. In the second round, the divisional playoffs, the number 1 seed hosts the worst surviving seed from the first round (seed 4, 5, or 6), while the number 2 seed will play the other team (seed 3, 4, or 5).


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Participants
The two surviving teams from each conference's divisional playoff games then meet in the respective AFC and NFC Conference Championship games, hosted by the higher seed. Although the Super Bowl, the fourth and final round of the playoffs, is played at a neutral site, the designated home team is based on an annual rotation by conference.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Schedule
In the United States, NBC broadcast the first two Wild Card playoff games, then CBS broadcast the rest of the AFC playoff games. Fox televised the rest of the NFC games and Super Bowl XLV.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, NFC: Seattle Seahawks 41, New Orleans Saints 36
The Seahawks made history by becoming the first 7–9 team ever to make the playoffs and then did it again by becoming the first to win a playoff game, racking up 31 first downs and 474 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch late in the fourth quarter. This marked the fifth consecutive year a Super Bowl champion failed to win a playoff game in the next season.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, NFC: Seattle Seahawks 41, New Orleans Saints 36
Two early Seahawk miscues enabled the Saints to build a 10-point lead. First Olindo Mare kicked the opening kickoff out of bounds, giving New Orleans the ball at their 40-yard line. New Orleans then drove to the Seahawks' 8-yard line, but had to settle for a Garrett Hartley field goal after Reggie Bush dropped a pass on third down that could have kept the drive going.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, NFC: Seattle Seahawks 41, New Orleans Saints 36
Then three plays into the Seahawks' drive, Matt Hasselbeck's pass went through the hands of receiver Ben Obomanu and into the arms of defensive back Jabari Greer, who returned the interception 10 yards to the Seattle 35. New Orleans subsequently drove 35 yards in nine plays, aided by a third down pass interference penalty on Walter Thurmond in the end zone, and scored with Drew Brees' 1-yard touchdown pass to fullback Heath Evans, giving them a 10–0 lead.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, NFC: Seattle Seahawks 41, New Orleans Saints 36
Seattle fullback Michael Robinson returned Hartley's short kickoff 18 yards to the 43-yard line, and the Seahawks struck back with a 57-yard drive that ended with Hasselbeck's 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end John Carlson. The Saints countered as Brees completed four of five passes for 53 yards on an 83-yard drive that ended with a 5-yard touchdown run by Julius Jones, who had been cut by Seattle early in the season, to again give the Saints a 10-point lead.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, NFC: Seattle Seahawks 41, New Orleans Saints 36
But Hasselbeck led the Seahawks right back on a 70-yard scoring drive, featuring a 39-yard reception by tight end Cameron Morrah. On the next play, Hasselbeck threw his second touchdown pass to Carlson, cutting the score to 17–14. After an exchange of punts, Jones lost a fumble while being tackled by Raheem Brock that Seattle linebacker David Hawthorne recovered on the Saints' 18-yard line, setting up a 29-yard field goal by Mare to tie the game.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, NFC: Seattle Seahawks 41, New Orleans Saints 36
With 1:15 left in the second quarter, Hasselbeck launched a 45-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Stokley, giving Seattle their first lead of the game at 24–17. But a 40-yard reception by Devery Henderson helped the Saints drive to the Seattle 3-yard line where Hartley made his second field goal to cut the score to 24–20 as time expired in the half. This was only the second playoff game in which both teams scored at least 20 points in the first two quarters.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, NFC: Seattle Seahawks 41, New Orleans Saints 36
The Seahawks increased their lead to 31–20 on their opening drive of the second half, as Hasselbeck threw an 18-yard completion to Obomanu and finished the drive with a 38-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams. Then after forcing a punt, Mare kicked a 39-yard field goal to make the score 34–20 with 9:54 left in the quarter.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, NFC: Seattle Seahawks 41, New Orleans Saints 36
The Seahawks got a chance to build a three-score lead after stopping Jones for no gain on fourth down and 1 on the Saints' 37-yard line, but they could only gain a few yards with their next drive, and a delay of game penalty on fourth down pushed them out of field goal range.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, NFC: Seattle Seahawks 41, New Orleans Saints 36
New Orleans got the ball back at their 13-yard line following Jon Ryan's punt, and mounted an 83-yard drive that ended with Jones' second touchdown run of the game, making the score 34–27 with 13:11 left in regulation. Then they forced a three-and-out and got the ball back with good field position on their 44-yard line with Lance Moore's 8-yard punt return. On the second play of their ensuing drive, Brees threw a short pass to Jones, who took it 33 yards to the Seattle 23. But several plays later, Seattle's defense halted the drive at the 3-yard line, where the Saints settled for Hartley's third field goal to cut the score to 34–30.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, NFC: Seattle Seahawks 41, New Orleans Saints 36
After an exchange of punts, Seattle got the ball with 4:20 left in the game. On the first play of the drive, Lynch was stuffed for no gain. But on the next play, he took off for a 67-yard touchdown run in which he broke seven tackles en route to the end zone. The crowd in Seattle was so loud during the run that local seismographs recorded it as a small earthquake. This play has become colloquially known as the Beast Quake. With 1:52 left, Brees struck back with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Henderson, but the two-point conversion failed, keeping the score at 41–36. Then Carlson sealed the victory by recovering Hartley's onside kick attempt, enabling Seattle to run out the clock.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, NFC: Seattle Seahawks 41, New Orleans Saints 36
Brees completed 39 of 60 passes for 404 yards and two touchdowns. His 39 completions set a postseason record. Jones, who became the first player ever to score a touchdown in the postseason against a team that had cut him in the regular season, rushed for 59 yards and two touchdowns while also catching six passes for 61 yards. Hasselbeck completed 22 of 35 passes for 271 yards and four touchdowns with an interception. Lynch added 131 rushing yards and a touchdown for Seattle, who had not had a 100-yard rusher in any of their regular season games.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, NFC: Seattle Seahawks 41, New Orleans Saints 36
This was the first postseason meeting between the Saints and Seahawks.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 17, Indianapolis Colts 16
As he had done several times before, Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri gave his team a fourth quarter lead with less than a minute remaining by making a clutch field goal. But this time it was not enough, as New York managed to avenge their previous season loss to Indianapolis in the AFC title game by winning on a Nick Folk field goal as time expired in the game.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 17, Indianapolis Colts 16
The first quarter was scoreless as every drive by both teams ended with a punt. The game remained scoreless until just over five minutes remained in the half, when Colts quarterback Peyton Manning threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Garçon. New York responded with a long drive to the Colts' 19-yard line, but with less than a minute left, defensive back Justin Tryon intercepted a pass from Mark Sanchez in the end zone to keep them scoreless going into halftime.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 17, Indianapolis Colts 16
New York managed to tie the game on their opening drive of the second half, starting with Antonio Cromartie's 41-yard kickoff return to the 37-yard line. The Jets subsequently drove 63 yards in 10 plays, featuring a 20-yard reception by tight end Dustin Keller, on the way to a 1-yard touchdown run by LaDainian Tomlinson. Indianapolis countered with a 9-play drive to the New York 29-yard line, with Manning completing a 23-yard pass to Blair White and Joseph Addai rushing for 14 yards. Vinatieri finished the drive with a 47-yard field goal to give them a three-point lead. But the Jets responded with a 17-play, 87-yard drive that consumed almost 10 minutes and featured three third down conversions. Tomlinson capped off the drive with his second 1-yard touchdown run to make the score 14–10.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 17, Indianapolis Colts 16
With 5:22 left in the game, Vinatieri's 32-yard field goal cut the Colts' deficit to one point. Indianapolis' defense subsequently forced a punt after three plays, but a running into the punter penalty against them kept the drive going, allowing New York to take more time off the clock and forcing the Colts to use two timeouts. Indianapolis got the ball back with 2:36 left in the game, and retook the lead with a 48-yard drive as Manning completed two passes to tight end Jacob Tamme for gains of 15 and 11 yards, along with a 12-yard completion to White. At the end of the drive, Vinatieri made a 50-yard field goal to give the Colts a two-point lead with 53 seconds left in regulation.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 17, Indianapolis Colts 16
However, the Jets stormed back to drive for the winning score, as Cromartie returned the ensuing kickoff 47 yards to the 46-yard line. After that, Sanchez completed passes to Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes for gains of nine and 11 yards. Then after a 2-yard run by Tomlinson, he completed an 18-yard pass to Edwards, who made a leaping catch near the sidelines and managed to keep both feet in bounds at the Colts' 14-yard line with 29 seconds left on the clock. After letting the clock run down to three seconds, New York called their final timeout and sent Folk out to kick a 32-yard field goal, which sailed through the uprights as time expired to win the game for the Jets.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 17, Indianapolis Colts 16
Manning finished 18 of 26 for 221 yards and a touchdown. His top target was Garçon, who caught five passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Reggie Wayne, the Colts' leading receiver in the regular season, was completely shut down while being covered by Darrelle Revis, held to just one reception for one yard. Tomlinson rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns while also catching four passes for 17 yards, while running back Shonn Greene added another 70 yards on the ground.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 17, Indianapolis Colts 16
This turned out to be the last game Manning would play in a Colts uniform, as he missed the entire 2011 season with a neck injury and signed with the Denver Broncos on March 20, 2012.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Saturday, January 8, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 17, Indianapolis Colts 16
This was the fourth postseason meeting between the Jets and Colts, with New York previously winning two of the three meetings. This was also a rematch of the 2009 AFC Championship Game, which was won by Indianapolis 30–17.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 9, 2011, AFC: Baltimore Ravens 30, Kansas City Chiefs 7
Baltimore dominated the game on both sides of the ball, massively out-gaining Kansas City in total yards (390 to 161), first downs (26 to 8), and time of possession (44:44 to 18:16). The Chiefs, who only lost 14 turnovers all year, turned the ball over five times and went home with their seventh consecutive playoff loss since the 1993 season. Their losing streak has covered 17 years, four different coaches, and two different owners.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 9, 2011, AFC: Baltimore Ravens 30, Kansas City Chiefs 7
Baltimore took the opening kickoff and drove 64 yards to a first down at the Chiefs 1-yard line, with Joe Flacco completing a 27-yard pass to Anquan Boldin and three passes to tight end Todd Heap for 32 yards. But they were stuffed twice for no gain and then Flacco's incomplete pass forced them to settle for a field goal from Billy Cundiff. The Ravens quickly forced a punt, but several plays into their next drive Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali sacked Flacco and forced a fumble, which he recovered on the Baltimore 46.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 9, 2011, AFC: Baltimore Ravens 30, Kansas City Chiefs 7
Following a 5-yard scramble by Matt Cassel, Jamaal Charles' 41-yard touchdown romp gave his team a 7–3 lead. It was the longest touchdown run ever allowed by the Ravens in the postseason. Later in the second quarter, the Ravens retook the lead with an 80-yard scoring drive. Ray Rice finished it with a 9-yard touchdown catch to give the Ravens a 10–7 lead with 19 seconds left before halftime.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 9, 2011, AFC: Baltimore Ravens 30, Kansas City Chiefs 7
In the second half, Baltimore completely took over the game, adding 20 more unanswered points and holding Charles, who rushed for over 80 yards in the first half, to negative yardage in the last two quarters. Kansas City gained just 25 total yards in the entire half.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 9, 2011, AFC: Baltimore Ravens 30, Kansas City Chiefs 7
On the fourth play of the opening second half drive, Cassel threw an interception to safety Haruki Nakamura. Kansas City managed to get the ball back when Charles forced and recovered a fumble from Nakamura during the return, but their second attempt at a drive fared no better and ended with a turnover on downs at the Ravens 38-yard line. Baltimore then drove to the Kansas City 11-yard line where Cundiff made his second field goal of the game.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 9, 2011, AFC: Baltimore Ravens 30, Kansas City Chiefs 7
Then Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis forced a fumble while tackling Dexter McCluster that cornerback Chris Carr recovered on the Chiefs 17-yard line, setting up Cundiff's third field goal to increase their lead to 16–7. Just two plays into their next drive, Kansas City lost another turnover when Cassel threw an interception to Dawan Landry, which led to Flacco's 4-yard touchdown pass to Boldin. Then after a three and out, the Ravens put the game away by mounting a 10-minute scoring drive that ended with Willis McGahee's 25-yard touchdown burst with 4:26 left in the game, making the final score 30–7.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 9, 2011, AFC: Baltimore Ravens 30, Kansas City Chiefs 7
Flacco completed 25 of 34 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns. He became the first Raven ever to throw multiple touchdown passes in a playoff game. Heap had a career-high 10 receptions for 106 yards, setting the franchise record for receptions in a postseason game. Linebacker Terrell Suggs led the Ravens defense with four tackles and two sacks. Cassel completed just nine of 18 passes for 70 yards with three interceptions, and Dwayne Bowe, the team's top receiver with 1,162 yards and an NFL-leading 15 touchdown catches during the season, did not have any receptions in the game.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 9, 2011, AFC: Baltimore Ravens 30, Kansas City Chiefs 7
This was the first postseason meeting between the Ravens and Chiefs.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 9, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Philadelphia Eagles 16
Green Bay defensive back Tramon Williams' interception in the end zone sealed the Packers victory with 33 seconds left in the game. Green Bay never trailed during the entire game, and got big performances from Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 180 yards and three touchdowns, and James Starks, who rushed for 123 yards, which was more than his entire regular season total.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 9, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Philadelphia Eagles 16
Philadelphia got an early scoring opportunity when they recovered a muffed punt at the Packers 41-yard line. But their drive was halted at the 23 and ended with no points when David Akers missed a 41-yard field goal attempt. Later on, the Packers drove 68 yards in 10 plays, featuring a 27-yard run by Starks. With eight seconds left in the quarter, Rodgers threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to reserve tight end Tom Crabtree, who had not caught a touchdown pass all season.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 9, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Philadelphia Eagles 16
In the second quarter, Williams' 8-yard punt return gave his team the ball at their 43-yard line, and they drove for another touchdown, scoring with Rodgers' 9-yard pass to James Jones. Getting the ball back with just over five minutes left, Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick completed a 44-yard pass to Jeremy Maclin and rushed for 14 yards to set up a 29-yard field goal by Akers with 1:15 left in the half, putting the Eagles on the board for the first time. Late in the first half, with the Packers seeking to add to their lead, Rodgers threw a deep pass down the sideline to Jones for what would have been a sure touchdown, but the pass was dropped, keeping the score 14–3.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 9, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Philadelphia Eagles 16
The Eagles scored quickly in the second half, taking advantage of Darryl Tapp's fumble recovery while sacking Rodgers on the Packers 24-yard line. One play later, Vick cut the score to 14–10 with a touchdown pass to Jason Avant. But Rodgers led his team back, completing two passes to Donald Driver for 26 yards and a 16-yarder to fullback John Kuhn before finishing the drive with a 16-yard screen pass to Brandon Jackson for a touchdown. Near the end of the quarter, the Eagles mounted a drive to the Packers 16-yard line, but came up empty when Akers missed another field goal, this one from 34 yards.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 9, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Philadelphia Eagles 16
With 8:50 left in the game, Vick completed five of eight passes for 68 yards on a 75-yard touchdown drive, scoring on a fourth down 1-yard run. On a two-point conversion attempt, Vick completed a pass to tight end Brent Celek, but it was negated by a penalty against him for putting a foot out of bounds before he came back to catch the ball and their second attempt was incomplete, keeping the score at 21–16. Philadelphia had to use up all their timeouts on the Packers ensuring drive, but got the ball back with 1:45 left in the game. Receptions by DeSean Jackson and Riley Cooper for gains of 28 and 11 yards moved the ball to the Green Bay 24-yard line. But with 33 seconds left, Williams intercepted a pass intended for Cooper in the end zone to put the game away.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 9, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Philadelphia Eagles 16
Vick finished with 290 passing yards and a touchdown, with one interception, and added 33 yards and another score on the ground.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 9, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Philadelphia Eagles 16
This was the third postseason meeting between the Packers and Eagles. Philadelphia won both prior meetings, including the 2003 NFC Divisional playoffs, 20–17 in overtime in the game known as "4th and 26".


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Baltimore Ravens 24
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's 58-yard completion to Antonio Brown set up Rashard Mendenhall's game winning 2-yard touchdown run with 1:33 left in the game. Despite the game's high score, it was actually a defensive battle, with both teams combining for just 389 yards and scoring most of their points off turnovers. Roethlisberger was sacked six times, and Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco was sacked 5. Meanwhile, the Ravens were held to just 126 yards and were buried under a mountain of turnovers, penalties, and dropped passes.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Baltimore Ravens 24
After forcing the Ravens to punt on the opening drive, Pittsburgh drove 80 yards on the way to Mendenhall's 1-yard touchdown run, assisted by a 37-yard pass interference penalty on Baltimore defensive back Josh Wilson. But the Ravens countered with a 68-yard scoring drive, aided by a 33-yard pass interference penalty on Pittsburgh's Anthony Madison. Ray Rice finished the drive with a 14-yard touchdown run to tie the game. Then two plays into the Steelers next drive, Roethlisberger was hit by Terrell Suggs as he pulled his arm back to throw a pass, resulting in a fumble. Nearly all the players on both teams thought it was an incomplete pass since the ball went forward and headed back to their huddles, but Ravens lineman Cory Redding realized the play was still ongoing and returned the ball 13 yards for a touchdown.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Baltimore Ravens 24
In the second quarter, Ravens safety Ed Reed recovered a fumble from Mendenhall at the Steelers 16-yard line, setting up Flacco's 4-yard touchdown pass to Todd Heap that gave them a 21–7 lead. Pittsburgh responded with a drive to the Baltimore 25-yard line, but came up empty when Shaun Suisham missed a 43-yard field goal attempt with 25 seconds left in the half.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Baltimore Ravens 24
However, the Steelers dominated the third quarter, forcing three turnovers and holding the Ravens to negative yardage. Less than five minutes into the quarter, Rice lost a fumble while being tackled by Ryan Clark, and linebacker LaMarr Woodley recovered it on the Baltimore 23-yard line. After a 14-yard run by Mendenhall, Roethlisberger threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Heath Miller. Then after an exchange of punts, Clark intercepted a pass from Flacco and returned it 17 yards to the Ravens 25-yard line.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Baltimore Ravens 24
Mendenhall started the drive with a 13-yard screen, and Roethlisberger finished it with an 8-yard third down touchdown pass to Hines Ward, tying the game at 21. Just two plays after the ensuing kickoff, Flacco fumbled a snap and Steelers lineman Brett Keisel recovered it at the Baltimore 23. This time the Steelers were unable to get a touchdown, as Roethlisberger was sacked by Suggs on third down and six after driving inside the 10-yard line, but Suisham kicked a 35-yard field goal to give Pittsburgh their first lead with 12:15 left in regulation.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Baltimore Ravens 24
Later on, Baltimore's Lardarius Webb returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown, only to have it called back by a holding penalty on Marcus Smith. Still, his return gave them good field position on the Steelers 29-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Flacco completed a 21-yard pass to Heap. But over the next three plays, Baltimore rushers were stuffed twice and then receiver Anquan Boldin dropped a pass in the end zone, forcing them to settle for Billy Cundiff's field goal to tie the score with 3:54 remaining in the game.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Baltimore Ravens 24
David Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 16 yards to the 35-yard line, and Pittsburgh retook the lead with a 65-yard drive featuring three key third down conversions. After starting out with two incompletions, Roethlisberger threw a 12-yard pass to Ward on third down and ten. Then Roethlisberger was sacked for a 9-yard loss by Redding and Paul Kruger and threw another incompletion, bringing up third down and 19 with 2:07 to go. On the next play, Roethlisberger dropped back and launched a 58-yard bomb to Brown at the 4-yard line. After a defensive holding penalty moved the ball to the 1, the Ravens defense kept Mendenhall out of the end zone for two more plays. But on third down, he scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to give the Steelers a 31–24 lead with 1:33 remaining in regulation.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Baltimore Ravens 24
Le'Ron McClain returned Suisham's squib kick 12 yards to the Steelers 48-yard line, giving Baltimore a chance to drive for the tying touchdown. But their offense was unable to move the ball. After two incompletions and an 8-yard sack by Ziggy Hood, receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh dropped a potential first down catch, ending any chance of a comeback.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Baltimore Ravens 24
Roethlisberger completed 19 of 32 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Steelers linebacker James Harrison recorded five tackles, two assists, and three sacks. Suggs finished with five tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble. With this win, Pittsburgh advanced to their fourth AFC Championship Game since 2004.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Baltimore Ravens 24
This was the third postseason meeting between the Ravens and Steelers. Pittsburgh won both prior meetings, which includes winning 23–14 in the 2008 AFC Championship Game.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 48, Atlanta Falcons 21
The Packers blew out Atlanta by racking up 442 total yards, 28 first downs, and a franchise playoff record 48 points. Aaron Rodgers was nearly perfect, completing 31 of 36 passes for 366 yards and three touchdowns, while adding another score on the ground. Green Bay never punted the ball, and got a big performance from defensive back Tramon Williams, who picked off two passes from Matt Ryan and returned one of them 70 yards for a touchdown.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 48, Atlanta Falcons 21
But early in the game, it seemed things would go in Atlanta's favor. After Michael Koenen's 33-yard punt pinned the Packers back at their own 8-yard line, Rodgers threw a short pass to Greg Jennings, who took off for a 30-yard gain. But he fumbled the ball after being hit from behind by Stephen Nicholas and defensive back Brent Grimes recovered the ball at the Green Bay 48-yard line. On the Falcons ensuing drive, a 22-yard reception by Michael Jenkins and a fourth down conversion run by Ovie Mughelli set up a 12-yard touchdown run by Michael Turner.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 48, Atlanta Falcons 21
Green Bay responded with an 81-yard scoring drive that took nearly eight minutes. Rodgers completed all seven of his passes for 48 yards on the drive, the last one a 6-yard touchdown toss to Jordy Nelson, who caught the ball near the sidelines and just managed to stretch the ball into the pylon while being shoved out of bounds. However, Atlanta quickly retook the lead when Eric Weems returned Mason Crosby's kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown, the longest scoring play in NFL playoff history.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 48, Atlanta Falcons 21
But the Packers suddenly stormed back with 35 unanswered points. Rodgers quickly completed two passes to Jennings for 22 yards and then hit James Jones for a 34-yard gain to the Falcons 16-yard line. Two plays later, fullback John Kuhn scored a 1-yard touchdown run to tie the game. Atlanta responded with a drive to the Packers 19-yard line. But on the next play, Charles Woodson sacked Ryan for a 7-yard loss. Then on third down, Williams stepped in front of a pass intended for Jenkins and made a leaping interception in the end zone.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 48, Atlanta Falcons 21
Rodgers took over and went back to work, completing six consecutive passes on an 80-yard scoring drive that ended with his 20-yard touchdown completion to Jones, giving the Packers a 21–14 lead with 42 seconds left before halftime. Aided by two pass interference penalties against Green Bay, Atlanta drove to the Packers 26-yard line. But once again the defense prevented a score. First linebacker Clay Matthews sacked Ryan for a 9-yard loss. Rather than attempt a 50-yard field goal, the Falcons tried one last play to move the ball closer. But Williams intercepted Ryan's pass and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown as time expired in the half.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 48, Atlanta Falcons 21
In the second half the Packers picked up right where they left off. Rodgers was sacked by John Abraham for a 10-yard loss on the first play. But it didn't stop Rodgers from completing five of six passes for 56 yards on an 80-yard scoring drive that ended with his 7-yard touchdown run, making the score 35–14. Atlanta was forced to a three-and-out on their next drive after a Green Bay replay challenge overruled a first down catch by Jenkins, and Koenen's punt went just 21 yards to midfield. Green Bay subsequently drove 50 yards and scored with Rodgers' 7-yard pass to Kuhn.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 48, Atlanta Falcons 21
This time, the Falcons finally managed to respond. Ryan completed seven consecutive passes on their next drive, the last one a 6-yard touchdown throw to Roddy White. But Green Bay dominated the rest of the game, forcing two more turnovers that were both converted into field goals by Crosby, making the final score 48–21.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 48, Atlanta Falcons 21
Jennings finished with eight receptions for 101 yards, while Nelson added eight receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. This game gave Rodgers 10 touchdown passes in his first three playoff games, setting an NFL postseason record. Matthews had three tackles and two sacks. Weems had six kickoff returns for 195 yards. Turner, who rushed for over 1,300 yards during the season, was held to just 39 yards on 10 carries.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 48, Atlanta Falcons 21
The Falcons' loss marked the third time in the last four seasons that the NFC's top seed would not advance past its first playoff game.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 15, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 48, Atlanta Falcons 21
This was the third postseason meeting between the Packers and Falcons, with both teams having split two prior meetings. The most recent being 27–7 in favor of Atlanta in the 2002 NFC Wild Card playoffs in Green Bay's first ever playoff loss at Lambeau Field.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, NFC: Chicago Bears 35, Seattle Seahawks 24
Chicago dominated the game from start to finish, outgaining Seattle in total yards 437 to 276 and scoring 28 unanswered points over the first three quarters.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, NFC: Chicago Bears 35, Seattle Seahawks 24
After forcing Seattle to a three-and-out on the opening drive, Chicago scored on their third play of the game when tight end Greg Olsen ran past safety Lawyer Milloy, caught a pass from Jay Cutler, and took it 58 yards to the end zone. Later in the quarter, Bears receiver Devin Hester returned a punt 26 yards to midfield. Following a 33-yard reception by Olsen and a fourth down conversion run by Cutler, Chester Taylor scored on a 1-yard touchdown run. After forcing a punt, Chicago got the ball back on their own 37-yard line early in the second quarter. Cutler started the drive with a 22-yard completion to Olsen, and later finished it with a 6-yard touchdown run to give the Bears a 21–0 lead.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, NFC: Chicago Bears 35, Seattle Seahawks 24
In the second half, Chicago increased their lead to 28–0 with Cutler's second touchdown run at the end of a 14-play, 70-yard drive. After being completely dominated up to this point, Seattle managed to mount a comeback. First, Leon Washington's 62-yard kickoff return set up a 30-yard field goal by Olindo Mare. Then Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry intercepted a pass from Bears running back Matt Forte and returned it 23 yards to the Bears 33-yard line. Aided by a defensive holding penalty on Tim Jennings that nullified his interception, Seattle cut the score to 28–10 with Matt Hasselbeck's 2-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, NFC: Chicago Bears 35, Seattle Seahawks 24
But after forcing a punt, Tommie Harris sacked Hasselbeck on third down at his own 13-yard line, and Jon Ryan's punt went just 35 yards to the Seattle 48. Two plays later, Cutler threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kellen Davis, putting Chicago up 35–10.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, NFC: Chicago Bears 35, Seattle Seahawks 24
With less than five minutes remaining in the game, Seattle refused to give up. Hasselbeck completed six consecutive passes on the next drive, the last a 17-yard touchdown strike to Williams. After forcing a punt, Hasselbeck completed a 46-yarder to Ben Obomanu and followed it up with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Stokley, bringing the score to 35–24. But Chicago put the game away by recovering Mare's onside kick with 1:25 left in the game.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, NFC: Chicago Bears 35, Seattle Seahawks 24
Cutler finished his first career playoff game completing 15 of 28 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. He also rushed for 43 yards and two scores. His 43 rushing yards were the most by a Bears quarterback in the postseason since Sid Luckman in 1943. He also joined Otto Graham as one of two players ever to run and throw for multiple touchdowns in a playoff game. Olsen had three receptions for 113 yards, all in the first half. Forte rushed for 80 yards, caught three passes for 54 yards, and threw one pass which was intercepted. Harris had two sacks, which were his only tackles of the game. Hasselbeck threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns. Stokley had eight catches for 85 yards and a score.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, NFC: Chicago Bears 35, Seattle Seahawks 24
This was the second postseason meeting between the Seahawks and Bears. Chicago won the only prior meeting 27–24 in overtime in the 2006 NFC Divisional playoffs.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 28, New England Patriots 21
Mark Sanchez completed 16 of 25 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Jets to victory, avenging a 45–3 loss to New England in December.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 28, New England Patriots 21
On the Patriots first drive, Tom Brady threw his first interception since Week 6 of the regular season, which linebacker David Harris picked off and returned 58 yards before tight end Alge Crumpler made a touchdown-saving tackle at the 12-yard line. But New York could not get any points off the turnover, as they were unable to get a first down and Nick Folk missed a 30-yard field goal attempt. Several plays into New England's next drive, Brady completed a 28-yard pass to Crumpler at the Jets' 12-yard line. But after a 5-yard run by Danny Woodhead, Crumpler dropped a pass in the end zone and then Brady was sacked by Shaun Ellis, forcing them to settle for Shayne Graham's 34-yard field goal to give them a 3–0 lead.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 28, New England Patriots 21
In the second quarter, a third down sack of Brady by Drew Coleman forced New England to punt from their own 16, and Jerricho Cotchery returned the ball to the Patriots 49-yard line. A few plays later, Sanchez's 37-yard completion to Braylon Edwards set up his 7-yard touchdown pass to LaDainian Tomlinson. Later on, New England attempted a fake punt with a direct snap to safety Patrick Chung on fourth down and four. But Chung fumbled the snap and was tackled on his own 25-yard line, and the Jets converted the turnover with Sanchez's 15-yard touchdown pass to Edwards with 33 seconds left in the half, making the score 14–3.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 28, New England Patriots 21
Late in the third quarter, New England drove 80 yards in 11 plays, with Brady completing a 37-yard pass to Rob Gronkowski and two passes to Deion Branch for 28 yards on the way to a 2-yard touchdown pass to Crumpler. Then Sammy Morris scored a two-point conversion run, cutting their deficit to 14–11. But the Jets quickly countered, with Sanchez throwing a short pass to Cotchery, who took it 58 yards to the Patriots 13-yard line. Two plays later, Sanchez threw a high pass for Santonio Holmes, who managed to catch the ball and land in the end zone while falling out of bounds, giving New York a 10-point lead two minutes into the fourth quarter.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 28, New England Patriots 21
After the kickoff, New England drove to the Jets 34-yard line with an eight-minute drive, but then faced fourth down and 13. Rather than risk a 52-yard field goal attempt, they attempted to get the first down, but Branch dropped a pass from Brady and the Patriots turned the ball over. New England's defense then made a key defensive stand, forcing a quick three-and-out, and Julian Edelman returned Steve Weatherford's punt 41 yards to the New York 43-yard line before being tackled by Weatherford himself.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 28, New England Patriots 21
Brady then led New England to the 17-yard line where Graham made his second field goal to cut their deficit to seven points. However, Jets defensive back Antonio Cromartie recovered Graham's onside kick attempt and returned it 23 yards to the Patriots 20-yard line. Shonn Greene then scored with a 16-yard run, making the score 28–14 with 1:41 left in the game.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 28, New England Patriots 21
Brandon Tate returned the ensuing kickoff 23 yards to the 41-yard line, sparking a 59-yard scoring drive that ended with Brady's 13-yard touchdown pass to Branch with 24 seconds left. But Graham's second attempt at an onside kick also failed, ending any chance of a miracle comeback.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 28, New England Patriots 21
Brady finished the game 29 of 45 for 299 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. His one pick ended his NFL record of consecutive passes without an interception at 340. Cotchery had five receptions for 96 yards, Harris had nine tackles, three assists, and an interception, while Ellis added five tackles and two sacks. With this win, the Jets advanced to their second consecutive AFC Championship Game in Sanchez's first two years as a starter.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 28, New England Patriots 21
This would be the last time the Patriots have been eliminated prior to the AFC Championship Game until 2019. Until 2020, this was the last playoff win by an AFC East team other than New England.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 16, 2011, AFC: New York Jets 28, New England Patriots 21
This was the third postseason meeting between the Jets and Patriots. New England won both prior meetings, including 37–16 in the most recent meeting in the 2006 AFC Wild Card playoffs.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Chicago Bears 14
Green Bay's defense knocked Chicago starting quarterback Jay Cutler out of the game and intercepted three passes, one of which was returned for a score, and another which ended a last minute drive for a potential tying touchdown. With this win, the Packers became the first NFC #6 seed to advance to the Super Bowl by defeating the top three seeded teams on the road.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Chicago Bears 14
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers opened up the game with two completions to Greg Jennings for gains of 26 and 22 yards. A few plays later, he threw a 22-yard completion to Jordy Nelson at the Bears 2-yard line, setting up his 1-yard touchdown run to give the Packers an early 7–0 lead. Later on, Tim Masthay's 32-yard punt pinned Chicago back on their own 2-yard line. The Bears were unable to move the ball, and Tramon Williams returned Brad Maynard's punt six yards to the 44. Rodgers then completed passes to Brandon Jackson and Nelson for gains of 16 and 15 yards on the way to a 4-yard touchdown run by James Starks.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Chicago Bears 14
With time running out in the half, Rodgers threw a pass that was intercepted by Lance Briggs and returned to the Chicago 43. But Cutler returned the favor with an interception to Sam Shields and the score remained 14–0 going into halftime. Cutler was injured on the play and although he returned for a few plays in the third quarter, he ended up having to sit the rest of the second half out.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Chicago Bears 14
After forcing Chicago to punt on the opening second half drive, Green Bay drove to the Bears 6-yard line. But linebacker Brian Urlacher ended the drive by intercepting Rodgers and returning the ball 39 yards before Rodgers made a touchdown saving tackle on the 45. However, Chicago could not take advantage of the turnover and had to punt. Cutler's replacement, Todd Collins, ended up being ineffective, throwing four consecutive incompletions before being benched in favor of Caleb Hanie with less than a minute left in the third quarter.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Chicago Bears 14
Early in the fourth quarter, Hanie's 32-yard completion to Johnny Knox moved the ball to the Packers 1-yard line, setting up a touchdown run by Chester Taylor that cut the score to 14–7. But three drives later, Hanie threw a short pass over the middle that was intercepted by defensive tackle B. J. Raji and returned 18 yards for a touchdown. Hanie responded with four consecutive completions on the Bears next drive and finished it with a 35-yard touchdown throw to Earl Bennett, making the score 21–14. Then after forcing a punt, Chicago got the ball back with 2:53 remaining in the game and managed to drive to the Packers 29-yard line. But Green Bay's defense managed to hang on for the win, ending the drive with Shields' second interception with 37 seconds left in regulation.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Chicago Bears 14
Jennings caught eight passes for 130 yards. Bears running back Matt Forte rushed for 70 yards and caught 10 passes for 90. Shields had four tackles, two interceptions, a sack, and a forced fumble. Urlacher had nine tackles, a sack, and an interception. At 338 pounds, Raji became the heaviest player in NFL history to score a touchdown.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Chicago Bears 14
In possibly the NFL's first player-on-player social media attack, Cutler was being criticized for not returning within seconds after leaving the game instead of waiting for explanations in postgame media sessions. Bears coach Lovie Smith later stated that the choice was not Cutler's decision. Smith made the decision to bench Cutler after consulting the medical and training staff. An MRI revealed the following day that he had sprained his MCL.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Chicago Bears 14
The Bears would not return to the playoffs again until 2018.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Chicago Bears 14
This was the second postseason meeting between the Packers and Bears, with Chicago having won the prior meeting 33–14 in the 1941 Western Division playoff.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, New York Jets 19
Pittsburgh jumped to an early 24–0 lead and held off a desperate comeback rally to earn their third Super Bowl bid in the last six years.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, New York Jets 19
Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall rushed eight times for 28 yards on their opening drive, which took over nine minutes off the clock and ended with his 1-yard touchdown run. Then he rushed four times for 22 yards and caught an 18-yard pass on a drive to the Jets 32-yard line. Linebacker Bryan Thomas ended the drive with an interception, but the Steelers forced a punt and drove for another score, aided by Mendenhall's 35-yard burst. Shaun Suisham finished the drive with a 20-yard field goal to make the score 10–0.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, New York Jets 19
Following another punt, Ben Roethlisberger completed a 24-yard pass to tight end Heath Miller, a 20-yarder to Emmanuel Sanders, and a 14-yard throw to Mendenhall on the way to a 2-yard touchdown run. Two plays after the ensuing kickoff, Ike Taylor sacked Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez on a defensive back blitz and forced a fumble, which cornerback William Gay returned 19 yards for a touchdown, increasing their lead to 24–0 with just over a minute left in the half. This time New York managed to respond, with Sanchez completing four passes for 39 yards on a drive that ended with a 42-yard field goal by Nick Folk, cutting the score to 24–3 going into halftime.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, New York Jets 19
New York took the second half kickoff and scored with just five plays. Shonn Greene started off the drive with a 23-yard run, while Sanchez finished it with a pair of completions to Santonio Holmes, the first for 16 yards, and the second a 45-yard touchdown completion. Pittsburgh responded with a drive to the Jets 37-yard line, but turned the ball over when safety Brodney Pool intercepted a pass from Roethlisberger inside the 10. After an exchange of punts, the Jets converted two fourth downs on a 17-play drive to a first down on the Steelers 2-yard line.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, New York Jets 19
But Pittsburgh's defense made a key goal line stand. First Greene tried to run up the middle, but was stuffed at the 1-yard line. Then Sanchez threw an incomplete pass and another that was batted down by linebacker LaMarr Woodley. On fourth down, LaDainian Tomlinson tried to run through the middle, but Brett Keisel and Casey Hampton tackled him for no gain, turning the ball over.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, New York Jets 19
On the next play, Roethlisberger fumbled a snap and was downed in the end zone for a safety. New York then drove 58 yards following the free kick and scored with Sanchez's 4-yard touchdown pass to Jerricho Cotchery, cutting their deficit to 24–19 with 3:06 left in the game. But the Steelers managed to pick up two key first downs on their next drive with a 14-yard reception by Miller and a 14-yard catch by Antonio Brown on third down and six with less than two minutes left, enabling them to run out the rest of the clock.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, New York Jets 19
Mendenhall rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown, while also catching two passes for 32. Sanchez threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Pool had six tackles and an interception.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, New York Jets 19
As of 2020, this is the Jets' most recent playoff appearance.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 23, 2011, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, New York Jets 19
This was the second postseason meeting between the Jets and Steelers, with Pittsburgh winning the only prior meeting 20–17 in overtime in the 2004 AFC Divisional playoffs.


2010–11 NFL playoffs, Super Bowl XLV: Green Bay Packers 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 25
This was the first Super Bowl meeting between the Steelers and Packers.


2010–11 NHL season
The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation (93rd season of play) of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Boston Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup Final 4–3 to win the Stanley Cup. It was the sixth Cup win in Bruins' franchise history. For the fourth consecutive season, the season started with games in Europe. The 58th All-Star Game was held at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, home arena of the Carolina Hurricanes, on January 30, 2011.


2010–11 NHL season
This was the final season of operation for the Atlanta Thrashers, who were sold to True North Sports and Entertainment out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and moved from Atlanta to Winnipeg to become the "new" Winnipeg Jets. Winnipeg  had lost its previous NHL team, also called the Winnipeg Jets, after the 1995–96 NHL season to Phoenix, Arizona, and were renamed "Phoenix Coyotes." This was the second time the city of Atlanta lost an NHL franchise, having previously lost the Atlanta Flames to Calgary, Alberta after the 1979–80 season.


2010–11 NHL season, League business, Salary cap
On June 23, 2010, the NHL announced that the salary cap would be increased by $2.6 million. As a result, the new salary cap ceiling is set at $59.4 million, while the salary cap floor is $43.4 million.


2010–11 NHL season, League business, U.S. media rights
In April 2011, the NHL reached a new television deal with NBCUniversal, which was acquired by Comcast (owner of the NHL's current cable partner Versus) earlier in the year. The 10-year, US$2 billion deal extended and unified the broadcast and cable television rights to the league, held by NBC and Versus respectively.


2010–11 NHL season, League business, U.S. media rights
Notable changes under the new deal included an increase in nationally televised games on Versus (which was to be renamed under the NBC name), a new Thanksgiving Friday game on NBC, holding exclusive rights to all playoff games beginning with the second round (as opposed to the conference championships), and plans to broadcast all playoff games (subject to blackouts during the first round) nationally on NBCUniversal channels.


2010–11 NHL season, League business, Entry draft
The 2010 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 25–26, 2010, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, home arena of the Los Angeles Kings. Taylor Hall was selected first overall in the draft by the Edmonton Oilers, Tyler Seguin was picked second by the Boston Bruins and Erik Gudbranson was chosen third by the Florida Panthers.


2010–11 NHL season, League business, Franchise sales
Tom Golisano, Larry Quinn and Daniel DiPofi, owners of the Buffalo Sabres, sold their franchise to Terrence Pegula during the course of the 2010–11 season. The league approved the sale February 18, 2011.


2010–11 NHL season, League business, Rule changes, Tie-breaking procedure
Prior to the 2010–11 season, the first tie-breaker to separate teams with equal number of points in a conference was the number of games won, no matter how the wins were obtained. For the 2010–11 season, the league made a modification to this rule. The new rule states that the team with the greater number of games won, excluding wins obtained in the shootout, will be ranked higher. The change was made to reward in-play team victories (regulation or overtime) instead of a win obtained via an individual skill contest.


2010–11 NHL season, League business, Rule changes, Tie-breaking procedure
This figure will be tracked in an additional column in the official league standings called ROW (Regulation and overtime wins). In its first year, the tie-breaker proved critical, giving the 106-point, 47-win (44-ROW) Philadelphia Flyers the Atlantic Division title over the 106-point, 49-win (39-ROW) Pittsburgh Penguins, who were seeded fourth rather than second based on the new rule.


2010–11 NHL season, League business, Rule changes, Illegal hits to the head
Prior to the 2010–11 season, the Board of Governors, General Managers and the Competition Committee unanimously agreed to implement a new penalty. An illegal hit to the head is a lateral or blind side hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or is the principal point of contact is not permitted. Any player who incurs a total of two game misconducts under this rule shall be suspended automatically for the next game his team plays. For each subsequent game misconduct penalty, the automatic suspension shall be increased by one game. The commissioner of the league can increase the suspension longer due to his discretion.


2010–11 NHL season, Uniforms
Several teams announced plans to change their uniforms in the 2010–11 season.


2010–11 NHL season, Uniforms
The Buffalo Sabres, as part of their 40th anniversary season, reverted to the classic crossed swords insignia (replacing the infamous "Buffaslug" logo) and a slightly updated uniform based upon the style they wore from 1970 through 1996, when they left Buffalo Memorial Auditorium and moved down the street to the HSBC Arena with blue and gold trim. The blue version was previously their third jersey for the past three seasons. A new third jersey, also in blue, featured the city's name in white script on the chest, along with "quilted" numbers on the back and a gold nameplate with blue lettering fashioning the look of the AHL's former Buffalo Bisons.


2010–11 NHL season, Uniforms
The Columbus Blue Jackets unveiled a third jersey November 24 as part of their 10th season celebration. The new jersey made its debut on November 26 when the Blue Jackets hosted the Detroit Red Wings.


2010–11 NHL season, Uniforms
The Philadelphia Flyers adopted their 2010 NHL Winter Classic white uniforms as their new road uniform and dropped the black third jersey they wore since changing to Reebok's "NHL Edge" template.


2010–11 NHL season, Uniforms
The New York Islanders reverted to the uniforms they made their debut back in 1972–73; their royal blue uniforms were their third jersey for the past two seasons. The road white uniforms are also from the 1972–73 season.


2010–11 NHL season, Uniforms
The New York Rangers inaugurated a new third jersey. The jersey resembled the one worn by the team in its early years, notably during their Stanley Cup championship years of 1928 and 1933, but with "NEW YORK" across the jersey, instead of "RANGERS."


2010–11 NHL season, Uniforms
The Toronto Maple Leafs unveiled new home and road jerseys on June 14, 2010, seeing the return of the horizontal stripes on the bottom of the jersey and the "veined leaf" logo on both shoulders. The jersey also includes a white collar with string lace-up instead of a V-shaped collar.


2010–11 NHL season, Uniforms
In third jersey items, the Calgary Flames used the third jerseys they debuted in the 2009–10 season onto the Edge template in a retro style from the 1988–89 season. After a three-year hiatus, the Anaheim Ducks unveiled a new third jersey on November 26 against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Los Angeles Kings added a throwback purple and gold uniform, with the original 1967 style of purple, gold and white crown graphic on the jersey front for up to four games, and the Dallas Stars swapped designations on their two white jerseys.


2010–11 NHL season, Uniforms
The Vancouver Canucks, like the Sabres, were celebrating their 40th anniversary and wore replicas of their original 1970–71 white jerseys for several home games as well. Despite the league rules stating that all team jerseys must have nameplates on the back, both the Canucks and Kings were granted permission to wear jerseys without nameplates. The Washington Capitals, the road team in the 2011 Winter Classic, wore their Winter Classic jerseys in a home game vs. the Montreal Canadiens in honor of former Capital Dino Ciccarelli and his 2010 induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame.


2010–11 NHL season, Pre-season, 2010 Kraft Hockeyville
Every year since 2006, Kraft Foods has sponsored a contest called Kraft Hockeyville, where small Canadian towns compete against each other for the title of Hockeyville. The winning town also gets to host an NHL preseason game in a local arena, as well as hosting an event called the 'Stanley Cup Jamboree'. Dundas, Ontario, a suburb of Hamilton (which itself has been the subject of numerous efforts at potential National Hockey League expansion) won the 2010 contest, and hosted the pre-season game between the Ottawa Senators and the Buffalo Sabres on September 28, 2010.


2010–11 NHL season, Pre-season, European exhibition games
The six teams going to Europe to open their regular seasons there as part of the NHL Premiere games also played exhibition games against European teams under the banner of NHL Premiere Challenge to close out their pre-seasons, finishing with a 6–1–0 record.


2010–11 NHL season, Regular season, Premiere games
A record six teams opened the regular season in Europe, in a series branded the "2010 Compuware NHL Premiere Games." On October 7–8, 2010, the Carolina Hurricanes and the Minnesota Wild played two games at the Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, Finland. The Hurricanes swept the Wild. On October 8–9, 2010, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the San Jose Sharks played two games at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden. The two teams split a two-game premiere. On October 9–10, 2010, the Boston Bruins and the Phoenix Coyotes played two games at the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic. The two teams also split a two-game premiere.


2010–11 NHL season, Regular season, Premiere games
The first Premiere Games goal was scored by Minnesota Wild forward Guillaume Latendresse.


2010–11 NHL season, Regular season, NHL face-off
The regular season also began in North America on October 7 with four additional games. In Canada, CBC's Hockey Night in Canada broadcast a double header featuring four Canadian teams. The first game saw the eastern Canadian Original Six-era rivalry rekindled, with the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Montreal Canadiens. This game was followed by the Battle of Alberta when the Calgary Flames visited the Edmonton Oilers. In the United States, both 2010 Stanley Cup Finalists were in action as well on Versus.


2010–11 NHL season, Regular season, NHL face-off
Besides the previously mentioned Philadelphia Flyers-Pittsburgh Penguins game to open Consol Energy Center, the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks played against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center in the nightcap. The Blackhawks had their home opener two nights later against their Central Division rivals, the Detroit Red Wings, and hoisted their first Stanley Cup championship banner in 49 years in a pre-game ceremony.


2010–11 NHL season, Regular season, NHL face-off
The first NHL Face-off games goal was scored by Tim Brent of the Toronto Maple Leafs.


2010–11 NHL season, Regular season, Outdoor games, 2011 Winter Classic
The Pittsburgh Penguins hosted the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic playing the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011. The game was telecast on NBC in the USA and on CBC and RDS in Canada. The Washington Capitals won the game 3–1. The game was originally scheduled to be played at 1 pm. However, inclement weather in Pittsburgh forced the NHL to move the game into prime-time at 8 pm.


2010–11 NHL season, Regular season, Outdoor games, The Heritage Classic returns
A second outdoor game, the 2011 NHL Heritage Classic, was held in Canada at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta, on February 20, 2011, between the Calgary Flames and the Montreal Canadiens. CBC, RDS and Versus telecasted the game. This was the second outdoor game held in Canada following the Heritage Classic in 2003 when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4–3 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta. The Heritage classic resulted in the Flames defeating the Canadiens 4–0. This event was recorded as the first shutout in any NHL outdoor game.


2010–11 NHL season, Regular season, Hockey Days, Canada
CBC hosted its 11th annual Hockey Day in Canada event on February 12, 2011, in Whitehorse, Yukon. The network broadcast a triple header of games featuring all six Canadian teams. The Edmonton Oilers hosted the Ottawa Senators, the Toronto Maple Leafs visited the Montreal Canadiens and the Vancouver Canucks welcomed the Calgary Flames.


2010–11 NHL season, Regular season, Hockey Days, United States
For the first time ever, the NHL and NBC hosted a Hockey Day in America event on February 20, 2011, featuring eight of the most popular American NHL teams. The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the New York Rangers 4–2, the Washington Capitals defeated the Buffalo Sabres 2–1, the Red Wings defeated the Minnesota Wild 2–1, and the highlight game of the afternoon, a meeting of the last two Stanley Cup champions, as the Penguins were defeated by the Blackhawks 3–2. The event was part of the broader Hockey Weekend Across America organized by USA Hockey.


2010–11 NHL season, Regular season, Highlights
On October 30, 2010, four penalty shot goals were scored on one night for the first time in league history. David Booth, Frans Nielsen, Ryan Callahan and Dave Steckel were the scorers. The previous record was three penalty shot goals in one night. Four penalty shot attempts in one night had occurred previously.


2010–11 NHL season, Regular season, Highlights
On November 20, 2010, the 50,000th game in the NHL's history was played, counting all regular season and playoff games, going back to the league's inaugural season in 1917.


2010–11 NHL season, Regular season, Standings
The Vancouver Canucks placed first overall, winning the Presidents' Trophy and home advantage throughout the playoffs. The Washington Capitals placed first in the Eastern Conference, earning home advantage in Eastern Conference playoffs.


2010–11 NHL season, Regular season, Standings
bold – qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; z – Placed first in conference (and division) AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division


2010–11 NHL season, Regular season, Standings
bold – qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; p – Won President's Trophy (best record in NHL)CE – Central Division, NW – Northwest Division, PA – Pacific Division


2010–11 NHL season, Regular season, Standings
Under NHL rules, first-place teams in each division receive a conference ranking between 1 and 3 regardless of overall points. The Pittsburgh Penguins placed fourth yet had more points than the Boston Bruins, but the Bruins placed first in the Northeast Division to get the third-place ranking.


2010–11 NHL season, Playoffs
The 2011 playoffs started on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, and ended with the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday, June 15, 2011. The Boston Bruins won three game sevens including a rare game seven in the Final to win against the Vancouver Canucks and win the franchise's sixth Stanley Cup. The game seven victory in the Finals was the Bruins' first ever game seven victory on the road. The Bruins also swept the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round to avenge their loss to the Flyers in the 2010 playoffs, when the Bruins held a three games to none lead (including a 3-0 lead in game 7), and lost the series.


2010–11 NHL season, Playoffs, Playoff bracket
In each round, the highest remaining seed in each conference is matched against the lowest remaining seed. The higher-seeded team is awarded home ice advantage. In the Stanley Cup Finals series, home ice is determined based on regular season points. Each best-of-seven series follows a 2–2–1–1–1 format: the higher-seeded team plays at home for games one and two (plus five and seven if necessary), and the lower-seeded team is at home for games three and four (and if necessary, game six).


2010–11 NHL season, Player statistics, Scoring leaders
The following players led the league in points at the conclusion of the regular season.


2010–11 NHL season, Player statistics, Scoring leaders
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus-minus; PIM = Penalty minutes


2010–11 NHL season, Player statistics, Leading goaltenders
The following goaltenders led the league in goals against average at the end of the regular season while playing at least 1800 minutes.


2010–11 NHL season, Player statistics, Leading goaltenders
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average


2010–11 NHL season, Milestones, First games
The following is a list of notable players who played their first NHL game in 2010–11, listed with their first team:


2010–11 NHL season, Milestones, Last games
The following is a list of players of note who played their last NHL game in 2010–11, listed with their team:


2010–11 NHL season, Milestones, Last games
The 2010–11 season also saw the passings of several NHL players, current and former. This list includes players who were playing elsewhere at the time.


2010–11 NHL suspensions and fines
The following is a list of all suspensions and fines enforced in the National Hockey League during the 2010–11 NHL season. It lists which players or coaches of what team have been punished for which offense and the punishment, in the monetary sense of the word, they received.


2010–11 NHL transactions
The following is a list of all team-to-team transactions that have occurred in the National Hockey League during the 2010–11 NHL season. It lists what team each player has been traded to, signed by, or claimed by, and for which player(s) or draft pick(s), if applicable. Players who have retired are also listed. The trade deadline for the 2010–11 NHL season occurred on February 28, 2011, at 3 pm EST.


2010–11 NHL transactions, Free agency
Note: This does not include players who have re-signed with their previous team as an unrestricted free agent or as a restricted free agent.


2010–11 NK Maribor season
The 2010–11 season was the 51st season in the history of NK Maribor and the club's 20th consecutive season in the Slovenian PrvaLiga since the league establishment in 1991. The team participated in the Slovenian PrvaLiga, Slovenian Football Cup, and UEFA Europa League. The season covers the period from 1 June 2010 to 31 May 2011. The club started and finished the season with Darko Milanič as a head coach and were crowned as the league champions for the ninth time. They were also runners up of the Slovenian cup and supercup.


2010–11 NK Maribor season
The club began their league campaign with a total of 37 points in their first 15 matches, during which time they were undefeated. This set the new all-time league record for the best start of the season, previously held by Domžale (35 points).


2010–11 NK Maribor season, Season review
The team played its opening match of the seasons in a Supercup final on 9 July 2010, when they lost against Koper after penalties (5–4). The score after regulation was 0–0. Maribor qualified to the final as a Slovenian Cup winner of the previous season. Traditionally, the Supercup final is played on a home stadium of the Slovenian champions, however, this season it was played in Maribor, due to the construction of a new stadium in Koper at the time.


2010–11 NK Maribor season, Season review
During their Europa League campaign the club had a solid run and played a total of six matches in the competition. Their record was four wins, one draw and one defeat in matches against Videoton, Hibernian and Palermo. The team did particularly well on home field at the Ljudski vrt stadium as they recorded three wins in three matches with a goal difference of 9–2. However, that was not enough for progression as their only defeat came in the first leg of the play-off round against Palermo (3–0).


2010–11 NK Maribor season, Season review
In the second leg Maribor was winning against the Italian side 2–0 after 60 minutes of play, however, the match eventually finished with a 3–2 home victory which was not enough to progress into the main stage of the competition. After the match it was announced that Palermo had acquired Josip Iličić and Armin Bačinović, two of the top players during the club's Europa league campaign.


2010–11 NK Maribor season, Season review
The club did extremely well during the 2010–11 PrvaLiga season as the team was on the league's top position after every round of the season, except after week two when they were second. Maribor was undefeated in the league up until the 21st round in March, 2011, when they were defeated at home, by Gorica (3–1). Before that the team's score in the first 20 rounds was 14 wins and six draws. Eventually the team won their ninth league title with 75 points, eight more than second placed Domžale.


2010–11 NK Maribor season, Season review
Marcos Tavares, team captain, was the league's best scorer with 16 goals. In addition he was the club's best scorer during the season with 21 goals in all competitions. Tavares was also voted as the best player of the season by the players, the media and the fans. He scored one goal in the 2010–11 Cup season where the team reached the final that was played in late May, 2011, on Stožice stadium in Ljubljana against Domžale. In a spectacular match, which ended with the score 4–3 after 90 minutes, Domžale prevailed and won their first ever Slovenian cup title. With the 2010–11 Slovenian league title the club has won its 16th major title in its 20th season in Slovenian football.


2010–11 NK Maribor season, Squad statistics, Appearances and goals
Correct as of 29 May 2011, end of the 2010–11 season. Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. The players squad numbers, playing positions, nationalities and statistics are based solely on match reports in Matches sections above and the official website of NK Maribor and the Slovenian PrvaLiga. Player in bold received the Purple Warrior trophy as the club's most valuable player, selected by the fans. Only the players, which made at least one appearance for the first team, are listed.


2010–11 NK Maribor season, Squad statistics, Discipline
Correct as of 29 May 2011, end of the 2010–11 season. Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. The players squad numbers, playing positions, nationalities and statistics are based solely on match reports in Matches sections above and the official website of NK Maribor and the Slovenian PrvaLiga. If a player received two yellow cards in a match and was subsequently sent off the numbers count as two yellow cards, one red card. Player in bold received the Purple Warrior trophy as the club's most valuable player, selected by the fans. Only the players, which received at least one yellow or red card, are listed.


2010–11 NK Osijek season
This article shows statistics of individual players for the Osijek football club. It also lists all matches that Osijek played in the 2010–11 season.


2010–11 NK Osijek season, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2010–11 NK Osijek season, Player seasonal records
Competitive matches only. Updated to games played 21 May 2011.


2010–11 NK Osijek season, Player seasonal records, Disciplinary record
Includes all competitive matches. Players with 1 card or more included only.


2010–11 NLA season
The 2010–11 National League A season was the fourth ice hockey season of the National League A since the reorganization of the Swiss league. 12 teams participated in the league, which was won by HC Davos.


2010–11 NLA season, Relegation
HC Ambrì-Piotta would later defeat EHC Visp of the National League B 4-1 to remain in the National League A.


2010–11 NOFV-Oberliga
The 2010–11 season of the NOFV-Oberliga was the third season of the league at tier five (V) of the German football league system.


2010–11 NOFV-Oberliga
The NOFV-Oberliga was split into two divisions, the NOFV-Oberliga Nord and the NOFV-Oberliga Süd. Berliner AK 07 and VfB Germania Halberstadt were promoted to the 2011–12 Regionalliga Nord. Reinickendorfer Füchse, Ludwigsfelder FC and 1. FC Magdeburg II were relegated, as were FC Sachsen Leipzig, having been in administration for the past two years and being dissolved on 30 June 2011. Tennis Borussia Berlin were also relegated after losing in the playoffs.


2010–11 NOFV-Oberliga, Relegation playoffs
SC Borea Dresden beat Tennis Borussia Berlin 3–1 over two legs in the relegation playoff to stay in the NOFV-Oberliga for a 16th successive season. Tennis Borussia were relegated to the sixth tier of the German football league, the Berlin-Liga, for the first time in their history.


2010–11 NOJHL season
The 2010–11 NOJHL season is the 33rd season of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL). The eight teams of the East and West Divisions will play 50-game schedules.


2010–11 NOJHL season
Come February, the top teams of each division will play down for the Copeland-McNamara Trophy, the NOJHL championship. The winner of the Copeland-McNamara Trophy will compete in the Central Canadian Junior "A" championship, the Dudley Hewitt Cup. If successful against the winners of the Ontario Junior Hockey League and Superior International Junior Hockey League, the champion would then move on to play in the Canadian Junior Hockey League championship, the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.


2010–11 NOJHL season, Current Standings
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime Losses; SL = Shootout Losses; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against; PTS = Points; x = clinched playoff berth; y = clinched division title; z = clinched conference title


2010–11 NOJHL season, Dudley Hewitt Cup Championship
Hosted by the Huntsville Otters in Huntsville, Ontario. The Soo Eagles finished in third place.


2010–11 NOJHL season, Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty Minutes


2010–11 NOJHL season, Leading goaltenders
Note: GP = Games Played; Mins = Minutes Played; W = Wins; L = Losses: OTL = Overtime Losses; SL = Shootout Losses; GA = Goals Allowed; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against Average


2010–11 NTFL season
The 2010–11 NTFL season was the 90th season of the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL), an Australian rules football competition that was based in the Northern Territory. Eight teams competed in the 2010 season, the same since the 2007 season when the Tiwi Bombers joined the league.


2010–11 NTFL season
After St Marys took out the minor premiership, the top five teams competed in a final series with second place, Wanderers Eagles winning there 11th premiership title defeating St Marys in the grand final by 18 points.


2010–11 Nashville Predators season
The 2010–11 Nashville Predators season was the team's 13th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). They were defeated by the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.


2010–11 Nashville Predators season, Pre-season
With their 18th-overall first-round pick, the Predators chose Austin Watson of the Peterborough Petes.


2010–11 Nashville Predators season, Regular season
The Predators opened the season on October 9 at home against the Anaheim Ducks. The regular season ended on April 9, with their final game being against the St. Louis Blues.


2010–11 Nashville Predators season, Playoffs
The Predators clinched a berth in the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs as the Western Conference's fifth seed. The Predators won their first playoff series in franchise history after defeating the Anaheim Ducks in six games to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals against the first seed, the Vancouver Canucks. In a low-scoring series, the Canucks managed to close out the Predators at Bridgestone Arena in six games.


2010–11 Nashville Predators season, Standings
bold – qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; p – Won President's Trophy (best record in NHL)CE – Central Division, NW – Northwest Division, PA – Pacific Division


2010–11 Nashville Predators season, Schedule and results, Regular season
Legend:  Win (2 points)  Loss (0 points)  Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)


2010–11 Nashville Predators season, Playoffs
The Nashville Predators ended the 2010–11 regular season as the Western Conference's fifth seed. They defeated the fourth seed, the Anaheim Ducks, in the first round, 4–2, which is the first playoff series win in franchise history. Their opponent in the Western Conference Semifinals would be the Vancouver Canucks, who beat Nashville 4–2.


2010–11 Nashville Predators season, Player stats, Skaters
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes


2010–11 Nashville Predators season, Player stats, Goaltenders
Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime Losses; GA = Goals Against; GAA= Goals Against Average; SA= Shots Against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save Percentage; SO= Shutouts


2010–11 Nashville Predators season, Player stats, Goaltenders
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Predators. Stats reflect time with the Predators only. ‡Traded mid-seasonBold/italics denotes franchise record


2010–11 Nashville Predators season, Transactions
The Predators have been involved in the following transactions during the 2010–11 season.


2010–11 Nashville Predators season, Draft picks
Nashville's picks at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles, California.


2010–11 National Conference League
The 2010–11 National Conference League was the 26th season of the National Conference League, the top league for British amateur rugby league clubs, and was the final season that the league was played in the winter.


2010–11 National Conference League, Division One
Widnes St Maries resigned from the league mid-season; their record was expunged.


2010–11 National Conference League, Division Two
West Bowling were forced to withdraw at the end of the season due to the league being switched to a summer competition and their pitch not being available during the cricket season.


2010–11 National Conference League, 2011 transitional season
Between August 2011 and November 2011, a short transitional season was played in preparation for the switch to a summer competition in 2012. Two new teams, Askam and Widnes West Bank, joined the competition, increasing the number of teams to 40. The league was split into eight groups of five teams based in geographical location (due to the subsequent withdrawal of West Bowling, Group G only consisted of four teams). The play-offs were contested by the eight group winners. The league champions were Hunslet Warriors, who defeated Wigan St Patricks 18–14 in the play-off final after extra time.


2010–11 National First Division
2010–11 National First Division, was the season from September 2010 until May 2011, of South Africa's second tier of professional football. The overall NFD champion was promoted to the first level, known as Premier Soccer League (PSL). While the losing team of the championship final, faced a round robin playoff stage, against the second lowest ranked team of PSL and the two second ranked teams of the NFD streams.


2010–11 National First Division, Season structure
The league is made up of 16 teams, split into 2 streams. Each team plays the other 7 teams in their stream 3 times, for a total of 21 games. Teams receive 3 points for a win, 1 for draw, and 0 for a loss. At the end of the season, the top ranked team from each stream play in a two-legged final, the winner of which is crowned National First Division Champion, and gains automatic promotion to the Premier Soccer League for the next season.


2010–11 National First Division, Season structure
The loser of the final, along with the teams which came second in their streams, and the 15th placed PSL team, go into the PSL promotion play-offs. The two teams finishing in last place in their streams are automatically relegated to the Vodacom League. They are replaced by the finalists of the Vodacom League championship game.


2010–11 National First Division, League standings, Post season, NFD Final
The winner of the two streams, Bay United and Jomo Cosmos will meet and play a two legged tie, on May 14 and May 22, to determine the overall 2010-11 NFD championship. The NFD champion will gain an automatic promotion to the PSL. While the looser of the NFD Final will get a second chance to promote to PSL, at the Promotion Play Offs.


2010–11 National First Division, League standings, Post season, Promotion play offs
The losing team of the NFD Final (Bay United), together with both runnerups of the NFD streams (Thanda Royal Zulu and Black Leopards), and finally the second lowest ranked team of PSL (Vasco da Gama), entered into the Promotion play offs. This play off competition, was played as a cup with two legged matches, with an unseeded draw to decide the fixtures. The two semifinals were scheduled to be played simultaneously at May 25 and 29.


2010–11 National First Division, League standings, Post season, Promotion play offs
Due to Black Leopards having qualified for the 2011 Nedbank Cup final at May 28, the two semifinals were however rescheduled, to be played at June 8 and 11. A two legged final with the two winning teams from the semifinal, was played on June 15 and 18. Only the winner of the Promotion play off final was get promoted to play the next season in PSL.


2010–11 National League 1
The 2010–11 National League 1 is the second season of  the third division of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. Coventry find themselves playing in this league following their relegation from the 2009-10 RFU Championship while teams coming up include Macclesfield (2009–10 National League 2 North), Barking and Rosslyn Park (both 2009–10 National League 2 South).


2010–11 National League 1
Despite losing three out of their first four games, London Scottish would go on to win the league title by winning twenty-six games on the trot and finishing ahead of newly promoted Barking. They actually trailed Barking for most of the season, with a rearranged Christmas fixture meaning that they would face the Goresbrook-based side in the final game. London Scottish won this game 17 - 13 to become the champions and seal promotion to the 2011–12 RFU Championship.


2010–11 National League 1
At the other end of the table relegated teams included Launceston (who were unable to overcome a 20-point deduction given at the start of the season due to going into voluntary liquidation), Otley and Redruth. Launceston and Redruth would drop to the 2011–12 National League 2 South, with at least the consolation of having the Cornish derby for next season, while Otley dropped to the 2011–12 National League 2 North.


2010–11 National League 1, Season records, Team
75 - 7 Barking at home to Sedgley Park on 16 April 2011


2010–11 National League 1, Season records, Team
40 - 3 London Scottish away to Blaydon on 5 February 2011


2010–11 National League 1, Season records, Team
78 - 23 Cambridge at home to Sedgley Park on 30 April 2011


2010–11 National League 1, Season records, Team
Cambridge at home to Sedgley Park on 30 April 2011


2010–11 National League 1, Season records, Player
Henry Staff for Barking at home to Sedgley Park on 16 April 2011


2010–11 National League 1, Season records, Player
James Stephenson for Blackheath at home to Otley on 25 September 2010 Scott Shaw for Barking at home to Sedgley Park on 16 April 2011 Jeff Gregson for Coventry at home to Tynedale on 30 April 2011


2010–11 National League 1, Season records, Player
Ben Spencer for Cambridge at home to Sedgley Park on 30 April 2011


2010–11 National League 1, Season records, Player
James Brown for London Scottish away to Tynedale on 29 January 2011


2010–11 National League 1, Season records, Attendances
Blackheath at home to London Scottish on 30 April 2011


2010–11 National League 2 North
The 2010–11 National League 2 North was the second season (twenty-fourth overall) of the fourth tier (north) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National League 1 while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National League 2 South (at the home ground of the club with the superior league record) for the final promotion place.


2010–11 National League 2 North
The league title ended up going to Fylde who finished 14 points clear of runners up Loughborough Students - quite a turnaround for a team that finished 9th the season before. Although there were 14 points between the two sides, Fylde actually only won one more game, but in the end it was the accumulating of bonus points that really pulled the Lancashire side clear, as they claimed 28 to Loughborough Students 23 (almost one a game).


2010–11 National League 2 North
As well as being the best team in the division Fylde also pulled in the most fans with almost 14,000 supporters attending Woodlands over the course of the season (a great record for a division which had seen dwindling attendances over the years).


2010–11 National League 2 North
Loughborough Students did have a second chance to go up against the 2010–11 National League 2 South runners up Jersey, but lost heavily away at St.  Peter in front of a large crowd of over 3,000, to consign the Students to another year in National League 2 North, in what was their second playoff defeat in a row.


2010–11 National League 2 North
At the bottom of the table, Manchester had another shocking season, comfortably the worst team in the division with no points (not even bonus points) occurred with almost 2,000 points conceded, and suffering their fourth consecutive relegation since they dropped from the 2008–09 National Division One (now the Championship) in what was the worst overall league performance in the division since league rugby began. Rugby Lions were little better, with two of their three wins coming against the hapless Manchester, going down as the second relegated team with just 20 points, for what was their second relegation in a row.


2010–11 National League 2 North
The final spot was far more competitive, with five teams separated by just 2 points but in a dramatic final game (which had been rescheduled from February), Hull Ionians managed to beat Morley away from home 27 - 25 and send the newly promoted Maroons back to their former league. Manchester and Rugby Lions would drop down to National League 3 North while Rugby Lions fell to National League 3 Midlands.


2010–11 National League 2 North, Participating teams and locations
Twelve of the teams listed below participated in the 2009–10 National League 2 North season; Manchester and Nuneaton were relegated from the 2009–10 National League 1 while Luctonians came up as playoff winners from National League 3 Midlands along with Morley who were champions of National League 3 North. Ampthill had finished 2009-10 as champions of National League 3 Midlands and would have joined National League 2 North or the 2010–11 National League 2 South had they not been found in breach of regulations during a league game which cost them both the league title and promotion.


2010–11 National League 2 North, Results, Promotion Play-Off
Each season, the runners-up in the National League 2 North and National League 2 South participate in a play-off for promotion into National League 1. Jersey were runners-up in the South and would host the game as they had a better record in the league in comparison to the North runners up Loughborough Students.


2010–11 National League 2 North, Season records, Team
118 - 0  Fylde at home to Manchester on 16 April 2011


2010–11 National League 2 North, Season records, Team
92 - 6  Fylde away to Manchester on 26 February 2011


2010–11 National League 2 North, Season records, Team
Caldy at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 11 December 2010


2010–11 National League 2 North, Season records, Team
Nuneaton at home to Leicester Lions on 11 September 2010Preston Grasshoppers at home to Hull Ionians on 16 October 2010


2010–11 National League 2 North, Season records, Player
Gavin Roberts for Caldy at home to Manchester on 2 April 2011


2010–11 National League 2 North, Season records, Player
Gareth Collins for Leicester Lions at home to Hull Ionians on 13 November 2010


2010–11 National League 2 North, Season records, Player
Stephen Collins for Fylde at home to Manchester on 16 April 2011


2010–11 National League 2 North, Season records, Player
Richard Vasey for Caldy at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 11 December 2010


2010–11 National League 2 North, Season records, Player
Lee Chapman for Nuneaton at home to Leicester Lions on 11 September 2010 Mark Edwards for Preston Grasshoppers at home to Hull Ionians on 16 October 2010


2010–11 National League 2 North, Season records, Attendances
Fylde at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 11 September 2010


2010–11 National League 2 North, Season records, Attendances
Huddersfield at home to Hull Ionians on 11 December 2010


2010–11 National League 2 South
The 2010–11 National League 2 South was the second season (24th overall) of the fourth tier of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National League 1 while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National League 2 North (at the home ground of the club with the superior league record) for the final promotion place.


2010–11 National League 2 South
Ealing Trailfinders finished the season as champions pipping newly promoted Jersey to the title by just four points in a season where both sides dominated the league. Jersey did join Ealing in the 2011–12 National League 1 by beating the 2010–11 National League 2 North runners up Loughborough Students in a playoff game watched by 3,000 fans in Saint Peter, Jersey.


2010–11 National League 2 South
At the opposite end of the table, Newbury Blues had a terrible season, suffering a third consecutive relegation dropping to National League 3 South West, having won just one game and conceded over 2,000 points (a divisional all-time worst which also included a record 132–0 defeat by Old Albanian). Joining Newbury in relegation would be Hinckley who dropped to National League 3 Midlands, while the third and final place went to the wire with relegation rivals Canterbury and Westcombe Park meeting in a rescheduled game on the 7 May 2011 – a week after the season had finished.


2010–11 National League 2 South
Westcombe Park won 25–18 at Canterbury to condemn the Kent side to National League 3 London & SE. The season was also notable for the incredible try scoring feats of Ealing Trailfinders winger Phil Chesters who scored an amazing 70 tries in 27 games – an English league record, as well as the dedicated support for Jersey who had regular attendances of over a thousand – outstanding for tier 4. Chesters also became the first top try scorer in the league to also become the top points scorer as well.


2010–11 National League 2 South, Participating teams
Eleven of the teams listed below participated in the 2009–10 National League 2 South season; Newbury Blues were relegated from National League 1, Jersey (champions) and Old Albanian (playoffs) were promoted from National League 3 London & SE while Taunton were promoted from National League 3 South West. In order to address an imbalance between divisions – Hinckley were transferred from National League 2 North having achieved a late promotion from National League 3 Midlands as a consequence of Ampthill being stripped of that divisions title due to a breach of RFU rules.


2010–11 National League 2 South, Results, Promotion play-off
Each season, the runners-up in the National League 2 South and National League 2 North participate in a play-off for promotion into National League 1. Jersey were runners-up in the South and would host the game as they had a better record in the league in comparison to the North runners up Loughborough Students.


2010–11 National League 2 South, Season records, Team
132–0 Old Albanian at home to Newbury Blues on 26 March 2011


2010–11 National League 2 South, Season records, Team
90–10 Ealing Trailfinders away to Newbury on 22 January 2011


2010–11 National League 2 South, Season records, Team
Jersey at home to Newbury Blues on 6 November 2011Ealing Trailfinders at home to Hinckley on 12 March 2011Old Albanian at home to Newbury Blues on 26 March 2011


2010–11 National League 2 South, Season records, Team
Old Albanian at home to Newbury Blues on 26 March 2011Ealing Trailfinders at home to Lydney on 30 April 2011


2010–11 National League 2 South, Season records, Team
Dings Crusaders at home to Southend on 6 November 2011


2010–11 National League 2 South, Season records, Player
Richard Gregg for Old Albanian at home to Newbury Blues on 26 March 2011


2010–11 National League 2 South, Season records, Player
Phil Chesters for Ealing Trailfinders at home to Newbury Blues on 2 October 2010 Phil Chesters for Ealing Trailfinders at home to Lydney on 30 April 2011


2010–11 National League 2 South, Season records, Player
Mitch Burton for Dings Crusaders at home to Southend on 6 November 2011