We now know the AFC and NFC teams that will battle for not only their respective championships, but for their spot in Super Bowl XLIX in Arizona. Each of these teams has proven that they are elite in some fashion, whether that be strong play throughout their last matchup, or a game defining play that changed the momentum of a team leading them to victory.
Ravens at Patriots: Final Score Patriots 35-31
This game was an all out battle for their spot in the AFC Title game. There is no love loss between these two teams considering most of their games have major playoff implications either in the regular season or in the postseason. Over the past 4 years, the two teams have played each other twice in the postseason, resulting in one of them representing the AFC in that years Super Bowl. There were many plays that could be considered for changing the game, including the Patriots interception in the end zone at the end of the game. The game changing play for me was the Tom Brady lateral to WR Julian Edelman, who would then throw a 51 yard touchdown to WR Danny Amendola. Until that play happened, not many people knew that in college, Edelman actually played QB at Kent State for 3 years. This pass near the end of the 3rd Quarter would tie the Pats with the Ravens at 28. With momentum on their side to start the 4th Quarter, the Patriots would only give up a field goal to their touchdown at the end of the game, sealing their win.
Panthers at Seahawks: Final Score Seahawks 31-17
Let's face it, the Panthers were lucky to be hear in the first place. Even though Carolina was only the second team in NFL history to enter the playoffs with a losing record (the other being the 2010 Seahawks), they would put up a fight until the very end. What stopped Carolina was the not only the Legion of Boom, but one member of the secondary, Kam Chancellor. With less than 6 minutes left in the 4th Quarter, Carolina QB Cam Newton would make a play that would seal the Panthers playoff fate. Newton would target TE Greg Olson on a slant route in the red zone. Chancellor would see the play and jump the route, not only intercepting the ball on the SEA 10, but take it back 90 yards for the Seahawks touchdown. This is the reason why the Seattle defense is ranked #1 for the second straight year.
Cowboys at Packers: Final Score Packers 26-21
This was arguably the best game of the weekend. Both teams showed up to play in the frigid cold and had exceptional performances on both sides of the ball, despite neither team being known for their defense. This game is known for the controversial call on Dallas WR Dez Bryant on a Dallas 4th and 2 play. QB Tony Romo would hike the ball and throw it to Bryant on a fly route in single coverage against Green Bay CB Sam Shields. Bryant would make what seemed to be a spectacular catch on the play, showing off why he is a top 5 receiver, leaping above Shields to get 2 hands on the ball. At first glance, this looked like a catch and would give Dallas 1st and Goal on the GB 1. Green Bay HC Mike McCarthy would use his second challenge of the half, despite having gone 0 for 6 on challenges all year, including one earlier in this game. That would not be the case on this call. On the replay, the refs would see that Bryant would go to the ground without maintaining possession and see the ball hit the ground, popping out of Bryant's hands before rolling into the end zone, catching it once again. People would argue that Bryant did maintain possession and get 2 feet down prior to the ball hitting the ground, but the refs would call that Bryant never had possession of the ball, therefore, making the valiant effort an incomplete pass and a turnover on downs.
Colts at Broncos: Final Score Colts 24-13
No one saw this coming. Going into the weekend, the teams that had a bye week were all favorites to win, but this was the only game where that prediction did not come true. This is also the only game that does not have a clear point where the game was decided or momentum shifted between teams. If it could be narrowed down to anything, I would be Denver QB Payton Manning not being effective on 3rd Down through the second half. Manning would go 3/8 on 3rd down passing and get 2 first downs out of these passes. The downside is that those 2 first downs would be for a combine 39 yards within the last minute of play. With the Colts having a 2 score lead, Manning could not make the a big play happen for his Broncos, crushing any hope of avenging last years slaughter in the Super Bowl.
Each losing team fought hard for the right to play in the Championship games, but alas, there can only be 4. So these questions: Can Andrew Luck lead his Colts to their 3rd Super Bowl appearance in the last 10 years? Will Aaron Rogers' calf hold up and keep him from going 0-3 against the Seahawks in the Russell Wilson era? Can Tom Brady get his 4th ring? Can the Legion of Boom hold the Packers top ranked offense to possibly be the first repeat champions since 2004?
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