FOUR
TEAMS REMAIN AS NFL ENTERS CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND
The
final four teams are set and this Sunday will determine the two teams heading
to Houston for Super Bowl LI.
| Visitor | Home | Time | Network |
NFC Championship Game | Green Bay Packers | Atlanta Falcons | 3:05 PM ET | FOX |
AFC Championship Game | Pittsburgh Steelers | New England Patriots | 6:40 PM ET | CBS |
Championship
Sunday begins with the NFC title game between the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta
Falcons in the final NFL game at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated Seattle
36-20 in the Divisional round and the Packers knocked off the top-seeded
Cowboys 34-31. The teams met in Week 8 (October 30, 2016) with the Falcons
notching a 33-32 victory.
The
AFC Championship Game will feature the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots,
the fifth postseason meeting between the clubs and the third in a row that will
occur in the AFC Championship Game. In the Divisional Playoffs, the Steelers
knocked off the Chiefs 18-16 and the Patriots defeated the Texans 34-16.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (12-6)
at ATLANTA FALCONS (12-5) (Sunday, FOX, 3:05 PM ET)
- This
is the fourth postseason meeting between the teams and the first since the 2010
season. Green Bay has won two of the previous three playoff meetings, including
a 48-21 win over Atlanta on January 15, 2011.
- The
Packers lead the all-time series 17-14 (including the postseason). Green Bay
has won four of the past five meetings. Atlanta won the last contest between
the clubs, knocking off the Packers 33-32 at the Georgia Dome in Week 8
(October 30, 2016).
- The
Packers are 11-5 (.688) all-time in NFC/NFL Championship Games and the team’s
11 victories are the most in NFL history. Green Bay is making its first NFC
Championship Game appearance since the 2014 season (January 18, 2015) when the
Packers lost 28-22 in overtime at Seattle.
- Green
Bay defeated Dallas 34-31 last week in the Divisional Playoffs. It marked their
34th postseason victory, tied with the Cowboys for the most by an NFC team.
- Packers
head coach MIKE MC CARTHY won his
10th career postseason game last week, the most in franchise history.
- The
Packers have won eight consecutive games, outscoring opponents 257-156 during
that span.
- Packers
quarterback AARON RODGERS, who has
passed for at least 350 yards and multiple touchdowns in both playoff games this
season, has a 100.1 career postseason passer rating, one of four quarterbacks
in NFL history to have a 100+ rating (minimum 150 attempts).
- Rodgers completed a 25+ yard pass to five
different receivers last week – WR
DAVANTE ADAMS, WR GERONIMO ALLISON, WR RANDALL COBB, TE JARED
COOK & TE RICHARD RODGERS.
- Green
Bay kicker MASON CROSBY made a
56-yard field goal with 1:33 remaining and converted the game-winning 51-yarder
as time expired. The 51-yard field goal was the longest game-winning field goal
in NFL postseason history and Crosby is the first player in league annals to
make two 50+ yard field goals in the final two minutes of a playoff game.
- Packers
running back TY MONTGOMERY rushed
for two touchdowns in the first half last week to become only the second Green
Bay player to rush for multiple TDs in the first half of a playoff game (RYAN GRANT, January 12, 2008).
- The
Packers had three players selected to the Pro Bowl: safety HA HA CLINTON-DIX (first), guard T.J. LANG (first) and quarterback Rodgers (sixth).
- The
Falcons have advanced to the NFC Championship Game for the fourth time in
franchise history. Atlanta is making its first appearance in the NFC
Championship Game since the 2012 season (January 20, 2013) when the Falcons
lost 28-24 to San Francisco at the Georgia Dome.
- Atlanta
defeated Seattle 36-20 last week in the Divisional Playoffs. It marked the
first career postseason victory for second-year head coach DAN QUINN.
- Atlanta
led the NFL with 540 points scored during the regular season, the first time in
franchise history the Falcons have ranked No. 1 in that category. Including
last week’s Divisional Playoff game, Atlanta has scored a touchdown on its
first possession in each of the past seven games.
- Falcons
quarterback MATT RYAN completed 26
of 37 passes (70.3 percent) for 338 yards with three touchdowns and no
interceptions for a 125.7 passer rating in last week’s victory. Ryan has posted
a passer rating of at least 120 in each of his past five games and has 14
touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 131.8 passer rating during that span.
- Ryan has thrown at least three TD passes in three consecutive
playoff games, tied for the longest streak in NFL history.
- During
the regular season, Ryan threw a
touchdown pass to 13 different players, the most in a season in NFL history.
- Falcons
wide receiver JULIO JONES was the
only player in the NFL this season to average at least 100 receiving yards per
game (100.6). Jones tied for the team-lead with six receiving touchdowns and
had a touchdown catch last week.
- Atlanta
linebacker VIC BEASLEY JR. led the
NFL with a career-high 15.5 sacks.
- Atlanta
had six players selected to the Pro Bowl: linebacker Beasley (first), kicker MATT
BRYANT (first), running back DEVONTA
FREEMAN (second), wide receiver Jones
(fourth), center ALEX MACK (fourth)
and quarterback Ryan (fourth).
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (13-5) at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (15-2)
(Sunday, CBS, 6:40 PM ET)
- This
is the fifth postseason meeting between the teams and the third in a row that
will occur in the AFC Championship Game. New England has won three of the four
playoff meetings against Pittsburgh, including the past two to advance to the
Super Bowl. The Patriots defeated the Steelers 41-27 in the 2004 AFC
Championship Game (January 23, 2005) and 24-17 in the 2001 AFC Championship
Game (January 27, 2002). New England won the Super Bowl both of those years.
- The
Steelers lead the all-time series 15-14 (including the postseason). The
Patriots have won the past three meetings, including victories in each of the
past two regular seasons. New England knocked off Pittsburgh 28-21 to open the
2015 regular season (September 10, 2015) and defeated the Steelers 27-16 in
Week 7 earlier this year (October 23, 2016).
- Pittsburgh
will play in the team’s 16th Championship Game, the most since the 1970 merger.
The Steelers have won eight AFC Championship Games, tied with Denver and New
England for the most ever.
- Pittsburgh
defeated Kansas City 18-16 in last week’s Divisional Playoffs. It marked the
Steelers’ 36th postseason victory, the most in NFL history.
- Steelers
head coach MIKE TOMLIN won his 8th
career postseason game and looks to lead the Steelers to the Super Bowl for the
third time in his career.
- Pittsburgh
running back LE’VEON BELL rushed for
170 yards last week and is the first player in NFL history to rush for at least
150 yards in each of his first two postseason games. Bell, who had 167 rushing
yards and two touchdowns in the Wild Card win against Miami, has the two
highest single-game rushing performances in franchise postseason history.
- Steelers
wide receiver ANTONIO BROWN had six
catches for 108 yards last week against the Chiefs, his fourth consecutive
playoff game with at least 100 receiving yards. Brown is tied with LARRY FITZGERALD (four in the 2008
playoffs) for the longest streak of consecutive playoff games with at least 100
receiving yards.
- Pittsburgh
quarterback BEN ROETHLISBERGER has
now won 13 of his 19 career postseason starts and will play in his fifth AFC
Championship Game.
- Steelers
kicker CHRIS BOSWELL made all six
field-goal attempts in last week’s win at Kansas City, the most field goals
made in a single postseason game in NFL history.
- Pittsburgh
had five players selected to the Pro Bowl: running back Bell (second), wide receiver Brown
(fifth), guard DAVID DE CASTRO (second), center MAURKICE POUNCEY (fifth) and
quarterback Roethlisberger (fifth).
- New
England has advanced to its sixth consecutive AFC Championship Game and are the
first team since the 1970 merger to advance to six Conference Championship
Games in a row.
- The
Patriots have won eight AFC Championship Games, tied with Denver and Pittsburgh
for the most ever. New England is 5-1 all-time in AFC Championship Games played
at home.
- The
Patriots defeated Houston 34-16 last week in the Divisional Playoffs. Patriots
head coach BILL BELICHICK and
quarterback TOM BRADY have won 23
postseason games together, the most in NFL history by a head coach and starting
quarterback combination. In fact, no other head coach and starting quarterback
have even participated in that many games together.
- Belichick has advanced to 11 Conference
Championship Games, the most by a head coach since the 1970 merger.
- Brady has 23 career playoff wins, the most by any starting
quarterback in NFL history. Brady is also the NFL postseason leader in career
completions (756), attempts (1,221), passing yards (8,244) and touchdown passes
(58).
- Patriots
running back DION LEWIS had a
13-yard touchdown reception, a 98-yard kickoff-return touchdown and a one-yard
touchdown run in the Divisional Playoffs. Lewis, who was making his postseason
debut, is the only player in NFL history to have a rushing touchdown, a
receiving touchdown and a kickoff-return touchdown in a single playoff game.
- New
England wide receiver JULIAN EDELMAN
had eight catches for 137 yards against Houston. Edelman has 76 career
postseason catches with the Patriots, the most in franchise history.
- Cornerback
LOGAN RYAN and safeties DEVIN MC COURTY and DURON HARMON each had an interception
last week against Houston.
- The
Patriots had four players selected to the Pro Bowl: quarterback Brady (12th), linebacker DONT’A HIGHTOWER (first), safety McCourty (third) and special teamer MATTHEW SLATER (sixth).
FINAL 2016 NFL
STANDINGS
American Football
Conference |
East Division |
Team | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA | Home | Away | Conf | Div | Streak |
z-New
England Patriots | 14 | 2 | 0 | .875 | 441 | 250 | 6-2-0 | 8-0-0 | 11-1-0 | 5-1-0 | 7W |
x-Miami
Dolphins | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 363 | 380 | 6-2-0 | 4-4-0 | 7-5-0 | 4-2-0 | 1L |
Buffalo
Bills | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 399 | 378 | 4-4-0 | 3-5-0 | 4-8-0 | 1-5-0 | 2L |
New
York Jets | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 275 | 409 | 2-6-0 | 3-5-0 | 4-8-0 | 2-4-0 | 1W |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
North Division |
Team | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA | Home | Away | Conf | Div | Streak |
y-Pittsburgh
Steelers | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 399 | 327 | 6-2-0 | 5-3-0 | 9-3-0 | 5-1-0 | 7W |
Baltimore
Ravens | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 343 | 321 | 6-2-0 | 2-6-0 | 7-5-0 | 4-2-0 | 2L |
Cincinnati
Bengals | 6 | 9 | 1 | .406 | 325 | 315 | 4-3-1 | 2-6-0 | 5-7-0 | 3-3-0 | 1W |
Cleveland
Browns | 1 | 15 | 0 | .063 | 264 | 452 | 1-7-0 | 0-8-0 | 1-11-0 | 0-6-0 | 1L |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
South Division |
Team | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA | Home | Away | Conf | Div | Streak |
y-Houston
Texans | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 279 | 328 | 7-1-0 | 2-6-0 | 7-5-0 | 5-1-0 | 1L |
Tennessee
Titans | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 381 | 378 | 5-3-0 | 4-4-0 | 6-6-0 | 2-4-0 | 1W |
Indianapolis
Colts | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 411 | 392 | 4-4-0 | 4-4-0 | 5-7-0 | 3-3-0 | 1W |
Jacksonville
Jaguars | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 318 | 400 | 2-6-0 | 1-7-0 | 2-10-0 | 2-4-0 | 1L |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
West Division |
Team | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA | Home | Away | Conf | Div | Streak |
y-Kansas
City Chiefs | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 389 | 311 | 6-2-0 | 6-2-0 | 9-3-0 | 6-0-0 | 2W |
x-Oakland
Raiders | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 416 | 385 | 6-2-0 | 6-2-0 | 9-3-0 | 3-3-0 | 1L |
Denver
Broncos | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 333 | 297 | 5-3-0 | 4-4-0 | 6-6-0 | 2-4-0 | 1W |
San
Diego Chargers | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 410 | 423 | 3-5-0 | 2-6-0 | 4-8-0 | 1-5-0 | 5L |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
National Football
Conference |
East Division |
Team | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA | Home | Away | Conf | Div | Streak |
z-Dallas
Cowboys | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 421 | 306 | 7-1-0 | 6-2-0 | 9-3-0 | 3-3-0 | 1L |
x-New
York Giants | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 310 | 284 | 7-1-0 | 4-4-0 | 8-4-0 | 4-2-0 | 1W |
Washington
Redskins | 8 | 7 | 1 | .531 | 396 | 383 | 4-4-0 | 4-3-1 | 6-6-0 | 3-3-0 | 1L |
Philadelphia
Eagles | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 367 | 331 | 6-2-0 | 1-7-0 | 5-7-0 | 2-4-0 | 2W |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
North Division |
Team | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA | Home | Away | Conf | Div | Streak |
y-Green
Bay Packers | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 432 | 388 | 6-2-0 | 4-4-0 | 8-4-0 | 5-1-0 | 6W |
x-Detroit
Lions | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 346 | 358 | 6-2-0 | 3-5-0 | 7-5-0 | 3-3-0 | 3L |
Minnesota
Vikings | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 327 | 307 | 5-3-0 | 3-5-0 | 5-7-0 | 2-4-0 | 1W |
Chicago
Bears | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 279 | 399 | 3-5-0 | 0-8-0 | 3-9-0 | 2-4-0 | 4L |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
South Division |
Team | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA | Home | Away | Conf | Div | Streak |
y-Atlanta
Falcons | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 540 | 406 | 5-3-0 | 6-2-0 | 9-3-0 | 5-1-0 | 4W |
Tampa
Bay Buccaneers | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 354 | 369 | 4-4-0 | 5-3-0 | 7-5-0 | 4-2-0 | 1W |
New
Orleans Saints | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 469 | 454 | 4-4-0 | 3-5-0 | 6-6-0 | 2-4-0 | 1L |
Carolina
Panthers | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 369 | 402 | 4-4-0 | 2-6-0 | 5-7-0 | 1-5-0 | 2L |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
West Division |
Team | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA | Home | Away | Conf | Div | Streak |
y-Seattle
Seahawks | 10 | 5 | 1 | .656 | 354 | 292 | 7-1-0 | 3-4-1 | 6-5-1 | 3-2-1 | 1W |
Arizona
Cardinals | 7 | 8 | 1 | .469 | 418 | 362 | 4-3-1 | 3-5-0 | 6-5-1 | 4-1-1 | 2W |
Los
Angeles Rams | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 224 | 394 | 1-7-0 | 3-5-0 | 3-9-0 | 2-4-0 | 7L |
San
Francisco 49ers | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 309 | 480 | 1-7-0 | 1-7-0 | 2-10-0 | 2-4-0 | 1L |
x - Clinched Playoffs; y - Clinched Division; z
- Clinched Conference
2016 CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES SCHEDULE
SUNDAY,
JANUARY 22
(All times
ET)
Sunday, January 22 |
Green
Bay at Atlanta, 3:05 PM (FOX) Pittsburgh
at New England, 6:40 PM (CBS) |