The divisional round is a wrap, and the heavyweights have advanced. The Kansas City Chiefs will host the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, while the New Orleans Saints will host the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game next Sunday. We had two blowouts and two interesting games, and here’s hoping next week brings a little more entertainment.
Saturday saw Patrick Mahomes look like a savvy veteran in the Chiefs win. He did not throw any touchdown passes but he made a host of great throws, with his three-quarters and side-armed passes quickly becoming the stuff of legend. The Colts had their chances to get back in the game, but a Dee Ford strip sack and general inconsistency kept them from getting back in the game.
They’ll host a Patriots team that absolutely destroyed the Los Angeles Chargers. The two teams exchanged touchdowns to open the game, and then New England ran off 31 straight points to put this thing entirely out of reach. It was their best performance of the season and is timely as they head to face the high-flying Chiefs.
The NFC brought two moderately interesting matchups, but the favorites held on in both. The Rams ran over the Cowboys on Saturday, becoming the first team since the 2012 49ers to have two players each rush for 100+ yards in a playoff game. The Cowboys tried to fight back from a 23-7 deficit, and cut the lead to eight. They had the ball but couldn’t make anything happen and fell to the Rams.
The Saints fell behind the Eagles 14-0 in the first quarter, but stormed back to win 20-14. The Eagles had a shot for some Nick Foles magic in the final few minutes, but he threw an interception at the two-minute mark. The Saints ran out the clock to advance.
The NFC Championship Game is set for 12:05 p.m. PT on Sunday, Jan. 20th on FOX in New Orleans. The AFC Championship Game will take place in Kansas City. It is set for 3:40 p.m. PT on the same day, but on CBS.