Thursday P.M. Hot Clicks: NFL's Best Conference Championship Games

NFL's Best Conference Championship GamesThe NFL conference championships are on Sunday and The MMQB's Andy Benoit has a great breakdown of both games. While

NFL's Best Conference Championship Games

The NFL's Best Conference Championship Games

Jan. 18, 2015 (NFC): Seahawks 28, Packers 22 (OT)

Robert Beck

The loudest stadium in America was silent and a return trip to the Super Bowl was slipping away as Seattle trailed Green Bay 16-0 at the half and 19-7 with about four minutes remaining. Plagued by turnovers and outplayed much of the day, the Seahawks staged a stunning rally built on resilience. Seattle recovered an onside kick with 2:09 remaining and Russell Wilson, who struggled until the final minutes with four interceptions, hit Jermaine Kearse for a 35-yard touchdown 3:19 into overtime to win it.

Jan. 19, 2014 (NFC): Seahawks 23, 49ers 17

Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/MCT via Getty Images

Richard Sherman did a CenturyLink Leap in the end zone, tipping Colin Kaepernick's pass intended for Michael Crabtree to Malcolm Smith for an interception with 22 seconds remaining. Even more memorable was Sherman trashing Crabtree in a postgame interview with Erin Andrews.

Jan. 20, 2013 (NFC): 49ers 28, Falcons 24

David Bergman

Frank Gore scored a pair of touchdowns, Vernon Davis hauled in five passes for 106 yards and a score, and Colin Kaepernick guided San Francisco on a pair of second-half scoring drives as the Niners overcame an early 17-0 deficit to beat the Falcons in Atlanta.

Jan. 22, 2012 (AFC): Patriots 23, Ravens 20

Al Tielemans; Jim Rogash/Getty Images

The Ravens should have won it. Then they should have tied it. Baltimore did neither, and the Patriots escaped with a 23-20 win. Ravens wide receiver Lee Evans had the game-winning touchdown in his hands with 22 seconds left before New England cornerback Sterling Moore jarred the ball free. Then Billy Cundiff shanked a 32-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining, locking up the Patriots' rematch with the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI.

Jan. 22, 2012 (NFC): Giants 20, 49ers 17 (OT)

Robert Beck; Peter Read Miller

The Giants trailed the 49ers twice on the road, but New York rallied and won the game behind a stout defensive effort and two passing touchdowns from quarterback Eli Manning. After a back-and-forth contest in regulation, the game entered overtime tied at 17. But 49ers punt returner Kyle Williams, who muffed a punt in the fourth quarter to set up a Giants touchdown, fumbled a punt deep in San Francisco territory in overtime. The Giants kicked a field goal five plays later to win 20-17.

Jan. 24, 2010 (NFC): Saints 31, Vikings 28 (OT)

Bob Rosato

Favre threw away the NFC Championship for the second time in three years in 2010, getting intercepted late in regulation with Minnesota in position for a game-winning field goal attempt. New Orleans converted on the first possession of overtime, getting a 40-yarder from kicker Garrett Hartley to win 31-28.

Jan. 20, 2008 (NFC): Giants 23, Packers 20 (OT)

Peter Read Miller; John Biever

What a way to go out: Playing in a minus-24 degree wind chill, Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre's last pass as a Packer was an interception on the second play of overtime. The pick set up Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes—who had missed two fourth quarter kicks, including a 36-yarder as time expired—for his game-winning 47-yarder that made it 23-20.

Jan. 21, 2007 (AFC): Colts 38, Patriots 34

Amy Sancetta/AP

Peyton Manning and the Colts finally got the monkey off their backs in 2007, miraculously coming back from a 21-3 first half deficit to defeat longtime nemesis Tom Brady and the Patriots 38-34. Running back Joseph Addai capped the comeback, scoring with one minute left to give the Colts their first lead of the game.

Jan. 23, 2000 (NFC): Rams 11, Buccaneers 6

John Iacono

The defensively stout Bucs held the Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf" in check for most of the game, but Tampa Bay couldn't get a stop when it mattered most, giving up a touchdown with 4 minutes, 44 seconds left to lose 11-6.

Jan. 17, 1999 (NFC): Falcons 30, Vikings 27 (OT)

Vincent Muzik

Minnesota kicker Gary Anderson—who had not missed a kick all season—gave new life to the Falcons when he pushed a late 38-yarder that would've sealed the victory. Atlanta quarterback Chris Chandler took advantage of Anderson's miss, driving his team down the field and throwing a 16-yard touchdown to force overtime. The Falcons won on the fourth possession of the extra period, getting a 38-yard field goal from Morten Anderson to beat the Vikings 30-27.

Jan. 14, 1996 (AFC): Steelers 20, Colts 16

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images; George Tiedemann

Pittsburgh took the lead late in this back-and-forth game, getting a touchdown from running back Bam Morris to go up 20-16 with 1 minute, 34 seconds left. The Colts had a good shot at the end zone on their final drive, but wideout Aaron Bailey couldn't quite haul in Jim Harbaugh's 29-yard Hail Mary as time expired.

Jan. 14, 1996 (NFC): Cowboys 38, Packers 27

Peter Read Miller

Running back Emmitt Smith rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns to help the Cowboys overcome a 27-24 fourth quarter deficit to win 38-27. It was the third straight year Dallas eliminated the Packers from the playoffs.

Jan. 15, 1995 (AFC): Chargers 17, Steelers 13

Keith Srakocic/AP

The Chargers scored 14 unanswered points in the second half to upset the heavily favored Steelers. In one of the greatest games in his career, Junior Seau recorded 16 tackles while playing with a pinched nerve in his neck.

Jan. 20, 1991 (NFC): Giants 15, 49ers 13

Robert Riger/Getty Images; Paul Sakuma/AP

The Giants' defense—which had earlier knocked Joe Montana out of the game—came up huge with New York trailing 13-12 with 2 minutes, 36 seconds remaining, recovering 49er running back Roger Craig's fumble to set up the Giants' decisive drive. New York kicker Matt Bahr capped the final possession, nailing his fifth field goal as time expired to give the Giants a 15-13 victory.

Jan. 17, 1988 (AFC): Broncos 38, Browns 33

Mark Duncan/AP

It's been more than 25 years, but Cleveland fans are still cringing about "The Fumble." With the Browns trailing 38-31 with just over a minute left in the game, Cleveland running back Earnest Byner coughed up the ball on the Broncos' two-yard-line to send Denver to the Super Bowl.

Jan. 11, 1987 (AFC): Broncos 23, Browns 20 (OT)

AP; Tony Tomsic

Browns fans, avert your eyes. John Elway led the Broncos on "The Drive," a 98-yard, five minute masterpiece to tie Cleveland at 20 with 37 seconds left in regulation. The Broncos would go on to win in overtime, getting a 33-yard field goal from kicker Rich Karlis to win 23-20. It was the first of two consecutive gut-wrenching AFC championship defeats Denver would hand Cleveland.

Jan. 8, 1984 (NFC): Redskins 24, 49ers 21

Tony Triolo

Washington entered the fourth with a commanding 21-0 lead, but the 49ers mounted a furious comeback, tying the game at 21 with just over seven minutes left. The Redskins responded with a clinical 13-play, 78-yard drive that took six minutes off the clock and set up kicker Mark Moseley—who was 0-for-4 on field goals in the game—for his game-winning 25-yarder. Washington's John Riggins (44) rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

Jan. 10, 1982 (NFC): 49ers 28, Cowboys 27

Walter Iooss Jr

One of the most famous plays in NFL history, Dwight Clark's leaping, fingertip touchdown grab of a Joe Montana pass—forever known as "The Catch"—gave the 49ers a 28-27 lead over the Cowboys with just 51 seconds on the clock. San Francisco would go on to win the game and the Super Bowl.

Jan. 1, 1978 (AFC): Broncos 20, Raiders 17

AP

With his team down 7-3 in the third quarter, hard-hitting Raiders safety Jack Tatum appeared to force a Denver fumble on Oakland's two yard line. Unfortunately for the Raiders, the officials didn't see it that way, ruling that the Denver running back was down before the ball came out. The Broncos would score on the next play to take a 14-3 lead. They never gave it up; icing the game after Oakland made it 20-17 late in the fourth.

Jan. 4, 1976 (AFC): Steelers 16, Raiders 10

Walter Iooss Jr

What had been a defensive struggle turned into an offensive battle in the fourth quarter. The Steelers got on the board first in the final frame, getting a touchdown from Franco Harris to take a 10-0 lead. Oakland responded with a touchdown of its own, but Pittsburgh quickly cancelled it out to take a 16-7 lead. The Raiders cut their deficit to 16-10 with less than a minute left and recovered the ensuing onside kick, but came up 15 yards short on a Hail Mary attempt.

Dec. 29, 1969 (NFC): Vikings 14, Rams 10

Neil Leifer

Statistically, the Rams dominated this game. They outgained the Vikings 340 to 269, including more than double Minnesota's passing yards. But in the only statistic that matters—the final score—the Vikings came out on top 14-10. The critical sequence of the game came midway through the third quarter, when the Rams took the ball from their own one-yard line all the way to the Vikings' one-yard line. But a defensive stand by Minnesota, capped by a Wally Hilgenberg interception in the endzone, helped Fran Tarkenton's Vikings advance to the Super Bowl.

Dec. 29, 1968 (AFC): Jets 27, Raiders 23

AP

Joe Willie Namath's finest moment may never have happened if not for a gutsy performance after a self-inflicted night on the town, and a heads-up play by the Jets defense. Namath—according to urban legend—tied one on but good the night before the AFL championship game. Namath fought through the hangover well enough to toss three touchdown passes. It still took a Ralph Baker recovery of an errant Darryl Lamonica backward pass for the Jets to seal it, which ultimately led to the "guarantee" and win over the Colts in Super Bowl III.

Dec. 31, 1967 (NFC): Packers 21, Cowboys 17

Neil Leifer

A stone-cold classic, the Ice Bowl is remembered as one of the best games in NFL history. The rematch of the 1966 NFL Title Game pitted two of the game's best coaches, Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry, against each other and lived up to the substantial hype surrounding it, with Packers quarterback Bart Starr scoring a last second touchdown in -20 degree weather to give Green Bay a 21-17 win.

Jan. 1, 1967 (NFC): Packers 34, Cowboys 27

Neil Leifer

Ever wonder what NFL life would be like with the "Landry Trophy" instead of the Lombardi Trophy? Before the Ice Bowl, the Cowboys could have won this one. The Packers went up 14-0 at the Cotton Bowl. The upstart Cowboys closed to within 21-20 later. The Packers stretched it out again to 34-20. But with Dallas within 34-27, Don Meredith carried his team to a first-and-goal at the Packers' 2-yard-line. Before long it was fourth-and-goal at the two. Then the Pack's Tom Brown intercepted a pass in the end zone.

The NFL conference championships are on Sunday and The MMQB's Andy Benoit has a great breakdown of both games. While we're waiting on those to kick off, here's a look back at the NFL's Best Conference Championship games.

No Cheese For You

An important message to all the cheese-eaters living in Seattle: Douglas Schulze, the city manager of the City of Bainbridge Island in Kitsap County, Wash., has instituted a ban on cheese possession and consumption for tomorrow. The question is, can Green Bay fans survive a ban on coffee?

Major WAG Update

Irina Shayk, who wore this dress 20 months ago (I'm still not over it), is now single. According to reports in Spanish media, Shayk is no longer with longtime boyfriend Cristiano Ronaldo and was nowhere to be found on Monday when he won the Balloon d'Or Award. I say it's all the Ronaldo Yelling memes that finally broke her. If the news is true and she's indeed single, I have the perfect guy for her. 

STYLE: Washington Wizards @MGortat sporting a well-tailored suit.. http://t.co/7u1Er6ekNZ pic.twitter.com/WJBN1lHcB4

— More Than Stats (@MoreThanStats) January 15, 2015

Throwback Lovely Lady of the Day

SI Swimsuit season is here. The 2015 issue comes out in just over four weeks and then it's off to Nashville for launch week. In the meantime, here's the cover girl of the 2005 issue, Carolyn Murphy, who earns Throwback LLOD honors this week (click here for full-size gallery). 

Barefoot Runner of the Day

Congrats to marathon runner Eddie Vega, who ran 2,646.2 (101 full marathons), without shoes in 2014. While I agree that he's a little nutty for doing this, Vega raised over $12,000 for Soles4Souls, a program that donates shoes and clothing in order to combat global poverty.

Concession Food Item of the Week

Going to The Link for Seahawks-Packers? Try The Bam Bam Kam Turkey Leg, an enormous turkey leg branded with No. 31 in honor of Kam Chancellor. 

Jim Harbaugh Wins Twitter

So I just met jim Harbaugh this is the best day of my CC life #theCCdifference pic.twitter.com/LWGbZZMWnX

— Ada〽️ (@Starkshark7) January 15, 2015

@Starkshark7 Who grabbed my ass?

— Jím Harbaugh (@CoachJimForUM) January 15, 2015

Update (4:01 p.m.): This response is from a fake Jim Harbaugh Twitter account. They fooled me. I apologize.

Two Bulldogs Go to a Restaurant

Jack and @butlerblue3 discuss #BigEast hoops, treat preferences. You know, bulldog stuff. http://t.co/c0hP2iT6bx pic.twitter.com/reiWBf1WTo

— Jack the Bulldog (@GeorgetownJack) January 15, 2015

For Movie Fans

Betting markets (mostly) nailed the #OscarNoms. http://t.co/UTuyUME5Wp pic.twitter.com/5CCxqHlHwS

— FiveThirtyEight (@FiveThirtyEight) January 15, 2015

Magic Johnson Burke 

Odds & Ends

Good piece on former college and pro football players getting work in Hollywood as body doubles for big NFL stars ... The Raptors are making plans to sign Andrew Wiggins as a free agent in 2021 ... Not sure what to make of Carlos Martinez's new haircut ... From the SI Vault: Frank Deford's 1981 profile of Bob Knight ... Super Bowl tickets are averaging over $3,000 ... The cast of Wet Hot American Summer has been finalized (and it includes the highly underrated Lake Bell) ... The Top 75 TV theme songs from the '80s and '90s ... Ten ways to upgrade your hot chocolate.

Do Your Job

Bill Belichick gives his struggling defense a pep talk in the second half of Sunday's Patriots-Ravens game.

Let it Tank

Kobe Bryant stars in the animated Frozen parody, Let it Tank. (H/T Bleacher Report)

Fans Getting Owned

Mandatory.com created this great super cut of fans running onto the field and getting owned.

Price is Right Fail

George Gray (no relation) tries to get too fancy while describing a product.

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