50 Greatest AFC/NFC Championship Game Moments

Now, the NFL is down its final four as the Conference Championship Games will be played this Sunday.

Like I have done with the Wild Card and Divisional Rounds, I have compiled a list of what I believe are the 50 Greatest NFL Conference Championship Moments, which include AFL and NFL Championship Games from 1966-69, so basically championship games that decided who played in the Super Bowl.

There will be one notable omission is that the “Deflategate” controversy from last year’s AFC Championship Game because I wanted this list to be focused on the greatest plays, performances, and finishes in conference championship game history.

So, without further adieu, here are what I think are the 50 Greatest NFL Conference Championship Game Moments:

50. 2010 Packers-21 Bears-14

The two longtime rivals met in the playoffs for the only second time, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

Down 21-14 with 2:53 left in regulation, Bears quarterback Caleb Hennie, in relief of an injured Jay Cutler, leads his team from their own 29-yard-line to the Packers 29-yard-line until he is intercepted by Green Bay defensive back Sam Shields with 37 seconds to go, securing the Packers’ first trip to the Super Bowl in 13 years.

Sam Shields(37) makes the interception that secures the 21-14 victory for the Green Bay Packers over their longtime rival the Chicago Bears

49. 2003 Patriots-24 Colts-14

Patriots cornerback Ty Law intercepts Colts quarterback Peyton Manning three times in leading New England to its second Super Bowl appearance in three years.

But Law isn’t the only player to have three interceptions on this Championship Sunday as later that day...

Ty Law walks off the field with the ball after one of his three interceptions.

48. 2003 Panthers-14 Eagles-3

Panthers rookie cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. picks off three Donovan McNabb passes as Carolina goes to Philadelphia and shocks the Eagles, handing them their third straight loss in the NFC Championship Game.

Ricky Manning Jr. and Deon Grant(27) celebrate after one of Manning's three interceptions.

47. 2021 Rams-20 49ers-17

Trailing 17-7 to start the 4th quarter, Los Angeles score 13 unanswered points with Matt Gay kicking what turned out to be the game-winning field goal from 30 yards out with 1:46 remaining to send the Rams to their second Super Bowl in four years.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 31 of 45 passes for 337 yards and threw two touchdown passes in the 2021 NFC Championship Game.

46. 2018 Patriots-24 Jaguars-20

Tom Brady and the Patriots advance to the Super Bowl for the eighth time in 17 years as New England overcomes a 10-point deficit in the 4th quarter, with Brady throwing what would be the game-winning touchdown pass to Danny Amendola with 2:56 left in regulation.

Tom Brady completed nine of 14 passes for 107 yards and threw two touchdown passes in the 4th quarter of the Patriots' comeback win over the Jaguars.

45. 1994 49ers-38 Cowboys-28

The 49ers convert three Dallas turnovers into 21 points in the first 7:27 of the first quarter to jump out to a 21-0 lead and hold off Dallas’ comeback, led by Troy Aikman’s 380 passing yards and Michael Irvin’s 192 yards on 12 receptions, to knock off the Cowboys.

The win is especially sweet for 49ers quarterback Steve Young, who had not led the 49ers to the Super Bowl since taking over the starting job from Joe Montana.

Steve Young runs off the field after leading the 49ers to a victory over the Cowboys in the 1994 NFC Championship Game.

44. 2008 Steelers-23 Ravens-14

Trailing 16-14 with 4:39 to play and facing 3rd-and-13 at his own 29-yard-line, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is picked off by Steelers safety Troy Polamalu at the Baltimore 40, when then weaves through his way through to score a touchdown that ultimately puts the Ravens away and helps send the Steelers to their seventh Super Bowl ever.

43. 2001 Patriots-24 Steelers-17

After completing a 28-yard pass to Troy Brown on a 3rd-and-8, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is knocked out of the game with a sprained ankle.

He is replaced by Drew Bledsoe, who had not played since Week 2, and is able to drive the Patriots the remaining 40 yards for the touchdown as Bledsoe completes three passes for 36 yards, including the 11-yard touchdown.

It would be the last touchdown Bledsoe would ever throw for the Patriots but it proved to be the difference as New England upsets the Steelers to advance to the Super Bowl, where Brady would get the start.

Drew Bledsoe came in relief of an injured Tom Brady to lead the Patriots past the Steelers in the 2001 AFC Championship Game.

42. 1993 Cowboys-38 49ers-21

On the Thursday night before their rematch with the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson calls in a Fort Worth radio talk show and says “We will win the ballgame. And you can put that in three-inch headlines. We will win the ballgame.”

The Cowboys make Johnson look like a prophet as they easily dispatch of the 49ers, despite losing quarterback Troy Aikman to a concussion, to earn their second straight trip to the Super Bowl.

Emmitt Smith carried the ball 23 times for 88 yards and caught seven passes for 85 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Cowboys' 38-21 win over the 49ers.

41. 1993 Bills-30 Chiefs-13
Bills running back Thurman Thomas carries the ball 33 times for 186 yards and scores three touchdowns to lead the Bills to their record fourth straight Super Bowl.

Thurman Thomas had career postseason highs in carries, rushing yards, and touchdowns in the 1993 AFC Championship Game.

40. 2019 49ers-37 Packers-20
49ers running back Raheem Mostert runs for the most yards in a conference championship game as his 220 yards and four touchdowns lead San Francisco to a 37-20 win and their seventh NFC championship.

Raheem Mostert's 220 yards in the 2019 NFC Championship Game were the second most yards run for in a NFL playoff game.

39. 1984 Dolphins-45 Steelers-28

Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino throws for a conference championship game record 421 yards on 21 of 32 passes and connects on four touchdown passes to lead Miami to their second Super Bowl in three years.

Dan Marino became the first quarterback to throw for at least 400 yards in a conference championship game.

38. 2000 Giants-41 Vikings-0

In the most lopsided NFC Championship game ever, Giants quarterback Kerry Collins completes 28 of 39 passes for 381 yards and throws a championship game record five TD passes to lead the Giants to their first NFC title in 10 years.

In the first half alone, Kerry Collins completed 23-of-34 passes for 348 yards and threw four touchdown passes.

37. 1989 49ers-30 Rams-3

In another virtuoso performance, Joe Montana completes 26 of 30 passes for 262 yards and throws two touchdown passes as the 49ers rout the Rams to earn their fourth NFC championship in the 1980s.

In his three games during the 1989 Playoffs, Joe Montana threw 11 touchdown passes and zero interceptions and had a quarterback rating of 146.4.

36. 1980 Eagles-20 Cowboys-7

Wilbert Montgomery runs for the most yards in a conference championship game as his 194 yards on 26 carries and one touchdown leads the Eagles to their first ever Super Bowl appearance.

35. 1972 Dolphins-21 Steelers-17

After being out since Week 5 due to a broken ankle, Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese takes over as the starting Miami quarterback when he replaces Earl Morrall as the Dolphins trailed 10-7 early in the third quarter.

Griese promptly hits Paul Warfield for 52 yards on his first pass and leads the Dolphins to two 2nd half touchdowns to clinch their second straight trip to the Super Bowl and pushing their record to 16-0.

Bob Griese made his return to the lineup after missing 10 weeks with a broken ankle to lead the Dolphins to a win in the 1972 AFC Title Game.

34. 1987 Redskins-17 Vikings-10

With the ball at the Redskins’ six-yard-line and facing 4th-and-4 with 56 seconds left, Vikings quarterback Wade Wilson throws a pass toward the goal line intended for running back Darrin Nelson.

But Nelson bobbles the ball and the pass fall incomplete, allowing Washington to earn its third trip to the Super Bowl in six years.

33. 2008 Cardinals-32 Eagles-25

The 9-7 Cardinals complete their shocking run to the Super Bowl as they knock off the Eagles to earn their first NFC championship.

Arizona built a 24-6 halftime lead, thanks to three touchdown catches by Larry Fitzgerald, but the Eagles score 19 straight points and take their first lead of the game with 10:45 to play on a 62-yard touchdown pass from Donovan McNabb to DeSean Jackson.

However, the Cardinals respond with a 14-play, 74-yard drive that culminates with a eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kurt Warner to running back Tim Hightower with 2:59 left and then hold off the Eagles’ last attempt to tie the game as they force Philadelphia to turn it over on downs at the Cardinals’ 47-yard-line with less than two minutes left.

Kurt Warner was 21-of-28 for 279 yards and threw four touchdown passes in leading the Cardinals past the Eagles.

32. 1994 Chargers-17 Steelers-13

The underdog Chargers come back from a 13-3 3rd quarter deficit to take the lead, thanks to two touchdown passes by Stan Humphries, a 43-yarder to tight end Alfred Pupunu in the 3rd, then another 43-yarder to Tony Martin with 5:13 left in the game.

The Steelers drive to the Chargers’ three-yard-line where they face a 4th-and-goal when Chargers linebacker Dennis Gibson knocks down a pass intended for Barry Foster to secure San Diego its first trip to the Super Bowl.

31. 1985 Patriots-31 Dolphins-14

The Patriots picked the perfect time to get their first victory in the Orange Bowl after 18 straight losses as New England runs the ball 59 times for a combined 225 yards to knock off the Dolphins and became the first team in NFL history to win three road playoff games to get to the Super Bowl.

Raymond Berry is carried off the field after his Patriots defeated the Dolphins in the 1985 AFC Title Game.

30. 2023 49ers-34 Lions-31

The Detroit Lions appeared to be on their way to their first ever Super Bowl as they took a 24-7 halftime lead over the San Francisco 49ers, only to have the  49ers  score 27 straight points in the 2nd half as San Francisco overcomes the 17-point halftime deficit to win the game 34-31 and earn the Niners their eighth NFC Championship in team history.

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 267 yards and ran for 48 yards in leading San Francisco to a comeback win over the Lions.

29. 1982 Dolphins-14 Jets-0

Like the 1977 NFC Divisional Playoff between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams, this game is dubbed as the “Mud Bowl” as it is played on a wet, muddy field.

The Dolphins use the poor field conditions to their advantage as they pick off Jets quarterback Richard Todd five times, three of them by linebacker AJ Duhe.

One of Duhe’s interceptions sets up a seven-yard touchdown run by Woody Bennett and another is returned for a 35-yard touchdown to help send the Dolphins to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1973.

Jets fans lament to this day that Dolphins head coach Don Shula told the field crew at the Orange Bowl not to put the tarp on the field, negating the Jets’ speed at wide receiver and running back while emphasizing Miami’s advantage of a power running game and strong defense.

A.J.Duhe holds the balls up in the air as he scores a touchdown on a 35-yard intereception return.

28. 2002 Buccaneers-27 Eagles-10

It is known as “Black Sunday” in Philadelphia as the Eagles as lost to a team they had defeated four times in a row, including two straight playoff wins, who had never won a postseason game on the road and had never won a game where the kickoff temperature was below 32 degrees(It was 26 degrees at kickoff).

But the Buccaneers shock the Eagles to earn their first trip to the Super Bowl with Ronde Barber driving the nail in the coffin with his 92-yard interception return for a touchdown with 3:12 remaining in the final game played in Veterans Stadium.

27. 2015 Broncos-20 Patriots-18

The final game of the Tom Brady-Peyton Manning rivalry goes to Manning as he throws two touchdown passes while his defense sacks Brady four times in the game, but it isn't until cornerback Brandon Roby intercepts the Patriots' potential game-tying two-point conversion attempt with 12 seconds left in regulation to secure the win and send Denver to the Super Bowl.

26. 1992 Cowboys-30 49ers-20

Seen as a changing of the guard, the Cowboys go to Candlestick Park and knock off the Team of the 80s, to earn their first trip to the Super Bowl in 14 years, and begin their run as the Team of the 90s.

In his postgame locker room speech, Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson utters the infamous expression “How Bout Them Cowboys”.

(BTW, Johnson stole that from the 1980 Georgia Bulldogs National Championship team when fans started saying “How Bout Them Dawgs”)

Troy Aikman completed 24 of 34 passes for 322 yards and threw two touchdown passes in the 4th quarter to lead Dallas past San Francisco.

25. 2011 Patriots-23 Ravens-20

It appeared that the Ravens were on the doorstep of the Super Bowl, especially when receiver Lee Evans got his hands around a Joe Flacco pass in the end zone with 27 seconds left for the apparent go-ahead touchdown, only to have Patriots safety Sterling Moore knock out of his hands before Evans could complete the catch, making the pass incomplete.

Still, the Ravens were at the Patriots’ 14-yard-line and were going to at least force overtime as Billy Cundiff came on to attempt a chip shot 32-yard field goal.

But Cundiff’s kick sailed wide left, allowing the Patriots to run out the clock and escape with their fifth Super Bowl berth in 11 years.

24. 2012 49ers-28 Falcons-24

The 49ers pull off the second greatest comeback in conference championship game history as they overcome a 17-0 deficit to defeat the Falcons.

The 49ers take their first lead of the game with 8:27 remaining and have to hang on as the Falcons drive down to the San Francisco 10-yard-line, where Matt Ryan’s 4th down pass to Roddy White falls incomplete with 1:13 to go.

Frank Gore(21) scores what would be the game-winning touchdown as the 49ers came back from a 17-point deficit.

23. 2011 Giants-20 49ers-17 (OT)

49ers punt returner Kyle Williams fumbles the ball during a punt return in the overtime period when he is stripped of the ball by Giants linebacker Jacquian Williams, which is recovered by teammate Devin Thomas, giving New York the ball at the 49ers’ 24-yard-line.

Four plays later, Lawrence Tynes kicks the game-winning field goal from 31 yards out to give the Giants their second NFC Championship Game overtime victory in five years.

22. 2022 Chiefs-23 Bengals-20

Facing a 3rd & 4 at the Bengals' 47-yard-line with 14 seconds left in regulation, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles for the 1st down when he is hit out of bounds by Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai, drawing a 15-yard penalty and putting Kansas City at the Cincinnati 27-yard-line.

The penalty allows for Harrison Butker to kick a 45-yard field goal with three second left to give Kansas City a 23-20 win and sends the Chiefs to their third Super Bowl in four years.

21. 1977 Broncos-20 Raiders-17

Early in the third quarter with Denver leading 7-3 and facing 1st-and-goal at the Raiders’ two-yard-line, Broncos running back Rob Lytle tries to leap for the touchdown only to be met Raiders safety Jack Tatum, which causes the ball to come loose and be recovered by the nose tackle Mike McCoy.

But the officials ruled that Lytle’s forward progress before he lost the football, giving Denver 2nd-and-goal at the one-yard-line.

On the very next play, fullback Jon Keyworth would score a touchdown as the Broncos would go to win their first AFC championship.

20. 1983 Redskins-24 49ers-21

After giving up 21 straight points, the Redskins drive 78 yards in 13 plays to set up Mark Moseley, who had missed four field goals in the game, game-winning 25-yard field goal with 40 seconds left to send the Redskins to the Super Bowl for the second straight year.

But the drive is most remembered for two controversial calls that go in the Redskins’ favor.

The first, a pass interference penalty on 49ers cornerback Eric Wright on a ball that intended for Ark Monk that landed out of bounds and looked uncatchable, giving Washington a 1st down at the San Francisco’ 18-yard-line.

Then, three plays later, 49ers cornerback Ronnie Lott is called for holding Charlie Brown, far away from where Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann was throwing the ball, giving Washington a 1st down at the eight-yard-line and allowing them to set up Moseley’s field goal.

19. 2021 Bengals-27 Chiefs-24(OT)

Things looked bleak for the Bengals as they fell behind 21-3 to the Chiefs with just over five minutes to go in the first half.

But the Bengals score 21 straight points while holding the Chiefs to just three points to tie the game at 24 and send into overtime when Vonn Bell intercepted a Patrick Mahomes pass to set up an nine-play, 42-yard drive that culminated with Evan McPherson's walk-off 31-yard field goal to send Cincinnati to the Super Bowl for the first time in 33 years.

18. 1966 Packers-34 Cowboys-27

One year before the “Ice Bowl”, the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys staged another epic NFL Championship Game, this one at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

Behind Bart Starr’s four touchdown passes, the Packers lead 34-20 with 5:20 left in the game until Cowboys quarterback Don Meredith throws a 68-yard touchdown pass to tight end Frank Clarke to cut the lead to 34-27, then force the Packers to punt the ball back to Dallas, who take over at the Green Bay’ 47-yard-line with 2:12 left.

The Cowboys drive to the Packers’ two-yard-line where they have 1st-and-goal, but a series of Dallas mistakes leads to a 4th-and-goal where Meredith throws a desperation pass into the end zone as he being engulfed by Packers linebacker Dave Robinson, only to have safety Tom Brown pick off the pass to secure Green Bay’s fourth NFL title in six years and be the NFL representative in the first Super Bowl.

17. 2018 Patriots-37 Chiefs-31(OT)
After a wild 4th quarter which saw a combined 38 points scored and four lead changes, the Patriots win the overtime coin toss and take the ball 75 yards in 13 plays, culiminating with a two-yard touchdown run by Rex Burkhead to send the Patriots to their ninth Super Bowl in 18 years.

16. 1999 Rams-11 Buccaneers-6

The Buccaneer defense had held the “Greatest Show on Turf” out of the end zone until Rams quarterback Kurt Warner throws a 30-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Proehl that gives the Rams the lead with 4:44 left.

Quarterback Shaun King leads Tampa Bay from their own 23-yard-line to the Rams ’35-yard-line when King hits Bert Emanuel for a 11-yard reception with 47 seconds left.

But the play is reviewed and ruled incomplete because the tip of the ball touch the ground, even though Emanuel had both hands on the ball and full possession.

King would throw two incomplete passes on the next two plays allowing the Rams to go to the Super Bowl for the first time in 20 years.

In the offseason, the NFL amends the rules to the ball to touch the ground as along as a receiver has possession, thus the “Bert Emanuel Rule”.

15. 2013 Seahawks-23 49ers-17

The 49ers drive from their own 22-yard-line to the Seahawks’ 18-yard-line where they have 1st-and-10 with 30 seconds to go.

That is when quarterback Colin Kaepernick launches a pass toward the right corner of the end zone that is deflected by Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and into the hands of linebacker Malcolm Smith for an interception that secures the victory for Seattle and sends them to the Super Bowl.

The game is most memorable for Sherman’s postgame interview in which he denigrated 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree.

14. 1995 Steelers-20 Colts-16

After giving up a one-yard touchdown run by Bam Morris with 1:34 left to fall behind 20-16, the Colts drive from their own 16-yard-line to the Steelers’ 29-yard-line to set up a Hail Mary attempt with five seconds to play.

Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh lofts a pass toward the right corner of the end zone which falls into a crowd of Colts receivers and Steelers defenders, before momentarily falling into the lap of Colts receiver Aaron Bailey’s stomach.

But the ball falls to the ground before Bailey can complete the catch, ending the game, and sending the Steelers to the Super Bowl for the first time in 16 years.

13. 1981 Bengals-27 Chargers-7

One week after defeating the Miami Dolphins in 88 degree weather and high humidity, the San Diego Chargers traveled to Cincinnati to play the Bengals where the temperature was -9 with a wind chill of -59 thanks to a sustained wind of 27 miles per hour.

The game became to be known as the “Freezer Bowl” which the Bengals easily won thanks to Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson’s two touchdown passes and a defense that forced four San Diego turnovers in the second coldest game in NFL history.

The breath of the players was very visible during the "Freezer Bowl".

12. 1979 Steelers-27 Oilers-13

Trailing 17-10 in the final seconds of the third quarter, the Oilers had a 1st-and-goal at the Steelers’ six-yard-line when quarterback Dan Pastorini lofted a pass toward the right corner of the end zone, intended for Mike Renfro.

Renfro leaped over Steelers defensive back Ron Johnson to make the catch and got both feet in bounds, but after a brief huddle the officials ruled the pass incomplete, even TV replays showed Renfro made had possession and both feet in bounds, but since there was no instant replay in the NFL in 1979, the play could not be reviewed.

The Oilers had to settle for a 23-yard field goal, then gave up 10 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to suffer their second straight AFC championship loss to the Steelers.

11. 2018 Rams-26 Saints-23(OT)
With 1:48 to go in reguation and the game tied at 20, the Saints faced a 3rd & 10 at the Rams' 13-yard-line when Saints quarterback Drew Brees throws a pass intended for Tommylee Lewis that falls incomplete when Lewis is hit by Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman before Lewis has a chance to catch the ball.
However, the referees do not call pass interference on Robey-Coleman, forcing the Saints to settle for a 31-yard field boal by Will Lutz, instead of an automatic 1st down which would have given New Orelans the chance to take three knees then kick the field goal to win the game.

Instead, the missed call gives LA a chance to tie the game as they drive 45 yards in eight plays to set up Greg Zuerlin's 48-yard field goal with 15 seconds left to send the game into overtime where Zuerlin would kick a 57-yard field goal to send the Rams to Super Bowl LIII.

10. 2007 Giants-23 Packers-20(OT)

Played with a gametime temperature of zero degrees(which fell to -4 by game’s end) and a wind chill of -24, the Giants and Packers stage an epic championship game that goes into overtime when on the second play of the extra period Packers quarterback Brett Favre throws a costly interception to Giants cornerback Corey Webster, whose nine-yard return gives New York the ball at the Green Bay 34-yard-line.

Lawrence Tynes comes on to attempt a 47-yard field goal, after missing on attempts from 43 and 36 yards to win the game in the 4th quarter.

This time, Tynes’ kick sails through the uprights to give the Giants the win and ending Favre’s career as a Packer.

Sadly for Favre, it would not be the last game-killing interception he would throw in a NFC Championship Game.

9. 2009 Saints-31 Vikings-28 (OT)

Two years later now playing for the Vikings, Favre has his team at the Saints’ 38-yard-line needing a few extra yards to give his kicker, Ryan Longwell, a chance to break the 28-28 tie and send Minnesota to the Super Bowl.

But on 3rd-and-15, Favre rolls right and throws back toward the middle of the field, where Saints defensive back Tracy Porter intercepts the pass to kill the drive and send the game into overtime.

The Saints win the overtime coin toss and drive 39 yards in 11 plays, setting up Garrett Hartley’s game-winning 40-yard field goal to send the Saints to the Super Bowl.

8. 2006 Colts-38 Patriots-34

When Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel picked off a Peyton Manning pass and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown to give New England a 21-3 lead midway through the second quarter, many Colts fans started to believe that Manning and the Colts would never beat Tom Brady and the Patriots in the playoffs.

But the Colts came back from that 18-point deficit to pull off the greatest comeback in a conference championship game with Joseph Addai giving the Colts their first lead of the game after a one-yard touchdown run with exactly one minute to play.

The Patriots drive to the Indianapolis 45-yard-line but Brady is picked off by Marlin Jackson with 16 seconds left to secure the victory.

7. 1990 Giants-15 49ers-13

The 49ers’ quest to become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls ends in brutal and heartbreaking fashion.

First, with about 10 minutes to go and leading 13-9, 49ers quarterback Joe Montana is knocked out of the game on a vicious hit by Giants defensive end Leonard Marshall.

Then after the Giants cut the lead to 13-12, running back Roger Craig fumbles the ball, which is recovered by Lawrence Taylor the ball at their own 43-yard-line with 2:36 left.

Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler drives New York to the 49ers’ 24-yard-line to set up Matt Bahr’s game-winning 42-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Giants to the Super Bowl for the second time in five years in what would been the final game Montana ever started for the 49ers.

6. 1998 Falcons-30 Vikings-27 (OT)

It seemed like a foregone conclusion that the 15-1 Vikings were going to be playing in the Super Bowl, especially when Gary Anderson came on to attempt a 38-yard field goal after not having missed a kick all year(39 of 39 FGs, 67 of 67 extra points to this point) with over two minutes and Minnesota holding on to a 27-20 lead.

But the unthinkable happened as Anderson’s kick sailed wide left with 2:07 to go and giving the Falcons a chance to send the game into overtime.

The Falcons, a 11-point underdog, made Anderson pay for his miss as they drove 71 yards in eight plays, culminating with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Chris Chandler to Terrance Mathis with 49 seconds to send the game into overtime where Falcons kicker Morten Andersen makes a 38-yard field goal to send Atlanta to its first Super Bowl ever.

5. 2014 Seahawks-28 Packers-22 (OT)

It seemed hopeless for the Seahawks to return to the Super Bowl, especially after quarterback Russell Wilson threw his fourth interception of the game with over five minutes to play and his team down 19-7.

But after forcing a three-and-out, Seattle gets the ball back at their own 31-yard line and drive 69 yards in seven plays, culminating with Wilson’s one-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 19-14 with 2:13 left.

The Seahawks then tried an onside kick that bounced off the hands of the Packers’ Brandon Bostick and was recovered by the Seahawks’ Chris Matthews, giving Seattle the ball at the 50-yard-line.

Four plays later, the Seahawks were in the lead as Marshawn Lynch scored on a 24-yard touchdown run to give Seattle a 22-19 lead with 1:33 to go after Wilson completed a two-point conversion to tight end Luke Willson.

The Packers were able to send the game into overtime on Mason Crosby’s 48-yard field goal, but the Seahawks won the overtime coin toss and drove for the winning score, a 35-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Jermaine Kearse to earn Seattle its second straight trip to the Super Bowl.

4. 1987 Broncos-38 Browns-33

The Browns on are the doorstep of tying the game as they have a 2nd-and-5 at the Broncos’ eight-yard-line with 1:12 left and down 38-31.

That is when quarterback Bernie Kosar hands off to Earnest Byner, who complied 187 yards of total offense and scored two touchdowns to help lead Cleveland back from a 21-3 deficit, runs for the apparent game-tying touchdown, only to stripped of the ball by Broncos defensive back Jeremiah Castille, who recovers the fumble at the two-yard-line.

Denver takes an intentional safety with eight seconds left, giving the Browns one last chance, but Kosar’s Hail Mary attempt falls incomplete and the Browns suffer their second straight heartbreaking loss in the AFC Title game to the Broncos one year after….

3. 1986 Broncos-23 Browns-20 (OT)

Following Bernie Kosar’s 48-yard touchdown pass to Brian Brennan to give Cleveland a 20-13 lead with 5:43 left in regulation, the Broncos’ Ken Bell muffs the ensuing kickoff and dives on the football at his own two-yard-line.

That is when Broncos quarterback John Elway begins “The Drive” a 15-play, 98-yard drive which ends when Elway fires a five-yard touchdown pass to Mark Jackson that ties the game at 20 with 37 seconds left in regulation and sends the game into overtime.

After Cleveland punts on its first possession of overtime, Elway drives the Broncos 60 yards to set up Rich Karlis’ game-winning 33-yard field goal, sending Denver to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1977.

2. 1967 Packers-21 Cowboys-17

With a game-time temperature of -15 degrees, a wind chill of -48, and a surface that was fitted more for a hockey game, this game became to be known as the “Ice Bowl”, the coldest game in NFL history.

The Cowboys held a 17-14 lead with 4:50 left in regulation as the Packers took over at their own 32-yard-line, with the temperature now -20 and wind chill -70.

Quarterback Bart Starr was able to lead the Packers from their 32 to the Cowboys’ one-yard-line in nine plays, but could not get in the end zone on the next two plays as running back Donny Anderson kept slipping in the backfield.

Starr called Green Bay’s last timeout with 16 seconds left and told head coach Vince Lombardi, he could just sneak it into which Lombardi replied “Then run it out and let’s get the hell out of here”.

With a key block from guard Jerry Kramer on Cowboys defensive tackle Jethro Pugh, Starr snuck in for the game-winning touchdown to give the Packers their third straight NFL championship and second trip to the Super Bowl.

1. 1981 49ers-28 Cowboys-27

It is the play that launched a dynasty for the 49ers and began the slow decline into mediocrity for the Cowboys.

It is “The Catch”.

Trailing 27-21 and with the ball at their own 11-yard-line and 4:54 to play, the 49ers drive 83 yards in 11 plays, when they face a 3rd-and-3 at the Cowboys’ six-yard-line with 58 seconds to go.

That is when quarterback Joe Montana took the snap and rolled right, only to be chased by three Cowboy defenders, forcing Montana to the sideline, where he threw a high pass that seemed certain to go through the back of the end zone and out of bounds.

But receiver Dwight Clark comes in and leaps to make a fingertip catch for the touchdown that with Ray Wersching’s extra point, gives San Francisco a 28-27 lead with 51 seconds left.

However, the Cowboys still have a chance to get into field goal range and win the game.

Dallas takes over at its own 25 and quarterback Danny White finds Drew Pearson on a crossing route, who has a chance to go for the touchdown only to be stopped the fingertip tackle of 49ers cornerback Eric Wright at the San Francisco 45-yard-line.

On the very next play, White is sacked by Lawrence Pillers, causing a fumble that is recovered by 49ers defensive end Jim Stuckey that allows San Francisco to run out the clock and secure its first trip to the Super Bowl.