NFL Playoff Picture: Conference title games set after divisional round
The hunt for the Lombardi Trophy and a trip to Super Bowl LV is down to the final four.
NFC Championship Game
| Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers at Packers | Jan. 24 | 3:05 p.m. | FOX |
An NFC Championship Game for the ages is slated for next Sunday, as the red-hot Green Bay Packers prepare to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Aaron Rodgers is back in the NFC title game again, but for the first time, he'll have the benefit of home-field advantage. A leading candidate for MVP honors, Rodgers rolled through the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round, throwing two touchdowns en route to a 32-18 victory. The veteran passer has Green Bay on the doorstep of their first Super Bowl appearance in a decade and he's looked unstoppable of late.
The Buccaneers signed Tom Brady in hopes of bringing the franchise a Super Bowl, and he's almost got them there. Brady outdueled Drew Brees in the divisional round, securing a date against Rodgers at Lambeau Field. While the Bucs will be playing in their first NFC title game since 2002, it's a familiar setting for Brady, who will be appearing in his 14th career conference championship game.
AFC Championship Game
| Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bills at Chiefs | Jan. 24 | 6:40 p.m. | CBS |
The right to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl will come down to the conference's top two seeds - the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.
The Chiefs and Chad Henne narrowly hung on to defeat the Cleveland Browns in the divisional round after Patrick Mahomes exited with a concussion. Mahomes' status will likely be determined as the week progresses but Andy Reid noted his quarterback was "doing great" following the game. Kansas City will still be powered by their most talented pass-catchers, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. The duo combined for 16 receptions and 219 yards against the Browns.
The Bills are faced with the task of eliminating the champs on their home turf. After knocking off reigning MVP Lamar Jackson in the divisional round, Buffalo will likely need a repeat performance against Mahomes - the 2018 MVP. Thanks to an almost telepathic connection between Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs, the Bills are just one win away from circling their wagons all the way to the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs and Bills faced off once this season, with Kansas City taking that meeting by a score of 26-17.