This weekend, four teams will battle for the right to play in Super Bowl XLIX. The NFC will kick things off, with the Seattle Seahawks hosting the Green Bay Packers at CenturyLink Field. In the nightcap, Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts take on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Over the years, the conference title games have provided us with some indelible moments. The format for this round has been the same since 1970, following the merger of the American and National Football Leagues. Before then, we had NFL and AFL title games leading to the Super Bowl, with league championships already established. Thus, games like the 1967 Ice Bowl between the Dallas Cowboys and Packers are excluded.
Here now are the top five conference title games, post-merger:
(Honorable mentions: Saints-Vikings, 2009 … Patriots-Colts, 2006 … Steelers-Ravens, 2008 … Giants-49ers, 2011 … Redskins-Vikings, 1987)
5. Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings, 1998
Despite Atlanta entering this game with a 14-2 regular-season record, nobody gave the Falcons much chance. The Vikings were 15-1 and undefeated at the Metrodome, enjoying the highest-scoring offense in NFL history to that point. It appeared Minnesota would roll to the Super Bowl for the first time in 22 years, but Gary Anderson suffered his first missed kick of the season, allowing Atlanta one last chance. Chris Chandler drove the Falcons to the game-tying touchdown with 49 remaining before Morten Andersen put Atlanta in its first Super Bowl with a field goal in overtime.
4. New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers, 1990
Remembered as one of the hardest-hitting games of all-time, the 49ers and Giants waged battle at Candlestick Park. San Francisco was aiming for the three-peat that season and was minutes away, leading New York 13-12 in the fourth quarter. However, Roger Craig would fumble on a strip by Lawrence Taylor, who also recovered. The Giants drove into field goal range behind Jeff Hostetler, and Matt Bahr drilled his fifth field goal, a 42-yard shot, as time expired. It was also the last meaningful appearance for Joe Montana in a 49ers uniform.
3. Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos, 1987
Alright Cleveland, look away. In what was the second act in a classic two-part epic, the Browns were once again denied on the doorstep of glory. After losing in heartbreaking fashion to the Denver Broncos the year before (we’ll get to that), Cleveland reached the AFC title game again. Behind Bernie Kosar and Earnest Byner, the Browns erased a 21-3 halftime deficit to trail 38-31 in the final minutes. From Denver’s 8-yard line, Byner took a handoff and appeared touchdown-bound, only to fumble six feet from the tying score. The Broncos recovered, and advanced.
2. Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns, 1986
Backing up one year, the rivalry between the Broncos and Browns began on a cold afternoon at old Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Leading 20-13, the Browns pinned Denver on its own 2-yard line with under six minutes to play in regulation. From there, “The Drive” happened, culminating in a touchdown pass from John Elway to Mark Jackson. Rick Karlis kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime, vaulting Elway into the first of his five Super Bowl appearances.
1. Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers, 1981
This game will forever live as the birth of a dynasty. Dallas came into the game as favorites, regardless of the venue being Candlestick Park. San Francisco was 13-3 one season after going 6-10 under third-year coach Bill Walsh, leaving many to believe the team was a fluke. Trailing 27-21 with less than five minutes on the clock, a fresh-faced Joe Montana drove the 49ers 83 yards. On 3rd and 6 from Dallas’ 6-yard line with 58 seconds left, Montana rolled right and found a leaping Dwight Clark in the end zone, sending the crowd into delirium. The moment propelled San Francisco to four Super Bowl in the 1980’s.