After one of the craziest divisional rounds in NFL history, the conference title games are now set.
In the AFC title game, the Bengals travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs in a game that kicks off at 3 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS (and streaming on Paramount+). The Chiefs will host the AFC Championship for an NFL-record fourth straight year, as it marks the Bengals’ first trip to the conference title game since 1988.
In the NFC Championship, the 49ers and Rams will meet for the third time this season. The 49ers have won six straight against the Rams, which includes a series sweep this season.
All four teams playing in the conference title round needed a dramatic win to get there.
The drama began last Saturday afternoon when the Bengals knocked out the top-seeded Titans 19-16 thanks to a rookie Evan McPherson field goal.
In Saturday’s nightcap, the 49ers also pulled off an upset, beating the Packers 13-10 on a 45-yard field goal from Robbie Gould.
The loss to the Packers and Titans marks the first time since 2010 that both seeds have dropped in the divisional round.
After a crazy day of games on Saturday, things got even crazier on Sunday. The day started with the Rams upsetting the Buccaneers 30-27 on a Matthew Gay field goal. The Rams held on for the win even though the Buccaneers managed to come back from a 27-3 deficit to tie the game at 14 in the fourth quarter.
The Divisional Round ended up saving the best for last, as the Chiefs outlasted the Bills 42-36 in overtime in a game that saw 25 runs scored in the final minute and 54 seconds.
Here’s an overview of the playoff schedule along with the results of every game played so far.
Super Wild Card Weekend
Saturday January 15
- (4) Bengals 26-19 over (5) Raiders. The Bengals ended their 31-year playoff drought, but things definitely got dire before that happened. The Bengals victory was not clinched until Carr threw an interception from the Cincinnati 9-yard line with 12 seconds left in the game. In his first-ever playoff start, Joe Burrow threw two touchdown passes, while kicker Evan McPherson set a franchise record for playoff field goals with four.
- (3) Bills 47-17 over (6) Patriots. The Bills handed the Patriots a historic loss in a game that was never close. The Bills scored a touchdown on each of their first seven possessions, something never before done by any playoff team in the Super Bowl era. The Bills’ offensive blitzkrieg was led by Josh Allen, who threw for 308 yards and five touchdowns on a night the Bills totaled 482 yards.
Sunday January 16
- (2) Buccaneers 31-15 years and over (7) Eagles. The Buccaneers took a 31-0 lead in that game and never looked back. Tom Brady threw two touchdown passes, then the Tampa Bay defense did the rest with two interceptions and a sack from Jalen Hurts.
- (6) 49ers 23-17 against (3) Cowboys. The 49ers appeared to be on the verge of a blowout victory with a 23-7 fourth quarter lead, but then things took a dramatic turn after the Cowboys staged a furious comeback to cut the lead to 23-17. . However, the comeback narrowly fell through with the Cowboys’ final practice of the game ending at the San Francisco 24-yard line.
- (2) Chiefs 42-21 over (7) Steelers. The Steelers quickly took a 7-0 lead after scoring a defensive touchdown, but it’s all Chiefs after that. Patrick Mahomes threw for 404 yards and five touchdowns as Kansas City picked up a win that will now set up a rematch with a Bills team that beat the Chiefs earlier this season.
Monday January 17
- (4) Rams 34-11 above (5) Cardinals. The Rams scored the first 28 points in that game and it’s never been close since. A big reason the Rams were able to take such a big lead is because the Cardinals offense fell on their face coming out the door. The first half was a total nightmare for an Arizona team that only rushed for 40 yards in the first two quarters while watching Kyler Murray throw a six pick.
divisional round
Saturday January 22
- (4) Bengals 19-16 vs. (1) Titans. For the first time in 33 years, the Bengals return to the AFC Championship game. Although Joe Burrow was beaten in the game — he was sacked nine times — he still managed to throw for 348 yards to propel the Bengals to one of their biggest wins in franchise history. The Bengals wouldn’t have won this game without Evan McPherson, who scored four field goals, including the game-winner from 52 yards when time expired.
- (6) 49ers 13-10 on (1) Packers. The 49ers were able to pull off an upset in Green Bay thanks in large part to exceptional special teams play. Not only did the 49ers block a field goal in the game, but they also returned a blocked punt for a touchdown to tie the game at 10 with just 4:41 left. Robbie Gould then hit San Francisco’s ticket to the NFC Championship with a 45-yard field goal when time expired.
Sunday January 23
- (4) Rams 30-27 on (2) Buccaneers. Tom Brady nearly pulled off another unlikely comeback, but Matthew Stafford mustered just enough magic in the last minute to lead Los Angeles to victory. At one point, the Buccaneers were trailing 27-3, but they managed to tie it at 27 after a crazy fourth quarter. The Rams managed to escape with the win after Matthew Stafford connected with Cooper Kupp for a 44-yard play with less than 10 seconds left. The passing game set up a 30-yard field goal by Matthew Gay.
- (2) Counts 42-36 on (3) Bills. Patrick Mahomes threw for 370 yards and three touchdowns as the Chiefs managed to beat the Bills in what will likely be remembered as one of the most thrilling playoff games in NFL history. Mahomes hit Travis Kelce for an 8-yard TD in overtime to steal the win. Mahomes also crafted a 44-yard drive in the final 13 seconds of regulation to set up Harrison Butker’s 49-yard field goal, which tied the game and sent it to OT.
Championship Sunday
January 30
AFC Championship
Bengals at Chiefs, 3:00 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
NFC Championship
49ers at Rams, 6:30 p.m. ET (Fox)
Super Bowl LVI
February 13
Bengals/Chiefs vs. Rams/49ers at Los Angeles, 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
