What to Look For - Conference Championships
With a quarterback many consider the greatest of all time at that position, it would be a stretch to label the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a Cinderella story in this year’s National Football League playoffs. Even considering their No. 5 seed in the NFC.
The Buccaneers, Packers, Chiefs and Bill have won at least 13 games each this season (including playoffs), the first time since 2005 the conference title games have included four teams with that level of success.
The four also are among the league’s top scoring offenses this season, pointing to the possibility of a pair of shootouts to determine the conference champions and representatives in Super Bowl LV.
For other key statistics and matchup to watch for, read on...
A FANTASTIC FINAL FOUR: On Championship Sunday, the Super Bowl LV participants will be determined. In the NFC (3:05 PM ET, FOX/FOX Deportes), the TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(13-5) take on the GREEN BAY PACKERS (14-3) while the BUFFALO BILLS (15-3) travel to Arrowhead Stadium to face the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (15-2) in the AFC (6:40 PM ET, CBS/CBS All Access/ESPN Deportes).
Each of the remaining teams has won at least 13 regular-season and postseason games combined this season, marking the first time since 2015 that all four teams in the Conference Championship games each have at least 13 combined regular-season and postseason wins.
Additionally, each of the four teams in action this weekend averaged at least 29 points per game in the regular season, marking the first time in the Super Bowl era that all four teams in the Conference Championship games averaged at least 29 points per game. Green Bay (31.8 points per game), Buffalo (31.3) and Tampa Bay (30.8) were the three highest scoring teams in the league this season.
With victories by the Packers and Bills on Sunday, the Super Bowl would feature the two highest-scoring teams from the regular season for the fifth time since 1970 and the first time since 1997.
The Super Bowls featuring the two highest-scoring teams from the regular season since 1970:
|
SEASON |
NO. 1 OFFENSE |
NO. 2 OFFENSE |
SUPER BOWL |
|
1997 |
Denver Broncos |
Green Bay Packers |
XXXII |
|
1996 |
Green Bay Packers |
New England Patriots |
XXXI |
|
1991 |
Washington Redskins |
Buffalo Bills |
XXVI |
|
1984 |
Miami Dolphins |
San Francisco 49ers |
XIX |
TOP PASSERS REMAIN: Each of the four starting quarterbacks remaining in the 2020 postseason recorded at least 35 touchdown passes this season – Green Bay’s AARON RODGERS (48 touchdown passes), Tampa Bay’s TOM BRADY (40), Kansas City’s PATRICK MAHOMES (38) and Buffalo’s JOSH ALLEN (37).
This is the first time since 1970 that each of the four starting quarterbacks in the Conference Championship games recorded at least 35 touchdown passes in the regular season.
No matter the outcome of this Sunday’s games, Super Bowl LV will have the most or second-most combined regular season touchdown passes between the two starting quarterbacks ever.
The Super Bowls with the most combined regular season touchdown passes between the two starting quarterbacks:
|
SEASON |
QUARTERBACKS (TOUCHDOWN PASSES) |
TOTAL TOUCHDOWN PASSES |
SUPER BOWL |
|
2013 |
Peyton Manning (55) & Russell Wilson (26) |
81 |
XLVIII |
|
1984 |
Dan MarinoHOF (48) & Joe MontanaHOF (28) |
76 |
XIX |
|
2007 |
Tom Brady (50) & Eli Manning (23) |
73 |
XLII |
BRING IT HOME: Last week, the TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS defeated New Orleans, 30-20, to advance to their fourth NFC Championship Game in franchise history.
With a win at Green Bay on Sunday (3:05 PM ET, FOX/FOX Deportes), the Buccaneers will become the first team to play in a Super Bowl in the team’s home stadium and the fifth team to play in a Super Bowl that was hosted in their home state.
The Super Bowls with a team playing in its home state:
|
SUPER BOWL |
SITE |
DATE |
WINNING TEAM |
LOSING TEAM |
|
XXXVII |
San Diego, CA |
January 26, 2003 |
Tampa Bay |
Oakland Raiders |
|
XIX |
Stanford, CA |
January 20, 1985 |
San Francisco |
Miami |
|
XIV |
Pasadena, CA |
January 20, 1980 |
Pittsburgh |
Los Angeles Rams |
|
XI |
Pasadena, CA |
January 9, 1977 |
Oakland Raiders |
Minnesota |
Tampa Bay quarterback TOM BRADY enters Championship Sunday as the NFL’s all-time postseason leader in starts (43), wins (32), passing yards (11,968) and touchdown passes (77). He is expected to make his 14th career start in a Conference Championship game, and first with Tampa Bay.
If the Buccaneers advance to Super Bowl LV, Brady will become the fourth quarterback to start a Super Bowl for multiple teams, joining PEYTON MANNING (Denver and Indianapolis), CRAIG MORTON (Dallas and Denver) and Pro Football Hall of Famer KURT WARNER (Arizona and St. Louis Rams).
The quarterbacks to start a Super Bowl for multiple teams in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
FIRST TEAM (SUPER BOWLS) |
SECOND TEAM (SUPER BOWLS) |
|
Peyton Manning |
Indianapolis (XLI, XLIV) |
Denver (XLVIII, 50) |
|
Craig Morton |
Dallas (V) |
Denver (XII) |
|
Kurt WarnerHOF |
St. Louis Rams (XXXIV, XXXVI) |
Arizona (XLIII) |
Tampa Bay cornerback SEAN MURPHY-BUNTING has an interception in each of the Buccaneers’ two postseason games this season. With an interception on Sunday, Murphy-Bunting with become the fourth player to record an interception in each of his first three career postseason games in the Super Bowl era, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers AENEAS WILLIAMS (first four postseason games) and ED REED (three), as well as JASON SEHORN (three).
The players to record an interception in the most consecutive games to begin their postseason career in the Super Bowl era:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM(S) |
GAMES (DATES) |
|
Aeneas WilliamsHOF |
Arizona, St. Louis Rams |
4 (Jan. 2, 1998 – Jan. 27, 2002) |
|
Ed ReedHOF |
Baltimore |
3 (Jan. 3, 2004 – Jan. 4, 2009) |
|
Jason Sehorn |
New York Giants |
3 (Dec. 27, 1997 – Jan. 14, 2001) |
|
|
|
|
|
Sean Murphy-Bunting |
Tampa Bay |
2* (Jan. 9, 2021 – Jan. 17, 2021) |
|
*active streak |
||
HUNTING MORE TITLES IN TITLETOWN: The GREEN BAY PACKERS advanced to their second consecutive Conference Championship with a 32-18 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Playoffs. With the win, Green Bay tied the PITTSBURGH STEELERS (36 wins) for the second-most postseason victories in NFL history.
With a win against the Buccaneers on Sunday (3:05 PM ET, FOX/FOX Deportes), the Packers would tie the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (37 wins) for the most postseason victories in NFL history.
The teams with the most postseason wins in NFL history:
|
TEAM |
WINS |
SUPER BOWL WINS |
|
New England |
37 |
6 |
|
Green Bay |
36 |
4 |
|
Pittsburgh |
36 |
6 |
|
Dallas |
35 |
5 |
|
San Francisco |
32 |
5 |
Green Bay quarterback AARON RODGERS led the NFL with a career-high 48 touchdown passes this season. If the Packers advance to Super Bowl LV, Rodgers will be the sixth quarterback since 2000 and first since PEYTON MANNING in 2013 to reach the Super Bowl in the same season that he led the league in touchdown passes.
The quarterbacks to lead the league in touchdown passes and reach the Super Bowl in the same season since 2000:
|
SEASON |
PLAYER |
TEAM |
TOUCHDOWN PASSES |
SUPER BOWL |
|
2013 |
Peyton Manning |
Denver |
55 |
XLVIII |
|
2009 |
Drew Brees |
New Orleans |
34 |
XLIV |
|
2007 |
Tom Brady |
New England |
50 |
XLII |
|
2006 |
Peyton Manning |
Indianapolis |
31 |
XLI |
|
2001 |
Kurt WarnerHOF |
St. Louis Rams |
36 |
XXXVI |
Last week, Rodgers passed for 296 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions and a 108.1 rating, his eighth consecutive postseason game with at least two touchdown passes, tied with JOE FLACCO (eight consecutive games) for the most consecutive postseason games with at least two touchdown passes in NFL history.
With at least two touchdown passes on Sunday, Rodgers will become the first player in league annals to record at least two touchdown passes in nine consecutive postseason games.
The players with the most consecutive postseason games with at least two touchdown passes in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
GAMES (DATES) |
|
Joe Flacco |
Baltimore |
8 (Jan. 15, 2012 – Jan. 10, 2015) |
|
Aaron Rodgers |
Green Bay |
8* (Jan. 10, 2016 – Jan. 17, 2021) |
|
*active streak |
||
RUN IT BACK: The reigning Super Bowl champion KANSAS CITY CHIEFS are hosting their third consecutive AFC Championship Game, joining the 2002-04 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – who were also led by head coach ANDY REID – as the only teams in NFL history to host three consecutive Championship games. The Chiefs also look to become the first team since the 2003-04 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles.
Last year, quarterback PATRICK MAHOMES became the youngest quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP. If Kansas City defeats Buffalo on Sunday (6:40 PM ET, CBS/CBS All Access/ESPN Deportes), Mahomes is expected to become the youngest quarterback in NFL history (25 years and 143 days old on date of Super Bowl LV) to start two Super Bowls, surpassing RUSSELL WILSON, who was 26 years and 64 days old at the time of his second Super Bowl start (SB XLIX).
Last week, Kansas City tight end TRAVIS KELCE recorded eight receptions for 109 yards and one touchdown, his fourth career postseason game with at least 100 receiving yards, tied for the most by a tight end in NFL history.
In 10 career postseason games, Kelce has totaled 60 catches for 741 yards and seven touchdowns, all among the most by a tight end in postseason history. Tampa Bay tight end ROB GRONKOWSKI is the leader in all three categories.
The tight ends with the most career receptions in NFL postseason history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM(S) |
RECEPTIONS |
|
Rob Gronkowski |
New England, Tampa Bay |
82* |
|
Dallas Clark |
Indianapolis |
64 |
|
Jay Novacek |
Dallas |
62 |
|
Shannon SharpeHOF |
Denver, Baltimore |
62 |
|
Brent Jones |
San Francisco |
60 |
|
Travis Kelce |
Kansas City |
60* |
|
*active |
||
The tight ends with the most career receiving yards in NFL postseason history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM(S) |
RECEIVING YARDS |
|
Rob Gronkowski* |
New England, Tampa Bay |
1,177* |
|
Dallas Clark |
Indianapolis |
847 |
|
Keith Jackson |
Philadelphia, Miami, Green Bay |
834 |
|
Shannon SharpeHOF |
Denver, Baltimore |
814 |
|
Travis Kelce* |
Kansas City |
741* |
|
*active |
||
The tight ends with the most career receiving touchdowns in NFL postseason history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM(S) |
RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS |
|
Rob Gronkowski* |
New England, Tampa Bay |
12* |
|
Dave CasperHOF |
Houston Oilers, Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders |
7 |
|
Vernon Davis |
San Francisco, Denver |
7 |
|
Travis Kelce* |
Kansas City |
7* |
|
*active |
||
SUPER STEFON: Last week, the BUFFALO BILLS defeated Baltimore, 17-3, to advance to their first AFC Championship Game since the 1993 season.
Wide receiver STEFON DIGGS recorded a team-high 106 receiving yards with a touchdown catch in the victory, after leading the league with a career-high 1,535 receiving yards in the 2020 regular season.
If Buffalo defeats Kansas City on Sunday (6:40 PM ET, CBS/CBS All Access/ESPN Deportes), Diggs will become the third player to reach the Super Bowl in the same season that he led the league in receiving yards, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer JERRY RICE (1989 and 1994) and DREW PEARSON (1977).
The players to lead the league in receiving yards and reach the Super Bowl in the same season in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
RECEIVING YARDS |
SUPER BOWL |
|
Jerry RiceHOF |
San Francisco |
1994 |
1,499 |
XXIX |
|
Jerry RiceHOF |
San Francisco |
1989 |
1,423 |
XXIV |
|
Drew Pearson |
Dallas |
1977 |
870 |
XII |
RUNNING THROUGH THE NFC: Last week, Green Bay running back AARON JONES rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown, his third consecutive postseason game with a rushing touchdown.
With a rushing touchdown in the NFC Championship Game, Jones will become the fourth player in NFL history to record a rushing touchdown in each of his first four postseason games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers TERRELL DAVIS (first seven postseason games) and CURTIS MARTIN (first five games), as well as ARIAN FOSTER (first four games).
The players to record a rushing touchdown in the most consecutive games to begin their postseason career in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM(S) |
GAMES (DATES) |
|
Terrell DavisHOF |
Denver |
7 (Jan. 4, 1997 – Jan. 17, 1999) |
|
Curtis MartinHOF |
New England, New York Jets |
5 (Jan. 5, 1997 – Jan. 17, 1999) |
|
Arian Foster |
Houston |
4 (Jan. 7, 2012 – Jan. 13, 2013) |
|
|
|
|
|
Aaron Jones |
Green Bay |
3* (Jan. 12, 2020 – Jan. 16, 2021) |
|
*Active streak |
||
Tampa Bay running back LEONARD FOURNETTE recorded 107 scrimmage yards (63 rushing, 44 receiving) and a receiving touchdown in the Divisional Playoffs, his fourth consecutive postseason game with at least 75 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.
In the NFC Championship game, Fournette can become the fifth running back with at least 75 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in five consecutive postseason games in NFL history, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers TERRELL DAVIS (seven games), MARCUS ALLEN (five), FRANCO HARRIS (five) and JOHN RIGGINS (five).
The running backs with the most consecutive postseason games with at least 75 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM(S) |
GAMES (DATES) |
|
Terrell DavisHOF |
Denver |
7 (Jan. 4, 1997 – Jan. 17, 1999) |
|
Marcus AllenHOF |
Los Angeles Raiders |
5 (Jan. 1, 1984 – Jan. 5, 1986) |
|
Franco HarrisHOF |
Pittsburgh |
5 (Dec. 22, 1974 – Jan. 4, 1976) |
|
John RigginsHOF |
Washington |
5 (Jan. 15, 1983 – Jan. 8, 1984) |
|
|
|
|
|
Leonard Fournette |
Jacksonville, Tampa Bay |
4* (Jan. 14, 2018 – Jan. 17, 2021) |
|
*Active streak |
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