NFL Playoffs - Divisional Round Review

It's on the Conference Championship Games following this past weekend's games that saw the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts win their games and punch their tickets that puts them one game away from the Super Bowl.






NEW ENGLAND 35, BALTIMORE 31

The Patriots stormed back twice from 14-point deficits to defeat the Baltimore Ravens, 35-31 as Tom Brady had three touchdown passes and 367 yards passing in the win. Wide receiver Danny Amendola had five receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns, including a 51-yard TD strike from fellow receiver Julian Edelman that tied the game 28-28 late in the third quarter.
The Ravens bolted out to a 14-0 lead as QB Joe Flacco (292 yards passing with four TD and two interceptions) threw two scoring passes in the first quarter.
The Patriots tied it up on a scoring run by Brady and a 15-yard TD strike to Amendola. The Ravens regained a seven-point lead at the half when Flacco connected with tight end Owen Daniels for a touchdown after Brady was picked off near midfield late in the first half.
Trailing 28-14, the Patriots scored twice in the third quarter and their defense stiffened the rest of the way, limiting Baltimore to just a field goal and intercepting Flacco to seal the game late in the fourth quarter. The Patriots went ahead for good 35-31 with 5:04 left in the game when Brady hit WR Brandon LaFell for a 23-yard scoring pass.

SEATTLE 31, CAROLINA 17

The Seahawks put away the Panthers in the fourth quarter when Kam Chancellor took an interception back 90 yards for a score. 
Building a 24-10 lead to that point saw QB Russell Wilson throw for three touchdowns while the defense forced three turnovers to lead the way.
Carolina QB Cam Newton (246 yards passing) threw for two scores but also had the two picks thrown in the loss.
The Seahawks became the first defending Super Bowl champions to win a playoff game the following post-season since the New England Patriots did so in January of the 2005-2006 playoffs.

GREEN BAY 26, DALLAS 21

The Packers overcame an eight point deficit to defeat the Dallas Cowboys, 26-21 and advance to the NFC Championship Game for the first time in four years as QB Aaron Rodgers threw for three touchdowns while passing for 316 yards and a clutch fourth down catch by Dallas WR Dez Bryant at the Green Bay one-yard line was over turned to provide the final score.
The Packers got the ball back after the replay review and ran the clock out to win the game and eliminate the Cowboys.
Dallas had a 21-13 lead late in the third quarter after running back DeMarco Murray (123 yards rushing) scored on a one-yard run. From there, Rodgers threw two scoring passes to lead the comeback. Dallas QB Tony Romo had a touchdown pass in the loss.

INDIANAPOLIS 24, DENVER 13

The Colts shocked the host Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon as their defense frustrated Broncos QB Peyton Manning into just 26-of-46 passing for 211 yards and one touchdown (on their opening possession) as Manning played the game with a torn quadriceps muscle.
Indianapolis QB Andrew Luck threw for two scores and 265 yards along with two interceptions while RB Daniel "Boom" Herron scored a rushing touchdown to lead the offense.
The Colts out gained the high powered Broncos offense 364-288 in total yardage and will face the New England Patriots next Sunday evening in the AFC Championship Game.