The divisional round of the NFL playoffs is in the rearview mirror and only four teams remain in the hunt for the coveted Lombardi Trophy.
The Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers are all just one step away from Super Bowl LVIII, but only two teams will make it to the NFL’s biggest stage.
Here’s everything you need to know about the conference championships.
The conference championships take place on Sunday, beginning with the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs traveling to face the AFC’s No. 1 seeded Ravens.
The action concludes with NFC’s best 49ers hosting the No. 3 seed Lions.
Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens – Sunday, January 28, 3:00 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+, NFL+, YouTubeTV, Fubo)
Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers – Sunday, January 28, 6:30 p.m. ET (FOX, NFL+, YouTubeTV, Fubo)
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Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds, left, celebrates a touchdown with running back Craig Reynolds during the Lions’ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, January 21, at Ford Field in Detroit. The Lions won 31-23.
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Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire carries the ball in the second quarter of the Chiefs’ 27-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on January 21. The reigning Super Bowl champions will face the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship.
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San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw tackles Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson on Saturday, January 20, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers won 24-21 and will move on to the NFC Championship game.
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson evades Houston Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins to score an 8 yard touchdown on January 20 in Baltimore. The Ravens won 34-10 and earned a spot in the AFC Championship game next weekend, their first since the 2012 season.
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts runs in his own end zone, looking for someone to throw to, during a playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, January 15. He was later called for intentional grounding on the play, resulting in a safety. The Eagles, last year’s NFC champion, lost 32-9.
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Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox celebrates with fans after scoring a first-half touchdown against Pittsburgh on January 15. The Bills won 31-17.
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Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium is covered in snow before the playoff game against Pittsburgh on January 15. The game was delayed a day because of winter storm conditions.
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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs runs the ball during the Lions’ 24-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, January 14. It was the Lions’ first playoff win since the 1991 season.
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Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander celebrates an interception during the first quarter of the Packers’ upset win over the Dallas Cowboys on January 14. The Packers won 48-32, becoming the first No. 7 seed to win an NFL playoff game.
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Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott stands for the national anthem before the game against Green Bay on January 14.
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Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns on January 13. The Texans returned two interceptions for touchdowns as they defeated the Browns 45-14.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Trent Sherfield celebrate after a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, January 7. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 21-14 to win the AFC East title and clinch a home playoff game next week. The Dolphins — in first place for much of the season — had to settle for a wild-card spot.
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New York Jets long snapper Thomas Hennessy shovels snow along the sideline during a game at New England on January 7. The Jets won 17-3, but both teams finished the season well out of the playoff picture.
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New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden breaks up a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles running back Boston Scott on January 7. The Giants upset the Eagles 27-10 to end their season on a winning note. The Eagles made the playoffs as a wild-card team.
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San Francisco 49ers safety Tayler Hawkins celebrates with teammates after an interception on January 7. The 49ers went on to lose 21-20 to the Los Angeles Rams, but they already had the No. 1 seed locked up in the NFC. The Rams were already set as a wild-card team.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks eyes Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes during the Cowboys’ 38-10 victory on January 7. With the win, the Cowboys clinched the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed in the conference playoffs.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs can’t quite pull in the catch while being defended by Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson on January 7. The Packers won 17-9 to clinch a playoff spot.
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Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mitchell Wilcox meets with fans after the Bengals’ 31-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns on January 7. Cincinnati finished the season out of the playoffs. Cleveland had already secured a wild-card spot.
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris runs the ball during the Steelers’ 17-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, January 6. The Ravens rested many of their starters, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, as they had already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Steelers made the playoffs as a wild-card team.
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Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner makes a one-handed touchdown catch in front of Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nicholas Morrow on Sunday, December 31. The Cardinals beat the Eagles 35-31.
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New York Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, right, and teammates react to their 33-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, December 25.
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Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu celebrates after he intercepted a pass during the Lions’ 30-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, December 24. The Lions secured their fist division title since 1993 with the win.
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New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams grabs the jersey of Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel on December 24. The Jets beat the Commanders 30-28.
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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs can’t make the catch as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Clark Phillips III defends on December 24. The Falcons won 29-10.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens points to a Cincinnati Bengals defender as he runs by during the Steelers’ 34-11 win against the Bengals on Saturday, December 23.
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Chamarri Conner, Charles Omenihu and Nick Bolton of the Kansas City Chiefs tackle New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott on Sunday, December 17. The Chiefs won 27-17.
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Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert runs the ball during a the team’s 30-0 win against the New York Jets on December 17.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder throws the ball during the first half on December 17. The Carolina Panthers beat the Falcons 9-7.
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Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb sacks New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson on December 17.
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New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito walks off the field after losing 24-6 to the New Orleans Saints on December 17.
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Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta dives into the end zone for a touchdown on Saturday, December 16. The Lions beat the Denver Broncos 42-17.
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D.J. Moore of the Chicago Bears celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter of the Bears’ 28-13 upset win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, November 10.
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson leaps over Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo during the Cowboys’ 33-13 victory on December 10. With the win, the Cowboys extended their home winning-streak to 15 games.
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks to pass in the fourth quarter of a narrow 20-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills on December 10.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown on December 10. The Falcons lost 29-25 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace escapes multiple attempted tackles during a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown in overtime against the Los Angeles Rams on December 10. Wallace’s touchdown earned the Ravens a 37-31 victory.
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San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa celebrates after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock on December 10. Lock started for the Seahawks on Sunday after veteran Geno Smith was ruled inactive. The 49ers won 28-16.
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence reacts after suffering an injury during the Jaguars’ 34-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, December 4.
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy looks to pass during the 49ers’ 42-19 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, December 3.
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New York Jets quarterback Tim Boyle prepares to snap the ball during the Jets’ 13-8 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on December 3.
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Roger McCreary of the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon attempt to catch the ball on December 3. The Colts beat the Titans 31-28 in overtime.
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk a catches touchdown pass in the end zone on December 3.
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Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton celebrates after catching a 45-yard touchdown pass on December 3. The Broncos lost to the Houston Texans 22-17.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks catches a pass for a first down as Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams defends during the Cowboys’ 41-35 Thursday Night Football win on November 30.
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in overtime on Sunday, November 26. The Eagles won 37-34.
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Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the Bengals’ 16-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 26.
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Desmond Ridder of the Atlanta Falcons hands the ball off to Tyler Allgeier during the Falcons’ 24-15 victory over the New Orleans Saints on November 26.
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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus catches a touchdown pass over Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde on November 26.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott eats a turkey leg after the Cowboys’ 45-10 Thanksgiving Day victory over the Washington Commanders on November 23.
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Christian Watson of the Green Bay Packers makes a catch for a touchdown during a game against the Detroit Lions on November 23. The Packers beat the Lions 29-22.
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Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford on Sunday, November 19. The Seahawks beat the Rams 17-16.
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow holds his wrist after a throw during the Bengals’ 34-20 Thursday Night Football loss to the Baltimore Ravens on November 16. He tore a ligament in his right wrist.
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Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon celebrates with teammates after intercepting the ball during the Colts’ 10-6 victory over the New England Patriots in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sunday, November 12.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed stiff arms Joey Porter Jr. of the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 12. The Steelers beat the Packers 23-19.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs recovers a fumble on November 12. The Buccaneers beat the Tennessee Titans 20-6.
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Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler, second from bottom, is tackled by Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson and Derrick Barnes, top, during the Chargers’ 41-38 loss to the Lions on November 12. Detroit linebacker Jack Campbell is on the bottom.
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New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas evades Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II on November 12.
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Noah Sewell, right, and Jaquan Brisker of the Chicago Bears celebrate during the Bears’ 16-13 Thursday Night Football win over the Carolina Panthers on November 9.
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Kansas City Chiefs players warm up prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sunday, November 5. The Chiefs beat the Dolphins 21-14.
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C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans drops back to pass during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 5. Stroud threw for 470 yards in the Texans’ narrow 39-37 victory.
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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones grimaces after being sacked during the Giants’ 30-6 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on November 5.
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Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet catches a touchdown pass while defended by Tyrann Mathieu of the New Orleans Saints on November 5. The Saints beat the Bears 24-17.
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren evades Tre Avery of the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, November 2. The Steelers beat the Titans 20-16.
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Detroit Lions fans cheer on a third down play during the Lions’ 26-14 Monday Night Football victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on October 30.
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Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian celebrates a second quarter interception in Denver on Sunday, October 29. The Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs 24-9.
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Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis throws a pass during the Titans’ 28-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on October 29. Levis threw four touchdowns during the game, his NFL debut.
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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown makes a one-handed catch to score a touchdown against Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste on October 29. The Eagles beat the Commanders 38-31.
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Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss reaches for a one-yard touchdown run during the Colts’ 38-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints on October 29.
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Cincinnati Bengals tight end Irv Smith Jr. runs past San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga on October 29. The Bengals beat the 49ers 31-17.
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Dalton Kincaid of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Bills’ 24-18 Thursday Night Football victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 26.
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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, embraces Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott after the Patriots beat the Bills 29-25 on Sunday, October 22. It was Belichick’s 300th regular-season victory.
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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams drops a pass in the end zone on October 22. The Raiders lost 30-12 to the Chicago Bears.
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Atlanta Falcons placekicker Younghoe Koo celebrates with teammates after making a game-winning field goal on the final play of the Falcons’ 16-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 22.
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Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams evades Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage, bottom, on October 22. The Broncos beat the Packers 19-17.
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Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor runs the ball during the Colts’ 39-38 loss to the Cleveland Browns on October 22.
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Teammates run to Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling as he celebrates his touchdown during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on October 22. The Chiefs won 31-17.
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy scrambles away from Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah during the second half of the 49ers’ 19-17 loss on Sunday, October 15.
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Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert jumps over Carolina Panthers cornerback CJ Henderson on October 15. Mostert had two touchdowns during the Dolphins’ 42-21 victory.
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Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom celebrates his interception during the Rams’ 26-9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on October 15.
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Quincy Williams of the New York Jets tackles Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith on October 15. The Eagles are 5-1 for the season after their 20-14 loss to the Jets.
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes calls a play during the Chiefs’ 19-8 Thursday Night Football win over the Denver Broncos on October 12.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed sits on the sideline as Las Vegas Raiders’ Robert Spillane is congratulated after his interception on Monday, October 9. The Raiders beat the Packers 17-13.
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Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta tries in vain to pull in a pass reception in Detroit on Sunday, October 8. The Lions beat the Carolina Panthers 42-24.
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New York Jets running back Breece Hall carries the ball during a game against the Denver Broncos on October 8. The Jets won 31-21.
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KaVontae Turpin of the Dallas Cowboys catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter of the Cowboys’ 42-10 loss the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 8.
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Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss runs the ball for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8. The Colts beat the Titans 23-16.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens celebrates after catching a 41-yard touchdown pass during the Steelers’ 17-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens on October 8.
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase runs past Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson after making a catch during the Bengals’ 34-20 victory over the Cardinals on October 8. Chase scored three touchdowns during the game.
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Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack celebrates a sack during the Chargers’ 24-17 victory on Sunday, October 1. Mack recorded six sacks, becoming the fifth player in NFL history to do so in a single game.
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Jacksonville Jaguars fans wave flags ahead of a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium in London on October 1. It was the first of five international games the NFL has scheduled this season as part of its ever-expanding International Series. The Jaguars won 23-7.
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Brian Robinson Jr. of the Washington Commanders makes a pass reception during the second quarter of the Commanders’ 34-31 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on October 1.
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Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin shouts while warming up ahead of the Bills game against the Miami Dolphins on October 1. Hamlin participated in the opening kickoff, his first regular season appearance after surviving a cardiac arrest on the field nearly nine months ago. The Bills beat the Dolphins 48-20.
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Cincinnati Bengals’ Evan McPherson kicks a field goal during a game against the Tennesee Titans on October 1. McPherson was Cincinnati’s only player to put points on the board during their 27-3 loss.
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Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions celebrates with fans during his team’s 34-20 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Thursday, September 28.
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Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert celebrates with teammates Braxton Berrios and Christian Wilkins after scoring one of his four touchdowns during the Dolphins’ landslide victory over the Broncos on Sunday, September 24.
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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper pulls in a catch for a touchdown during the Browns’ 27-3 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during his team’s 37-3 win over the Washington Commanders on September 24.
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Brent Skeen/USA Today Network/Reuters
Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tavius Robinson go after a fumble in the end zone on September 24. The Colts beat the Ravens 22-19.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs fends off New Orleans Saints cornerback Isaac Yiadom during the first half at Lambeau Field on September 24. The Packers edged out a 18-17 win.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder is sacked by Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes in the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on September 24. The Falcons lost 20-6.
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San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell is tackled by New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium on September 24. The 49ers remain undefeated after their 30-12 Thursday Night Football win on September 21.
Matt Durisko/AP
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson scores in the first half of a 30-10 win over the New York Jets at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, September 17. It was the Jets’ first game without quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who suffered an ankle injury during his debut with the team in Week 1.
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence throws a pass during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at TIAA Bank Field on September 17. Lawrence threw for 216 yards during Jacksonville’s 17-9 loss to Kansas City.
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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson makes a catch over New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock at State Farm Stadium on September 17. The Cardinals narrowly lost 31-28.
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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray receives a pass on September 17. The Chiefs beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9.
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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams celebrates after scoring the team’s only touchdown during their 38-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on September 17.
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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey looks for space to run the ball in the second half of a 30-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday, September 10.
Ron Chenoy/USA Today Network/Reuters
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers pulls in a touchdown past Denver Broncos cornerback Damarri Mathis in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on September 10. The score would be important as the Raiders edged the home side, 17-16.
Sue Ogrocki/AP
It was a rough day for Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals as they got trounced by the Cleveland Browns 24-3 on September 10. The highest paid quarterback in the league had a tough start to the season, throwing 14-for-31 for 82 yards and being crushed here by Browns safety Grant Delpit.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Deven Thompkins runs with the ball during the fourth quarter of a 20-17 win against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on September 10.
Kirby Lee/USA Today Network/Reuters
Los Angeles Chargers kicker JK Scott punts the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at SoFi Stadium on September 10. The Chargers would lose 36-34 to the Dolphins.
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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver/punt returner Zay Flowers catches a deep pass in the first quarter against the Houston Texans on September 10. Baltimore fans had plenty of action to cheer as their team thoroughly handled the Texans 25-9.
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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy on September 10. It was to be one of the only highlights for the home fans as the Niners won 30-7.
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It was a rough start to the year for the Kansas City Chiefs and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes as they were shocked by the Detroit Lions 21-20 in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, September 7. Still, many are predicting the Chiefs will repeat this year.
The afternoon slate features a quarterback battle for the ages, with Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs taking on Lamar Jackson’s Ravens.
The Chiefs are in familiar territory, making their sixth straight AFC title game appearance with Mahomes at the helm. Across that stretch, he’s racked up two Super Bowls titles, two Super Bowl MVP awards, and two league MVP awards. Needless to say, the Mahomes era has been defined by winning when it matters most.
The same cannot be said for Jackson. His skill on the field is undeniable. He’s one of the best rushing quarterbacks of recent memory, with excellent mobility and field vision. But despite a laundry list of personal accolades and a record-setting MVP campaign as a rookie, Jackson has never played in – let alone won – a Super Bowl.
To Jackson’s credit, the issue for Baltimore has never been a lack of an elite quarterback. The Ravens haven’t been able to put together a complete roster that performs at a high level on both sides of the ball – until now.
With an MVP-frontrunner at quarterback and a lockdown defensive unit, this Ravens squad has all the makings of a title-winning team.
However, the Chiefs could be the perfect team to spoil their Super Bowl dreams.
Kansas City has “been there.” They have a demonstrated ability to compete and excel under pressure. Mahomes’ offense seems to be hitting their stride at the right time, with strong performances from both tight end Travis Kelce and receiver Rashee Rice during last week’s win over the Buffalo Bills. To top it all off, this Chiefs team boasts the best defense they’ve ever had in the Mahomes era.
The high-stakes matchup marks the first time two NFL MVP quarterbacks under the age of 30 will face off in the playoffs, as well as the first time Mahomes and Jackson will meet on the postseason stage.
“I know we’re going to play in a lot of games like this as our careers go on,” Mahomes remarked, “and I’m sure this will be the first of many.”
“I’ve admired watching him from afar. It’s going to be a great challenge for us every time we go against him. … He’s going to be the league MVP for a reason… it’s going to take a full team effort if we’re going to find a way to win.”
“I don’t like competing against [Mahomes] at all,” Jackson told reporters, with a laugh.
“He’s a great quarterback. [He’s] definitely a Hall of Famer. It’s a no-brainer,” Jackson said. “I believe [it’s] just two greats – up-and-coming greats – just going toe-to-toe, like a heavyweight fight.”
Detroit’s storybook season has at least one more chapter as the Lions travel to Santa Clara to take on the top-ranked San Francisco 49ers.
This season will not be soon forgotten by the Ford Field faithful. After years of missing the postseason entirely, the Lions have found themselves in the conference championship for the first time since 1991.
They already made history by becoming the first Lions team to win two postseason matchups since 1957, and now have the opportunity to become the franchise’s first team to ever make it to the Super Bowl.
“This will be an outstanding test for us, but it’s one we’re ready for,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters. “We’re built to handle this. This is going to be an outstanding game on the road. Our guys are going to be ready to roll. “
How did the Lions get to this point? They’re led by resurgent quarterback Jared Goff.
The former No. 1 overall pick was traded to Detroit just two years after leading the Los Angeles Rams to Super Bowl LIII. Despite inheriting a team with a long-standing losing pedigree, Goff – along with head coach Dan Campbell who also joined the team in 2021 – has propelled the Lions to success in his third season. But while Detroit’s accomplishments up to this point are worth commending, its greatest challenge lies ahead.
“These are the times you dream of as a kid,” Goff told reporters earlier this week. “You grow up hoping to be in these final games. We’re one win away from our ultimate goal of getting to the Super Bowl and winning that game as well.”
The 49ers are making their third-straight appearance in the NFC title game and their second-straight led by former ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ Brock Purdy. As the NFC’s top seed, they made their postseason debut in the divisional round with a come-from-behind victory over the Green Bay Packers.
The 24-21 win seemed a bit close for comfort for the 49ers, who defeated their opponents by double-digits in eleven of their twelve victories this regular season.
Purdy underperformed for the majority of the game, going 23 for 39 for 252 yards, but managed to string together the game-winning drive late in the second half. Sunday’s matchup against Detroit will be a sort of moment of truth for the 24-year-old quarterback who has been widely scrutinized since taking over the role as starter.
“For this NFC Championship Game, I want to keep it simple, not blow it out of proportion in my mind, but at the same time have some juice because, man, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Purdy said. “You have to be excited about that more than anything.”
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