NFL playoffs: #HenneThingIsPossible in K.C. and Tom Brady to play in 14th conference title game
The showdown of future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterbacks in New Orleans wasn't exactly the brilliant display of forward passing that was expected. Tom Brady's Buccaneers got the best of Drew Brees' Saints, and Brady will be playing in his 14th conference championship game next week with a chance to advance to his 10th Super Bowl.
Was this also the end of Brees' NFL career?
In Kansas City, Chad Henne had to come on in relief after Patrick Mahomes suffered a concussion. Henne made just enough plays to get Kansas City back to the AFC championship game for the third straight season.
On Saturday, the Buffalo Bills punched their ticket to the AFC title game thanks in large part to a 101-yard pick six. And he Green Bay Packers will host the NFC championship game for the first time during the Aaron Rodgers era. There's snow in the forecast.
Divisional round's biggest moments
- Tom Brady shared a moment with Drew Brees and his family on the Superdome field after the Buccaneers-Saints playoff game.
- Bills Mafia raises nearly $150K in 14 hours for Blessings in a Backpack, a Louisville-based child-hunger organization supported by Lamar Jackson.
- The Chiefs' play call to clinch their divisional playoff win over the Browns absolutely blew Tony Romo's mind.
- #HenneThingIsPossible: Patrick Mahomes had a great reaction to Chad Henne's clutch play to seal the playoff win.
- The Browns got burned by one of the game's most puzzling rules, and fans were not happy about it.
- Browns draft bust Johnny Manziel appeared to take pleasure in Cleveland's playoff defeat.
- Sean Payton borrowed from the Bears' playbook on a razzle-dazzle touchdown play.
- Tom Brady tried to high-five a referee after scoring a touchdown, but that ref was not having it.
- A Chiefs fan shared a video showing exactly where Patrick Mahomes' TD-celebration throw landed.
- Listen to Taron Johnson's 101-yard pick six as called by an enthusiastic Spanish announcer.
- Tom Brady fulfilled his promise of an autographed jersey for the Washington Football Team's Chase Young.
- Early forecasts call for a winter storm in the Green Bay area ahead of Sunday's NFC championship game.
Key divisional round storylines
- Winners and losers: While Andy Reid showed his ability to shift gears in-game, Cleveland got conservative down the stretch.
- 32 things we learned: The championship round should be compelling in light of a somewhat lackluster quarterfinal round.
- While Drew Brees showed his age, Tom Brady marches on: The Brees-Brady showdown in the divisional playoffs was a letdown, Mike Jones writes.
- Chiefs show that #HenneThingIsPossible: Chad Henne and the Chiefs didn't panic when Patrick Mahomes was knocked out of the game with a concussion, Jarrett Bell writes.
- A very Zen Aaron Rodgers makes this Packers team special: Rodgers has embraced an "attitude of gratitude" in his life, Nancy Armour writes.
- The future is bright in Cleveland: The Browns don't have miles to go with expected offseason upgrades to come.
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens knocked flat by Bills' two big plays: There was no dramatic comeback or remarkable recovery for the Ravens QB this time, Jarrett Bell writes.
- Packers' defensive line steals spotlight from Rams: Aaron Donald was held in check, while the Packers picked up four sacks on Rams QB Jared Goff.
- Winners and losers from Saturday's games: While Bills Mafia witnessed another home playoff win, the Ravens were undone by their special teams.
Divisional playoff rundown
- Buccaneers 30, Saints 20: Tom Brady will play in his 14th conference championship game next weekend.
- Chiefs 22, Browns 17: Patrick Mahomes suffered a concussion, but Kansas City held on to reach the AFC championship game for a third straight season.
- Bills 17, Ravens 3: Taron Johnson's 101-yard pick six propelled Buffalo to the AFC title game for the first time since the 1993 season.
- Packers 32, Rams 18: For the first time, Aaron Rodgers will play in an NFC championship game at legendary Lambeau Field.
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