49ers Beat Saints: Alex Smith, Vernon Davis Top Drew Brees To Advance To NFC Championship Game (VIDEO)

What a method to celebrate the 30-year wedding anniversary of "The Capture. "

Joe Montana in order to Dwight Clark after that.

Alex Smith in order to Vernon Davis right now.

Smith completed the 14-yard touchdown move to Davis along with 9 seconds left soon after Drew Brees experienced put the high-powered New orleans saints ahead, and resurgent Bay area capitalized on 5 New Orleans turnovers for any thrilling 36-32 playoff triumph Saturday.

"This is huge for all of us, " Davis stated. "It's history, renowned, anything you may describe. "

Smith ran for any 28-yard TD along with 2: 11 left as well as threw another rating pass to Davis within the first quarter. Coach Jim Harbaugh's NFC Western champions (14-3) proved that the hard-hitting, stingy defense may still win within the modern, wide-open NFL through holding off among league's most powerful offenses.

Brees finished a 66-yard landing pass to Jimmy Graham along with 1: 37 left and also the Saints seemed ready to rally from an earlier 17-point deficit whenever Smith and Davis delivered once again. It was the wild back-and-forth finish featuring a remarkable passing duel within the waning moments.

Their highlight show came within the opposite end area from where Clark captured a stretched-out 6-yard move from Montana upon Jan. 10, 1982. Saturday's game-winner with a leaping Davis – who plowed on the defender as he or she landed – came within the same end area where Steve Youthful hit Terrell Owens for any winning TD along with 3 seconds left inside a 30-27 wild-card conquer the Packers within the 1999 playoffs. Capital t. O. 's grab became referred to as "The Catch II. inch

How about that one?


"You've got in order to call it the actual grab, " Davis stated of his perform. "We were lower. I had to create it happen to consider my teammates where you want to go. "

San Francisco triumphed within its first playoff online game in nine years and can move on to manage the Gambling or defending champ Green Bay Packers, that play Sunday. A win through the Giants would provide the 49ers the house field.

The 49ers drawn off another last-second win inside a season full of these – and on the day former trainer George Seifert offered as honorary captain for that coin toss. Bay area came from at the rear of for five victories throughout the regular season, four on the highway.

Davis, who wept about the sideline afterward times after saying he or she was overwhelmed earlier by Harbaugh's heavy playbook, finished along with seven catches with regard to 180 yards. It had been the most yards receiving with a tight end inside a playoff game. He or she averaged 25. 7 back yards per catch.

Brees came upward big down the stretch just like he did within a record-setting season, also hitting Darren Sproles for any 44-yard TD along with 4: 02 remaining – among Sproles' 15 attracts for 119 back yards.

"It stings right now due to the expectation level that people had coming in to this tournament and knowning that if we earn here we're to the NFC championship online game and anything sometimes happens, " Brees stated. "That's tough. Tough to swallow at this time. "

The 49ers additionally showed that protection can still dominate within the days of large passers like Brees.

Along with Donte Whitner getting the bruising strikes and Dashon Goldson, Meat Willis and their own defensive mates pressuring Brees as well as forcing turnovers through every angle, surprising San Francisco is really a win away from time for the Super Bowl for the very first time since capturing the actual proud franchise's fifth championship following the 1994 season.

Brees, in whose team was arriving off consecutive 600-yard video games, completed 40 associated with 63 passes with regard to 462 yards as well as four touchdowns as well as was sacked 3 times. He also put two interceptions, his first within the postseason in 5 years, and New Orleans (14-4) dropped short again within its quest to return to the Super Dish after winning everything two years back. The Saints continue to be searching for the very first postseason road triumph in franchise background after falling in order to 0-5.

"Kind of a fantastic game the method it went backwards and forwards, " New Orleans trainer Sean Payton stated. "It's obviously a hard game to shed. "

How far these 49ers came since that 24-3 trouncing they took in August at the Superdome within the teams' exhibition opener. Right now, Harbaugh's "Who's first got it better than all of us? No-body! " group is actually drawing comparisons towards the good ol' times of Montana, Jerry Grain, Ronnie Lott as well as Steve Young. Not to mention, Dwight Clark, who came via with "The Catch" in order to beat Dallas within the NFC title online game on Jan. 10, 1982.

All-Pro Donald Akers, the Niners' the majority of experienced playoff experienced whose 44 area goals set the single-season record, kicked 3 more when this mattered most – through 25, 41 as well as 37 yards.

The underdog 49ers created the big performs on both sides from the ball and upon special teams.

"Guys had been so confident, so long as we had time we'd a shot, inch Smith said.

Additionally they had a towel-waving sellout group of 69, 732 in it at Candlestick Park on the beautiful sunny winter day within the Bay Area. It had been 62 degrees from kickoff.

Who Dat? It is the Saints headed home towards the Big Easy empty-handed.

Last year, New Orleans arrived on the scene West and suffered a wonderful loss to the actual 7-9 Seattle Seahawks within the NFC wild-card circular.

The Saints experienced lost five fumbles just about all season, then gave 3 away Saturday towards San Francisco's opportunistic protection that pressured all day long.

Harbaugh's theme "don't overcook this, " rang true since the 49ers relied on which got them here – probably the league's best protection and special groups.

Brees drove the Saints near to the goal line on the opening drive however Pierre Thomas dropped that fumble as well as was lost for that game to the head injury following being hit through Whitner. Two additional turnovers came upon special teams.

Cruz, the 2005 Absolutely no. 1 overall write pick booed so frequently his first 6 seasons, hit Davis on the 49-yard touchdown pass within the first quarter after which Michael Crabtree on the 4-yard TD strike since the 49ers jumped out to some quick 17-0 guide. He finished twenty-four for 42 with regard to 299 yards having a 103. 2 passer score.

"It shows he's becoming at the very top quarterback. I'm glad the planet could see exactly what he did these days, " Willis stated.

Smith and their offense were determined to create their mark upon these playoffs following being overlooked just about all season, and showed just a little flair of their very own. Davis dunked the football within the goal post following his score to create the Niners' most critical game on the actual NFL's big phase since rallying in order to stun the Gambling in January 2003.

Brees threw 2 first-half interceptions as well as had his NFL-record ability of 226 postseason passes with no interception snapped upon Goldson's pick within the opening quarter. Brees' streak dated towards the NFC championship online game against Chicago five in years past.

But he strike a well-guarded Graham for any leaping 14-yard touchdown catch in the 9: 32 mark from the second quarter, after that had a 25-yard TD conclusion to Marques Colston in order to send the New orleans saints into halftime trailing just 17-14.

Any momentum Brand new Orleans gained had been hurt when Colin Jones pressured return man Sproles to fumble following the 49ers punted on the first possession from the second half. That setup Akers' second field goal from the day.

Tim Tebow, Broncos Overcomes Steelers Late Rally To Win 29-23 In OT

Ben Roethlisberger was rarin' to visit after rallying the actual Pittsburgh Steelers within the fourth quarter.

Sitting on the sideline, the banged-up quarterback using the balky ankle was anxiously awaiting his chance to consider the field within overtime.

Given the brand new rules, all the Pittsburgh defense needed to do was contain the Denver Broncos to some field goal – or even, even better, the punt – as well as Roethlisberger would obtain another crack.

This didn't happen.

Next time Roethlisberger stepped on to the field had been to congratulate the actual Broncos. Tim Tebow proved helpful his magic just as before, hitting Demaryius Thomas to have an 80-yard catch and run inside a stunning 29-23 win within the AFC wild-card online game Sunday.

The play that ended the growing season for the Steelers (12-5) required 11 seconds and erased all of the hard work Roethlisberger experienced done to move Pittsburgh from fourteen points down.

"Any loss stinks personally and this isn't any different, " Roethlisberger stated. "It's hard to place into words at this time. It's a irritating thing. "

Times earlier, the Steelers had been poised to grab an improbable earn in regulation. Together with his team trailing 23-16 with under 4 minutes leftover, Roethlisberger found Jerricho Cotchery ultimately zone for the actual tying score.

After obtaining the ball back along with 1: 37 leftover, Roethlisberger – displaying little effects through an ankle injury which has been bothering him for around a month – went the team towards the outer edge associated with field-goal range.

Through there, it unraveled. Roethlisberger had the actual ball jarred free by Elvis Dumervil before pouncing onto it. But it pressed the Steelers from range and resulted in overtime.

The Broncos (9-8) received the coin throw and Tebow quickly visited work.

One perform later, the capacity group was roaring and also the Steelers were reeling. The Broncos move ahead to play Brand new England next weekend break.

"Nice job through those guys, inch Pittsburgh coach Paul Tomlin said. "They created the significant performs tonight. "

And took benefit of blown coverage about the game's final perform. Thomas hauled inside a play-action pass in the Denver 38, stiff-armed cornerback Ike Taylor after which outraced safety Ryan Mundy towards the end zone.

"I felt such as I probably might have helped Ike away, " said Mundy, who was filling out for Ryan Clark since the team's leading tackler sat out like a precaution due to a blood disorder that is exacerbated by altitude. "That's a difficult coverage for (Taylor). Absolutely no help, and my personal help was past due. This game was not on Ike. We win like a team, we lose like a team. "

Roethlisberger had the conversation with Taylor following the game, but wanted the precise nature of it to stay private.

"I informed him I cherished him, " Roethlisberger stated.

The Steelers joined this game like a nine-point favorite despite the fact that they were dinged up at just about any position. Roethlisberger had been bothered by a good ankle injury, but nonetheless played.

And pretty much, too, finishing 22 associated with 44 for 289 yards and something TD pass. He or she also threw a good interception.

Tailback Rashard Mendenhall didn't play as a result of knee injury as well as Pro Bowl middle Maurkice Pouncey was inactive for that game due to a sore ankle.

Later on, the Steelers dropped left tackle Max Starks to some right knee condition.

If that was not enough, Pittsburgh also experienced defensive linemen Brett Keisel (groin) as well as Casey Hampton (remaining knee) leave the overall game with injuries.

An issue? Tomlin wouldn't actually entertain that idea.

"We don't reside in that world, inch he said. "We don't make excuses when it comes to injuries. The guys we placed on the field had been capable of performing and the cause we didn't get the job done is because all of us didn't perform. inch

Making his first appearance within the playoffs after heading 7-4 as Denver's beginner, Tebow outdueled Roethlisberger, the two-time Super Dish winner, who fell to 10-4 within the playoffs. The Broncos additionally snapped a three-game dropping streak that experienced many wondering when they were even worth their first playoff look in six months.

Turns out, maybe these were.

"We're just the fighting team – lots of resilience, " cornerback Champion Bailey said. "In any kind of adverse situation, we'll discover a way to get from it.

"Everybody says we backed to the playoffs – we are in. We did something right on the way. "

With Tebow at the forefront, unorthodox style as well as all.

"He received. That's all which matters, " security Troy Polamalu stated of Tebow. "They received, I should state.

"They'll be in a position to play New England in a few days and that'll be a good challenge on their behalf. "

Tim Tebow, Broncos Beat Steelers In Overtime: Denver Wins On TD Pass To Demaryius Thomas (VIDEO)

"Pull the actual trigger, " Steve Elway told their Denver Broncos celebrity, Tim Tebow, attempting to shake the quarterback from the three-game funk.

Tebow proceeded to go one better – he or she pulled off a good upset.

A rejuvenated Tebow associated with Demaryius Thomas with an electrifying 80-yard touchdown spread the first perform of overtime and also the Broncos defeated the actual stunned Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 within the AFC wild-card online game on Sunday.

Wild doesn't start to describe it. The play required 11 seconds as well as was the quickest ending for an overtime in NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE history.

Thomas hauled inside a high play-action pass in the Denver 38, stiff-armed Ike Taylor after which outraced backup security Ryan Mundy towards the end zone.

"I had been just saying, `Man believe in your speed. Believe in your speed. Don't reduce. Don't cut back again. ' And he or she kept it directly. He outran the actual guy, " stated Willis McGahee, in whose fourth-quarter fumble assisted Pittsburgh tie this.

"I was such as, `Oh my Lord, is he nevertheless running? ' Make sure you just go. Make sure you. Please. "

Tebow, who had done alongside nothing in the 2nd half after the 20-point explosion within the second quarter, looked as startled as everybody else. He chased lower Thomas and knelt on a single knee – Tebowing because it's known – ultimately zone while the actual crowd was heading crazy. Then he or she pounded a closed fist in triumph as well as took a triumph lap.

"When We saw him rating, first of just about all, I just believed, `Thank you, Head of the family, '" Tebow stated. "Then, I had been running pretty quick, chasing him – like I will catch up in order to D. T! I quickly just jumped to the stands, first period I've done which. That was enjoyable. Then, got on the knee and thanked god, the father again and attempted to celebrate along with my teammates and also the fans. "

At the rear of Tebow's season-high 316 back yards passing, the Broncos (9-8) are going to New England for any second-round game from the top-seeded Patriots (13-3) upon Saturday night.

The actual Patriots walloped the actual Broncos 41-23 final month, sending Tebow right into a funk that incorporated seven turnovers along with a 40 percent conclusion clip – as well as prompting Elway in order to implore him in order to "pull the trigger" within the playoffs.

Did he or she ever.

And in contrast to Elway, who lost their first postseason start – towards the Steelers at house in 1984 – Tebow is 1-0 within the playoffs.

"We're only a fighting team. Lots of resilience, " cornerback Champion Bailey said. "In any kind of adverse situation, we'll discover a way to get from it. Everybody says we backed to the playoffs, we're within. We did something right on the way. We're in this. We won a game title. Now, we've reached go try to win a different one. "

The Steelers (12-5) dropped despite Ben Roethlisberger rallying injury-depleted Pittsburgh from the two-touchdown halftime debt with 10 points within the final 10 min's.

Pittsburgh called tails for that overtime coin throw, and it arrived up heads.

Tebow, who engineered 5 fourth-quarter comebacks as well as three OT wins within the regular season, wasted virtually no time finding Thomas within the middle with simply his second spread first down through the night – and their first completion.

Thomas also experienced receptions of fifty-one and 58 yards to setup second-quarter touchdowns following Tebow lost their top target, Eric Decker, to some seriously injured remaining knee, in the very first half.

"They had been the No. 1 defense and we're the No. 1 criminal offense running the golf ball, " Thomas stated. "So, I feel such as they wanted to create a statement and cease the run. I have no idea if they forgot concerning the passing game. The final couple of games that people had, we weren't passing the golf ball that great. inch

Thus, Elway's admonition.

"I seem like he came away and played assured, " Eddie Regal said. "And I believe that's what John was attempting to tell him: Play how you know how in order to play. And Ricky did that. He was smart using the ball and truly led this criminal offense today. "

Tebow's passer score of 125. 6 was the greatest in Broncos postseason background.

"He showed he is a quarterback within the NFL, case shut, " McGahee stated. "They say he or she couldn't throw. They said we wouldn't have the ability to run the ball in it. We did which. I wonder what they will say next 7 days. "

Mundy was playing instead of Ryan Clark, the Steelers' top tackler who sat that one out due to a blood condition that is exacerbated at altitude.

"We dropped, and it's not really because I did not play; we experienced very capable men that played nicely, " said Clark, who was one of many Steelers sidelined or even injured. Pro Dish center Maurkice Pouncey had been out, replaced through Doug Legursky, who had a poor snap right prior to halftime that moved Pittsburgh from field goal variety.

On the very first snap of overtime, Thomas taken in Tebow's high move and raced lower the Broncos sideline, delivering the crowd, such as Elway, the Broncos professional vice president, right into a frenzy at Sports activities Authority Field, that was rocking like the actual old Mile High Stadium in the 1990s.

McGahee offered the play-action nicely, drawing safety Troy Polamalu yet others up to the line to protect the run as well as leaving Thomas with room about the crossing pattern to seize the pass and switch on the jets for that 80-yard score, Tebow's longest pass play like a pro.

"It was just a little surprising, " Steelers linebacker Wayne Farrior said. "But I suppose he's been spending so much time. He's taken lots of criticism over recent years weeks about their throwing motion, their passing game. Such as I said previously, he's a rival. You keep attempting to down a man, and a man like him who's a difficult competitor, he's likely to get you once. "

Hines Ward known as this defeat "just because disappointing" as final year's loss in order to Green Bay within the Super Bowl.

"I've been on lots of really good groups, thank God, and I experienced this team had been up there together, " Polamalu stated. "We weren't in a position to stay healthy as well as keep a cohesiveness like we desired to. "

Tebow completed 10 associated with 21 passes as well as Thomas hauled in four of these for 204 back yards after Decker was injured on the hit by linebacker Wayne Harrison.

Thomas, who missed instruction camp while coping with a torn Achilles and the beginning of the season while coping with a fractured hand, has come on strong recently, averaging 109 yards during the last six games.

However the Broncos' top pick this year – taken three slots in front of Tebow in the very first round – had not had done anything such as this.

"It's amazing simply because I haven't performed explosive like Used to do in college in quite a long time, " Thomas stated.

Tebow threw 2 TD passes as well as ran 10 occasions for 50 yards along with a touchdown.

"I think we executed a bit better. We tried to step-up, " he stated. "We knew it had been win or proceed home. This team desired to fight. We desired to play another online game. "

These two groups had played the very first ever regular period overtime game upon Sept. 22, 1974, within Denver. Now, they played the very first non-sudden death playoff game ever. The new rules required both teams to find the ball in the additional period providing presently there wasn't a landing by either the actual offense or protection.

Tebow took treatment of that in a rush.

Making his first appearance within the playoffs after heading 7-4 as Denver's beginner, Tebow outplayed Roethlisberger, a two-time Extremely Bowl winner playing on the bad ankle, who fell to 10-4 within the playoffs.

Roethlisberger had been 22 for forty for 289 back yards with one TD, 1 interception and 5 sacks. Tebow wasn't removed once by the actual league's top protection.

The Broncos clicked a three-game dropping streak that experienced many wondering when they were even worth their first playoff within six seasons, also it kept the Steelers using their 34th playoff earn, which would possess broken a tie using the Cowboys for probably the most ever.

Tebow led Colorado to 20 second-quarter points – they'd scored just 13 within the quarter in their 11 starts – however a 20-6 halftime guide didn't last lengthy.

Receiver Mike Wallace experienced a 1-yard TD operate, Shaun Suisham kicked a brief field goal as well as Jerricho Cotchery snapped up a 31-yard TD move with 3: forty eight left in legislation to tie this.

The Steelers had been nearing field goal range within the final minute of regulation however the Broncos sacked Roethlisberger 3 times on that last drive, forcing the fumble that Roethlisberger retrieved.

"We were shifting it and we'd a shot, inch Roethlisberger said. "Someone obtained, it felt just like a finger, on the actual ball and bumped it out. Next, you're trying in order to throw a 70-yard Hail Mary and that is hard. "

Roethlisberger never obtained the ball back again as Tebow put into his growing listing of impossible victories within the blink of a watch and a flick from the wrist.

"He gets lots of flak when things fail, " Clark stated, "but he performed phenomenal today. inch

Notes: This had been the Broncos' 2nd playoff win because Elway retired subsequent his second directly Super Bowl sucess in 1999, as well as their first because Jan. 14, 2006, once they handed Tom Brady their first playoff reduction. The Broncos lost towards the Steelers the subsequent week.... This was the very first OT playoff game because the Saints beat the actual Vikings 31-28 within the NFC championship upon Jan. 24, 2010.

Tony Romo, Cowboys Shed To Giants 31-14: Dallas Misses Playoffs Once again

The Dallas Cowboys bookended their own disappointing season with losses in the Meadowlands – beats that kept them from the playoffs.

Most agonizing had been Sunday night's 31-14 washout against the Gambling, who took the actual NFC East name and sent the actual Cowboys home with no postseason berth. Dallas (8-8) opened 2011 having a 27-24 loss towards the Jets at MetLife Arena.

A win within either game might have made a globe of difference.

"It's extremely painful and it is a damn pity, " Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones stated. "We have a great team and I chose to be going towards the playoffs, but which didn't happen. inch

Because of Eli Manning as well as Victor Cruz, this didn't. Manning put three touchdown goes by, including a 74-yarder in order to Cruz, and the Titans (9-7) claimed the ultimate spot in the actual NFL playoffs. Ny took a 21-0 halftime guide and though Dallas obtained within seven points within the fourth quarter, the Cowboys truly weren't a match for that Giants.

The Cowboys lost four of the final five games within their first full period under coach Jerr Garrett.

"They got the actual lead and managed to get stand up, inch said Tony Romo, who posted good numbers despite the right hand injury, however was sacked 6 times. "It's never a great feeling when a person lose. We put so much effort and time into winning this particular and we arrived on the scene and didn't perform our best. inch

Not even near. And when these people got within impressive distance, the Cowboys dropped apart on protection, particularly on the 44-yard jump golf ball pass to Jones that turned things in New York's prefer.

That led to some field goal, and also the Giants added another TD on the 4-yard pass in order to Hakeem Nicks following Manning hit him or her for 36 yards about the previous play.

"I mean it boils down to this game is all about players, " Dallas linebacker Keith Brooking stated, "and this game is all about players making performs, and we didn't do this. We were very efficient for the reason that all year, but we obviously didn't do this tonight. "

Ny won three associated with its final 4 games for 65-year-old trainer Tom Coughlin as well as earned a wild-card house game next Sunday from the Atlanta Falcons (10-6).

"I knew we were likely to fight and keep playing before end, I feel good concerning the way we're handling the good and the bad, and it boils down to finishing, " Manning stated after throwing with regard to 346 yards with no interceptions.

"We've had lots of ups and lower, but when we needed it the majority of we responded, inch said the up-and-coming Jones, who has assigned his team-record environment season with 6 catches for 178 back yards. "We were in a position to keep levelheaded whenever we were on the actual four-game skid. inch

Dallas was its worst enemy inside a game with the season at risk. It missed takes up on all three from the Giants' three first-half touchdowns, didn't recover two fumbles inside its grasp within the half and didn't convert on Romo's sneak on fourth-and-1 in the Giants 10 whilst trailing 21-7.

Romo moved the Cowboys within the second half however all he might generate were landing passes of thirty four and 6 back yards to Laurent Johnson, the last 1 getting Dallas inside 21-14 with 10: 15 in order to play.

Cruz, nevertheless, had the 44-yard third-down capture and another with regard to 20 yards to setup Lawrence Tynes' 28-yard area goal and Manning iced the overall game with the TD move to Nicks along with 3: 41 in order to play.

Manning finished twenty-four of 33 since the Giants beat the Cowboys for that second time within four games and ended a normal season marked by inconsistency on the high note. Jones, who set the single-season record with regard to yards receiving, did his touchdown salsa following the first score.

Romo was twenty nine of 37 with regard to 289 yards however he was always pressurized, including twice becoming sacked by Osi Umenyiora, who returned towards the lineup for the very first time since spraining a good ankle late final month. Dallas' last possession ended along with Romo being sacked through Justin Tuck as well as losing a fumble.

"We required this win, inch Umenyiora said. "This is the largest win we've been part of for a whilst. "

The Giants have not won a postseason online game since beating the-then unbeaten Brand new England Patriots within the Super Bowl within February 2008, and something thing seemingly obvious is this group is peaking.

Coming off a 29-14 conquer the local rival Jets a week ago in what has been the Giants' best game from the season, Coughlin's team come up with another outstanding half an hour in jumping towards the 21-0 halftime guide.

Cruz, who sparked the conquer the Jets' having a team-record 99-yard landing, made another monster play about the Giants' second unpleasant series, turning a brief pass into factors.

Cruz caught a brief square out, eluded the tackle by Terence Newman, turned the corner after obtaining a seal block through Nicks and outraced 2 defenders down the sideline while watching Giants bench for any 7-0 lead.

Dallas went three-and-out but had an opportunity to get right back to the game whenever Will Blackmon muffed the punt at close to his 30-yard collection and Alan Ball didn't recover.

Ahmad Bradshaw created Dallas pay together with his 5-yard TD operate. Safety Abram Elam had an opportunity to tackle Bradshaw within the backfield and Bradshaw scooted to the end zone following he missed.

Manning had goes by of 14 as well as 12 yards in order to rookie fullback Henry Hynoski within an 80-yard touchdown drive right before the half. Bradshaw, who had the 29-yard run early within the drive, broke a deal with by linebacker Bradie Wayne in scoring on the 10-yard swing pass for any 21-0 lead.

The Giants had chances to place the game away within the third quarter. They moved towards the Dallas 42 about the opening possession from the second half as well as elected to punt.

Romo then went the Cowboys 94 yards having a no-huddle offense, hitting Robinson on the 34-yard go pattern down the best sideline on the play that cornerback Corey Webster had been beaten.

An interception through safety Antrel Rolle gave Ny the ball within Dallas territory however they failed to transform a fourth-and-1 in the Dallas 35 and also the Cowboys came back to cut the actual deficit to 7.

2012 NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Playoff Bracket & NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Playoff Picture

The 2012 NFL Playoffs are simply about set, and at Bankroll Sports, we're dissecting the NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE playoff bracket and also the NFL playoff possibilities for that road ahead, once we head towards the actual 2012 Super Dish 46.

Current NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Playoff Picture (AFC Playoff Group)

1: Brand new England Patriots (13-3)

two: Baltimore Ravens (12-4)

3: Houston Texans (10-6)

four: Denver Broncos (8-8)

5: Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

6: Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)

The AFC playoff image is said and completed with as of the final outcome of the four: 00 ET video games in Week seventeen. The New Britain Patriots locked in the top seed within the conference with absolutely nothing to spare once they took down the actual Buffalo Bills, as both Pittsburgh Steelers as well as Baltimore Ravens had been both winners on Sunday too. The Pats defeat both teams out with a game in the actual NFL AFC rankings. The Ravens, by virtue of the two wins more than Pittsburgh earlier within the season, are now likely to be the Absolutely no. 2 seed within the AFC and will even get a very first round bye within the postseason.

The Steelers are likely to visit the Denver Broncos, who won the actual AFC West from 8-8 in spite to the fact that they lost their own final three games from the regular season. QB Tim Tebow and also the gang have struggled offensively a substantial amount of late, including within the 7-3 loss from the Kansas City Chiefs upon Sunday. Tebow and also the Broncos got within though, when the Oakland Raiders were beaten through the San Diego Chargers.

The Houston Texans knew they were going to become the No. 3 seed it doesn't matter what went down within Week 17, and they were beaten with a single point through the Tennessee Titans after deciding to visit for two following scoring what might have been the game-tying touchdown with a few moments remaining. Tennessee halted the Texans, but that’s exactly where its luck ran out during the day. The Titans were the only real team that might have won the last spot within the playoffs that received on Sunday, but because of bad tiebreakers, it's the Cincinnati Bengals which will claim the Absolutely no. 6 spot rather. The Bengals were beaten through the aforementioned Ravens, but thanks to the truth that both Denver as well as Oakland lost, the face to face win that Cincinnati had from the Titans in Week 9 turned out to be the difference.

Pittsburgh and Colorado haven’t played this season, but you realize that the public will probably be all over the Steelers using their vaunted defense from the Tebow “Triple Option” appear. Cincinnati faced the Texans a month ago, and it had been the last online game that Houston received. QB TJ Yates threw the overall game winning TD move with two ticks left about the clock to secure the franchise’s very first playoff berth within team history.

In the event that Houston wins, it'll play against the Ravens within the second round from the playoffs in a rematch of the game that had been a brutal beat down how the Texans were about the wrong side associated with at M&T Financial institution Stadium early within the season. If Cincinnati is victorious, it will go to the Patriots on The month of january 14th or fifteenth. The Steelers/Broncos winner will require on the other team that's remaining. New England had been beaten by Pittsburgh however crushed Denver this year, while Baltimore went 2-0 from the Steelers and didn’t perform the Broncos.

Present NFL Playoff Image (NFC Playoff Situations)

1: Eco-friendly Bay Packers (15-1)

two: San Francisco 49ers (13-3)

3: Saints (13-3)

four: New York Giants/Dallas Cowboys (8-7)

5: NFC Crazy Card: Atlanta Falcons (10-6)

6: NFC Crazy Card: Detroit Elephants (10-6)

Whereas there is plenty of dropping in Week 17 within the AFC, in the actual NFC, teams really fought against it out to try and gain positioning within the playoffs. The Green These types of Packers had nothing to be worried about, as they were guaranteed the very best seed in the conference prior to the day ever began. The San Francisco 49ers shut out the Absolutely no. 2 seed within the postseason and a comparatively improbable bye week within the first round from the playoffs by keeping off a late rally through the St. Louis Rams within Week 17. That made the actual efforts of the Saints futile in spite to the fact that they brutalized the actual Carolina Panthers within Week 17.

New Orleans will take on the actual Detroit Lions within the first round from the postseason. The Lions were trying their finest to avoid the day at the Superdome this particular coming week through playing their hearts out from the Packers at Lambeau Area. That being stated, they were beaten 45-41 inside a wild last game from the season, and these were stuck here once the Atlanta Falcons crippled the actual Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The actual Falcons, who lost twice this season to New Orleans, avoided the 3rd meeting, and right now, they will go either New You are able to or Dallas based on which team is victorious the de facto NFC Eastern championship game this evening. (Check Back again For Updates Later on Tonight)

New Orleans sent the Lions upon Sunday Night Football the very first time that these 2 teams met a month . 5 ago. The Saints will be in line for any meeting with the 49ers having a win, while the Lions will require on the Packers for that third time this year if they were to accomplish the upset.

The Falcons didn’t perform either Dallas or Ny in the normal season. The Falcons will have an opportunity to exact some revenge from the Packers should they meet within the second round from the playoffs, as which was the juncture by which Green Bay required care of Atlanta within the postseason last year in the Georgia Dome. The Falcons as well as Niners didn’t play this season. San Francisco beat Ny and Detroit throughout the regular season, however the Cowboys were the very first (and with regard to awhile, the just) team in order to beat the Niners within 2011.

NFL Playoff Picture Coming into Focus

The Lions and Falcons have been in; the Eagles as well as Bears are away. Cincinnati is closing in on the playoff berth, as the Jets and Raiders require some help.

All a part of a wild closing act towards the NFL season.

With one online game remaining before groups hunker down for his or her finales next 7 days (Atlanta from New Orleans upon Monday night), the most known news was produced by Detroit.

The final time the Elephants were a pressure, Barry Sanders is at their backfield. Sanders retired following the 1998 season, and Detroit created the postseason the following year then plummeted towards the bottom of the actual league. In 08, the Lions posted the only real 0-16 record within NFL history.

Right now, they're in the chase for that championship. Their 38-10 rout of North park secured an NFC crazy card.

"Once you're able to the playoffs, it is anybody's ballgame, inch defensive end High cliff Avril said. "The town of Detroit requirements it. They've been waiting around on us to win for some time. It's such the football town as well as we haven't already been winning, so it is huge. "

From 10-5, the Elephants join North champ Green Bay, West winner Bay area, South leader Brand new Orleans, and the Atlanta Falcons within the postseason parade. Either Dallas or the Gambling also will make it happen - they fulfill next Sunday night in the Meadowlands in the winner-take-all matchup for that NFC East name.

The Falcons guaranteed a playoff just right Sunday night whenever Green Bay defeat Chicago 35-21 as well as eliminated the Bears along the way.

So if the actual Cowboys and Titans, both 8-7, are battling for that NFC East overhead, where does which leave the Eagles, probably the most disappointing team within the league?

Dreaming from the playoffs.

The team which "won" free agency following the NFL lockout through signing such awards as cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, defensive end Jerr Babin and recipient Steve Smith must beat Washington next Sunday to complete at. 500. Very little return on the actual dollar for Philly.

"If we'd gotten into the actual playoffs, we might have definitely done a few damage, " Michael Vick said following the Eagles (7-8) defeat Dallas 20-7 upon Saturday. "It's regrettable we didn't. This is the game of soccer. We made a few mistakes early (this year) and got behind within the win-loss column. However we're just pleased we're finishing powerful. "

Finishing strong but likely to the playoffs: Brand new England, which won its seventh inside a row by rallying from the 17-0 hole in order to beat Miami 27-24. It had been the 10th time this year a team has return from at minimum 17 points in order to win, the most in one NFL season.

"All the actual while, we never threw in the towel on one another and not said anything negative one to the other, " defensive lineman Vince Wilfork stated. "Going down 17-0 is really a pretty big debt, but once once again this team demonstrated its character. inch

The AFC Eastern champion Patriots (12-3) might get home-field advantage for that playoffs by defeating Buffalo next weekend break.

Green Bay (14-1) snapped up the home-field edge within the NFC with its conquer Chicago on Weekend night.

That's the easy stuff. As for that chaotic, well, just one consider the AFC wild-card competition after Saturday's results could make your head rewrite.

Suffice to say how the Bengals (9-6) have been in control. But when they lose to Baltimore (11-4), which requires a victory to clinch the actual AFC North more than Pittsburgh (additionally 11-4), it brings 3 other teams into play for that final AFC berth: Tn, Oakland and the brand new York Jets.

The actual Jets (8-7), such as Philadelphia, are among the NFL's major flops this season. For much from the stretch drive, the Jets were responsible for the chase for that second AFC crazy card. They kept ruining, though, and after Saturday's unsightly 29-14 loss towards the Giants, they hardly are relevant.

"We perform this game in order to win the Extremely Bowl, " celebrity cornerback Darrelle Revis stated. "So even to become talking about which excites me, and I believe it excites the team for all of us to go available and try in order to win the Extremely Bowl. That's exactly what it's about. It isn't about nothing otherwise. "

Unless everybody else in the AFC wild-card scramble manages to lose, Revis and company can your investment Super Bowl this particular winter.

Among the actual notable individual overall performance in Week sixteen:

- Reggie Rose bush went over 1, 000 yards rushing for the very first time in his profession, gaining 113 within Miami's loss in order to New England.

- The Rams' Steven Fitzgibbons ran for 103 yards inside a 27-0 loss to Pittsburgh to debate 1, 000 about the season for the actual seventh straight 12 months.

- Seattle's Marshawn Lynch scored the very first TD rushing against Bay area all season, the 4-yarder. It was the actual 11th straight game by which he had the touchdown.

- 49ers kicker Donald Akers set a good NFL record along with 42 field goals for that season, including four within the 19-17 win from Seattle.

- Carolina's Camera Newton broke Peyton Manning's NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE rookie record with regard to yards passing inside a season with 3, 893 since the Panthers routed Tampa These types of 48-16.