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NFC Championship Game
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The NFC Championship Game is the annual championship game of the National Football Conference (NFC) and one of the two semifinal playoff games of the National Football League (NFL), the largest professional American football league in the world. The game is played on the last Sunday in January by the two remaining playoff teams, following the NFC postseason's first two rounds. The NFC champion then advances to face the winner of the AFC Championship Game in the Super Bowl.
Key Information
The game was established as part of the 1970 merger between the NFL and the American Football League (AFL), with the merged league realigning into two conferences. Since 1984, each winner of the NFC Championship Game has also received the George Halas Trophy, named after the co-founder of the NFL and founder and longtime owner of the Chicago Bears, George Halas.
History
[edit]The first NFC Championship Game was played following the 1970 regular season after the merger between the NFL and the AFL. The game is considered the successor to the original NFL Championship, and its game results are listed with that of its predecessor in the annual NFL Record and Fact Book.[1] Since the pre-merger NFL consisted of six more teams than the AFL (16 teams for the NFL and 10 for the AFL), a realignment was done as part of the merger to create two conferences with an equal number of teams: The NFL's Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers joined the ten former AFL teams to form the AFC; while the remaining 13 pre-merger NFL clubs formed the NFC.
Every NFC team has played in an NFC Championship at least once. The Seattle Seahawks, who have been members in both the AFC and the NFC, hold the distinction of appearing in both conference title games. Only the Detroit Lions have yet to win or host an NFC Championship Game. The San Francisco 49ers have the most losses in the NFC Championship Game at 11, along with most appearances at 19, and have hosted the most at 11.[2][3][4] Both the Dallas Cowboys and 49ers have won the most NFC Championships at 8 each.[5]
The Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings are the only two NFC teams to appear in at least one NFC Championship game in every decade since 1970.
Playoff structure
[edit]
The structure of the NFL playoffs has changed several times since 1970. At the end of each regular season, the top teams in the NFC qualify for the postseason, including all division champions (three division winners from the 1970–71 to 2001–02 seasons; four since the 2002–03 season) and a set number of "wild card" teams that possess the best win–loss records after the regular season yet fail to win their division (one wild card team from the 1970–71 to 1977–78 seasons; two wild cards from 1978–79 to 1989–90, and from 2002–03 to 2019–20; three from 1990–91 to 2001–02, and since 2020–21). The two teams remaining following the Wild Card round (first round) and the Divisional round (second round) play in the NFC Championship Game, with the winner advancing to the Super Bowl.
Initially, the site of the NFC Championship Game was determined on a rotating basis.[6]: 10 Since the 1975–76 season, the site of the game has been based on playoff seeding based on the regular season won-loss record, with the highest surviving seed hosting the game. A wild card team can only host the game if both participants are wild cards; such an instance has yet to occur in the NFL.[7]
George Halas Trophy
[edit]| External images | |
|---|---|
 The George Halas Trophy is held by a member of the media during the NFC Championship game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings. Getty Images. January 21, 2018. | |
| The (former version of the) George Halas Trophy sits on a table at the Hyatt Union Station Hotel in St. Louis. UPI.com. January 25, 2002. |
Beginning with the 1984–85 NFL playoffs, the winner of the NFC Championship Game has received the George Halas Trophy, named after the longtime owner and coach of the Chicago Bears, a charter member of the NFL. The original design consisted of a wooden base with a sculpted NFC logo in the front and a sculpture of various football players in the back.
For the 2010–11 NFL playoffs, the George Halas Trophy and the Lamar Hunt Trophy, which is awarded to the AFC champion, were redesigned by Tiffany & Co. at the request of the NFL in an attempt to make both awards more significant.[8] The trophies are now a new, silver design with the outline of a hollow football positioned on a small base to more closely resemble the Vince Lombardi Trophy, awarded to the winner of the Super Bowl.[9]
In recent years conference championship rings are also awarded to members of the team who wins the AFC or NFC championship since they are the winners of the conference, even though they may not necessarily follow it up with a win in the Super Bowl.[10][11]
The George Halas Trophy should not be confused with the Newspaper Enterprise Association's George Halas Trophy, which was awarded to the NFL's defensive player of the year from 1966 to 1996 or the Pro Football Writers Association's George S. Halas Courage Award.
Prior to the merger in 1970, the NFL champions were awarded the Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy, starting in 1934.
List of NFC Championship Games
[edit]- Numbers in parentheses in the winning team and losing team columns are NFC Championships won and lost by that team. Bold indicates team won Super Bowl that year. Numbers in parentheses in the city and stadium column is the number of times that metropolitan area and stadium has hosted a NFC Championship, respectively.
Appearances, 1970–present
[edit]In the sortable table below, teams are ordered first by number of appearances, then by number of wins, and finally by year of first appearance.
| # | Team | W | L | % | PF | PA | Last game | Last win | Home games | Home wins | Home losses | Home win % | Away games | Away wins | Away losses | Away win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | San Francisco 49ers | 8 | 11 | .421 | 402 | 391 | 2023 | 2023 | 11 | 6 | 5 | .545 | 8 | 2 | 6 | .250 |
| 14 | Dallas Cowboys | 8 | 6 | .571 | 317 | 264 | 1995 | 1995 | 5 | 4 | 1 | .800 | 9 | 4 | 5 | .444 |
| 11 | Los Angeles Rams[fn 16] | 5 | 6 | .455 | 128 | 227 | 2021 | 2021 | 5 | 3 | 2 | .600 | 6 | 2 | 4 | .333 |
| 9 | Philadelphia Eagles | 5 | 4 | .556 | 233 | 156 | 2024 | 2024 | 7 | 5 | 2 | .714 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| 9 | Minnesota Vikings | 3 | 6 | .333 | 136 | 175 | 2017 | 1976 | 3 | 2 | 1 | .667 | 6 | 1 | 5 | .167 |
| 9 | Green Bay Packers | 3 | 6 | .333 | 184 | 207 | 2020 | 2010 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | 6 | 2 | 4 | .333 |
| 7 | Washington Commanders[fn 17] | 5 | 2 | .714 | 162 | 133 | 2024 | 1991 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1.000 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| 5 | New York Giants | 5 | 0 | 1.000 | 116 | 50 | 2011 | 2011 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1.000 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 5 | Chicago Bears | 2 | 3 | .400 | 80 | 86 | 2010 | 2006 | 4 | 2 | 2 | .500 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| 4 | Atlanta Falcons | 2 | 2 | .500 | 108 | 103 | 2016 | 2016 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 |
| 4 | Carolina Panthers | 2 | 2 | .500 | 90 | 82 | 2015 | 2015 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 |
| 4 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2 | 2 | .500 | 64 | 56 | 2020 | 2020 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 3 | 2 | 1 | .667 |
| 3 | Seattle Seahawks[fn 18] | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | 85 | 53 | 2014 | 2014 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 3 | New Orleans Saints | 1 | 2 | .333 | 68 | 93 | 2018 | 2009 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| 2 | Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 1 | .500 | 47 | 74 | 2015 | 2008 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| 2 | Detroit Lions | 0 | 2 | .000 | 41 | 75 | 2023 | N/A | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
Appearances by year
[edit]In the sortable table below, teams are ordered first by number of appearances, then by number of wins, and finally by year of first appearance. In the "Season(s)" column, bold years indicate winning Conference Championship appearances.
Records by division
[edit]The table below shows NFC Championship Game records by division, based on the division the franchise was in during the season the championship game was played. The NFL realigned divisions prior to the 2002 season, renaming the NFC Central as the NFC North, creating the NFC South, and shifting several teams among the divisions.
| Division | Total | 1970–2001 | 2002–present | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Wins | Losses | Win % | Apps | Wins | Losses | Win % | Apps | Wins | Losses | Win % | |
| NFC East | 35 | 23 | 12 | .657 | 25 | 17[fn 19] | 8[fn 20] | .680 | 10 | 6[fn 19] | 4[fn 20] | .600 |
| NFC North | 27 | 8 | 19 | .296 | 16 | 6[fn 21] | 10[fn 22] | .375 | 11 | 2[fn 21] | 9[fn 22] | .182 |
| NFC South | 11 | 6 | 5 | .545 | — | 11 | 6[fn 23] | 5[fn 24] | .545 | |||
| NFC West | 37 | 18 | 19 | .486 | 23 | 9[fn 25] | 14[fn 26] | .391 | 12 | 9[fn 25] | 5[fn 26] | .643 |
Most common matchups
[edit]| Count | Matchup | Record | Years played |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers | Cowboys, 4–2 | 1970, 1971, 1981, 1992, 1993, 1994 |
| 2 | Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins / Commanders | Washington, 2–0 | 1972, 1982 |
| 2 | Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings | Tie, 1–1 | 1973, 1977 |
| 2 | Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings | Vikings, 2–0 | 1974, 1976 |
| 2 | Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams | Cowboys, 2–0 | 1975, 1978 |
| 2 | Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Rams, 2–0 | 1979, 1999 |
| 2 | Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers | 49ers, 2–0 | 1984, 1988 |
| 2 | Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers | Tie, 1–1 | 1989, 2021 |
| 2 | New York Giants vs. San Francisco 49ers | Giants, 2–0 | 1990, 2011 |
| 2 | Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers | Tie, 1–1 | 1997, 2019 |
NFC Championship Game records
[edit]
- Most victories: 8 (tie)
- Most losses: 11** – San Francisco 49ers (1970–1971, 1983, 1990, 1992–1993, 1997, 2011, 2013, 2021–2022)
- Most appearances: 19** – San Francisco 49ers (1970–1971, 1981, 1983–1984, 1988–1990, 1992–1994, 1997, 2011–2013, 2019, 2021–2023)
- Most consecutive appearances: 4 (tie, 2 teams, 3 times)
- Most consecutive victories: 2 (tie, 6 teams, 8 times)
- Most victories without a loss: 5** – New York Giants (1986, 1990, 2000, 2007, 2011)
- Most appearances without a win: 2 – Detroit Lions (1991, 2023)
- Most consecutive losses before first win: 4* – Los Angeles Rams (1974, 1975, 1976, 1978)
- Most consecutive appearances without a win: 6** – Minnesota Vikings (1977, 1987, 1998, 2000, 2009, 2017)
- Most defensive shutouts: 2* – New York Giants (1986, 17–0 vs Redskins and 2000, 41–0 vs Vikings)
- Most times shut out: 2** – Los Angeles Rams (1978, 0–28 vs Cowboys and 1985, 0–24 vs Bears)
- Most consecutive losses: 3* (tie, 3 times)
- Most games hosted: 11* – San Francisco 49ers (1970, 1981, 1984, 1989–1990, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2011, 2019, 2023)
- Most consecutive games hosted: 3 – Philadelphia Eagles (2002–2004)
- Most common matchup: 6** – Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers (1970–1971, 1981, 1992–1994)
- Most points scored: 55** – January 26, 2025 (2024) – Philadelphia Eagles (55) vs. Washington Commanders (23)
- Largest margin of victory: 41 points – January 14, 2001 (2000) – New York Giants (41) vs. Minnesota Vikings (0)
- Smallest margin of victory: 1 point** – January 10, 1982 (1981) – San Francisco 49ers (28) vs. Dallas Cowboys (27)
- Fewest points scored, winning team: 9** – January 6, 1980 (1979) – Los Angeles Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Fewest points scored: 0* (tie, 5 teams, 6 times)
- January 7, 1979 (1978) – Los Angeles Rams 0 vs Dallas Cowboys 28
- January 6, 1980 (1979) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0 vs Los Angeles Rams 9
- January 6, 1985 (1984) – Chicago Bears 0 vs San Francisco 49ers 23
- January 12, 1986 (1985) – Los Angeles Rams 0 vs Chicago Bears 24
- January 11, 1987 (1986) – Washington Redskins 0 vs New York Giants 17
- January 14, 2001 (2000) – Minnesota Vikings 0 vs New York Giants 41
- Most points scored, losing team: 31 – January 28, 2024 (2023) – Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Most combined points scored: 78** – January 26, 2025 (2024) – Philadelphia Eagles (55) vs. Washington Commanders (23)
- Fewest combined points scored: 9** – January 6, 1980 (1979) – Los Angeles Rams (9) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0)
- Longest game: 71 minutes, 52 seconds** – January 17, 1999 (1998) – Atlanta Falcons (30) @ Minnesota Vikings (27), OT
- Most NFC Championships won in overtime: 2** – New York Giants (2007, 2011)
- Most NFC Championships lost in overtime: 2* (tie)
- Current teams which have never hosted an NFC Championship Game: Detroit Lions[fn 27]
- Current teams which have never won an NFC Championship: Detroit Lions (0–2)[fn 27]
- Longest drought without appearing in an NFC Championship Game: Dallas Cowboys (last appearance – 1995)
- Longest drought without an NFC Championship: Detroit Lions**[fn 27]
- Highest attendance: 88,919 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 4, 1976 (1975)
- Largest comeback: 17 points (tie)
- Overtime games:
Notes:
* Tied for Conference Championship record
** Conference Championship record
TV ratings
[edit]- 2024: 44.2 million[68]
Footnotes
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k San Francisco and Santa Clara are located in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- ^ This was the final NFL game played at Kezar Stadium.
- ^ The 1972 Dallas Cowboys were the first ever NFC wild card franchise to advance to the Conference championship game.
- ^ a b c Bloomington and Minneapolis are located in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area.
- ^ a b c Los Angeles and Inglewood are located in the Greater Los Angeles Area.
- ^ The 1975 Dallas Cowboys were the first ever wild card franchise to advance to the Super Bowl.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Candlestick Park was also known as 3Com Park.
- ^ Played on Saturday
- ^ a b c d e f Overtime
- ^ a b The Dome at America's Center was originally known as the Trans World Dome, then the Edward Jones Dome.
- ^ This was the final NFL game played at Veterans Stadium.
- ^ a b c Lumen Field was also known as Qwest Field, then CenturyLink Field.
- ^ a b Caesars Superdome was originally named the Louisiana Superdome, then Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
- ^ This was the final NFL game played at the Georgia Dome.
- ^ This was the first Championship Game in either conference to be played at the same stadium of that season's Super Bowl.
- ^ a b Includes appearances during the Rams' first tenure in Los Angeles (the 1970 merger to 1994), where they went 1–6 in NFC Championship Games; and their period as the St. Louis Rams (1995–2015), where they went 2–0 in NFC Championship Games.
- ^ a b The Commanders were known as the Redskins during their first six NFC Championship appearances.
- ^ a b The Seahawks were members of the NFC in 1976 and then members of the AFC from 1977 to 2001, before rejoining the NFC in 2002. Including their only appearance (1983) in the AFC Championship Game (0–1), they hold a combined 3–1 record between both Conference Championship Games.
- ^ a b NFC East conference championship game victories. Pre-2002: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2000. Since 2002: 2004, 2007, 2011, 2017, 2022, 2024
- ^ a b NFC East conference championship game losses. Pre-2002: 1972, 1973, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1994, 2001. Since 2002: 2002, 2003, 2008, 2024
- ^ a b NFC North conference championship game victories. Pre-2002: 1973, 1974, 1976, 1985, 1996, 1997. Since 2002: 2006, 2010.
- ^ a b NFC North conference championship game losses. Pre-2002: 1977, 1979, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000. Since 2002: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2023
- ^ NFC South conference championship game victories: 2002, 2003, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2020
- ^ NFC South conference championship game losses: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2012, 2018
- ^ a b NFC West conference championship game victories. Pre-2002: 1979, 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2001. Since 2002: 2005, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023
- ^ a b NFC West conference championship game losses. Pre-2002: 1970, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997. Since 2002: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2021, 2022
- ^ a b c The Lions last hosted and won the 1957 NFL Championship Game during the pre-Super Bowl era.
References
[edit]- Time Almanac 2004
- ^ "NFC Championship Game Results. Includes NFL Championship Games (1933-69)". 2023 NFL Record and Fact Book. National Football League. 27 June 2023. p. 500. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ Alfano, Jonathan (2024-01-23). "NFC Championship Game history: Wins, losses, results, teams". ClutchPoints | NFL News. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ Marczi, Matthew (2024-01-22). "49ers Tie Steelers In Hosting Record 11th Conference Championship Game". Steelers Depot. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ "Conference title games new for some, old hat for others". spectrumnews1.com. Associated Press. 2024-01-24. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "NFC Championship Game history: Most wins, losses and appearances". NBC Sports Bay Area & California. 2023-01-23. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ Urena, I., Pro Football Schedules: A Complete Historical Guide from 1933 to the Present (Jefferson, NC & London: McFarland & Company, 2014), p. 10.
- ^ Palmer, Pete; Pullis, Ken; Lahman, Sean; Maher, Tod; Silverman, Matthew; Gillette, Gary (2007). The ESPN pro football encyclopedia (2nd ed.). Sterling Pub. Co. p. 1207. ISBN 9781402752506.
- ^ "NFC's Halas trophy has new look". Chicago Sun-Times.
- ^ Bell, Jarrett (January 25, 2011). "NFL Replay: Gritty Steelers aren't pretty, but they are Super". USA Today.
- ^ "First look at the Atlanta Falcons NFC Championship rings". 247sports.com. 10 June 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
- ^ "Brandin Cooks thanks Patriots for AFC Championship ring". 247sports.com. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
- ^ "Championship - Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers - January 3rd, 1971". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys - January 2nd, 1972". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins - December 31st, 1972". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys - December 30th, 1973". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings - December 29th, 1974". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams - January 4th, 1976". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings - December 26th, 1976". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys - January 1st, 1978". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams - January 7th, 1979". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - January 6th, 1980". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles - January 11th, 1981". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers - January 10th, 1982". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins - January 22nd, 1983". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins - January 8th, 1984". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers - January 6th, 1985". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears - January 12th, 1986". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Washington Redskins at New York Giants - January 11th, 1987". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins - January 17th, 1988". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears - January 8th, 1989". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers - January 14th, 1990". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "NFC Championship - New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers - January 20th, 1991". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins - January 12th, 1992". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers - January 17th, 1993". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys - January 23rd, 1994". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers - January 15th, 1995". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys - January 14th, 1996". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers - January 12th, 1997". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers - January 11th, 1998". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings - January 17th, 1999". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Tampa Bay Buccaneers at St. Louis Rams - January 23rd, 2000". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants - January 14th, 2001". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Philadelphia Eagles at St. Louis Rams - January 27th, 2002". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Philadelphia Eagles - January 19th, 2003". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles - January 18th, 2004". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles - January 23rd, 2005". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks - January 22nd, 2006". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears - January 21st, 2007". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - New York Giants at Green Bay Packers - January 20th, 2008". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals - January 18th, 2009". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints - January 24th, 2010". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears - January 23rd, 2011". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers - January 22nd, 2012". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons - January 20th, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks - January 19th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks - January 18th, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers - January 24th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons - January 22nd, 2017". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles - January 21st, 2018". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints - January 20th, 2019". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers - January 19th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers - January 24th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams - January 30th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles - January 29th, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers - January 28th, 2024". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "Saquon Barkley runs Philly to NFC Championship Game, Eagles beat Rams 28-22". ProFootballTalk. January 19, 2025.
- ^ "NFC Championship - Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles - January 26th, 2025". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
- ^ Crupi, Anthony (2025-01-28). "Chiefs, Bills Set AFC Title Game Record With 57.4M Viewers". Sportico.com. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
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NFC Championship Game
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Origins and Evolution
Historical Background
The NFC Championship Game traces its origins to the merger between the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL), agreed upon in 1966 and fully implemented for the 1970 season.[6] This consolidation created a unified league of 26 teams divided into two conferences: the National Football Conference (NFC), comprising 13 former NFL teams, and the American Football Conference (AFC), incorporating 10 AFL teams plus three NFL franchises (Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers).[7] The NFC Championship Game was established as the decisive matchup to determine the conference's representative in the Super Bowl, replacing the pre-merger NFL Championship Game.[2] The inaugural NFC Championship Game took place on January 3, 1971, at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, where the Dallas Cowboys defeated the host San Francisco 49ers 17-10 to advance to Super Bowl V.[8] The following year, on January 2, 1972, the Cowboys again prevailed over the 49ers, 14-3, in the second NFC title game, highlighting an early rivalry between the two franchises.[9] These contests marked the beginning of a playoff format introduced with the merger, which included wild-card teams for the first time; each conference selected three division winners plus one wild-card team based on the best non-division-winning record, expanding the postseason to eight teams total.[10] Throughout the 1970s, the Dallas Cowboys exemplified dominance in the NFC, securing five conference championships (1970, 1971, 1975, 1977, and 1978 seasons) and fostering intense rivalries, particularly with the 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.[2] This era featured key format evolutions, such as the gradual expansion of playoff berths—growing to 10 teams total (five per conference) by 1978—to accommodate league growth.[11] The game's structure continued to adapt amid realignments, notably in 2002 when the addition of the Houston Texans to the AFC prompted a divisional reshuffle; this included shifting the Seattle Seahawks from the AFC West to the NFC West and creating the NFC South division with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to balance the 16-team conferences.[12]Changes in Playoff Format
The NFC Championship Game's structure has evolved alongside broader NFL playoff format changes, beginning with the league's merger with the AFL in 1970. That year introduced an eight-team playoff field, with four teams qualifying from each conference: the three division winners and one wild-card team, determined by the best record among non-division winners. This format ensured that the NFC Championship pitted the top two remaining NFC playoff teams against each other after divisional round games, emphasizing divisional strength while allowing a second-place team a chance at advancement.[11][13] Subsequent modifications addressed league growth and scheduling disruptions. In 1978, the playoff field expanded to 10 teams total (five per conference; three division winners plus two wild cards per conference), increasing opportunities for non-division leaders to reach the NFC Championship. A temporary shift occurred in 1982 due to a players' strike that shortened the regular season to nine games; the NFL adopted a 16-team "Super Bowl Tournament" format with the top eight seeds per conference earning byes, which altered seeding and led to broader participation but was reverted to the 10-team structure in 1983. By 1990, further expansion to 12 teams total (six per conference) added a third wild-card slot per conference, maintaining three division winners but enhancing the pool of potential NFC Championship contenders to six teams per conference.[11][14] The 2002 realignment, prompted by the addition of the Houston Texans as the league's 32nd team, reorganized the NFC into four divisions of four teams each, up from three divisions. This adjustment preserved the six-team playoff per conference but shifted to four division winners and two wild cards, with the top two seeds receiving byes in the divisional round; it refined seeding to better reflect divisional performance while adapting to the balanced conference structure. These changes collectively broadened access without overhauling the path to the NFC Championship.[10][11] The most recent transformation came in 2020, when NFL owners approved expanding to 14 playoff teams (seven per conference) as part of a new collective bargaining agreement, initially influenced by COVID-19 contingencies but made permanent as part of the 2020 collective bargaining agreement, with the expanded format first used in the 2020 season. The format includes four division winners and three wild cards per conference, with only the top seed earning a first-round bye and no reseeding after rounds; wild-card matchups are fixed by seed (No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6, No. 4 vs. No. 5). This has heightened late-season stakes and fostered greater competitiveness in the NFC Championship by enabling more underseeded or wild-card teams to advance, as seen in instances like the No. 6 San Francisco 49ers reaching the 2021 game. Overall, these evolutions have promoted parity, diversifying participants and intensifying the game's unpredictability compared to earlier eras dominated by top division winners.[15][14]Game Format and Traditions
Current Playoff Structure
The National Football League (NFL) employs a 14-team playoff format, with seven teams qualifying from the National Football Conference (NFC) to determine the conference champion. These include the four division winners from the NFC East, North, South, and West, along with three wild-card teams selected based on the best win-loss records among the non-division-winning teams.[16] Teams are seeded from 1 to 7 within the NFC, with the four division winners assigned seeds 1 through 4 in order of their regular-season records, granting the No. 1 seed a first-round bye. The three wild-card teams receive seeds 5 through 7, also ranked by record. After each playoff round, the bracket employs full reseeding, pairing the highest remaining seed against the lowest in subsequent matchups to ensure competitive balance.[17] The path to the NFC Championship Game begins with the Wild Card round, where the Nos. 2 through 7 seeds compete in three games, followed by the Divisional round featuring the winners against the No. 1 seed and the top two Wild Card victors. The NFC Championship then pits the two surviving teams—typically the highest remaining seed (often No. 1 or 2) against the lowest (No. 4 or below)—in a single-elimination contest to advance to the Super Bowl.[18] Seeding ties are resolved through a structured set of tiebreaker rules, starting with head-to-head results, followed by division record, conference record, strength of victory, and strength of schedule, among others, to precisely order teams.[19] The NFC playoffs commence in mid-January following the 18-week regular season, with the Wild Card round spanning the first weekend, the Divisional round the subsequent weekend, and the NFC Championship Game scheduled for the Sunday following the Divisional round, typically the last Sunday in January.[20]Venue, Scheduling, and Rules
The NFC Championship Game is hosted by the higher-seeded team from the two NFC divisional playoff winners, with seeding determined by regular-season records and tiebreakers as outlined in the NFL's playoff format.[21][1] Neutral-site games are exceptionally rare and reserved for unique circumstances, such as both teams originating from the same metropolitan area, an event that has never occurred in the game's history. Iconic venues have included Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, which hosted the 2007 NFC Championship amid frigid conditions, and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, site of the 2021 game where the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Green Bay Packers.[22][20] The game is fixed on the Sunday two weeks after the regular season concludes, typically the last Sunday in January, allowing recovery time for players and building anticipation leading into the Super Bowl.[20] Kickoff times are generally set for 3:00 p.m. ET to accommodate national broadcast windows, though this can vary slightly based on scheduling needs.[23] The contest follows standard NFL playing rules, structured as four 15-minute quarters with a halftime intermission, and governed by the league's official rulebook. In the event of a tie after regulation, postseason overtime applies: a coin toss determines which team receives the ball first in a 15-minute period, and if that team scores a touchdown on its initial possession, the game ends immediately; otherwise, the opposing team receives a possession, with play continuing until a winner emerges, ensuring both sides have an opportunity unless a sudden touchdown occurs. This format was modified in 2022 to promote fairness in high-stakes playoff scenarios.[24][25] For outdoor venues, weather conditions can profoundly influence strategy and performance, particularly in northern climates where cold, wind, or snow reduces passing accuracy and grip strength. Historical examples include the 2007 game at Lambeau Field, where temperatures hovered around 0°F with wind chills near -20°F, contributing to a defensive struggle won by the New York Giants over the Green Bay Packers.[22] Such elements have prompted teams to adapt with heated benches, protective gear, and indoor practice simulations in advance. Security measures for the NFC Championship are heightened due to the event's prominence and large attendance, exceeding 70,000 fans at most stadiums. The NFL enforces a clear bag policy, permitting only small transparent bags (up to 12x6x12 inches), handheld clutches, or diaper bags, alongside mandatory metal detector screenings, pat-downs, and bag inspections at entry points.[26] Additional protocols include increased on-site law enforcement, surveillance coordination with local authorities, and restrictions on prohibited items like weapons or large banners to maintain safety amid the intense atmosphere of conference title contention.[27]The George Halas Trophy
The George Halas Trophy is awarded annually to the winner of the National Football Conference (NFC) Championship Game, recognizing the team that advances to the Super Bowl. Named in honor of George Stanley Halas Sr. (1895–1983), the longtime owner, coach, and founder of the Chicago Bears, as well as a co-founder of the National Football League, the trophy commemorates his pivotal role in professional football's development from the league's inception in 1920 until his death.[28][29] The award was introduced following Halas's passing in 1983, with the first presentation occurring after the 1984 NFC Championship Game, when the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 23–0.[30][31] The trophy's design underwent a significant redesign in 2010, crafted by Tiffany & Co., the same firm responsible for the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl Trophy. It features a sterling silver, regulation-sized hollow football mounted on a triangular base, engraved with the NFC logo, the winning team's name, and the year of victory; the base incorporates subtle blue accents symbolizing the conference. Standing approximately 22 inches tall and weighing around 30 pounds, the trophy requires about five months of handcrafting and has an estimated material value of $22,000 due to its silver construction. Prior to the 2010 update, it had a more ornate wooden base with figurines of football players and the NFC emblem.[32][31][33] In keeping with NFL tradition, the George Halas Trophy is presented immediately after the game's conclusion on the field, typically handed by an NFL official or notable league figure to the winning team's owner, head coach, or team captain amid celebrations with players and fans. This on-field ceremony underscores the immediate triumph and sets the tone for Super Bowl preparations.[30][34] The trophy symbolizes NFC supremacy within the NFL and earns the recipient the conference's representation in the Super Bowl, paralleling the American Football Conference's Lamar Hunt Trophy, named after the founder of the American Football League. Its cultural weight is heightened when awarded to the Bears, Halas's franchise, as seen in the 2006 season victory over the New Orleans Saints, where players like Brian Urlacher hoisted it in a poignant nod to their founder's legacy. Other memorable presentations include the 2021 ceremony for the Los Angeles Rams, delivered by NFL and HBCU pioneer James "Shack" Harris, highlighting diversity in league honors.[30][34]List of NFC Championship Games
Chronological List
The NFC Championship Game has been held annually since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, with the inaugural contest on January 3, 1971, determining the conference representative for Super Bowl V. As of the 2025 season's game in 2026, 56 such contests have occurred, showcasing intense rivalries and memorable moments that have shaped NFL playoff lore. The games have evolved with seeding systems introduced in 1975 and expanded playoffs in 1990, influencing matchups and outcomes, with dominant franchises like the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers securing eight titles each.[2] The following table enumerates all NFC Championship Games chronologically, including the season, date, competing teams with seeds (where applicable), final score, venue, the advancing team to the Super Bowl, MVP if awarded by the Associated Press, and a brief highlight of a defining play or controversy. Data is compiled from official NFL records and verified box scores.| Season | Date | Winning Team (Seed) | Losing Team (Seed) | Score | Venue | Super Bowl Advancer | MVP | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Jan 3, 1971 | Dallas Cowboys | San Francisco 49ers | 17–10 | Kezar Stadium, San Francisco | Dallas (lost Super Bowl V) | - | Cowboys' defense held the 49ers to field goals in a low-scoring affair dominated by turnovers. |
| 1971 | Dec 26, 1971 | Dallas Cowboys | San Francisco 49ers | 14–3 | Texas Stadium, Irving, TX | Dallas (won Super Bowl VI) | - | Claiborne's interception sealed a defensive masterclass for Dallas. |
| 1972 | Dec 31, 1972 | Washington Redskins | Dallas Cowboys | 26–3 | RFK Stadium, Washington, DC | Washington (lost Super Bowl VII) | - | Redskins' ground game overwhelmed Dallas in a shutout victory. |
| 1973 | Dec 30, 1973 | Minnesota Vikings | Dallas Cowboys | 27–10 | Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, MN | Minnesota (lost Super Bowl VIII) | - | Vikings' "Purple People Eaters" defense forced four turnovers. |
| 1974 | Dec 29, 1974 | Minnesota Vikings | Los Angeles Rams | 14–10 | Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, MN | Minnesota (lost Super Bowl IX) | - | Close defensive battle decided by a late Vikings field goal. |
| 1975 | Jan 4, 1976 | Dallas Cowboys (1) | Los Angeles Rams (4) | 37–7 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles | Dallas (lost Super Bowl X) | - | Staubach's 4 TD passes powered a rout in the first seeded playoff era. |
| 1976 | Dec 26, 1976 | Minnesota Vikings (1) | Los Angeles Rams (5) | 24–13 | Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, MN | Minnesota (lost Super Bowl XI) | - | Tarkenton's mobility key in Vikings' win over upset-minded Rams. |
| 1977 | Jan 1, 1978 | Dallas Cowboys (1) | Minnesota Vikings (4) | 23–6 | Texas Stadium, Irving, TX | Dallas (lost Super Bowl XII) | - | Cowboys' "Doomsday Defense" stifled Minnesota's offense. |
| 1978 | Dec 31, 1978 | Dallas Cowboys (1) | Los Angeles Rams (3) | 28–0 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles | Dallas (lost Super Bowl XIII) | - | First NFC title shutout since merger, with Dorsett rushing for 84 yards. |
| 1979 | Jan 6, 1980 | Los Angeles Rams | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 9–0 | Tampa Stadium, Tampa | Los Angeles (lost Super Bowl XIV) | - | Defensive struggle with Rams' FG securing the win in second half. |
| 1980 | Jan 4, 1981 | Philadelphia Eagles (1) | Dallas Cowboys (3) | 20–7 | Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia | Philadelphia (lost Super Bowl XV) | - | Eagles' "Fog Bowl" precursor with Carmichael's TD reception. |
| 1981 | Jan 10, 1982 | San Francisco 49ers (3) | Dallas Cowboys (1) | 28–27 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco | San Francisco (won Super Bowl XVI) | Joe Montana | "The Catch" by Dwight Clark on third-and-3 clinched the comeback victory. |
| 1982 | Jan 22, 1983 | Washington Redskins (4) | Dallas Cowboys (2) | 31–17 | RFK Stadium, Washington, DC | Washington (won Super Bowl XVII) | John Riggins | Riggins' 43-yard TD run in the fourth quarter broke the game open. |
| 1983 | Jan 8, 1984 | Washington Redskins (2) | San Francisco 49ers (5) | 24–21 | RFK Stadium, Washington, DC | Washington (lost Super Bowl XVIII) | Joe Theismann | Theismann's late drive and FG secured win despite Montana's heroics. |
| 1984 | Jan 6, 1985 | San Francisco 49ers (1) | Chicago Bears (2) | 28–3 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco | San Francisco (won Super Bowl XIX) | Joe Montana | 49ers' defense limited Payton to 32 yards in dominant performance. |
| 1985 | Jan 12, 1986 | Chicago Bears (1) | Los Angeles Rams (6) | 24–0 | Soldier Field, Chicago | Chicago (won Super Bowl XX) | - | "Super Bowl Shuffle" Bears shut out Rams behind McMahon's antics. |
| 1986 | Jan 11, 1987 | New York Giants (1) | Washington Redskins (2) | 17–0 | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ | New York (won Super Bowl XXI) | Phil Simms | Giants' defense blanked Washington in snowy conditions. |
| 1987 | Jan 17, 1988 | Washington Redskins (2) | Minnesota Vikings (1) | 17–10 | RFK Stadium, Washington, DC | Washington (won Super Bowl XXII) | - | Williams' 80-yard TD run proved decisive in the fourth quarter. |
| 1988 | Jan 8, 1989 | San Francisco 49ers (1) | Chicago Bears (3) | 28–3 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco | San Francisco (won Super Bowl XXIII) | Joe Montana | Montana's 92-yard drive capped by TD pass to Taylor for the win. |
| 1989 | Jan 7, 1990 | San Francisco 49ers (2) | Los Angeles Rams (6) | 30–3 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco | San Francisco (won Super Bowl XXIV) | Joe Montana | 49ers' no-huddle offense overwhelmed the Rams early. |
| 1990 | Jan 20, 1991 | New York Giants (2) | San Francisco 49ers (5) | 15–13 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco | New York (won Super Bowl XXV) | Ottis Anderson | Anderson's 102 rushing yards and late FG held off Montana. |
| 1991 | Jan 12, 1992 | Washington Redskins (1) | Detroit Lions (3) | 41–10 | RFK Stadium, Washington, DC | Washington (won Super Bowl XXVI) | - | Rypien threw for 261 yards and 2 TDs in a blowout. |
| 1992 | Jan 17, 1993 | Dallas Cowboys (3) | San Francisco 49ers (2) | 30–20 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco | Dallas (won Super Bowl XXVII) | - | Aikman's 3 TD passes overcame a late 49ers rally. |
| 1993 | Jan 23, 1994 | Dallas Cowboys (1) | San Francisco 49ers (5) | 38–21 | Texas Stadium, Irving, TX | Dallas (won Super Bowl XXVIII) | - | Smith's 4 TD catches powered Cowboys' offensive explosion. |
| 1994 | Jan 15, 1995 | San Francisco 49ers (6) | Dallas Cowboys (1) | 38–28 | Texas Stadium, Irving, TX | San Francisco (won Super Bowl XXIX) | Steve Young | Young's 3 TD passes and 49ers' comeback from 21-0 deficit. |
| 1995 | Jan 14, 1996 | Dallas Cowboys (3) | Green Bay Packers (1) | 38–27 | Lambeau Field, Green Bay | Dallas (won Super Bowl XXX) | - | Aikman's 3 TDs and Irving's fumble recovery for TD. |
| 1996 | Jan 12, 1997 | Green Bay Packers (1) | Carolina Panthers (2) | 30–13 | Lambeau Field, Green Bay | Green Bay (lost Super Bowl XXXI) | - | Favre's 2 TD passes in snowy conditions at Lambeau. |
| 1997 | Jan 11, 1998 | Green Bay Packers (1) | San Francisco 49ers (6) | 23–10 | Lambeau Field, Green Bay | Green Bay (lost Super Bowl XXXII) | - | Packers' defense sacked Young 7 times. |
| 1998 | Jan 17, 1999 | Atlanta Falcons (2) | Minnesota Vikings (1) | 30–27 OT | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis | Atlanta (lost Super Bowl XXXIII) | - | Andersen's 38-yard FG in OT after Gary Anderson's missed kick earlier. |
| 1999 | Jan 23, 2000 | St. Louis Rams (1) | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4) | 11–6 | Trans World Dome, St. Louis | St. Louis (won Super Bowl XXXIV) | - | "The Pick" by Aeneas Williams sealed defensive battle. |
| 2000 | Jan 14, 2001 | New York Giants (3) | Minnesota Vikings (1) | 41–0 | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ | New York (lost Super Bowl XXXV) | Kerry Collins | Giants' defense shut out high-powered Vikings offense. |
| 2001 | Jan 13, 2002 | St. Louis Rams (1) | Philadelphia Eagles (2) | 29–24 | Trans World Dome, St. Louis | St. Louis (lost Super Bowl XXXVI) | - | Warner's 365 passing yards in "Greatest Show on Turf" win. |
| 2002 | Jan 12, 2003 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3) | Philadelphia Eagles (4) | 31–6 | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa | Tampa Bay (won Super Bowl XXXVII) | - | Sapp's 2 sacks disrupted McNabb in blowout. |
| 2003 | Jan 18, 2004 | Carolina Panthers (3) | Philadelphia Eagles (1) | 14–3 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia | Carolina (lost Super Bowl XXXVIII) | - | Delhomme's late TD pass to Smith in defensive slugfest. |
| 2004 | Jan 23, 2005 | Philadelphia Eagles (1) | Atlanta Falcons (3) | 27–10 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia | Philadelphia (lost Super Bowl XXXIX) | - | McNabb's 464 passing yards overcame Vick's mobility. |
| 2005 | Jan 22, 2006 | Seattle Seahawks (1) | Carolina Panthers (5) | 34–14 | Qwest Field, Seattle | Seattle (lost Super Bowl XL) | - | Alexander's 149 rushing yards led Seahawks' ground attack. |
| 2006 | Jan 21, 2007 | Chicago Bears (1) | New Orleans Saints (2) | 39–14 | Soldier Field, Chicago | Chicago (lost Super Bowl XLI) | - | Urlacher's INT return for TD sparked Bears' defense. |
| 2007 | Jan 20, 2008 | New York Giants (5) | Green Bay Packers (1) | 23–20 OT | Lambeau Field, Green Bay | New York (won Super Bowl XLII) | - | Lawrence Tynes' 47-yard FG in OT after 4th-quarter comeback. |
| 2008 | Jan 18, 2009 | Arizona Cardinals (2) | Philadelphia Eagles (5) | 32–25 | University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ | Arizona (lost Super Bowl XLIII) | - | Fitzgerald's 3 TD catches, including 64-yarder, in wild finish. |
| 2009 | Jan 24, 2010 | New Orleans Saints (1) | Minnesota Vikings (2) | 31–28 OT | Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans | New Orleans (won Super Bowl XLIV) | Drew Brees | Hartley’s OT FG after Brees' 40-yard TD pass to Meachem.[35] |
| 2010 | Jan 23, 2011 | Green Bay Packers (6) | Chicago Bears (2) | 21–14 | Soldier Field, Chicago | Green Bay (won Super Bowl XLV) | Aaron Rodgers | Rodgers' 304 passing yards in freezing conditions at Soldier Field. |
| 2011 | Jan 22, 2012 | New York Giants (4) | San Francisco 49ers (2) | 20–17 OT | Candlestick Park, San Francisco | New York (won Super Bowl XLVI) | Eli Manning | Tuck's late sack forced punt, leading to Akers' winning FG. |
| 2012 | Jan 20, 2013 | San Francisco 49ers (2) | Atlanta Falcons (1) | 28–24 | Georgia Dome, Atlanta | San Francisco (lost Super Bowl XLVII) | - | Kaepernick's 98-yard TD run and late comeback from 17-point deficit. |
| 2013 | Jan 19, 2014 | Seattle Seahawks (1) | San Francisco 49ers (5) | 23–17 OT | CenturyLink Field, Seattle | Seattle (won Super Bowl XLVIII) | - | "Beast Quake" by Lynch on 2nd-and-goal sealed OT win.[36] |
| 2014 | Jan 18, 2015 | Seattle Seahawks (1) | Green Bay Packers (2) | 28–22 OT | CenturyLink Field, Seattle | Seattle (lost Super Bowl XLIX) | - | Wilson's slant pass to Baldwin for winning TD in OT after 12th Man comeback.[37] |
| 2015 | Jan 17, 2016 | Carolina Panthers (1) | Arizona Cardinals (2) | 49–15 | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte | Carolina (lost Super Bowl 50) | Cam Newton | Newton's 335 total yards and 3 TDs in second-half rout. |
| 2016 | Jan 22, 2017 | Atlanta Falcons (2) | Green Bay Packers (3) | 44–16 | Georgia Dome, Atlanta | Atlanta (lost Super Bowl LI) | Matt Ryan | Ryan's 392 passing yards and 4 TDs fueled high-scoring win. |
| 2017 | Jan 21, 2018 | Philadelphia Eagles (3) | Minnesota Vikings (2) | 38–7 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia | Philadelphia (won Super Bowl LII) | Nick Foles | Foles' 3 TD passes, including to Ertz, in dominant performance.[38] |
| 2018 | Jan 20, 2019 | Los Angeles Rams (4) | New Orleans Saints (1) | 26–23 OT | Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans | Los Angeles (lost Super Bowl LIII) | - | Zuerlein's 57-yard FG in OT after controversial no-pass interference call. |
| 2019 | Jan 19, 2020 | San Francisco 49ers (2) | Green Bay Packers (6) | 37–20 | Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara | San Francisco (lost Super Bowl LIV) | - | 49ers' defense sacked Rodgers 6 times in second-half takeover. |
| 2020 | Jan 24, 2021 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2) | Green Bay Packers (1) | 31–26 | Lambeau Field, Green Bay | Tampa Bay (won Super Bowl LV) | Tom Brady | Brady's 280 passing yards and 3 TDs overcame late Packers rally.[39] |
| 2021 | Jan 30, 2022 | Los Angeles Rams (4) | San Francisco 49ers (3) | 20–17 | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood | Los Angeles (won Super Bowl LVI) | - | Kupp's key receptions and Garoppolo INT set up winning FG.[40] |
| 2022 | Jan 29, 2023 | Philadelphia Eagles (1) | San Francisco 49ers (2) | 31–7 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia | Philadelphia (lost Super Bowl LVII) | Jalen Hurts | Hurts' 3 rushing TDs powered Eagles' ground dominance.[41] |
| 2023 | Jan 28, 2024 | San Francisco 49ers (1) | Detroit Lions (3) | 34–31 | Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara | San Francisco (lost Super Bowl LVIII) | - | Purdy's comeback from 24-7 deficit with 3 second-half TDs.[42] |
| 2024 | Jan 26, 2025 | Philadelphia Eagles (2) | Washington Commanders (5) | 55–23 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia | Philadelphia (won Super Bowl LIX) | Jalen Hurts | Hurts' 3 rushing TDs and Eagles' 400+ total yards in record-scoring title game.[43][2] |
| 2025 | Jan 25, 2026 | Seattle Seahawks (1) | Los Angeles Rams (6) | 31–27 | Lumen Field, Seattle | Seattle (won Super Bowl LX) | - | Sam Darnold's three touchdown passes keyed the Seahawks' narrow victory in a thrilling contest.[44] |
Appearances by Year
The NFC Championship Game has featured a wide array of teams since its inception following the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, with participants determined by the conference playoff structure and reflecting the evolving balance of power across divisions. Early decades saw heavy representation from the NFC East and West, while later years showed increased participation from all divisions after the 2002 realignment that expanded to four equal divisions of four teams each. The following table lists the participating teams for each season from 1970 to 2025, including their divisions at the time, and identifies the winner (note: divisions prior to 2002 were NFC East, Central, and West; post-2002, they are NFC East, North, South, and West; team names reflect their primary moniker during the season, with notes for relocations like the Rams or Cardinals).[2][45]| Season | Matchup | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Dallas Cowboys (East) vs. San Francisco 49ers (West) | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1971 | Dallas Cowboys (East) vs. San Francisco 49ers (West) | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1972 | Washington Redskins (East) vs. Dallas Cowboys (East) | Washington Redskins |
| 1973 | Minnesota Vikings (Central) vs. Dallas Cowboys (East) | Minnesota Vikings |
| 1974 | Minnesota Vikings (Central) vs. Los Angeles Rams (West) | Minnesota Vikings |
| 1975 | Dallas Cowboys (East) vs. Los Angeles Rams (West) | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1976 | Minnesota Vikings (Central) vs. Los Angeles Rams (West) | Minnesota Vikings |
| 1977 | Dallas Cowboys (East) vs. Minnesota Vikings (Central) | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1978 | Dallas Cowboys (East) vs. Los Angeles Rams (West) | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1979 | Los Angeles Rams (West) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Central) | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1980 | Philadelphia Eagles (East) vs. Dallas Cowboys (East) | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1981 | San Francisco 49ers (West) vs. Dallas Cowboys (East) | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1982 | Washington Redskins (East) vs. Dallas Cowboys (East) | Washington Redskins |
| 1983 | Washington Redskins (East) vs. San Francisco 49ers (West) | Washington Redskins |
| 1984 | San Francisco 49ers (West) vs. Chicago Bears (Central) | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1985 | Chicago Bears (Central) vs. Los Angeles Rams (West) | Chicago Bears |
| 1986 | New York Giants (East) vs. Washington Redskins (East) | New York Giants |
| 1987 | Washington Redskins (East) vs. Minnesota Vikings (Central) | Washington Redskins |
| 1988 | San Francisco 49ers (West) vs. Chicago Bears (Central) | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1989 | San Francisco 49ers (West) vs. Los Angeles Rams (West) | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1990 | New York Giants (East) vs. San Francisco 49ers (West) | New York Giants |
| 1991 | Washington Redskins (East) vs. Detroit Lions (Central) | Washington Redskins |
| 1992 | Dallas Cowboys (East) vs. San Francisco 49ers (West) | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1993 | Dallas Cowboys (East) vs. San Francisco 49ers (West) | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1994 | San Francisco 49ers (West) vs. Dallas Cowboys (East) | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1995 | Dallas Cowboys (East) vs. Green Bay Packers (Central) | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1996 | Green Bay Packers (Central) vs. Carolina Panthers (Central) | Green Bay Packers |
| 1997 | Green Bay Packers (Central) vs. San Francisco 49ers (West) | Green Bay Packers |
| 1998 | Atlanta Falcons (West) vs. Minnesota Vikings (Central) | Atlanta Falcons |
| 1999 | St. Louis Rams (West) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (West) | St. Louis Rams |
| 2000 | New York Giants (East) vs. Minnesota Vikings (Central) | New York Giants |
| 2001 | St. Louis Rams (West) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (East) | St. Louis Rams |
| 2002 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (South) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (East) | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 2003 | Carolina Panthers (South) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (East) | Carolina Panthers |
| 2004 | Philadelphia Eagles (East) vs. Atlanta Falcons (South) | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2005 | Seattle Seahawks (West) vs. Carolina Panthers (South) | Seattle Seahawks |
| 2006 | Chicago Bears (North) vs. New Orleans Saints (South) | Chicago Bears |
| 2007 | New York Giants (East) vs. Green Bay Packers (North) | New York Giants |
| 2008 | Arizona Cardinals (West) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (East) | Arizona Cardinals |
| 2009 | New Orleans Saints (South) vs. Minnesota Vikings (North) | New Orleans Saints |
| 2010 | Green Bay Packers (North) vs. Chicago Bears (North) | Green Bay Packers |
| 2011 | New York Giants (East) vs. San Francisco 49ers (West) | New York Giants |
| 2012 | San Francisco 49ers (West) vs. Atlanta Falcons (South) | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2013 | Seattle Seahawks (West) vs. San Francisco 49ers (West) | Seattle Seahawks |
| 2014 | Seattle Seahawks (West) vs. Green Bay Packers (North) | Seattle Seahawks |
| 2015 | Carolina Panthers (South) vs. Arizona Cardinals (West) | Carolina Panthers |
| 2016 | Atlanta Falcons (South) vs. Green Bay Packers (North) | Atlanta Falcons |
| 2017 | Philadelphia Eagles (East) vs. Minnesota Vikings (North) | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2018 | Los Angeles Rams (West) vs. New Orleans Saints (South) | Los Angeles Rams |
| 2019 | San Francisco 49ers (West) vs. Green Bay Packers (North) | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2020 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (South) vs. Green Bay Packers (North) | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 2021 | Los Angeles Rams (West) vs. San Francisco 49ers (West) | Los Angeles Rams |
| 2022 | Philadelphia Eagles (East) vs. San Francisco 49ers (West) | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2023 | San Francisco 49ers (West) vs. Detroit Lions (North) | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2024 | Philadelphia Eagles (East) vs. Washington Commanders (East) | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2025 | Seattle Seahawks (West) vs. Los Angeles Rams (West) | Seattle Seahawks |
Team Statistics and Records
Overall Team Appearances
The NFC Championship Game has featured 16 different franchises since its inception in 1970, with participation reflecting the competitive balance and evolution of the National Football Conference. The San Francisco 49ers hold the record for most appearances with 19, achieving an 8-11 record, while the Dallas Cowboys lead in winning percentage among teams with at least 10 appearances at .571 (8-6).[2][48] Home-field advantage has been significant, with the home team winning roughly 71% of all games (40 of 56 through the 2025 season), though notable exceptions include the 2013 game where the Atlanta Falcons lost at home to the 49ers despite leading 17-0 before falling 28-24.[2] Conference realignments and relocations have influenced appearances, such as the Rams franchise accumulating 13 total outings—four pre-2002 in Los Angeles, seven during their St. Louis tenure (1995–2015), and two post-relocation back to Los Angeles—highlighting shifts in divisional strength. The Cardinals franchise, relocated from St. Louis to Arizona in 1988, has only two appearances, both post-move. The following table summarizes key statistics for all NFC teams with at least one appearance through the 2025 season (56 games total), including total appearances, win-loss record, winning percentage, points for/against, last appearance and win, and home/away splits (win percentage in parentheses).| Team | Appearances | W-L (Win %) | PF/PA | Last Appearance (Win) | Home (W-L, %) | Away (W-L, %) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 19 | 8-11 (.421) | 467/381 | 2024 (2024) | 7-4 (.636) | 1-7 (.125) |
| Dallas Cowboys | 14 | 8-6 (.571) | 370/278 | 1995 (1995) | 7-2 (.778) | 1-4 (.200) |
| Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams | 13 | 6-7 (.462) | 322/279 | 2026 (2022) | 4-3 (.571) | 2-4 (.333) |
| Green Bay Packers | 11 | 5-6 (.455) | 285/277 | 2021 (2010) | 2-3 (.400) | 3-3 (.500) |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 9 | 5-4 (.556) | 303/224 | 2025 (2025) | 5-1 (.833) | 0-3 (.000) |
| Minnesota Vikings | 10 | 0-10 (.000) | 259/301 | 2009 (None) | 0-5 (.000) | 0-5 (.000) |
| New York Giants | 8 | 4-4 (.500) | 195/150 | 2011 (2011) | 4-1 (.800) | 0-3 (.000) |
| Washington Commanders | 7 | 4-3 (.571) | 149/153 | 2025 (1991) | 4-1 (.800) | 0-2 (.000) |
| Chicago Bears | 6 | 2-4 (.333) | 127/124 | 2010 (2006) | 2-1 (.667) | 0-3 (.000) |
| Atlanta Falcons | 4 | 1-3 (.250) | 122/124 | 2017 (1998) | 1-2 (.333) | 0-1 (.000) |
| Seattle Seahawks | 5 | 4-1 (.800) | 139/122 | 2026 (2026) | 4-0 (1.000) | 0-1 (.000) |
| Carolina Panthers | 3 | 2-1 (.667) | 107/78 | 2016 (2015) | 1-1 (.500) | 1-0 (1.000) |
| New Orleans Saints | 3 | 1-2 (.333) | 78/85 | 2019 (2009) | 1-1 (.500) | 0-1 (.000) |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 3 | 2-1 (.667) | 64/47 | 2021 (2021) | 0-0 (N/A) | 2-1 (.667) |
| Arizona Cardinals | 2 | 1-1 (.500) | 47/56 | 2009 (2008) | 1-0 (1.000) | 0-1 (.000) |
| Detroit Lions | 2 | 0-2 (.000) | 41/75 | 2024 (None) | 0-0 (N/A) | 0-2 (.000) |
Divisional and Conference Records
The performance of NFC teams in the championship game varies significantly by division, reflecting historical strengths, geographic rivalries, and structural changes in the league. Prior to the 2002 realignment, the NFC was divided into the East, Central, and West divisions, with the East demonstrating particular dominance in wins during that era. Following the introduction of the North and South divisions in 2002—restructuring the Central into the North and creating the South from select former West and Central teams—the divisional landscape shifted, enabling new trends such as the South's emergence as a powerhouse.Pre-2002 Divisional Records (1970–2001)
During the first 32 NFC Championship Games, teams from the NFC East appeared most frequently and secured the highest win percentage, underscoring the division's early prowess in postseason play. The NFC West matched the East in total appearances but struggled with consistency, while the Central lagged in both metrics. These figures are derived from the outcomes of all games in this period, where intra-divisional matchups, such as those in the East (e.g., 1972 Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys), contributed to concentrated appearances.[49]Post-2002 Divisional Records (2002–2025)
In the 25 games since realignment, the NFC West has led in appearances, reflecting the sustained success of franchises like the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. The NFC South, in particular, has shown a marked rise, achieving the highest win percentage and leveraging the talents of teams such as the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints to claim eight victories—more than any other division in this era.| Division | Appearances | Wins | Losses | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFC West | 17 | 9 | 8 | 52.9% |
| NFC East | 11 | 6 | 5 | 54.5% |
| NFC South | 11 | 8 | 3 | 72.7% |
| NFC North | 11 | 2 | 9 | 18.2% |
Most Common Matchups
The most frequent matchup in NFC Championship Game history is between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers, who have met six times since the game's inception in 1971.[50] This rivalry stands out for its intensity and historical significance within the NFC, with no other pairing reaching even half that frequency as of the 2024 season. Other notable repeated contests include several pairs that have clashed twice, such as the New York Giants versus the 49ers and the Green Bay Packers versus the 49ers, highlighting the 49ers' central role in conference title games.[49]| Matchup | Meetings | Record | Years Met |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers | 6 | 3–3 (Cowboys–49ers) | 1971, 1972, 1982, 1993, 1994, 1995 |
| New York Giants vs. San Francisco 49ers | 2 | 2–0 (Giants) | 1991, 2012 |
| Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers | 2 | 1–1 (Packers–49ers) | 1998, 2020 |
| Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers | 2 | 0–2 (Bears–49ers) | 1985, 1989 |
| Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams | 2 | 2–0 (Cowboys) | 1976, 1979 |
Performance Records
Team and Game Records
The NFC Championship Game has produced several notable team and game records since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, highlighting dominant performances and competitive balance. The largest margin of victory occurred in the 2000 season game, when the New York Giants defeated the Minnesota Vikings 41–0, a shutout that remains the most lopsided result in the game's history.[51] Other significant blowouts include the Carolina Panthers' 49–15 win over the Arizona Cardinals in 2015, a 34-point differential.[52] Offensively, the highest points scored by a single team is 55, achieved by the Philadelphia Eagles in their 55–23 victory over the Washington Commanders in the 2025 game, surpassing previous marks like the Panthers' 49 points in 2015.[53] Defensively, the fewest points allowed by a winning team is 0, recorded in six post-merger shutouts: the Dallas Cowboys' 28–0 win over the [Los Angeles Rams](/page/Los Angeles_Rams) in 1979 (1978 season), the [Los Angeles Rams](/page/Los Angeles_Rams)' 9–0 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1979, the San Francisco 49ers' 23–0 triumph over the Chicago Bears in 1984, the Bears' 24–0 defeat of the Rams in 1985, the New York Giants' 17–0 win over the Washington Redskins in 1987 (1986 season), and the Giants' 41–0 rout of the Vikings in 2000.[54][55]| Record Category | Team(s) and Details | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Largest Margin of Victory | New York Giants 41–0 over Minnesota Vikings | 2000 |
| Most Points Scored (Team) | Philadelphia Eagles 55 | 2025 |
| Fewest Points Allowed (Winning Team) | Multiple teams (shutouts, 0 points allowed) | 1979–2000 |
| Shutouts (Total) | 6 post-merger games (as listed above) | 1979–2000 |
Individual Player Records
Individual player records in NFC Championship Games highlight exceptional performances that have shaped pivotal moments in the competition's history. Quarterbacks have often set the pace with prolific passing, while running backs and receivers have delivered game-changing explosions on the ground and through the air. Defensive players, though less heralded in offensive eras, have also etched their names through disruptive plays like interceptions and sacks. These feats, drawn from official NFL statistics, underscore the high-stakes intensity of the games. In passing, Matt Ryan holds the single-game record with 396 yards, achieved during the Atlanta Falcons' 28-24 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on January 20, 2013. For touchdowns, Kerry Collins set the mark with five in the New York Giants' 41-0 rout of the Minnesota Vikings on January 14, 2001. Earlier examples include Steve Young throwing for 287 yards and one touchdown in the 49ers' 38-28 win over the Dallas Cowboys on January 23, 1994, a performance that propelled San Francisco to the Super Bowl. Rushing leaders feature Raheem Mostert's conference-championship-record 220 yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries, powering the 49ers to a 37-20 triumph over the Green Bay Packers on January 19, 2020. Receiving standout Michael Irvin amassed 192 yards on 12 catches in the Dallas Cowboys' 38-28 defeat to the 49ers on January 15, 1995. Touchdown records extend to receiving, where Larry Fitzgerald and Preston Pearson each scored three in single games—Fitzgerald in the Arizona Cardinals' 32-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on January 18, 2009, and Pearson in the Dallas Cowboys' 37-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings on December 31, 1977. Defensive contributions include Ricky Manning Jr.'s three interceptions for the Carolina Panthers in their 14-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on January 18, 2004. On sacks, Shaquil Barrett (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 3.0 in a 31-23 win over the Green Bay Packers on January 24, 2021), Tony Casillas (Dallas Cowboys, 3.0 in a 38-28 win over the San Francisco 49ers on January 15, 1995), and Wilber Marshall (Washington Redskins, 3.0 in a 17-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings on January 17, 1988) share the single-game record.| Category | Player | Stat | Game Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Passing Yards (Single Game) | Matt Ryan | 396 | Falcons vs. 49ers, Jan. 20, 2013 (W, 28-24) |
| Most Passing Touchdowns (Single Game) | Kerry Collins | 5 | Giants vs. Vikings, Jan. 14, 2001 (W, 41-0) |
| Most Rushing Yards (Single Game) | Raheem Mostert | 220 | 49ers vs. Packers, Jan. 19, 2020 (W, 37-20) |
| Most Rushing Touchdowns (Single Game) | Raheem Mostert | 4 | 49ers vs. Packers, Jan. 19, 2020 (W, 37-20) |
| Most Receiving Yards (Single Game) | Michael Irvin | 192 | Cowboys vs. 49ers, Jan. 15, 1995 (L, 28-38) |
| Most Receiving Touchdowns (Single Game) | Larry Fitzgerald / Preston Pearson | 3 | Fitzgerald: Cardinals vs. Eagles, Jan. 18, 2009 (L, 25-32); Pearson: Cowboys vs. Vikings, Dec. 31, 1977 (W, 37-7) |
| Most Interceptions (Single Game) | Ricky Manning Jr. | 3 | Panthers vs. Eagles, Jan. 18, 2004 (L, 3-14) |
| Most Sacks (Single Game) | Shaquil Barrett / Tony Casillas / Wilber Marshall | 3.0 | Barrett: Buccaneers vs. Packers, Jan. 24, 2021 (W, 31-23); Casillas: Cowboys vs. 49ers, Jan. 15, 1995 (W, 38-28); Marshall: Redskins vs. Vikings, Jan. 17, 1988 (W, 17-10) |