NFL: Ranking 2018 vs. greatest conference championship weekends

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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 20: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs fumbles the ball as he is hit by Kyle Van Noy #53 of the New England Patriots in the second quarter during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2018

NFC championship: Los Angeles Rams def. New Orleans Saints 26-23

It may seem like a knee-jerk reaction to the most recent games, but facts are facts. The 2018 version is the only one to ever see both games go to overtime. There really isn’t much more fans could ask for. Save maybe better performances from the referees. It wasn’t exactly a banner week for the zebras and they endured one of their worst moments in NFL history.

It’s a shame too because the game itself is excellent. Two aggressive offensive coaches. Two talented quarterbacks dueling in a dome. The Saints going up 13-0 early and the Rams having to fight their way out of the hole the rest of teh way. All of it is marred by the worst missed penalty call the league has seen when Rams corner Robey-Coleman appeared to hit receiver TommyLee Lewis early but also in the head area. It’s a situation that always draws a flag.

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New Orleans expected it. They had the ball. A first down would set them up inside the 10 where they could either score a touchdown or run out the clock and kick a winning field goal. Yet no flag materialized, baffling all in attendance. The Saints settled for a field goal but the play left enough time on the clock for the Rams to go down and tie the game with seconds remains.

Los Angeles then prevailed in overtime. Head coach Sean Payton stated clearly afterward they blew the call and that his team will likely never get over that loss.

AFC championship: New England Patriots def. Kansas City Chiefs 37-31

It was a game that everybody hopes for. The Patriots came out fast like usual, building a 14-0 lead going into halftime. Many felt the Chiefs and their young quarterback simply weren’t up to the task. Then the second half happened. Kansas City roared to life for 31 points across the third and fourth quarters, trading punches back and fourth with the mighty Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

The crucial play though came on defense when Dee Ford, the Chief’s reliable pass rusher all year long, committed a costly penalty being lined up in the neutral zone with the Patriots trying to drive down 28-24. Brady was intercepted on that play but the penalty wiped it out. True to form, New England didn’t waste time going in take the lead with a touchdown.

Kansas City scrambled to in the final seconds to tie the game 31-31 and force overtime. Then, after winning the coin toss, the Patriots did what they do best. They shut the door. Brady covert three huge third downs and the running game carried them the rest of the way into the end zone, sending the team to it’s ninth Super Bowl since 2001.

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