Yardbarker
x
The best performances in the history of NFL conference championship games
Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (right) celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Vikings in the 2017 NFC Championship game in Philadelphia. James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

The best performances in the history of NFL conference championship games

The white-hot spotlight Sunday will be on the conference championship games. Here are the greatest performances in NFL conference championship history.

 
1 of 33

Sony Michel: Jan. 20, 2019

Sony Michel: Jan. 20, 2019
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

New England's rookie running back helped spur the Patriots to the Super Bowl with a big day vs. the Chiefs. He took advantage of a weak Chiefs run defense to rush for 113 yards on 29 carries and score two touchdowns.

 
2 of 33

Damien Williams: Jan. 20, 2019

Damien Williams: Jan. 20, 2019
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Williams helped in a multitude of ways for the Chiefs during the second half of the AFC championship against the Patriots, scoring three touchdowns. He had 96 yards from scrimmage on the day.

 
3 of 33

Patrick Mahomes: Jan. 20, 2019

Patrick Mahomes: Jan. 20, 2019
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Mahomes had an impressive game in his first AFC championship despite a loss to New England. He threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns in the game.

 
4 of 33

Nick Foles: Jan. 21, 2018

Nick Foles: Jan. 21, 2018
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Foles continued his improbable run in the NFC championship for the Eagles. The backup quarterback threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns in Philadelphia's 38-7 win over Minnesota in the NFC championship.

 
5 of 33

Tom Brady: Jan. 22, 2017

Tom Brady: Jan. 22, 2017
Geoff Burke / USA TODAY Sports

Brady was brilliant yet again in a big game, completing 32-of-42 passes for 384 yards and three touchdowns, tossing no interceptions. Brady's big day was simply more of the norm for the New England Patriots, as he led his team to a 36-17 demolition of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

 
6 of 33

Chris Hogan: Jan. 22, 2017

Chris Hogan: Jan. 22, 2017
Geoff Burke / USA TODAY Sports

Neither the Patriots nor Steelers could do much of anything on the ground, leading to a pass-happy AFC championship game. That meant a big day for the wide receivers, and none was more impressive than former college lacrosse player Chris Hogan. Pittsburgh had no answer for Brady's go-to target on the day, as Hogan hauled in nine catches for 180 yards and two scores.

 
7 of 33

Matt Ryan: Jan. 22, 2017

Matt Ryan: Jan. 22, 2017
Dale Zanine / USA TODAY Sports

The Falcons rolled through the Green Bay Packers, 44-21, jumping out to a 24-0 first-half lead and never relenting. MVP Matt Ryan was the catalyst, completing 27-of-38 passes for 392 yards and four touchdowns without turning the ball over once. It was perhaps Ryan's most impressive playoff performance of his career.

 
8 of 33

Julio Jones: Jan. 22, 2017

Julio Jones: Jan. 22, 2017
Jason Getz / USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Matt Ryan can attribute part of his huge day to the play of stud wideout Julio Jones. The star receiver hauled in nine receptions for 180 yards and two scores, demoralizing the Packers and helping the Falcons reach Super Bowl LI.

 
9 of 33

Cam Newton: Jan. 24, 2016

Cam Newton: Jan. 24, 2016
Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

Carolina had no problem taking care of the Cardinals to advance to the Super Bowl. Newton was 19-of-28 for 335 yards and two touchdowns, adding 10 carries for 47 yards and two scores on the ground.

 
10 of 33

LeGarrette Blount: Jan. 18, 2015

LeGarrette Blount: Jan. 18, 2015
Jim Rogash / Getty Images

The Patriots fed Blount early and often in a 45-7 win over Indianapolis. He had 30 carries for 148 yards and three scores.

 
11 of 33

Julio Jones: Jan. 20, 2013

Julio Jones: Jan. 20, 2013
Streeter Lecka / Getty Images

The Falcons lost to San Francisco, 28-24, but Jones was a thorn in the 49ers' side. He had 11 catches for 182 yards and two touchdowns.

 
12 of 33

Adrian Peterson: Jan. 24, 2010

Adrian Peterson: Jan. 24, 2010
Biloxi Sun Herald / Tribune News Service / Getty Images

The New Orleans defense had a tough time stopping Peterson, who had 25 carries for 122 yards and three scores. New Orleans still won, 31-28.

 
13 of 33

David Harris: Jan. 24, 2010

David Harris: Jan. 24, 2010
Al Pereira / Getty Images

The Jets lost to Indianapolis, 30-17, but Harris had a huge game with 11 tackles and two sacks of Peyton Manning.

 
14 of 33

Kurt Warner: Jan. 18, 2009

Kurt Warner: Jan. 18, 2009
Jamie Squire / Getty Images

A seasoned playoff performer from his days in St. Louis, Warner showed that he had another go-around with Arizona. He pummeled the Philly defense, finishing 21-of-28 for 279 yards and four touchdowns.

 
15 of 33

Larry Fitzgerald: Jan. 18, 2009

Larry Fitzgerald: Jan. 18, 2009
Miami Herald / Tribune News Service / Getty Images

Arizona edged the Eagles, 32-25, due in large part to Fitzgerald's big day. He had nine receptions for 152 yards and three scores.

 
16 of 33

Rich Gannon: Jan. 19, 2003

Rich Gannon: Jan. 19, 2003
Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

Gannon led the Raiders to the Super Bowl with an impressive win over Tennessee. He was 29-of-41 for 286 yards and three touchdowns, adding eight carries for 41 yards and one score on the ground.

 
17 of 33

Steve McNair: Jan. 19, 2003

Steve McNair: Jan. 19, 2003
The Sporting News / Sporting News / Getty Images

McNair led the Tennessee offense in a losing effort at Oakland. He was 21-of-36 for 194 yards and one score, adding five carries for 53 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

 
18 of 33

Marshall Faulk: Jan. 27, 2002

Marshall Faulk: Jan. 27, 2002
Jeff Haynes / AFP / Getty Images

The Rams returned to the Super Bowl for the second time in three seasons, and Faulk got plenty of work. He had 31 carries for 159 yards and two scores in the 29-24 win over Philadelphia.

 
19 of 33

Kerry Collins: Jan. 14, 2001

Kerry Collins: Jan. 14, 2001
Henny Ray Abrams / AFP / Getty Images

The Giants had their way with the Vikings in a 41-0 win. Collins was 28-of-39 for 381 yards and five touchdowns.

 
20 of 33

Emmitt Smith: Jan. 14, 1996

Emmitt Smith: Jan. 14, 1996
Chris Wilkins / AFP / Getty Images

Dallas returned to the Super Bowl for the third time in four years, as Smith ran over the Packers in a 38-27 victory. He had 35 carries for 150 yards and three touchdowns.

 
21 of 33

Michael Irvin: Jan. 15, 1995

Michael Irvin: Jan. 15, 1995
Monica Davey / AFP / Getty Images

Irvin had a huge day in a losing effort against the 49ers. He had 12 receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns.

 
22 of 33

Thurman Thomas: Jan. 23, 1994

Thurman Thomas: Jan. 23, 1994
Rick Stewart / Getty Images

The Bills went to their fourth consecutive Super Bowl after Thomas' big day against the Chiefs. He rushed 33 times for 186 yards and three scores.

 
23 of 33

Emmitt Smith: Jan. 23, 1994

Emmitt Smith: Jan. 23, 1994
James Smith / Getty Images

Smith ran over the 49ers in the NFC conference championship for the second straight year. This time he had 23 carries for 88 yards and one score, along with seven receptions for 85 yards and a receiving touchdown.

 
24 of 33

Emmitt Smith: Jan. 17, 1993

Emmitt Smith: Jan. 17, 1993
Tony Tomsic / Getty Images

The Cowboys visited San Francisco and won 30-20, with Smith having a huge day. He had 24 carries for 114 yards and one score, adding seven receptions for 59 yards and a receiving touchdown.

 
25 of 33

John Elway: Jan. 14, 1990

John Elway: Jan. 14, 1990
Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery / Getty Images

Elway terrorized the Browns in the conference championship for the third time in four years in a 37-21 victory to advance to the Super Bowl. He was 20-of-36 for 385 yards and three touchdowns.

 
26 of 33

Earnest Byner: Jan. 17, 1988

Earnest Byner: Jan. 17, 1988
John Betancourt / Getty Images

One year after "the fumble" against Denver, Byner tried to make up for his disappointment with a huge performance in the AFC championship game. He had 15 carries for 67 yards and one score, adding seven catches for 120 yards and another touchdown as a receiver. Unfortunately it still wasn't enough, as Denver won, 38-33.

 
27 of 33

Dan Marino: Jan. 6, 1985

Dan Marino: Jan. 6, 1985
George Gojkovich / Getty Images

Marino came up big in his sophomore season as league MVP, and his great performance carried over into the playoffs. His Dolphins beat Pittsburgh, 45-28, as Marino was 21-of-32 for 421 yards and four touchdowns.

 
28 of 33

Joe Montana: Jan. 8, 1984

Joe Montana: Jan. 8, 1984
Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery / Getty Images

Montana's biggest statistical effort in an NFC championship actually came in a loss. The 49ers fell to Washington, 24-21, as Montana was 27-of-48 for 347 yards, threw three touchdowns and added 40 rushing yards.

 
29 of 33

A.J. Duhe: Jan. 23, 1983

A.J. Duhe: Jan. 23, 1983
George Tiedemann / Sports Illustrated / Getty Images

Miami's defense dominated the Jets, led by Duhe. He had three interceptions and one touchdown in a 14-0 win. Jets quarterback Richard Todd threw five interceptions on the day.

 
30 of 33

Haven Moses: Jan. 1, 1978

Haven Moses: Jan. 1, 1978
Bettmann / Getty Images

Moses and the Broncos were able to celebrate on New Year's Day after a 20-17 win over Oakland. The wideout had five receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns.

 
31 of 33

Preston Pearson: Jan. 4, 1976

Preston Pearson: Jan. 4, 1976
Marvin E. Newman / Sports Illustrated / Getty Images

Dallas dominated the Rams, 37-7, and Pearson played a huge role. He had only seven carries for 20 yards but added seven catches for 123 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver.

 
32 of 33

Roger Staubach: Jan. 4, 1976

Roger Staubach: Jan. 4, 1976
Focus on Sport / Getty Images

Dallas dominated the Rams in a 37-7 win, and Staubach had a huge day. He was 16-of-26 for 220 yards and four touchdowns, adding seven carries for 54 yards on the ground.

 
33 of 33

Larry Csonka: Dec. 30, 1973

Larry Csonka: Dec. 30, 1973
Walter Iooss Jr. / Sports Illustrated / Getty Images

The defending champion Dolphins got to their second straight Super Bowl behind Csonka's performance in the AFC championship. He had 29 carries for 117 yards and three touchdowns.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.