NFL superlatives: Divisional round

Best play: Marcus Lattimore interception, New Orleans Saints

While the fake punt was extremely important, the real turning point of the game was Lattimore’s interception. Early in the second quarter, the Eagles were already close to midfield and were looking to go up by a third score when quarterback Nick Foles slightly underthrew tight end Zach Ertz down the sideline.

Lattimore made a tremendous play on the ball, jumping up to make an interception. Without this play, the fake punt wouldn’t have happened.

The Saints completely dominated the game after Lattimore’s interception, holding the Eagles to under 100 offensive yards. Lattimore picked off another pass, leading to our third superlative.

Biggest goat: Alshon Jeffery, Philadelphia Eagles 

In sports, GOAT wasn’t always an acronym that meant “Greatest of All-Time.” Being a goat used to mean you were the one to blame for the loss — aka the scapegoat. After all, goats are generally smelly, ugly and dumb (didn’t I mention stinky?) animals. Who wants to be a goat?

The biggest goat of divisional weekend was Jeffery, who let one of Foles’ passes slip right through his hands before the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter. After falling through Jeffery’s hands, the pass landed in Lattimore’s arms for an interception.

Instead of the Eagles approaching the red zone with two minutes to go, giving Foles a real chance of becoming a hero again, Jeffery’s poor hands essentially ended the game. The Saints ran out the clock with one first down after the two-minute warning.

Most impressive drive: New Orleans Saints 

There were several impressive drives from the weekend, including a few from the Saints. But New Orleans’ most impressive came on its first possession of the second half.

After forcing an Eagles punt, the Saints possessed the ball for the next 11:29 and gained 92 yards for a touchdown. New Orleans converted three third downs on the drive, including a third-and-16, and overcame three penalties to reach the end zone.

The drive gave the Saints the lead for good and seemed to wear out the Eagles defense. New Orleans held the ball for more than 37 minutes in the victory.

Best history: New England Patriots going to eighth straight AFC championship

Think the dynasty is finished? Well, as Lee Corso would say — not so fast, my friend.

The Patriots absolutely dominated the 12-4 Los Angeles Chargers, scoring touchdowns on five of their first six possessions. They led by 28 at halftime and defeated Los Angeles, 41-28.

With this victory, New England advances to its eighth straight AFC championship, which is an NFL record. The Patriots face an even tougher task on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs to get back to the Super Bowl, but never count out Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

Most surgical performance: New England Patriots

Surgical is about the only word that truly fits the Patriots' performance against the Chargers. Brady threw for 343 yards and a touchdown, looking as good as he has in weeks.

The Patriots punched the Chargers in the mouth on the ground as well, rushing for 155 yards. Sony Michel individually gained 129 yards on 24 carries and scored three touchdowns.

New England’s defense played perhaps its best game of the season too. The Chargers were able to pad their stats late in the blowout, and still, Los Angeles rushed for only 19 yards.

Coming off the bye, the Patriots were focused and ready.

Biggest dud performance: Los Angeles Chargers 

Having said that, the Chargers looked absolutely terrible Sunday. Many predicted Philip Rivers was ready to take that next step toward winning the Super Bowl and finally beat Brady. Instead, Rivers never stood a chance, falling to 0-8 in his career against the Patriots QB.

The Chargers running game and pass rush was nowhere to be found. Maybe traveling to the East Coast two weeks in a row was too taxing on the team. Or maybe Anthony Lynn's squad was too “in awe” of facing the five-time Super Bowl champions.

Whatever it was, this Chargers team was arguably the most complete in the AFC. Needing to win three road games to reach the Super Bowl is tough, but there’s no reason to be blown out by 28 in the first half.

Most surprising performance to the casual fan: C.J. Anderson, Los Angeles Rams 

With Todd Gurley sitting out the final two regular-season games, Anderson rushed for more than 130 yards in Week 16 and 17. But unless it somehow impacted your fantasy team, it’s likely most people weren’t aware Anderson was playing so well. His two impressive rushing performances came in late-afternoon games, against the lowly Cardinals and 49ers.

People are noticing Anderson now, though, as he posted a game-high 123 rushing yards against the Cowboys on Saturday. Anderson and Gurley each rushed for more than 100 yards in the 30-22 victory against Dallas, but Anderson outgained both Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott.

Anderson, who the Panthers and Raiders both cut this season, gives the Rams a formidable 1-2 punch in the backfield that will face its toughest test yet against the No. 2 rushing defense at the Saints next Sunday.

Biggest fourth-down stop: Los Angeles Rams 

The biggest play of the Cowboys-Rams game came in the form of a fourth-down stop. The Cowboys went for the first down on fourth-and-1 to begin the fourth quarter. At the time, Dallas trailed Los Angeles by only one possession, 23-15.

With one of the best power backs in the league, no one can blame Jason Garrett for the decision, but the Rams stuffed Elliott for no gain and took over at their own 35-yard line. Next, Los Angeles promptly drove down the field to increase its lead to 15.

Dallas would score to pull back within eight, but the Cowboys wouldn’t get the ball back again. Failing to convert on that fourth down proved to be the pivotal play of the night.

Worst third-down offense: Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys offense wasn’t able to do much converting at all in third- and fourth-down situations. Dallas went a combined 4-for-14 on third- and fourth-down tries, including 1-for-10 on third downs. Indianapolis was equally bad, going 0-for-9 on third down vs. Kansas City.

More than anything, that was why Dallas didn’t win Saturday. The Cowboys surprisingly rushed for only 50 yards, but the inability to move the chains in critical situations kept Dallas from advancing to its first NFC championship since 1995.

Instead, the Rams are back in the NFC title game for the first time in 17 years.

Most surprising defense: Kansas City Chiefs

There were surprising defensive performances around the league this weekend, but the most shocking was in Kansas City. The Colts came into Arrowhead Stadium red-hot, winning 10 of their last 11 games, and yet, the much-maligned Chiefs defense held Indianapolis to just 263 yards in the 31-13 Kansas City victory.

The Chiefs forced the Colts to go three-and-out on each of their first four possessions. Indianapolis didn’t record a first down until there was under two minutes left in the first half.

Indianapolis averaged 6.2 yards per rush, but the running game wasn’t working early, and the Colts abandoned it. Kansas City held Indianapolis to 4.5 yards per pass as well.

Top special teams play: Najee Goode, Indianapolis Colts 

If not for a blocked punt, the Chiefs would have absolutely run away with its division game against Indianapolis. Trailing 17-0 and still without a first down, the Colts needed a jolt to stay in the game. They got that from Najee Goode.

The linebacker broke completely free on a Chiefs punt and blocked the punt attempt close to the Kansas City goal line. Wide receiver Zach Pascal recovered the loose ball in the end zone for a touchdown.

Without the special teams score, the Chiefs would have easily blown out the Colts. Instead, Indianapolis stayed in the game until late in the fourth quarter.