NFL Divisional Round Recap

Things stepped up a gear on the road to the 51st Super Bowl as the divisional rounds proceeded over the weekend, and it had a bit of both worlds: some masterclasses, and then a couple of nail-biting games - or in the Packers' case, taking the game with the final play.

Green Bay are joined by Atlanta in the NFC Conference final, while New England Patriots, who sealed their sixth consecutive year as AFC finalists, where they will meet the Steelers who crept by the Chiefs without scoring a touchdown.

Here, we round-up the weekend's action, with two games left to decide the Super Bowl showdown.

Fantastic Falcons crush the Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks 20-36 Atlanta Falcons

Image: theScore.com

The Atlanta Falcons stayed with and then brushed off the Seattle Seahawks with a second-half surge to book their spot in the NFC Conference Championship final.

Jimmy Graham provided reason for optimism as he snuck into the end zone off a Wilson pass on the 3rd & 2 with both teams showing early intent and producing a well-matched opening to the game. Julio Jones responded to the touchdown by meeting Matt Ryan's short pass for a couple-yard dash to touchdown territory.

Image: YouTube

Former Falcon player Devin Hester produced another patented return from the punt, one of many in what could go down as his last ever NFL game, and hoisted Seattle to another big scoring opportunity. Unfortunately though it wasn't Paul Richardson's touchdown that would go in the books, with the wide receiver falling to the ground to make the catch then getting back up and diving towards the end zone. A referee review would show that the defender made contact, and a sack later on Russell Wilson forced the special teams to come out and settle for the 3-point field goal.

Image: Field Gulls

The night would grow more sour for the quarter-back when a safety was called adding 2 points to the Falcons' total. After the ball was out, Wilson was accidentally trapped under the foot of his teammate, stumbling to the ground and causing a headache for Pete Carroll's team. Matt Bryant then successfully made his field goal attempt to give the Falcons their first lead of the contest.

.@juliojones_11 vs. @RSherman_25.

One-on-one. #SEAvsATL #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/yqjWLLC7UH

— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2017

In the dying embers of the second quarter, Matt Ryan picked out Coleman for the touchdown, and the Falcons headed into half-time 19-10 ahead. First down after first down, having possession to start the third quarter would only help the Falcons steer further away, and some powerful running by Julio Jones saw him barge through for another TD.

The teams exchanged 3-point field-goals, before Mohamed Sanu caught and scored his first ever touchdown, the Atlanta side now having one eye firmly placed on the conference championships. A 78-yard return followed by a 31-yard touchdown pass to Baldwin helped restore a pinch of respect for the Seahawks, but it was all over from the early parts of the third quarter - a fine performance from Atlanta who bid farewell to the Georgia Dome, preparing to move to a new stadium in the new season. Whether they will make that move as Super Bowl champions or not remains to be seen.

The #Falcons are heading to the NFC Championship! #SEAvsATL #Seahawks - 20 #RiseUp - 36 pic.twitter.com/sEkZjknA4C

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 15, 2017

Image: SPORTAL

Patriots put the Texans to bed
Houston Texans 16-34 New England Patriots

Image: Pats Pulpit

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots comfortably put down the Houston Texans to advance to the AFC Conference Championships for a sixth straight time.

Prior to kick-off this was deemed as one of the more bigger mismatches over the slate of divisional round fixtures, and the New England Patriots proved why: just after five minutes they landed the first touchdown with Brady, sharp too start, finding Dion Lewis who surged to the end zone. Brady's opposing number Brock Osweiler was sacked twice in the first quarter and to get their first score on the board, the Texans resorted to a field goal.

Image: The Boston Globe

With 1:15 left off the first, Dion Lewis picked up the punt to restart play and left all the defenders in the rear-view mirror with an electric 98-yard rush to really shift momentum towards New England. There was however hope for the vistors, as Tom Brady was intercepted for only the third time in the campaign. Osweiler came closer to finding the touchdown pass, but again it was just the 3 points on the board for Houston, trailing by a possession still.

Image: AP Photo

Bill O'Brien's side were refusing to give in though, and more fortune went their way from the next kick-off. Dion Lewis attempted to return it again but ran into traffic early on, and Houston managed to recover the ball from the fumble. A touchdown later and it was a one-point game, with the now enthused Texans really going after Brady, landing a few sacks, and even forcing the Pats to squander a 2nd & 1. Their field goal was good, making it 17-13 to New England at the half.

In the third quarter, Tom Brady was operating much more smoothly. Their set-ups prevented the defence charging towards him and bought plenty of time for the quarter-back, who made good of allt hat help eventually with a big throw scoring James White.

Image: NFL Spin Zone

Brock Osweiler, meanwhile, continued to struggle after being intercepted by McCourty. Fortunes could have changed though, when - after an 18-yard run from the quarter-back himself - he lofted it over to Fuller in the clear who was unable to hold on to it to get the touchdown.

Another @Patriots Interception!

Their third of the half. #HOUvsNE #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/ZXT2oz2Gqs

— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2017

After another Brady interception, Texas' field goal made it 24-16. But another interception on the other way saw Ryan pick it off, and got them to the 5-yard line. Lewis was able to dive over the line, and the conversion gave the final scoreline: 34-16, as the Patriots yet again put themselves in the Conference Championships - a sixth straight time.

ALERT: Tom Brady has released the latest issue of TB Times. #HOUvsNE pic.twitter.com/3rxQwuMnA3

— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) January 15, 2017

#Patriots win 34-16 and advance to an NFL-record sixth straight AFC Championship Game. #OneMore pic.twitter.com/oiXgCAPadl

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 15, 2017

Packers steal championship spot in the last play
Green Bay Packers 34-31 Dallas Cowboys

Image: Pioneer Press

Green Bay Packers broke the Cowboys' hearts with the very last play of the game as a field goal attempt from Crosby put them in the NFC Championship final.

A great buzz reverberated around the AT&T Stadium as the highly-regarded Dallas Cowboys got their postseason campaign under way. They settled for a 50-yard field-goal attempt on the first drive, but Ty Montgomery of the Green Bay Packers soon would light it up for Green Bay with a fantastic surge, shoving through defenders to bundle himself over the 50. It was then down to Aaron Rodgers to do the rest, and he did: finding Richard Rodgers in the end zone.

Image: theScore.com

A turnover before the first-quarter was out lent the game back to the hands of the Packers' quarter-back, who made more good of it. Davante Adams flew his way to the 20-yard line, and after a further drive, the 2nd & Goal was the wrap. Montgomery ran the ball over the line, past the defenders and the Packers were flying high.

The @Packers offense is on 🔥🔥!@TyMontgomery2 goes up the gut for SIX. #GBvsDAL #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/VkHbr6ooJm

— NFL Canada (@NFLCanada) January 15, 2017

Cowboys' offense just couldn't get going, and their defense seemed to be treading in treacle as well. Big runs to the 40 and towards the 20 though had them on the verge of another touchdown, with the atmosphere in the huge indoor stadium in Arlington, Texas now one of distress. With the goal opportunity gaping, it was once again down to Montgomery to run the ball and dive over the line. 21-3 in the second: total Green Bay Packers dominance.

Image: QCOnline.com

Dallas were in need of something to set the game on fire, and Dak Prescott found it. Dez Bryant was a great help  with the wide-receiver toeing the line and becoming a great go-to option for the QB. He managed to make the 40-yard line, before another dash saw him peel away from the defender and score to put the game back into contention.

Image: LA Times

Dallas had another opportunity to drive which featured Kentrell absolutely nailing Beasley. A 33-yard field-goal cut the score down to 21-13. Aaron Rodgers did get sacked in the final minute of the half but it wouldn't matter, as Green Bay retained possession to open the third.

Jared Cook opened up some gaps further up the field to stall the Cowboys' momentum, and it started from around the 37-yard-line to get them a 1st & Goal. Rodgers' decided to throw it and he found Cook in the far right corner. Pressure was back on the Cowboys, but they almost collapsed: Micah Hyde picking off a pass intended for Dez.

Image: Newze.net

A rare Rodgers mistake would see possession back into Dallas' territory, ran to the 40-yard line after an interception. 15 points separated the teams at the start of the fourth quarter, but there was a sense that the game was far from over. And when Dak Prescott picked up Jason Witten, excitement was brewing in Texas. There was just one possession in it and Dallas charged inquisitively,  Byron Jones span them out, and a comeback was on the cards. Dak Prescott again threw to Bryant who dove over the end zone in the process of being tackled, and they opted to go for the two-point conversion: Prescott took it, with no options available he decided to run it and flew over the line. Tie-game with over 4 minutes left.

56 yards from the end-zone, and thanks to a pass interference, the Packers quickly made up ground. Mason Crosby held his nerve and knocked it between the sticks from afar. Cowboys needed something special with around a minute and a half left, and Witten did it, getting to the logo to catch Prescott, and now Dallas were in kicking territory. Dan Bailey found it from the 52, and it was again tied, this time at 31. There was however 30 seconds left, and the Packers did have the ball, with a golden opportunity to steal a spot in the NFC Conference Championships.

Image: UPI.com

Ty Montgomery advanced the ball near the 40 as he ran out of touch, but Rodgers was thanking his lucky stars when he was sacked and managed to hold on to the football.  A referee ruling deemed Jared Cook to be in bounds after receiving a pass, and that left 3 seconds on the clock. Green Bay went from being in a 3rd & 20 situation to having a chance to win  with a 51-yard kick attempt.

Image: SB Nation

Mason Crosby kicked the first, but a timeout was called right  before. In the second, it was just inches past the left post, and it sealed the deal: Green Bay won by three points, and were one win away from Super Bowl LI, doing it so in thrilling fashion.

ON CROSBY ☁️9️⃣!

That moment when you kick the @packers to victory. Mason Crosby is CLUTCH!#GoPackGo#NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/Y5pmLpQzQv

— NFL UK (@NFLUK) January 16, 2017

CROSBY DRILLS IT & THE #PACKERS WIN!

We're headed to the NFC Championship Game! #GBvsDAL #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/hHL2WAVJoO

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 16, 2017

Steelers (literally) kick out the Chiefs
Pittsburgh Steelers 18-16 Kansas City Chiefs

Heraldn.net

Pittsburgh Steelers advanced to the AFC Championship game without scoring a touchdown as kicker Chris Boswell converted 6 field goals to edge Kansas City.

With kick-off pushed back some 7 hours due to weather concerns of an ice storm in the Kansas City area, the schedule was a little jumbled, but neither side showed any suggestions of being cold early on. Pittsburgh got off the mark first with a 22 yard field goal from Chris Boswell. Kansas City scored a touchdown on the subsequent drive, when Alex Smith lofted it over to Albert Wilson.

Image: The Morning Call

Ben Roethlisberger pulled off a neat play midway through the first quarter, just about avoiding the sack before hurling it 52 yards towards Antonio Brown - the wide-receiver was beginning to warm up on a cold night in Missouri. Chris Boswell would later find himself coming back on the field to take a kick, this time it was successful from 38 yards.

The visitors were back in possession at the start of the second quarter and it was Boswell who finished off the drive with a field goal, making it 9-7. Kansas were getting a little sloppy at this point, exemplified when Ryan Shazier for the Steelers made the interception after the QB took a hit mid-throw from Dupree.

When Roethlisberger got to the 40-yard line, he threw Jesse James who got over the 5-yard line and put them on a huge scoring opportunity. But they'd squander it, when the throw was deflected early by Frank Zombo, and then fell into the hands of Eric Berry. After getting their hands back on the ball it came down to a now rather predictable Crosby field-goal, finding the target from 45 yards.

Image: USA TODAY

A dropped ball on the run saw Pittsburgh respond strongly, and they made it 15-7 through the third with another field goal. Kansas City saw their championship hopes slipping away, and were determined to change it. But a sack on Alex Smith slowed that down, only for the quarter-back to rectify it to find Maclin just over the first down line. From 48 yards, a Kansas field goal put the lead down to 5, wiht a quarter remaining.

The Steelers made it 18 with a sixth straight field goal from Chris Boswell. Kansas did pack some sting in their drive though, and Alex Smith coped with the pressure, setting up a goal opportunity with 3 minutes left. They chose to drive it and Spencer Ware burst his way to the end zone, cutting the margin down to two. What next for Kansas was clear, a two-point conversion.

They thought they had it when Demetrius Harris caught the ball, but a flag thrown ruled illegal play for holding, and they missed on the next chance. Pittsburgh had two minutes to burn to move to the Conference Championships. When the game clock outlasted regular time, that was it, the Steelers took the victory by two points. Patriots wait for them as they duke it out for a spot in the Super Bowl.

Image: Getty Images