And then there were four.
Like the divisional matchups, the conference championships offer us a pair of rematches. But this weekend’s games both have the makings of classics.
One is a clash of two AFC powerhouses known for offence but with underrated defences, while the NFC title game has the potential to produce 80-plus points.
Here are four things to watch out for this Sunday:
Green Bay Packers AT 
Atlanta Falcons
Rodgers vs. Ryan: The Rematch
In a showdown of the two clear MVP favourites (in my opinion), a pair of winning streaks are on the line in Atlanta and we’re bound to see some fireworks before one of them is snapped.
The Packers and Falcons squared off earlier this season in a thriller that ended 33–32 Falcons thanks to a Mohamed Sanu TD catch in the final seconds.
But you can’t pin the loss on Rodgers. He and Ryan both had monster games.
| Packers at Falcons, Week 6 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Completions | Attempts | Yards | TD | INT | Rating | |
| Matt Ryan | 28 | 35 | 288 | 3 | 0 | 129.5 |
| Aaron Rodgers | 28 | 38 | 246 | 4 | 0 | 125.5 |
Since that October meeting, the two teams have combined for just five losses.
Whatever other factors may come into play this Sunday, you can guarantee these two will be the x-factors, much like they have been all season long.
Look for Atlanta’s dynamic backfield duo to do damage
There are plenty of reasons the Falcons offence had an historic season: Ryan is having the best year of his career, the offensive line is much-improved and the depth at receiver has been a luxury Ryan has not enjoyed until now.
But maybe the most underrated part of the offence is the two-headed monster of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman in Atlanta’s backfield.
Coleman didn’t play in the Week 7 matchup against Green Bay, but he and Freeman have been dangerous all season long and both played crucial roles last weekend against the Seahawks.
| Falcons RBs vs. Seahawks | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing | Receiving | |||||
| Attempts | Yards | TDs | Receptions | Yards | TDs | |
| Tevin Coleman | 11 | 57 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 1 |
| Devonta Freeman | 14 | 45 | 1 | 4 | 80 | 0 |
What this backfield duo brings to the table is truly a game-changing element for Atlanta.
Freeman may be seen as the more physical runner but can do damage in the passing game as well.
And while Coleman is a terror catching balls out of the backfield, he’s no slouch on the ground.
Having Freeman and Coleman in their arsenal is like the Falcons having one do-it-all running back who never gets winded. Look for them to cause big problems for Green Bay’s defence.
Pittsburgh Steelers AT 
New England Patriots
Steelers pass rush could torment Brady
When the Steelers hosted Tom Brady and the Patriots back in Week 7, Pittsburgh didn’t record a single sack. To say New England is preparing for a whole different kind of defence would be an understatement.
The Steelers pass rushers have been a nightmare for offensive lines and quarterbacks alike since Week 11: Pittsburgh has 31 sacks in that time. Considering how the Texans caused trouble for Brady last weekend — No. 12 completed just 47 per cent of his passes, was hit eight times and sacked twice — this is probably the best chance the Steelers have at muting Brady’s influence on the game.
What makes Pittsburgh’s pass rush so difficult to defend is the number of guys that can get after the quarterback. Led by James Harrison, six different Steelers had at least three sacks this season, while 15 have had at least one. They notched just one sack last week in Kansas City, but hit Alex Smith five different times.
You can bet Mike Tomlin and company are well aware of Brady’s struggles when under pressure, and you can be sure the Steelers are going to bring it Sunday night.
Expect a heavy dose of Blount
LeGarrette Blount had a career year in 2016, recording highs in carries (299), yards (1,161) and nearly tripling his previous season-high with 18 rushing TDs, most in the league.
But Blount had the least-effective outing of his season last week against the Texans, carrying the ball just eight times for 31 yards — both season lows.
When the Patriots went to Pittsburgh back in Week 7, Blount had a monster game with 24 rushes for 127 yards (season high) and a touchdown, averaging 5.3 yards per carry — his best number this year in a game in which he carried the ball at least 20 times.
Bill Belichick will likely strive to control the ball against Pittsburgh, keeping the Steelers’ ferocious pass rush away from Brady and the Killer B’s off the field for as much of the game as possible. Blount will be the key to that strategy, should the Patriots employ it.
