All the cards fell into play Sunday, January 22, as four teams battled it out for the two most coveted places in the NFL… to have a chance to play in Super Bowl 51. It’s been an interesting year of football, the Miami Dolphins making it into their first playoff game since 2008, the Minnesota Vikings falling from grace early in the season, and the breakout rookie Dak Prescott, who led the Dallas Cowboys to the final thread but fell short. This season has provided fans with heart-wrenching moments and some nail biting games, just as every season of football has. But, all good things must come to end as the two best teams in football duke it out to determine who will be crowned Super Bowl 51 Champions.
During the game, earlier Sunday against Green Bay at Atlanta, the Green Bay Packers struggled in the first two quarters offensively, Mason Crosby missing a pertinent field goal in the first quarter that could have given the Packers their first three points of the game. Aaron Rodgers finally kicked it into gear going into the third quarter, throwing a pass to Devonte Adams for the Packers first six points of the game. Crosby added an extra point with a field goal, making the game at this point 7-31, Falcons. Where the Packers have been struggling offensively, the Falcons and Matt Ryan dominated. With weapons like Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman to assist him, the Falcons crippled Green Bay’s defense but taking into consideration that a significant number of Packers players were out with injuries. Jordy Nelson, who is also played with fractured ribs managed to snag the Packers second touchdown of the game with a short, shot gun pass from Rodgers with less than a minute in the third quarter, ending with a successful two-point conversion attempt. Shorty in the beginning of the third quarter, the Falcons returned with a touchdown after the Packers kicked an unsuccessful offside kick which placed the ball at about the Falcons 30-yard line. From here on out the Falcons dominated over the Packers ending 44-21, making them the NFC Champions and punching their ticket to the Super Bowl 51 for just the second time in franchise history.
As for the more anticipated game of the night for the AFC Championship, the Pittsburg Steelers take on the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. This is a playoff rematch that Big Ben Roethlisberger has waited 12 years for with Tom Brady, one that the Patriots are favored to win by 75.3%, per ESPN’s Football Power Index. The Patriots were the first to put numbers up on the board with a successful field goal from Stephen Gostkowski.
After halftime is when the Steelers lost all hope with a fumble in the third quarter which was picked up by the Patriots and resulted in a touchdown. What contributed to the Steelers demise was the lack of the three B’s, Bell, Brown, and Ben considering Le’Veon Bell was out early in the first quarter with a groin injury. Not only did the Steelers fumble in the third quarter but Big Ben threw his first interception of the game that was intended for Darrius Heyward but was caught by Eric Rowe and eventually turned into another touchdown for the Patriots. Unfortunately, even in the fourth quarter, the Steelers were able to score another touchdown and a successful two-point conversion. The Patriots ended up victorious in this game, no surprise there, with a score of 17-36, and as the 2017 AFC Champions and are now set to face off with the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl.
Judging by how both teams played Sunday, it is going to be an offensive battle. Matt Ryan, who threw four touchdowns and ran one right into the end zone, and the talented Tom Brady, who threw for three touchdowns and of course played another amazing game. My hope is that the Falcons will upset the Patriots and go for their first Super Bowl win because who doesn't appreciate an underdog.
Tune-in February 5 to see who will be crowned victorious at Super Bowl 51 being shown on FOX. I know I will be watching and wearing black and red in hopes that the underdog will pull through in the end!
