The Divisional Playoff Round this past weekend featured some of the more memorable plays and results of recent years in the NFL Playoffs. To remember more great post-season games of the past, take a look at our Top 5 Greatest Playoff Games in the Last 10 Years to be published today.
The Atlanta Falcons escaped disaster with a three-point fourth quarter, topping the Seattle Seahawks 30-28 Sunday afternoon. In the final frame, the visitors tallied three touchdowns and led for 23 seconds (the only time all game Seattle was on top). Matt Ryan notched his first ever playoff win, putting his team within one game of making its second Super Bowl appearance.
Colin Kaepernick torched the record books in his first ever playoff start, rushing for 181 yards in the San Francisco 49ers' 45-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. That total is 31 more yards than any quarterback not named Michael Vick, and is the highest total in any game, playoff or not for a QB.
The Denver Broncos won a playoff game in overtime back in 2012, but in the only time you can say it, Peyton Manning couldn't match Tim Tebow. The Broncos lost in double OT to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, with Ray Lewis' career lasting at least one more game. Manning threw an interception that jumpstarted Baltimore's winning drive in the fourth-longest playoff game ever.
For the second time this season, the New England Patriots beat the Houston Texans by double digits, again without Rob Gronkowski. Gronk was injured fewer than ten plays into the game. For more on the impact his re-broken arm will have on the AFC Championship Game, check out our injury recap or AFC preview, both coming today.
NBA
NBA big man Dwight Howard returned to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup last night with a double-double. His 22 points and 14 rebounds helped end the longest Lakers losing streak (six games) in six years. Howard had missed the previous three games with a shoulder injury.
NCAABB
Both #1 Duke and #2 Michigan fell over the weekend, causing a potential upheaval in the new men's college basketball rankings coming out this afternoon.
Cycling
Lance Armstrong is preparing for an interview today with Oprah Winfrey in which he is expected to apologize for his use of performance-enhancing drugs during his cycling career.