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Reaching the NFL Championship Sport is the head of effort, resilience, and teamwork.
For each staff, this achievement displays years of relentless work, each on and off the sector.
It’s not nearly expertise however the potential to endure the bodily grind of a 17-game common season, the extraordinary playoff battles, and the numerous hours of follow and preparation.
Coaches and gamers dedicate themselves to perfecting methods, overcoming accidents, and adjusting to unpredictable circumstances, all whereas staying united as a staff to attain one purpose.
The trail to the championship sport is as a lot a check of psychological fortitude as it’s bodily potential.
The strain mounts at each stage — with followers, media, and expectations weighing closely on everybody concerned.
Every sport presents distinctive challenges, whether or not it’s battling by means of a important fourth quarter or staring down the prospect of elimination.
It takes daring selections, from playcalling to roster changes, and a willingness to take dangers below the brightest lights.
So let’s have a look on how each franchise has executed below the brilliant lights.
See beneath when the Final Time Each NFL Groups Made A Championship Sport was.
1. San Francisco 49ers – 2024
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The San Francisco 49ers performed in opposition to the Detroit Lions within the NFC Championship Sport on January 28, 2024. The 49ers made a outstanding comeback, rallying from a 17-point deficit to win the sport 34-31, securing their spot within the Tremendous Bowl.
2. Chicago Bears – 2011
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The Chicago Bears performed within the NFC Championship Sport on January 23, 2011, in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. The Bears misplaced the sport 21-14, with the Packers advancing to the Tremendous Bowl. The sport was notable for the Bears’ quarterback scenario, as Jay Cutler was injured in the course of the sport, and backup quarterbacks Caleb Hanie and Todd Collins needed to step in.
3. Cincinnati Bengals – 2023
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The Cincinnati Bengals performed within the AFC Championship Sport on January 29, 2023, in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. The Bengals misplaced the sport 23-20, with the Chiefs advancing to the Tremendous Bowl. The sport was intently contested, and the Chiefs secured their victory with a late discipline purpose.
4. Buffalo Payments – 2025
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The Buffalo Payments are set to play in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the AFC Championship Sport in 2025. This matchup marks the Payments’ return to the AFC title sport, the place they’ll face their playoff nemesis, the Chiefs.
5. Denver Broncos – 2016
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The Denver Broncos performed within the AFC Championship Sport on January 24, 2016, in opposition to the New England Patriots. The Broncos received the sport 20-18, securing their spot in Tremendous Bowl 50. The sport was notable for the sturdy efficiency of the Broncos’ protection and a vital missed further level by the Patriots, which finally made the distinction within the rating.
6. Cleveland Browns – 1990
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The Cleveland Browns performed within the AFC Championship Sport on January 14, 1990, in opposition to the Denver Broncos. The Browns misplaced the sport 37-21. This sport was a part of a sequence of playoff matchups between the Browns and Broncos in the course of the late Nineteen Eighties, also known as “The Drive” and “The Fumble” video games, which have been pivotal moments in NFL playoff historical past.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 2021
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers performed within the NFC Championship Sport on January 24, 2021, in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. The Buccaneers received the sport 31-26, incomes a spot in Tremendous Bowl LV. This victory was important because it led to the Buccaneers enjoying the Tremendous Bowl of their residence stadium, Raymond James Stadium, the place they finally received the championship.
8. Arizona Cardinals – 2016
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The Arizona Cardinals performed within the NFC Championship Sport on January 24, 2016, in opposition to the Carolina Panthers. The Cardinals misplaced the sport 49-15. The Panthers’ sturdy efficiency, led by quarterback Cam Newton, propelled them to Tremendous Bowl 50, whereas the Cardinals’ season got here to an finish with this defeat.
9. Los Angeles Chargers – 2008
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The Los Angeles Chargers, then generally known as the San Diego Chargers, performed within the AFC Championship Sport on January 20, 2008, in opposition to the New England Patriots. The Chargers misplaced the sport 21-12. Regardless of a powerful effort, they have been unable to beat the Patriots, who superior to Tremendous Bowl XLII.
10. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs – 2025
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The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are set to play in opposition to the Buffalo Payments within the AFC Championship Sport in 2025. The sport will happen at Arrowhead Stadium. This matchup follows the Payments’ victory over the Baltimore Ravens, which secured their spot within the championship sport.
11. Indianapolis Colts – 2015
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The Indianapolis Colts performed within the AFC Championship Sport on January 18, 2015, in opposition to the New England Patriots. The Colts misplaced the sport 45-7. This sport is notably remembered for the “Deflategate” controversy, the place the Patriots have been accused of utilizing under-inflated footballs in the course of the sport. The Patriots superior to Tremendous Bowl XLIX following this victory.
12. Washington Commanders – 2025
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The Washington Commanders are set to play in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles within the NFC Championship Sport in 2025. This follows their spectacular victory over the top-seeded Detroit Lions, with a rating of 45-31.
13. Dallas Cowboys – 1996
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The Dallas Cowboys performed within the NFC Championship Sport on January 14, 1996, in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. The Cowboys received the sport 38-27, securing their spot in Tremendous Bowl XXX. They went on to win the Tremendous Bowl, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers. This victory marked the Cowboys’ third Tremendous Bowl win in 4 years in the course of the Nineties.
14. Miami Dolphins – 1993
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The Miami Dolphins performed within the AFC Championship Sport on January 17, 1993, in opposition to the Buffalo Payments. The Dolphins misplaced the sport 29-10. The Payments superior to Tremendous Bowl XXVII following their victory over the Dolphins.
15. Philadelphia Eagles – 2025
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The Philadelphia Eagles are set to host the Washington Commanders within the NFC Championship Sport in 2025. The sport will happen at Lincoln Monetary Discipline on Sunday, January 26, at 3 p.m. ET.
16. Atlanta Falcons – 2017
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The Atlanta Falcons performed within the NFC Championship Sport on January 22, 2017, in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. The Falcons received the sport decisively with a rating of 44-21. This victory allowed them to advance to Tremendous Bowl LI, the place they confronted the New England Patriots.
17. New York Giants – 2012
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The New York Giants performed within the NFC Championship Sport on January 22, 2012, in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers. The Giants received the sport 20-17 in additional time. This victory secured their place in Tremendous Bowl XLVI, the place they went on to defeat the New England Patriots.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars – 2018
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The Jacksonville Jaguars performed within the AFC Championship Sport on January 21, 2018, in opposition to the New England Patriots. The Jaguars misplaced the sport 24-20. The Patriots superior to Tremendous Bowl LII following their victory over the Jaguars.
19. New York Jets – 2011
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The New York Jets performed within the AFC Championship Sport on January 23, 2011, in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jets misplaced the sport 24-19. The Steelers superior to Tremendous Bowl XLV following their victory over the Jets.
20. Detroit Lions – 2024
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The Detroit Lions performed within the NFC Championship Sport on January 28, 2024, in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers. The Lions misplaced the sport 34-31 after the 49ers rallied from a 17-point deficit to safe the win.
21. Inexperienced Bay Packers – 2021
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The Inexperienced Bay Packers performed within the NFC Championship Sport on January 24, 2021, in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Packers misplaced the sport 31-26. The Buccaneers superior to Tremendous Bowl LV following their victory over the Packers.
22. Carolina Panthers – 2016
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The Carolina Panthers performed within the NFC Championship Sport on January 24, 2016, in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals. The Panthers received the sport decisively with a rating of 49-15. This victory earned them a spot in Tremendous Bowl 50, the place they confronted the Denver Broncos.
23. New England Patriots – 2019
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The New England Patriots performed within the AFC Championship Sport on January 20, 2019, in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. The Patriots received the sport 37-31 in additional time. This victory allowed them to advance to Tremendous Bowl LIII, the place they confronted the Los Angeles Rams.
24. Las Vegas Raiders – 2003
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The Las Vegas Raiders, then generally known as the Oakland Raiders, performed within the AFC Championship Sport on January 19, 2003, in opposition to the Tennessee Titans. The Raiders received the sport 41-24, which superior them to Tremendous Bowl XXXVII. They confronted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers within the Tremendous Bowl.
25. Los Angeles Rams – 2022
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The Los Angeles Rams performed within the NFC Championship Sport on January 30, 2022, in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers. The Rams received the sport 20-17, securing their place in Tremendous Bowl LVI, the place they confronted the Cincinnati Bengals.
26. Baltimore Ravens – 2024
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The Baltimore Ravens performed within the AFC Championship Sport on January 28, 2024, in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. The Ravens misplaced the sport 17-10, with the Chiefs advancing to Tremendous Bowl LVIII.
27. New Orleans Saints – 2019
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The New Orleans Saints performed within the NFC Championship Sport on January 20, 2019, in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams. The sport was extremely controversial as a consequence of a missed go interference name late within the sport. The Rams received the sport 26-23 in additional time, advancing to Tremendous Bowl LIII.
28. Seattle Seahawks – 2015
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The Seattle Seahawks performed within the NFC Championship Sport on January 18, 2015, in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. The Seahawks received the sport 28-22 in additional time, after a dramatic comeback. This victory allowed them to advance to Tremendous Bowl XLIX, the place they confronted the New England Patriots.
29. Pittsburgh Steelers – 2017
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The Pittsburgh Steelers performed within the AFC Championship Sport on January 22, 2017, in opposition to the New England Patriots. The Steelers misplaced the sport 36-17, with the Patriots advancing to Tremendous Bowl LI.
30. Houston Texans – N/A
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The Houston Texans haven’t but appeared in an AFC Championship Sport. Since their inception in 2002, they’ve made a number of playoff appearances however haven’t superior previous the Divisional Spherical.
31. Tennessee Titans – 2020
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The Tennessee Titans performed within the AFC Championship Sport on January 19, 2020, in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. The Titans misplaced the sport 35-24, with the Chiefs advancing to Tremendous Bowl LIV.
32. Minnesota Vikings – 2018
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The Minnesota Vikings performed within the NFC Championship Sport on January 21, 2018, in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Vikings misplaced the sport 38-7, with the Eagles advancing to Tremendous Bowl LII.