NFL Conference Championship Weekend

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jan 24, 2011

NFL Conference Championship Weekend

Green Bay 21, Chicago 14

Aaron Rodgers opened the scoring with a 1-yard keeper in the first quarter, capping the Packers' 62-yard touchdown drive. On the day, Rodgers threw for 244 yards against the Bears.

Green Bay 21, Chicago 14

Packers RB James Starks (80 total yards, 1 TD) often had big holes to explore against the Bears -- especially in the first half.

Green Bay 21, Chicago 14

Jay Cutler (knee injury) was one of three Bears QBs (Todd Collins, Caleb Hanie) to play against the Packers. In his first NFC title game, Cutler threw for 80 yards and one interception.

Green Bay 21, Chicago 14

Aaron Rodgers' biggest play of the game might've been his touchdown-saving tackle off Brian Urlacher's interception in the third quarter. The heads-up play forced Chicago's sputtering offense -- then led by QB Todd Collins -- to convert the INT into a score (for which it failed).

Green Bay 21, Chicago 14

Bears safety Charles Tillman got the best of Greg Jennings on this play ...

Green Bay 21, Chicago 14

... But Jennings would eventually get his revenge at day's end, pulling down eight balls for 130 yards.

Green Bay 21, Chicago 14

Caleb Hanie, the third-string QB, revitalized Chicago's offense with two scoring drives in the fourth quarter. If the Bears had somehow defeated the Packers in OT, it's entirely possible that Hanie (153 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs) would've started Super Bowl XLV for the injured Jay Cutler.

Green Bay 21, Chicago 14

Lance Briggs (4 tackles, 1 sack) played a major role in limiting the high-powered Packers to just two offensive touchdowns. Briggs and teammate Brian Urlacher missed out on becoming the first pair of Bears linebackers to pilot the franchise to two Super Bowls.

Green Bay 21, Chicago 14

Tailback Matt Forte did everything in his power to carry the Bears to the Super Bowl, falling short in the end. On the day, he tallied 160 yards -- while catching 10 balls for 90 yards.

Green Bay 21, Chicago 14

B.J. Raji (90), the Packers' mammoth defensive tackle, broke the game open with his 18-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter -- his first interception as a pro.

Green Bay 21, Chicago 14

Packers cornerback Charles Woodson (with helmet) may be just a Super Bowl victory away from cementing his case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame ... in about 7-8 years. The perennial All-Pro registered three tackles on Sunday.

Pittsburgh 24, N.Y. Jets 19

Already playing in his sixth playoff game, Sanchez completed 20-of-33 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Down 24-3 in the third quarter, he directed two second-half scoring drives.

Pittsburgh 24, N.Y. Jets 19

Taylor, an eighth-year veteran, recorded three tackles, assisted on one more and tallied one of Pittsburgh's two sacks.

Pittsburgh 24, N.Y. Jets 19

Big Ben didn't have his best game through the air, completing only 10-of-19 passes for 133 yards -- while also tossing two interceptions. He did rush for this 2-yard touchdown in the second quarter, building the Steelers lead to 14-0.

Pittsburgh 24, N.Y. Jets 19

Pushed around by the Steelers in the first half, the group solidified late and gave their team a chance to win. Defensive end Trevor Price registered one of the team's two sacks.

Pittsburgh 24, N.Y. Jets 19

The workhorse Mendenhall accounted for 154 total yards, including 121 on the ground (27 carries). He also scored on the Steelers' opening possession, a drive that took 9:06 off the clock.

Pittsburgh 24, N.Y. Jets 19

Gay's 19-yard fumble-return TD with 1:13 left in the first half opened the Steelers' lead to 24-0. It would also serve as Pittsburgh's final score of the night.

Pittsburgh 24, N.Y. Jets 19

Holmes had just two catches, but one was good for a 45-yard touchdown and culminated a 5-play, 90-yard drive in the third quarter.

Pittsburgh 24, N.Y. Jets 19

Jerricho Cotchery (5 catches, 33 yards, 1 TD) was one of only five Jets to catch a ball in Sunday's title game. His touchdown with 3:06 left in the fourth quarter served as the night's final score.

NFL Conference Championship Weekend