'Reffing Unbelievable': Newspaper Front Page Reactions to AFC-NFC Championship Games

"Reffing Unbelievable": See how newspapers around the country covered the NFL conference title games.

Sunday's two conference championship games were full of high drama and controversy, and when all was said and done, both road teams earned trips to Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta in two weeks.

Both games were decided in overtime and had penalties ultimately decide the game. The Rams took advantage of a blown call with less than two minutes to go in regulation, and used an overtime interception to win on a 57-yard field goal to beat the Saints and earn their first trip to the Super Bowl since 2001.

New England will be making its third straight Super Bowl appearance, and they also took advantage of a penalty, when Chiefs defensive end Dee Ford lined up offsides on a play that could have won the game. 

The Patriots got the game into overtime and won the coin toss, driving straight down the field in the extra period to win the game 37–31.

Here is a look at some of the headlines from the front pages and sports pages from newspapers around the country.

Rams vs. Saints

The front page of the Times-Picayune — full coverage from the game cc @APSE_sportmedia pic.twitter.com/wBrCqh1aW9

— Tim Givens (@TGGivens) January 21, 2019

The back page: Referees decide to let Saints begin their vacation early https://t.co/Qe4Zhwu8mm pic.twitter.com/f3RkWkrIWB

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) January 21, 2019

I picked Saints vs. Chiefs in the Super Bowl. So really, I should have been better prepped for this outcome on deadline. From Monday's @freepsports ... Design by @Greg__Stark ... pic.twitter.com/SlBKzldPUz

— Ryan Ford (@theford) January 21, 2019

Heard there were some football games today, huh? Pick up a copy of @NYTSports and read all about tonight's conference championships. Display type from @sae722 photo edit twitterless thom mcguire pic.twitter.com/yZzrMWX0Iu

— Anna Hyzy (@annakhyzy) January 21, 2019

So what will you be talking about tomorrow? @nick_underhill's column is a must-read, and it kicks off our Saints coverage in tomorrow's Advocate. pic.twitter.com/7aTauoxfHi

— Zach Ewing (@zewing) January 21, 2019

Monday back page of @PhillyDailyNews #nflplayoffs #saints #rams #sports @APSE_sportmedia @PrideInPrint pic.twitter.com/qQDB3SC1Jr

— Deborah Woodell ☯️ 🏳️‍🌈🇺🇦 (@DebWNJ) January 21, 2019

Patriots vs. Chiefs

Early look Monday's @KCStar coverage of a deflating night at Arrowhead Stadium for #ChiefsKingdom, and another AFC title for the Patriots. pic.twitter.com/eU3gdLOnfT

— Jeff Rosen (@jeff_rosen88) January 21, 2019

You'll never guess who's playing in #SBLIII ...

Read all about it in tomorrow's @PostSports: pic.twitter.com/z1z19IuwON

— Brianna Schroer (@briannaschroer) January 21, 2019

Monday's @bostonherald backpage, by @dougWalp #GoPats @Patriots#AFCChampionshipGame #SBLIII @SuperBowl @APSE_sportmedia pic.twitter.com/rvh92jcGGe

— Boulder Design Hub (@BoulderHub) January 21, 2019