Ranking the Top 5 NFC and AFC Championship Games of All-Time

As we head towards Super Bowl 60, it’s time to reflect on some of the greatest Conference Championship games in NFL history. Last-second field goals, incredible comeback victories, and of course, overtime thrillers that sent teams to the Super Bowl.  Here is our list of the top 10 NFC and AFC title games.

NFC Championship Games

1. 2018 AFC Championship: Patriots 37, Chiefs 31 (OT)

It was a game that felt like it was a passing of the torch as the veteran, Tom Brady, faced the upstart Patrick Mahomes.  But the Patriots QB wasn’t ready to hand it over just yet.  The game featured five lead changes, highlight-reel throws, and constant momentum swings.  After a controversial offside penalty erased a Chiefs interception, New England marched down the field in overtime to score the winning TD, and never gave Mahomes a chance to respond under the old OT rules. It was Brady’s ninth AFC title win and one of the greatest quarterback duels ever played.

2. 2006 AFC Championship: Colts 38, Patriots 34

It was a battle between two of the best quarterbacks of our generation.  Peyton Manning had never beaten Tom Brady in the playoffs, and the Colts looked finished after falling behind 21–3 in the first half. What followed was one of the greatest comebacks in postseason history. Manning played mistake-free football while Indianapolis’ defense forced uncharacteristic Patriots turnovers.  The win propelled the Colts to their first Super Bowl title and permanently reshaped Manning’s legacy as a big-game quarterback.

3. 1986 AFC Championship: Broncos 23, Browns 20 (OT)

Football fans know this game as “The Drive,” and it became one of the most famous moments in NFL history. Cleveland led late in the fourth quarter when John Elway took over at his own two-yard line. What followed was a flawless 98-yard drive under immense pressure, capped by a touchdown pass to Mark Jackson. The Broncos won in overtime, crushing a Browns franchise that never fully recovered.  

4. 1987 AFC Championship: Broncos 38, Browns 33

One year after The Drive, we saw “The Fumble.”  The Browns rallied late, and it appeared they would win the game.  But what ensued was heartbreak at its finest.  Running back Earnest Byner broke free—only to fumble at the goal line.  The Broncos recovered the ball and escaped with the win, cementing one of the most painful rivalries in playoff history

5. 1995 AFC Championship: Steelers 20, Colts 16

A defensive battle that came down to the final play as  Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh lofted a desperation pass into the end zone that receiver Aaron Bailey nearly caught while being hit. Even the announcers yelled, “he caught the ball,” but the pass was ruled incomplete, and the Steelers survived to advance to the Super Bowl If Bailey had made the catch, it would undoubtedly go down as the greatest play in NFL history. 

NFC Championship Games

1. 1981 NFC Championship Game: 49ers 28, Cowboys 27

“The Catch” forever changed the trajectory of the NFL. Down 27–21 late in the fourth quarter, Joe Montana rolled right and lofted a pass to Dwight Clark in the back of the end zone. That single play launched the San Francisco 49ers’ dynasty and ended the Cowboys’ dominance of the NFC. It wasn’t just a great finish—it was a symbolic passing of the torch, marking the rise of a new power and one of the most iconic moments in sports history. 

2. 2014 NFC Championship Game: Seahawks 28, Packers 22 (OT)

From “The Catch” we go to “The Muff.”  The Packers dominated for three quarters, jumping out to a 16-0 lead and forcing five turnovers.  But then everything unraveled. Seattle converted a fake field goal touchdown and recovered an onside kick that Brandon Bostick muffed, giving the Seahawks the ball. They would tie the game, and in overtime, Russell Wilson—who had thrown four interceptions—hit Jermaine Kearse for a walk-off touchdown. The Seahawks advanced to Super Bowl XLIX in one of the most improbable comebacks in playoff history.

3. 2009 NFC Championship Game: Saints 31, Vikings 28 (OT)

This game blended controversy, brutality, and heartbreak. Brett Favre played one of the best games of his career at age 40, but late turnovers and questionable officiating kept Minnesota from sealing the win. The defining moment came when Favre threw across his body instead of running, leading to a costly interception. New Orleans kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime, sending the Saints to their first Super Bowl appearance and delivering a defining moment for the franchise.

4. 2018 NFC Championship Game: Rams 26, Saints 23 (OT)

Forever linked to the infamous no-call on a clear pass interference late in regulation, this game sparked league-wide outrage and rule changes. Despite the blown call, New Orleans still had chances to win, but the Rams capitalized in overtime with a long field goal to advance to Super Bowl LIII. The controversy overshadowed the quality of play, but the game’s impact on NFL officiating ensures its place in history.

5. 1990 NFC Championship: Giants 15, 49ers 13 

The 49ers were trying to become the first team ever to win three straight Super Bowls, but the Giants had other plans. It was a physical battle as Giants lineman Leonard Marshall knocked Joe Montana out of the game with about 10 minutes left, with the Niners leading 13-9.   After cutting the lead to 13-12, New York’s QB Jeff Hostetler led a magical drive that would lead to a 42-yard Matt Bahr game-winning field goal as former CBS/Fox play-by-play analyst Pat Summerall famously said, “There will be no three-peat.”  The Giants would go on to win the Super Bowl, and Montana moved on from San Francisco after this game.

Conclusion

These 10 Championship Games prove that when the NFL is down to the final four teams, fans will see some incredible football.  Legendary plays, controversy, and, of course, unforgettable drama that still resonates with fans decades later.  It wouldn’t surprise anyone if this year’s games find their way onto an updated list for the best Conference Games ever.