The NFL playoffs are in the divisional round, with two games left after Saturday's matchups. Saturday's contests featured two strong games, so hopefully Sunday's will provide something similar. Here's what happened yesterday and all the news and injury updates you need to know for today.
Patriots Defeat Chiefs 27-20
The New England Patriots are headed to the AFC Championship game for the fifth straight season. The Patriots scored on their very first drive and never gave up the lead. The Chiefs were forced to air it out more than they wanted, with Alex Smith throwing a career-high 50 passes, but for only 246 yards. Tom Brady was much better, throwing for 302 yards in the win. The Patriots get the winner of the Broncos and Steelers.
Cardinals Beat Packers 26-20
The final game Saturday was a complete thriller. The Cardinals seemed to have the game locked up, thanks to a deflected pass late in the fourth quarter that was completed for a touchdown. But then Aaron Rodgers completed a miraculous Hail Mary as time expired to force the game into overtime. In OT, Carson Palmer found Larry Fitzgerald for a 75-yard catch and run that set up a short shovel pass to Fitzgerald for the win. The Cardinals survive and advance to face the winner of the Seahawks-Panthers matchup.
Panthers vs. Seahawks - 1:05 p.m. EST
- Marshawn Lynch will play for Seattle. He's active after missing the last eight games with an abdomen injury. Lynch seemed set to play last week, before ruling himself out.
- Ted Ginn is active for the Panthers. He was listed on the injury report as questionable with a knee injury. Ginn has been the top WR this season for Carolina.
- Michael Bennett and Luke Willson are active for Seattle. They were both listed as probable, so it isn't a surprise they'll be playing.
Broncos vs. Steelers - 4:40 p.m. EST
- Ben Roethlisberger will play today and he's also expected to have the full playbook at his disposal. Big Ben is battling a separated shoulder that has torn ligaments, so there is a concern that he won't be able to throw the ball downfield. That was the case late last week against the Bengals, but it appears that Roethlisberger won't have the same issue this week.
- Steelers will be without WR Antonio Brown and RB DeAngelo Williams. Brown is sidelined with a concussion, while Williams is still battling a foot injury.
- The Broncos have 13 players listed as probable on the injury report. They should be able to play.