The four conference-championship participants went a combined 21-of-21 on field-goal and point-after tries Sunday. Among them: Greg Zuerlein banging home a 48-yarder to force overtime and a 57-yard walk-off to send the Rams to the Super Bowl, and the Chiefs' Harrison Butker connecting from 39 out in the closing seconds of regulation at frigid Arrowhead, where he's never missed inside of 40 but also had never attempted a field goal in those pressure-packed conditions.
We already knew the Bears would put a major emphasis on improving their kicking game in the offseason, but Sunday offered a stark reminder of the vital nature of special teams to true contenders.