Tom Brady didn't get this rushing touchdown but found his way into the end zone on the next possession. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
NFL playoffs – second round
Top Story Lines | Injury News | Game Analysis[1][2][3]
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Tom Brady and the New England Patriots down the once-but-no-longer-streaking Chiefs, 27-20, to advance to the AFC championship game. It will be Brady's 10th conference championship game appearance, an NFL record he already owned. They'll await the winner of Denver-Pittsburgh, with Peyton Manning and the Broncos set to welcome a banged-up Steelers squad to town Sunday to decide who will face New England next week.
Over in the NFC, the Cardinals appear rested and ready to take on the Packers, who may have rediscovered their offense during the first round, beating the Redskins at FedEx Field. In Charlotte, the Panthers put their near-perfect season on the line against the ever-dangerous Seahawks.
The Post is reporting live from all four games this weekend. But to get primed before kickoff, dive in below to our choicest articles previewing the second round of the NFL Playoffs.
Top Story Lines
Tom Brady gets angry — and Patriots get a ticket to the AFC championship[4]
New England quarterback jaws with Chiefs, who run out of answers in divisional playoff loss. (Read More[5])
Chiefs QB Alex Smith gets jaw-droppingly shifty to convert key third down[6]
See the cheap shot that earned Patriots' Danny Amendola a flag[8]
The hit was clearly illegal but only only cost the Pats roughly 2 1/2 yards. (Read More[9])
Patriots don't punish Chandler Jones for bizarre report, instead start him[10]
The defensive end was back in his normal spot six days after being hospitalized for what was reported to be a bad reaction to synthetic marijuana. (Read More[11])
The Chiefs are rolling. The Patriots are reeling. Will it matter Saturday?[12]
Will momentum make any difference as the hottest team in the NFL takes on a team that has been nearly unbeatable at home. (Read More[13])
Larry Fitzgerald, slot machine, inspires team and fuels Cardinals Super Bowl dreams[14]
The veteran receiver has taken to his new role in the slot and has put up one of his best seasons ever. (Read More[15])
Packers, Cardinals prep for a rapid rematch[16]
Teams meeting in the playoffs after late-season games is more common than you'd think. But that doesn't make the sequel any less intriguing. (Read More[17])
The Seahawks are a nightmare matchup for the Panthers. Here's why.[18]
Even if Seattle didn't look their best in their last-second escape from Minnesota, there are plenty of reasons for Carolina to be worried. (Read More[19])
The important evolution of Russell Wilson and Cam Newton[20]
The quarterbacks made big strides in their development this season that have raised them into elite status. (Read More[21])
Sputtering offense or no, the Broncos are a Super Bowl sleeping giant[22]
With a defense as good as any in the Super Bowl era, Denver might be able to succeed despite any shortcomings by its quarterbacks. (Read More[23])
Injury News
Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers (head injury) … He will not play after suffering a concussion from a hit by the Bengals Vontaze Burfict in the first round.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers (shoulder) … Roethlisberger is listed as questionable with multiple issues in his throwing shoulder.
Rob Gronkowski, TE, (knee) … He missed practice time this week, but returned on Friday. He's listed as questionable heading into Saturday afternoon's game.
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Chiefs (knee) … He reportedly has a high ankle sprain[24], not a torn ACL as feared.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks (abdomen) … He was a full participant in practice this week and declared himself ready for Seattle's game in Carolina.
Julian Edelman, WR, Patriots (foot) … The Pats' top wide receiver is listed as questionable.
Second-round scores and more
[Full second-round scoreboard[25]]
Divisional round schedule
Packers at Cardinals, 8:15 p.m.
Seahawks at Panthers, Jan. 17, 1:05 p.m.
Steelers at Broncos, Jan. 17, 4:40 p.m.
• Which games to watch … and which to skip[27]
• Divisional Round Picks: The best bets this weekend[28]
• ATS Trends: See where the money is going in Vegas[29]
References
- ^ Top Story Lines (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Injury News (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Game Analysis (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Tom Brady gets angry — and Patriots get a ticket to the AFC championship (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Read More (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Chiefs QB Alex Smith gets jaw-droppingly shifty to convert key third down (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Read More (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ See the cheap shot that earned Patriots' Danny Amendola a flag (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Read More (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Patriots don't punish Chandler Jones for bizarre report, instead start him (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Read More (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ The Chiefs are rolling. The Patriots are reeling. Will it matter Saturday? (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Read More (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Larry Fitzgerald, slot machine, inspires team and fuels Cardinals Super Bowl dreams (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Read More (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Packers, Cardinals prep for a rapid rematch (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Read More (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ The Seahawks are a nightmare matchup for the Panthers. Here's why. (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Read More (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ The important evolution of Russell Wilson and Cam Newton (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Read More (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Sputtering offense or no, the Broncos are a Super Bowl sleeping giant (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Read More (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ He reportedly has a high ankle sprain (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Full second-round scoreboard (stats.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Patriots 27, Chiefs 20 (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Which games to watch … and which to skip (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Divisional Round Picks: The best bets this weekend (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ ATS Trends: See where the money is going in Vegas (www.washingtonpost.com)
