The NFL Playoffs kicked off with the Wild Card Games on January 7th. Now we are nearing the end, with the AFC and NFC championships this weekend (January 21-22).

AFC Championship

New England Patriots

One of the most divisive franchises in America is also one of the most successful in recent years. Since 2001 the Patriots have only missed the playoffs twice, 2002 and 2008. This year has been one of the best seasons the Patriots QB, Tom Brady, has had in his career. The Pats clinched the division and secured home field advantage and a bye week leading them into the playoffs in high fashion. Early in the season this outcome wasn’t expected by most, as Brady was suspended four games, Jimmy Garoppolo, the backup QB, was injured, as were Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers look to topple the last obstacle in their way to the Super Bowl. With help from Le’ Veon Bell it shouldn’t be too difficult for them to keep their ground game alive and open up the air for some passing game from Ben Roethlisberger to their own Antonio Brown, one of the highest rated receivers in the league. The Steelers started the week against the Patriots in interesting fashion, with Antonio Brown posting a video of Head Coach Mike Tomlin calling the Patriots “A**holes.” Clearly the Steelers are already trying to get tempers to flare in their locker room and getting their team in the right frame of mind.

NFC Championship

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons will be facing off against the Packers at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons came into the playoffs as the number two seed in the NFC behind the Cowboys, who have already been toppled by the Packers. The Falcons are in their first playoff since 2012, when they were seeded 1st and lost to the 2nd seed 49ers. Matt Ryan has been putting on a convincing performance for NFL MVP with a 117.1/158.3 Passer Rating. Ryan has been complimented by his receiving corps, including Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu.

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers are looking to keep up their eight game winning streak and continue their postseason domination. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is 200 yards away from breaking the Brett Favre passing record for playoffs, which is 2,637 yards in 10 playoff games. On another note, the Packers leading wide receiver in every stat, Jordy Nelson, is very unlikely to play in the NFC championship game due to broken ribs. The injury was sustained when they faced the Giants.