NFC Championship Game

The NFC Championship Game is an annual American football game that determines the champion of the National Football Conference (NFC) of the National Football League (NFL). The winner of this game advances to the Super Bowl, where they compete against the champion of the American Football Conference (AFC) for the NFL championship.

History

The NFC Championship Game was first played in 1970 following the merger of the NFL with the American Football League (AFL). The game matches the winners of the NFC's two divisions, the NFC East and NFC West, who emerge from the NFC playoffs. Over the years, the game has featured numerous memorable and significant matchups, contributing to deep rivalries and classic moments in NFL history.

Format

The format of the NFC Championship Game is a single-elimination contest held after the conclusion of the regular NFL season. The teams that compete are the winners of the NFC's divisional playoff games, which are determined by the regular season records and seeding. The location of the game is determined by the playoff seeding: the higher-seeded team hosts the game.

Significant Games

Some of the most notable NFC Championship Games include: - The 1982 game between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, where Dwight Clark made the famous catch known as "The Catch." - The 1999 game where the St. Louis Rams defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to go on to win the Super Bowl. - The 2014 game between the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers, known for its dramatic finish and the Seahawks' remarkable comeback in overtime.

Impact and Legacy

The NFC Championship Game has significant implications not only for the teams involved but also for the fans and the cities they represent. Winning the NFC Championship not only grants a team the NFC title but also a chance to win the Super Bowl, one of the most prestigious championships in professional sports.

See Also

• Super Bowl
• AFC Championship Game
• NFL Playoffs
• List of NFC champions