Packers Outlast Cowboys in Thriller
The Green Bay Packers blew an 18-point lead, including a 15-point fourth-quarter advantage, but still continue to "run the table." Mason Crosby hit the 51-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Packers their eighth straight win, 34-31, over the Cowboys in a thrilling matchup. Jared Cook made the toe-dragging catch to set up Crosby's game-winner, ending Dak Prescott's chance to become the first rookie quarterback to lead his team to a Super Bowl. Aaron Rodgers threw for 356 yards and two touchdowns, and now has 21 passing scores during Green Bay's win streak. Prescott finished with 302 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Ezekiel Elliott ran for 125 yards in their final game of their rookie season. The Packers will now visit the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game Sunday at 3:05 p.m.
Steelers Kick Past Chiefs
After waiting out the ice storm in Kansas City, the Steelers had their offense moving, but could not find the end zone. Instead, they turned to the foot of Chris Boswell, who set an NFL playoff record with six field goals in the Steelers' 18-16 win over the Chiefs. Kansas City made it interesting with a Spencer Ware one-yard touchdown run late, but could not score on the two-point conversion try. Statistically, Pittsburgh's weapons on offense did their job, including Le'Veon Bell exceeding his record-number in yards from last week, finishing with 170 on the night. Antonio Brown had 108 receiving yards, but they continuously settled for field goals, which was enough for their ninth straight win. They are the first team to win a playoff game without a touchown since the 2006 Indianapolis Colts. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have not won a home playoff game since 1994, dropping five in a row. The Steelers will now visit the New England Patriots in the AFC Title Game Sunday at 6:40 p.m.
Caps Blow Past Flyers for Ninth Straight Win
The Washington Capitals decided to let Braden Holtby rest before Monday's game with the Penguins, but that did not stop them from extending their win streak against the Philadelphia Flyers. Backup Philipp Grubauer recorded the shutout with 24 saves in the Capitals' 5-0 win over the Flyers, their ninth straight victory. During that streak, they have outscored opponents 40-11, and have not allowed an even-strength goal in 298:54, dating back to the January 3rd win over Toronto. Washington overcame a rough start that forced them to kill off five penalites, as the Flyers recorded 13 of the game's first 18 shots. They got two goals from Matt Niskanen and Justin Williams, and one power-play goal from Andre Burakovsky. Steve Mason was pulled after surrendering those five goals on 17 shots, as the Flyers have now lost 11 of their past 14 games. The Capitals can extend their win streak to double digits with another win over their rival, and the struggling, Pittsburgh Penguins Monday night.
The Green Bay Packers blew an 18-point lead, including a 15-point fourth-quarter advantage, but still continue to "run the table." Mason Crosby hit the 51-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Packers their eighth straight win, 34-31, over the Cowboys in a thrilling matchup. Jared Cook made the toe-dragging catch to set up Crosby's game-winner, ending Dak Prescott's chance to become the first rookie quarterback to lead his team to a Super Bowl. Aaron Rodgers threw for 356 yards and two touchdowns, and now has 21 passing scores during Green Bay's win streak. Prescott finished with 302 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Ezekiel Elliott ran for 125 yards in their final game of their rookie season. The Packers will now visit the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game Sunday at 3:05 p.m.
Steelers Kick Past Chiefs
After waiting out the ice storm in Kansas City, the Steelers had their offense moving, but could not find the end zone. Instead, they turned to the foot of Chris Boswell, who set an NFL playoff record with six field goals in the Steelers' 18-16 win over the Chiefs. Kansas City made it interesting with a Spencer Ware one-yard touchdown run late, but could not score on the two-point conversion try. Statistically, Pittsburgh's weapons on offense did their job, including Le'Veon Bell exceeding his record-number in yards from last week, finishing with 170 on the night. Antonio Brown had 108 receiving yards, but they continuously settled for field goals, which was enough for their ninth straight win. They are the first team to win a playoff game without a touchown since the 2006 Indianapolis Colts. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have not won a home playoff game since 1994, dropping five in a row. The Steelers will now visit the New England Patriots in the AFC Title Game Sunday at 6:40 p.m.
Caps Blow Past Flyers for Ninth Straight Win
The Washington Capitals decided to let Braden Holtby rest before Monday's game with the Penguins, but that did not stop them from extending their win streak against the Philadelphia Flyers. Backup Philipp Grubauer recorded the shutout with 24 saves in the Capitals' 5-0 win over the Flyers, their ninth straight victory. During that streak, they have outscored opponents 40-11, and have not allowed an even-strength goal in 298:54, dating back to the January 3rd win over Toronto. Washington overcame a rough start that forced them to kill off five penalites, as the Flyers recorded 13 of the game's first 18 shots. They got two goals from Matt Niskanen and Justin Williams, and one power-play goal from Andre Burakovsky. Steve Mason was pulled after surrendering those five goals on 17 shots, as the Flyers have now lost 11 of their past 14 games. The Capitals can extend their win streak to double digits with another win over their rival, and the struggling, Pittsburgh Penguins Monday night.
