NFL playoffs schedule: Matchups with kickoff times for championship weekend are set
NFL conference championship Sunday is one of the best days on the sports calendar, and we’ll have two matchups nobody saw coming before the season.
Both NFC quarterbacks were backups to start the season, and were forced into action due to injuries. But either Minnesota’s Case Keenum or Philadelphia’s Nick Foles will be starting in the Super Bowl. Keenum and the Vikings are a step away after a miraculous win over the Saints on Sunday night.
On the AFC side, the Jaguars were 3-13 just a year ago, and everyone is still dismissive of their quarterback Blake Bortles. Then we have the Patriots, who are a staple of championship Sunday.
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Here is the schedule, with kickoff times and television information, for the conference championship games:
AFC championship game
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-6) at New England Patriots (14-3)
Sunday, 3:05 p.m. ET
CBS
While “Jaguars at Patriots” would have looked like a blowout on paper a few months ago, the Patriots might not have an easy ride to another Super Bowl. The Jaguars’ defense is fantastic, and it will give the Patriots some challenges. Jacksonville’s offense did pretty well too in its 45-42 upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
Still, the Patriots will be expected by just about everyone to win and go to their eighth Super Bowl of the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era. The Patriots looked sharp in picking apart the Tennessee Titans 35-14 in the divisional round. And experience is clearly on their side. This is the Patriots’ seventh AFC title game in a row, and the Jaguars’ first appearance in the AFC championship game since 1999. The Jaguars have never been to a Super Bowl. The Patriots are trying to make their 10th Super Bowl.
NFC championship game
Minnesota Vikings (14-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
Sunday, 6:40 p.m. ET
Fox
The Eagles might want to break out the dog masks again. They’ll be considered big underdogs on Sunday night, even though they’re hosting the NFC championship game.
The Vikings’ championship hopes were kept alive by one of the craziest touchdowns in NFL history. The Vikings looked finished, but Case Keenum hit Stefon Diggs for a catch on the sideline, and because Saints safety Marcus Williams completely missed on a tackle, Diggs was able to turn and run for a game-winning touchdown as time expired. That miracle aside, the Vikings have been rock solid all season. Their defense has been incredible, and the offense has made plays all season (and saved its biggest play for the end of the divisional round). Minnesota is one win away from becoming the first team to play a Super Bowl in its own home stadium.
The Eagles were expected by many people to lose at home in the divisional round, but held on to beat the Atlanta Falcons in a close game. Nick Foles was good enough for the Eagles to advance to the NFC championship game, but he and the rest of the Eagles’ offense will be tested by a great Vikings defense. Either way, one of these tough-luck franchises will advance to the Super Bowl. The Eagles and Vikings are both chasing their first Super Bowl championship.
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Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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