CNN) — After defeating the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, the San Francisco 49ers will play in the NFC Championship. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Houston Texans and advanced to the AFC Championship for the first time since the 2012 campaign despite playing in extremely low temperatures.
The Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl the previous time they made it to the AFC Championship game. The squad defeated the Houston Texans 34-10 to get back to the conference championship game.
Later on Saturday, in a rainy evening at Santa Clara, California’s Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco upset the Green Bay Packers 24-21.
The winner of Sunday’s NFC Divisional between the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will visit the 49ers on January 28 as they advance to their fourth conference title game in the previous five years. In addition, the Ravens will play the winner of Sunday’s AFC Divisional clash between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl determining game—which they will host for the first time in team history on January 28.
These are a few of the games’ best moments from Saturday.
The San Francisco 49ers will play in the NFC Championship.
In a defensive struggle, the 49ers led 7-3 at the half after tight end George Kittle caught a 32-yard touchdown throw from quarterback Brock Purdy. This was the lone touchdown of the half.
Just before halftime, the 49ers drove down the field after the Packers added a field goal to make the score 7–6. Kicker Jake Moody’s 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked by the Packers with 10 seconds remaining in the second quarter, keeping the score at 7-6 at the half.
After a 19-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jordan Love to wide receiver Bo Melton gave Green Bay a 13-7 lead, the team finally found the goal zone in the third quarter.
At the end of the third quarter, the score was tied at 21 points between the two teams.
San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey found the endzone for his second rushing touchdown of the game with just over a minute remaining in the game, giving the 49ers offense the upper hand 24-21.
The Packers were unable to win the game even after they recovered possession of the ball. To ensure San Francisco’s victory, Love threw his second interception of the game to 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
Purdy would pass for 252 yards and a touchdown in the game’s conclusion. On the ground, McCaffrey gained 98 yards and two touchdowns.
The 24-year-old Purdy was questioned following the game about what he would think if he saw that last drive again in the future.
You know, there’s a reason it’s four quarters, obviously,” Purdy said in the FOX broadcast. When the season is on the line, you have to make it happen for the boys around you. That’s how I started out—like, “Man, I got to be better, I got to play efficient football.” So, it will be a good movie to watch when I eventually get around to seeing it.
The Ravens defeated the Houston Texans.
At Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium, the first half of the football game was close in the chilly weather.
Throughout the first quarter, the score was tied at 3-3 until Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson connected with wide receiver Nelson Agholor for a three-yard touchdown to put Baltimore ahead.
It would not be a long lead.
Steven Sims tied the game once more at 10 with a punt return that went 67 yards for a touchdown. In two postseason playoff games, the Texans scored three touchdowns that weren’t on the offensive end.
The Houston Texans were defeated by the Ravens.
The football game was close in the frigid first half at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.
The first quarter ended with the score tied at 3-3 until wide receiver Nelson Agholor and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson connected for a three-yard touchdown to put Baltimore ahead.
The lead would not be very long.
Steven Sims’ punt return, which traveled 67 yards for a touchdown, tied the score once more at 10. The Texans scored three touchdowns in two postseason playoff games that weren’t on the offensive end.
Jackson increased the lead to 31-10 with one more passing touchdown and one more rushing score. A late field goal would be added by the Ravens.
With 152 throwing yards and two touchdowns, the 27-year-old Jackson, who is thought to be a favorite to earn his second career MVP trophy, concluded the game. He gained two touchdowns and another 100 yards on the ground.
After the game, Jackson referred to his team as a “great group of guys” while sporting a “Top 10” chain.
“We’re just cooperating, and things are going well for us,” Jackson said on the ESPN broadcast.
