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NFL Playoffs: Top 10 Championship games in NFL history

By Russell S. Baxter

Wide receiver Dwight Clark of the San Francisco 49ers leaves a Dallas defender in his dust after making 'The Catch' to defeat the Dallas Cowboys 28-27 in the 1981 NFC Championship Game on January 10, 1982 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Arthur Anderson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Wide receiver Dwight Clark of the San Francisco 49ers leaves a Dallas defender in his dust after making 'The Catch' to defeat the Dallas Cowboys 28-27 in the 1981 NFC Championship Game on January 10, 1982 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Arthur Anderson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the 2009 NFC Championship Game (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the 2009 NFC Championship Game (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

Which two teams will be playing in the Super Bowl? Welcome to the NFL playoffs championship game round and its rich history.

It wasn’t until the league’s 14th campaign that its champion was decided on the field. The league first dubbed the American Professional Football Conference and quickly changed to the American Professional Football Association began play in 1920. It would become the National Football League in 1922.

In 1933, the Chicago Bears and New York Giants played for the league title and the team from the Windy City came out on top, 23-21. These 10 selections come from the pool of NFL/NFC championship contests dating back to that year and also include the AFL/AFC title clashes from 1960 to today.

There was a lot to choose from and just was the case with the wild card and divisional round, whittling down the list was difficult but a labor of love.

NFL Playoffs: Top 10 Championship games in NFL history

10. Saints 31, Vikings 28 (OT) (NFC: 2009)

Saints’ kicker Garrett Hartley kicked a 40-yard field goal in overtime to send New Orleans to their first Super Bowl and only Super Sunday appearance to date.

Sean Payton’s club was outgained 475-257 in total yards, but the Vikings also committed five turnovers. That included a costly interception by Vikings’ quarterback Brett Favre (following a 12 men on the field penalty) late in the game when Minnesota appeared to be in field goal range.

Drew Brees threw for 197 yards and three scores in the victory. Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson rushed for 122 yards and three touchdowns but also had two of Minnesota’s six fumbles on the afternoon.

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