Steelers Unplug Feisty Chargers

Each game this round is a rematch, but don't expect similar results

(NEWSER) - All four match-ups for next weekend's NFL playoffs are been-there, done-that this season, but the outcomes aren't necessarily givens, USA Today reports:

• Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco's interceptions helped the Titans as much as Kerry Collin's 80-yard touchdown drive in defeating the Ravens, but Flacco's seen a lot of play since then.

Broncos advance, will meet New England on Saturday

(AP) - They'll be Tebowing in Denver tonight: Tim Tebow connected with Demaryius Thomas on an electrifying 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play of overtime and the Broncos defeated the stunned Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 in the AFC wild-card game. Thomas hauled in a high play-action pass at the Denver 38, stiff-armed Ike Taylor and then outraced Ryan Mundy to the end zone. Tebow knelt in his own end zone, pounding a fist in triumph before taking a victory lap in jubilation. More»

Pittsburgh dominated, then held on

(NEWSER) - The Pittsburgh Steelers advanced to their third Super Bowl in six years thanks to a big-play defense that returned a fumble for a touchdown and staged a late goal-line stand in a 24-19 victory over the New York Jets. Pittsburgh, which led 24-0 in the first half and held on, faces the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl in Dallas in two weeks. The Packers beat Chicago 21-14 earlier today. More»

New York stuns Chargers; Minnesota KOs Cowboys

(AP) - New York is halfway toward the Super Bowl parade promised by coach Rex Ryan after rookies Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene led the Jets to a stunning 17-14 upset of the San Diego Chargers in an AFC playoff game tonight in San Diego. In the NFC, Brett Favre threw four touchdown passes and the Vikings' defense put the clamps on the Dallas Cowboys, producing a 34-3 victory that sent Minnesota to the NFC title game. More»

Arizona's Pittsburgh transplants give Cards an edge—if not the edge

(NEWSER) - You can't spell “conflict” without NFL, and this year's Super Bowl contains plenty of opposing loyalties, Sam Farmer writes in the Los Angeles Times. You can’t throw a stone at the Arizona Cardinals’ sideline without hitting a former Pittsburgh resident, player, or coach—and that last category might give Arizona an edge, Rick Gosselin adds in the Dallas Morning News. More»