UNDATED (AP) — Last weekend was all about game-ending field goals and overtime wins in the NFL divisional round. On Sunday, it was all about comebacks as the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals advanced to the Super Bowl.
The Rams erased a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit in a 20-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Cooper Kupp caught two touchdown passes from Matthew Stafford for the Rams, who began the fourth quarter down 17-7 after wasting a multitude of scoring opportunities.
After Kupp’s second TD catch and a tying field goal on a drive extended by Jaquiski Tartt’s brutal dropped interception, the Rams drove for Matt Gay’s go-ahead, 30-yard field goal with 1:46 to play.
Travin Howard made a game-sealing interception with 1:09 to play.
Stafford passed for 337 yards in the third playoff victory of his 13-year career, helping the Rams earn the right to host their own Super Bowl.
Deebo Samuel and George Kittle caught touchdown passes from Jimmy Garoppolo (gah-RAH’-pah-loh), who threw for 232 yards in a heartbreaker for the 49ers.
The Bengals are in the Super Bowl for the first time in 33 years after tying the biggest comeback in conference championship history.
Evan McPherson drilled a 31-yard field goal on the Bengals’ first possession of overtime to complete a 27-24 win at Kansas City in the AFC title game. The game-winning kick came after Vonn Bell intercepted Patrick Mahomes on the third play of OT.
The Chiefs reached the end zone on each of their first three possessions to go up 21-3. They had a chance to end the half with an 18-point lead, but a Mahomes completion ended up short of the goal line on the final play of the half.
Joe Burrow shook off a slow start to finish 23 of 38 passing for 250 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Joe Mixon ran for 88 yards and Tee Higgins had six receptions for 103 yards.
McPherson drilled four field goals, including a 52-yarder that put the Bengals ahead, 24-21. Harrison Butker’s 44-yard kick tied the game on the final play of regulation.
Mahomes passed for 275 yards and hit Travis Kelce (KEHL’-see), Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman for touchdowns, but he was picked off twice in his fourth straight trip to the AFC Championship Game.
Raiders get a GM
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders have tapped the NFL’s most successful franchise over the past two decades, hiring Patriots director of player personnel Dave Ziegler as their new general manager.
Owner Mark Davis announced Ziegler’s hiring Sunday to replace the fired Mike Mayock.
A person familiar with the search tells The Associated Press the Raiders are also finalizing a deal to make New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels the new coach in Las Vegas.
