NBA Conference Final Preview and Predictions

2) Miami Heat v.s. 4) Boston Celtics

Rajon Rondo is the x-factor in this series and the Heat must
find an answer to him in order to win

     They meet once again. The Heat bounced the Celtics from the playoffs last year in five games, but this year, it has been a different story with the Celtics taking three out of the four meetings this year. Now, the Heat do not have Chris Bosh and they will rely heavily on Dwyane Wade and LeBron James (duh). The Celtics were moderately tested by the Atlanta Hawks and then seriously tested by the Philadelphia 76ers. The Heat are a whole different animal than those two teams. Take Avery Bradley out of the equation and the Celtics look to be in serious trouble. But here is why the Celtics will win this series. For one, the Celtics owned the last two matchups of the regular season and that was with Chris Bosh in the lineup for the Heat and that was with a limited Ray Allen. Also, the Celtics didn't necessarily shut down both Lebron James and Dwyane Wade, but they did limit at least one of them in those games. I understand Avery Bradley was very much active in those games, but I still believe the Celtics will get enough defense to limit Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. The Heat will be unable to find help from their bench or Chris Bosh if he is able to return and the Heat will have no answer inside for Kevin Garnett and on the perimeter to Rajon Rondo. The Celtics pull a huge upset and move on to the NBA Finals. 

Game 1- Miami 85-79

Game 2- Boston 93-91 

Game 3- Boston 107-102

Game 4- Boston 99-91

Game 5- Miami 111-87

Game 6- Boston 98-94 OT

Boston Celtics in Six

1) San Antonio Spurs v.s. 2) Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant takes over to send the Thunder to
the Finals

     What a series we have here, the Spurs and Thunder have both looked extremely impressive this postseason. While the Spurs are an outstanding basketball team, the Thunder are more explosive and more athletic. I hate to say it, but I can't see the Spurs being able to consistently put up enough points to hang with the Thunder. The Spurs and Thunder are equally deep, but the difference will be Kevin Durant as he takes that next step and elevates his game allowing the Thunder to advance to their first NBA Finals. 

Game 1- Oklahoma City 104-97

Game 2- San Antonio 90-81

Game 3- Oklahoma City 95-92

Game 4- San Antonio 103-82 

Game 5- Oklahoma City 126-123 2OT

Game 6- Oklahoma City 97-89

Oklahoma City Thunder in Six Games 

And why not throw in my finals prediction while I'm at it.

Oklahoma City Thunder over Boston Celtics in Four Games

      The time runs out on the Celtics. After a long, hard fought series against the Heat, they just can't match the same intensity and athleticism as the Thunder. Russell Westbrook slows down Rajon Rondo, Kevin Durant has another stellar performance and Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins haunt the Celtics in the post allowing the Thunder to ease past the Celtics to win the title. 

Game 1- Oklahoma City 93-83

Game 2- Oklahoma City 111-105 2OT

Game 3- Oklahoma City 107-104 OT

Game 4- Oklahoma City 103-91

Stanley Cup Finals Preview and Prediction

     Devils and Kings, who would've thought it would come down to these two teams at the start of the season? Ok, maybe the Kings, but to put it in perspective of how far Los Angeles has come, in the preseason, I had Terry Murray winning coach of the year. Funny thing is he got fired and now Daryl Suter is the coach.

Martin Brodeur 

     But let's look at the tale of the tape between these two teams. Los Angeles is 12-2 in the playoffs and 8-0 on the road, defeating each of the top three seeds in the process. New Jersey had a difficult first round matchup with Florida, but then they have looked very strong in disposing the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers. Sure, Los Angeles is the "hotter" team coming in, but if Los Angeles was playing the Rangers and the Flyers, they would have only won in six or seven games as well. Los Angeles is the more rested team and that rest has served them well in the playoffs, winning convincingly on opponents ice in game one.

Jonathan Quick

     Now let's analyze some of the matchups in this series. New Jersey looked great offensively against the stingy Rangers as well as against the Flyers. Los Angeles doesn't have quite the defense the Rangers have, but they certainly have the best goaltending in this years playoffs in Jonathan Quick. The most interesting matchup in this series will be the Devils power play v.s. the Kings penalty kill. The Kings have been exceptional killing the power play this postseason. On the flip side, the Devils, as exemplified by Ilya Kovalchuk's goal in Game 6, look tremendous on the power play. That is the unit matchup I am most looking forward to in this series.
     The other factor in this series will be whether the Devils can slow down the potent Kings attack led by Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. The Devils aren't great defensively, but they are gritty. Martin Brodeur, as great as he has been, needs to step up in this series because he is the backbone of the Devils defense. On the other side of things, the Kings will need to get more from their third and fourth lines to compete with very component third and fourth lines from New Jersey. Which goaltender will rise in this series, Brodeur or Quick? Which stars will shine the brightest, Parise and Kovalchuk or Kopitar and Mike Richards? Which supporting players will be the biggest factors, Adam Henrique and Danirus Zabrinus or Jeff Carter and Dustin Brown? So many questions, but without further ado, here are my game by game predictions for the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals.

Game 1- New Jersey 3-2 OT- Los Angeles comes out a little tight and New Jersey feeds off that energy. The game winner comes very late in the first over time as Patrik Elias scores his second goal of the night to give the Devils a 1-0 lead in the series.

Patrik Elias

Game 2- Los Angeles 4-2- LA responds in game two with three first period goals, two coming from Simon Gagne as the Kings knot up the series.

Simon Gagne and Dustin Brown

Game 3- Los Angeles 6-1- Feeding off the energy of the Staples Center, the Kings respond early once again and are lead by a hat trick from Mike Richards and three assists from Justin Williams.

Mike Richards and Dwight King

Game 4- New Jersey 1-0- Martin Brodeur turns in a legendary performance in Game 4 and Zach Parise's second period goal stands as the game winner to send the series back to Newark tied at 2.

Zach Parise

Game 5- Los Angeles 3-1- A stout defensive effort by the Kings and two third period goals give the Kings a 3-2 lead with a chance to clinch the cup on home ice.

Drew Doughty

Game 6- New Jersey 2-1- The Devils stave off elimination from the first goals of the series from Ilya Kovalchuk to send the series to a decisive game 7.

Ilya Kovalchuk

Game 7- New Jersey 4-2- A tight game seven turns into more of an offensive game with the Devils putting just enough by Jonathan Quick to win the Stanley Cup.

Travis Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk

New Jersey Devils in Seven Games
Conn Smythe Winner: Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils

Zach Parise

NFL's Greatest Wild Card Playoff Games

Honorable Mentions

2011-New York Jets over Indianapolis Colts 17-16

2009- San Diego Chargers over Indianapolis Colts 23-17 OT

2008- Jacksonville Jaguars over Pittsburgh Steelers 31-29

1999- Miami Dolphins over Buffalo Bills 24-17

1997- Jacksonville Jaguars over Buffalo Bills 30-27

1998- Minnesota Vikings over New York Giants 23-22

2004- Green Bay Packers over Seattle Seahawks 33-27 OT 

10

2007- Seattle Seahawks over Dallas Cowboys 21-20- "Romo's Blunder" 

     The Cowboys were in position to win a tight game, a short field goal away from moving on to the Divisional Playoffs. But Tony Romo couldn't execute the hold, one of the more difficult plays that look easy in all of sports. This was the beginning of Romo and the Cowboys playoff disappointment year in and year out.

9

1994- Kansas City Chiefs over Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 OT

     Chiefs kicker Neil Lowry redeemed himself after missing a 43 yarder at the end of regulation by hitting a 32 yarder in overtime. Joe Montana lead the Chiefs back from a 10 point deficit, tying the game on a fourth down touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter.

8

2010- Arizona Cardinals over Green Bay Packers 51-45 OT- "Desert Shootout"

     Was it a face-mask? Yeah, it was. Nonetheless though, how ironic that a 51-45 shootout where Kurt Warner had his greatest performance in his last win against Aaron Rodgers in his first playoff start ends on a defensive touchdown in overtime.

7

2012- Denver Broncos over Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 OT- "Tebow Time"

     The hobbled Steelers were still picked to easily handle the Broncos. After all, the Broncos were 8-8, coming off three straight bad losses and Tim Tebow looked worse than ever. Yet somehow and someway, Tim Tebow found a way to slice up the vaunted Steelers defense for an early lead that stood through the fourth quarter. But Ben Roethlisberger, with his injured ankle, led the Steelers back to tie the game with under four minutes to play. On the first play of overtime, Tebow launched a pass over the middle to Demaryious Thomas who went the rest of the way for one of the more shocking upsets and endings in NFL history.

6 

1993- Buffalo Bills over Houston Oilers 41-38- "The Comeback"

     Most people know the story. The Oilers are up 35-3 and the game is all over. Not so fast; the Bills led by Thurman Thomas and Jim Kelly come roaring back, winning in overtime on a game winning field goal by Steve Christie.

5

1994- Green Bay Packers over Detroit Lions 28-24- "Favre to Sharpe"

     In a back and fourth battle between Barry Sanders and Brett Favre, Favre found Sterling Sharpe with 55 seconds left to give the Packers the win.

4

2011- Seattle Seahawks over New Orleans Saints 41-36 "The Emerald Upset"

     No one gave the Seahawks a chance. Yet somehow, Matt Hasselbeck in his waning days with the Seahawks had one last hurrah to out duel Drew Brees. The game was capped off by Marshawn Lynch going into beast mode, running through the city of New Orleans to seal the upset.

3

2003- San Francisco 49ers over New York Giants 39-38 

     Down 38-14, Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens engineer a big time second half comeback to put the 49ers in front with a minute to go, 39-38. But Kerry Collins and the Giants weren't done. The Giants had 6 seconds left with the ball on the 23 yard line for a 40 yard game winning field goal. In one of the wildest endings ever, long snapper Trey Junkin botched the snap, resulting in a desperate pass attempt down field to lineman Rich Seubert which fell in complete. It was ruled that Seubert was an ineligible receiver, meaning the game was called over. Only Seubert checked in as eligible, not to mention the fact that there should've been a pass interference called. On top of that, another Giant was ineligible downfield, but wasn't called. If the two offsetting penalties were called correctly, the Giants would've had the ball back at the 23, but instead we are only left to wonder what could've happened.

2 

1999- San Francisco 49ers over Green Bay Packers 30-27- "The Catch II"

     In a shootout at Candlestick Park, Steve Young connected with Terrell Owens with eight seconds to play between two Packers defenders to give the 49ers the win.

1 

2000- Tennessee Titans over Buffalo Bills 22-16- "Music City Miracle"

    

     Everyone remembers this competitive game that end with one of the most remarkable finishes in sports history Frank Wycheck threw a forward pass, I mean, lateraled the ball across the field to Kevin Dyson who took care of the rest.

NFL's Greatest Divisional Round Playoff Games

Honorable Mentions

2011- New York Jets over New England Patriots 28-21

2008- San Diego Chargers over Indianapolis Colts 28-24

2009- Baltimore Ravens over Tennessee Titans 13-10

2008- New York Giants over Dallas Cowboys 21-17

2005- Pittsburgh Steelers over New York Jets 20-17 OT

2004- Indianapolis Colts over Kansas City Chiefs 38-31

1990- Los Angeles Rams over New York Giants 19-13 OT

1979- Houston Oilers over San Diego Chargers 17-14

20 

2007- New England Patriots over San Diego Chargers 24-21

     The Patriots knocked off the top seeded Chargers in a turnover riddled game. The play of the game was when Troy Brown stripped Marlon McRee of the ball after Tom Brady was intercepted for the third time. The Patriots would retain possession, tie the game and eventually take the lead and win a last second thriller.

19 

2011- Pittsburgh Steelers over Baltimore Ravens 31-24

     The Ravens jumped out to an early lead only to see Troy Polamalu and the Steelers defense stiffen up, allowing Ben Roethlisberger to lead the Steelers back to take the lead. Baltimore's defense couldn't make the key stops as the Steelers sent them home once again.

18 

1976- Oakland Raiders over New England Patriots 24-21

     The Patriots were on their way to defeating the favored Raiders, but a roughing the passer penalty kept Ken Stabler and the Raiders alive. A last minute touchdown pass sent the Patriots home.

17 

2003- Tennessee Titans over Pittsburgh Steelers 34-31 OT

     In a shoot-out, the Titans survived on Joe Nedney's game winning field goal in overtime. Nedney had missed his previous kick the play before, but Nedney and the Titans got another chance on a roughing the kicker penalty.

16 

1980- Dallas Cowboys over Atlanta Falcons 30-27

     The Cowboys overcame a three score deficit, scoring three touchdowns in the fourth quarter behind quarterback Danny White as the Cowboys knocked off the Falcons.

15 

1981- Oakland Raiders over Cleveland Browns 14-12

     The Browns were at the Raider thirteen yard line with under a minute left, in perfect position to win the game on a field goal. Instead, Brian Sipe forced a pass to Ozzie Newsome into the endzone that was picked off by the Raiders. Oakland would go on to win the Super Bowl.

14 

1986- Cleveland Browns over New York Jets 23-20 OT

     The Jets held a 20-10 lead with a few minutes left to play, but Bernie Kosar and the Browns reeled off 13 unanswered to shock the Jets in overtime.

13 

2004- Philadelphia Eagles over Green Bay Packers 20-17 OT

     The Packers had the game won. 4th and 26, up 17-14 with a minute to go. But somehow, Freddie Mitchell found his way in between and behind two Packers defenders and Donovan McNabb found him for one of the most improbable plays in NFL history. The Eagles would tie the game, intercept Brett Favre in overtime and advanced to the NFC Championship game.

12 

2004- Carolina Panthers over St. Louis Rams 29-23 2OT

     The Rams were down 3 with a minute left at the 20 yard line. And Mike Martz decided to let the clock run down and kick the field goal? With his high scoring offense? Indeed he did, and two overtime later, Steve Smith broke lose and went 69 yards for the game winning touchdown.

11 

1990- Cleveland Browns over Buffalo Bills 34-30

     With three seconds left, Clay Matthews Jr. (not the Packers Clay Matthews, but his father) intercepted Jim Kelly at the one yard line to allow the Browns to hang on in an intense shootout in Cleveland.

10 

1977- Oakland Raiders over Baltimore Colts 37-31 2OT- "The Ghost to the Post"

     In a game that saw nine lead changes, Ken Stabler and Dave Casper connected on a post route known now as "The Ghost to the Post" to set up the game tying field goal at the end of regulation and then in the second overtime, Stabler hit Casper to win a back and fourth game.

9 

2006- Pittsburgh Steelers over Indianapolis Colts 21-18

     This game featured a few things that you almost never see. Jerome Bettis never fumbles at the one yard line, right, the quarterback never trips up the speedy defensive back in the open field while he is on his way for the game winning touchdown and the league's most accurate field goal kicker statistically would never miss a kick that bad, right? Well, this game had all that happen in the last two minutes, as the Steelers shocked the Super Bowl favorites, becoming the first 6 seed to knock a 1 seed since the playoff expansion.

8 

1975- Dallas Cowboys over Minnesota Vikings 17-14- "The Original Hail Mary" 

     With the Vikings all but set to move on to the NFC Championship, the Cowboys had one last chance. Roger Staubach threw a prayer, said a hail mary and hoped for the best. The ball found its way into the hands of Drew Pearson and he found his way into the endzone for the game winning score to send the Cowboys moving on to the NFC Championship.

7 

2012- San Francisco 49ers over New Orleans Saints 36-32- "The Grab"

     In one of the better playoff games in recent memory, Alex Smith connected with Vernon Davis on a ball that went through about two or three Saints defenders to give the 49ers the lead with nine seconds left, capping off a game that saw the Saints overcome a seventeen point lead, five turnovers and four lead changes in the final four minutes.

6 

1972- Dallas Cowboys over San Francisco 49ers 30-28

     The 49ers had no chance going into this one. Yet somehow, the 49ers were in control throughout, holding a 28-13 lead in the fourth quarter. Roger Staubach, then the back up, led the Cowboys back. With the help of an onside kick recovery with under two minutes to play, Staubach connected with Ron Sellers to give the Cowboys the lead for good.

5 

1971- Miami Dolphins over Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 2OT- "Marry Christmas, Miami"

     In the longest game in NFL history, the Dolphins Garo Yepremian finally capitalized on a 31 yard field goal to give the Dolphins the win. This game went back and fourth throughout, but neither team could seal the game. Chiefs kicker Jan Stenerud couldn't convert a 31 yarder at the end of regulation, letting Ed Podolak's historic performance where he had 350 all purpose yards go to waste.

4 

2002- New England Patriots over Oakland Raiders 16-13 OT- "The Tuck"

     Even more memorable than the tuck itself, which I'm sure everyone remembers (me in particular because I'm a diehard Pats fan) was the 45 yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri in the heavy snow with 27 seconds left to play with the Patriots season on the line. It is the greatest kick ever, period. Vinatieri sealed the game with a 23 yarder in overtime, sending the Patriots to the AFC Championship.

3 

1972- Pittsburgh Steelers over Oakland Raiders 13-7- "The Immaculate Reception"

     The game itself might not have been the most exciting (until the end of course), but the ending was phenomenal. Like the Tuck was for the start of the Patriots dynasty, the Immaculate Reception was the start of the dynasty for the Steelers. This game and moment will always be remembered.

2 

1974- Oakland Raiders over Miami Dolphins 28-26- "The Sea of Hands"

     Benny Malone put the Dolphins on top 26-21 with his 33 yard touchdown run with two minutes to go. Kenny Stabler and the Raiders got the ball back and drove down the field to the eight yard line. Stabler was being dragged down when he lofted a desperation pass to the endzone that somehow found its way into the hands of Clearance Davis, even though three Dolphins defenders were draper all over him in coverage.

1 

1982- San Diego Chargers over Miami Dolphins 41-38 OT- "The Epic in Miami"

     In one of the greatest duels in NFL history, Dan Fouts and Kellen Winslow did just enough to prevail over backup quarterback Don Strock. This game featured back and fourth battles with some unbelievably exciting moments including a hook and later that went for a touchdown, a game tying touchdown pass by Dan Fouts in the final minute and a blocked field goal at the end of regulation by Kellen Winslow, who turned in one of the greatest performances in NFL history.

NFL's Greatest Conference Title Games

Honorable Mentions

2004- New England Patriots over Indianapolis Colts 24-14

1988- Washington Redskins over Minnesota Vikings 17-10

1975- Pittsburgh Steelers over Oakland Raiders 16-10

2002- New England Patriots over Pittsburgh Steelers 24-17

20

2002- St. Louis Rams over Philadelphia Eagles 29-24

     Aeneas Williams sealed the win for the Rams on an interception with under two minutes to play. Marshall Faulk sliced the Eagles for 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns. 

19

1995- San Diego Chargers over Pittsburgh Steelers 17-13

     The Chargers pulled a major upset at Three Rivers Stadium to beat the Steelers. San Diego quarterback Stan Humphries found Tony Martin for a 43 yard touchdown to take the lead with five minutes to play in the fourth quarter. 

18

1981- Oakland Raiders over San Diego Chargers 34-27

     Jim Plunkett and the Raiders withstood a second half Charger comeback to hold off San Diego. Oakland raced out to a 21-7 lead only to see Dan Fouts lead San Diego back. Plunkett and the Raiders killed the last six and a half minutes of the clock, converting two key third downs, to top the Chargers. 

17

2009- Arizona Cardinals over Philadelphia Eagles 32-25

     Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and the Cardinals scored enough to hang on despite a valiant effort by Donovan McNabb and the Eagles. Warner's touchdown pass to Tim Hightower with under three minutes to play was the finishing touch for Arizona. 

16

1968- New York Jets over Oakland Raiders 27-23

     Not much is known about this game, but the Jets never would've pulled that historic upset of the Colts if they didn't come back to defeat Oakland. 

15

1967- Green Bay Packers over Dallas Cowboys 34-27

     This game often gets overlooked because of the rematch these teams had a year later, but the Packers needed a goal line interception in the waning moments of the game to seal their trip to Super Bowl I. 

14

1996- Dallas Cowboys over Green Bay Packers 38-27

     Emmit Smith powered the Cowboys to a thrilling and exciting win over the Packers to eliminate them for the third straight year.

13

1993- Dallas Cowboys over San Francisco 49ers 30-20

     One reign ended, another one began. The Cowboys got over the hump and defeated the 49ers to head to their first Super Bowl in the 90's. Emmitt Smith paced the Cowboys offense and Ken Norton Jr. had the key play for the Cowboys on defense, intercepting a Steve Young pass to give them a 10 point lead in the fourth quarter. 

12

1996- Pittsburgh Steelers over Indianapolis Colts 20-16

     In a defense orientated game, Neil O'Donnell lead a two minute drill, capped off by Bam Morris's one yard touchdown run with a minute and a half remaining. But the game wasn't over; Jim Harbaugh led the Colts to the Steelers 29 yard line with 5 seconds left, heaving up a desperate hail mary that was nearly hauled in by Colts receiver Aaron Bailey. 

11 

2012- New England Patriots over Baltimore Ravens 23-20

     The Ravens kept Tom Brady and the Patriots in check for most of the game and with under a minute to play, the Ravens were inside the twenty yard line. Joe Flacco threw a back shoulder pass to Lee Evans in the corner of the endzone that looked to be a touchdown at first until unknown Patriot defensive back Sterling Moore knocked the ball out of his grasps. That set up the tying field goal for over...oh wait, Billy Cundiff shanked a 32 yarder wide left to send the Patriots to the Super Bowl.

10

1984- Washington Redskins over San Francisco 49ers 24-21

     Down 21-0 in the fourth quarter, Joe Montana led the 49ers back with two touchdown passes to Mike Wilson. The Redskins marched back with a 6 minute drive, capped off by a game winning, 25 yard field goal by Mark Moseley. 

9

1991- New York Giants over San Francisco 49ers 15-13

     In a hard hitting and well played defensive battle that saw both starting quarterbacks battered and injured. The Giants knocked Joe Montana out of the game in the fourth quarter, allowing the Giants to cut the score to 13-12 with under three minutes remaining. The Giants then forced the only turnover of the game when Roger Craig fumbled with 2:36 left to play. Jeff Hostetler led the Giants down the field, setting up Matt Bahr's game winning field goal as time expired. 

8

2010- New Orleans Saints over Minnesota Vikings 31-28 OT

     The Vikings controlled most of the game, yet they couldn't put the Saints away, giving them many opportunities to stay in the game. With the Vikings in field goal range, Brett Favre gambled and threw a costly interception to Tracy Porter to send the game to overtime. From there, the Vikings never saw the ball again and the Saints were on to the Super Bowl. 

7

2008- New York Giants over Green Bay Packers 23-20 OT

     In a game that was chilly for Lambeau standards, the Giants and the Packers went back and fourth throughout regulation, eventually going to overtime. On Brett Favre's first pass of the overtime, and his last as a Packer, he was intercepted by Corey Webster, setting up Lawrence Tyne's game winning field goal to send the Giants to the Super Bowl. 

6

2007- Indianapolis Colts over New England Patriots 38-34

      Manning finally got over the hump by beating the Patriots to go to his first Super Bowl, but it wasn't easy. After getting down early 21-3, the Colts found their groove in the second half. Tom Brady and the Patriots stayed with the pace, but the Colts would take their first lead with a little over two minutes to play on a Joseph Addai touchdown run and Brady could not duplicate another clutch two minute drill. Peyton Manning and the Colts would go on to beat the Bears in the Super Bowl. 

5

1988- Denver Broncos over Cleveland Browns 38-33- "The Fumble"

     Just when it looked like the Browns were going to reverse their misfortune, Earnest Byner fumbles at the three yard line when the Browns were about to take the lead with a minute to go. The city of Cleveland just can't catch a break. 

4

1999- Atlanta Falcons over Minnesota Vikings 30-27 OT

     Gary Anderson hadn't missed a field goal for the heavily favored 15-1 Vikings all year. But he somehow hooked a 31 yarder to seal the game wide left with two minutes to go, allowing Chris Chandler and the Falcons to tie the game with 49 seconds to play. Morten Anderson would win the game for the Falcons on a 38 yard field goal in overtime. 

3

1987- Denver Broncos over Cleveland Browns 23-20 OT- "The Drive"

     Bernie Kosar and the Browns had just taken the lead and they had the Broncos pinned at their own two yard line with five and a half minutes remaining. But John Elway would drive the Broncos down the field with remarkable execution mist the slop of Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. The Broncos would tie the game and then win the game on a field goal in overtime.

2

1982- San Francisco 49ers over Dallas Cowboys 28-27- "The Catch"

     Joe Montana would lead the 49ers on one of the most iconic drives in NFL history, capping it off by hitting Dwight Clark in the back of the endzone to give the 49ers the lead in one of the most dramatic games in NFL history. The 49ers would go on to win their first Super Bowl, beginning their dynasty in the 80's. 

1

1967- Green Bay Packers over Dallas Cowboys 21-17- "The Ice Bowl"

     Ah, the Ice Bowl; the NFL at it's best. Bart Starr would call his own number on a quarterback sneak to score and give the Packers the 21-17 victory with under a minute remaining in one of the coldest games on record.