WHAT TO LOOK FOR – AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
RETURN ENGAGEMENT: For the fourth consecutive season and 14th time since 1990 when the NFL went to the 12-team playoff format, teams that played at least once during the regular season will meet in the AFC Championship Game when the New York Jets face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. If New York defeats Indianapolis, it will mark the 11th time in 14 opportunities that a team won the AFC Championship Game against a team it defeated in the regular season.
AFC Championship Games that were rematches of regular-season meetings since 1990:
| SEASON | SEASON WINNER | SEASON LOSER | CHAMP. GAME RESULT |
| 1990 | Buffalo | L.A. Raiders | Buffalo, 51-3 |
| 1992 | Buffalo/Miami * | Buffalo/Miami * | Buffalo, 29-10 |
| 1993 | Kansas City | Buffalo | Buffalo, 30-13 |
| 1994 | San Diego | Pittsburgh | San Diego, 17-13 |
| 1996 | New England | Jacksonville | New England, 20-6 |
| 1997 | Pittsburgh | Denver | Denver, 24-21 |
| 1999 | Tennessee ** | Jacksonville | Tennessee, 33-14 |
| 2002 | Oakland | Tennessee | Oakland, 41-24 |
| 2003 | New England | Indianapolis | New England, 24-14 |
| 2004 | Pittsburgh | New England | New England, 41- 27 |
| 2006 | Indianapolis | New England | Indianapolis, 38-34 |
| 2007 | New England | San Diego | New England, 21-12 |
| 2008 | Pittsburgh ** | Baltimore | Pittsburgh, 23-14 |
| 2009 | New York Jets | Indianapolis | ??? |
* Met twice during season. Teams split; ** Met twice during season. Tennessee and Pittsburgh won both games.
-- AFC --
ROOKIE HEAD COACHES: For the first time in NFL history, a conference championship game will feature two rookie head coaches: New York’s REX RYAN and Indianapolis’ JIM CALDWELL. The winner of this week’s matchup will become the fifth rookie head coach to lead a team to the Super Bowl.
The rookie head coaches to lead a team to the Super Bowl:
| YEAR | HEAD COACH | TEAM | SUPER BOWL RESULT (OPPONENT) |
| 1970 | Don McCafferty | Baltimore Colts | Won SB V, 16-13 (Dallas) |
| 1977 | Red Miller | Denver Broncos | Lost SB XII, 27-10 (Dallas) |
| 1989 | George Seifert | San Francisco 49ers | Won SB XXIV 55-10 (Denver) |
| 2002 | Bill Callahan | Oakland Raiders | Lost SB XXXVII, 48-21 (Tampa Bay) |
| 2009 | Jim Caldwell/Rex Ryan | Indianapolis Colts/New York Jets | ??? |
-- AFC --
PEY DAY: Indianapolis Colts quarterback PEYTON MANNING currently ranks fifth in NFL postseason history in completions and passing yards. Manning needs 18 completions to surpass DAN MARINO (385) and TOM BRADY (395) for third-most ever in the playoffs. He needs 57 yards to overtake Marino (4,510) for fourth-most playoff passing yards all-time.
The players with the most completions and passing yards in NFL postseason history:
| PLAYER | COMP. | | PLAYER | YARDS |
| Joe Montana | 460 | | Joe Montana | 5,772 |
| Brett Favre | 453* | | Brett Favre | 5,545* |
| Tom Brady | 395 | | John Elway | 4,964 |
| Dan Marino | 385 | | Dan Marino | 4,510 |
| Peyton Manning | 378* | | Peyton Manning | 4,454* |
| *Active in 2009 playoffs | ||||
-- AFC --
YOUTH IS SERVED: Last week, the Jets’ MARK SANCHEZ became the second rookie quarterback in NFL history to win two playoff games, joining Baltimore’s JOE FLACCO (2008). With a win this Sunday, Sanchez would become the youngest quarterback to lead his team to the Super Bowl at 23 years and 88 days on Super Bowl Sunday. Sanchez would also be the first rookie quarterback in history to start a Super Bowl.
Ages of the youngest quarterbacks to start a Super Bowl:
| SEASON | QUARTERBACKS | TEAM | YEARS | DAYS | NFL EXP. | SB RESULT | |
| 1984 | Dan Marino | Miami | 23 | 127 | | 2 | L 38-16 vs. San Francisco (SB XIX) |
| 2005 | Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh | 23 | 340 | | 2 | W 21-10 vs. Seattle (SB XL) |
| 1982 | David Woodley | Miami | 24 | 97 | | 3 | L 27-17 vs. Washington (SB XVII) |
| 2001 | Tom Brady | New England | 24 | 184 | | 2 | W 20-17 vs. St. Louis (SB XXXVI) |
| 1996 | Drew Bledsoe | New England | 24 | 347 | | 4 | L 35-21 vs. Green Bay (SB XXXI) |
| | | | | | | | |
| 2009 | Mark Sanchez* | NY Jets | 23 | 88 | R | ??? | |
| * On Super Bowl Sunday, February 7 | | | | | |||
Sanchez, who will be 23 years, 74 days old when the Jets face the Colts this Sunday, will become the fourth-youngest quarterback to start a conference championship game.
The youngest quarterbacks to start a conference championship game:
| SEASON | QUARTERBACK | TEAM | YEARS | DAYS | NFL EXP. | CHAMP. RESULT | |
| 1999 | Shaun King | Tampa Bay | 22 | 239 | | R | L 11-6 vs. St. Louis |
| 2004 | Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh | 22 | 327 | | R | L 41-27 vs. New England |
| 1986 | Bernie Kosar | Cleveland | 23 | 47 | | 2 | L 23-20 (OT) vs. Denver |
| 1984 | Dan Marino | Miami | 23 | 113 | | 2 | W 45-28 vs. Pittsburgh |
| 2005 | Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh | 23 | 326 | | 2 | W 34-17 vs. Denver |
| | | | | | | | |
| 2009 | Mark Sanchez* | New York Jets | 23 | 74 | | R | ??? |
| * On Sunday, January 24 | | | | | | | |
-- AFC --
GREENE MAN: With 128 rushing yards against the San Diego Chargers last week, New York Jets running back SHONN GREENE became one of three rookies in NFL history with at least 100 rushing yards in each of his first two playoff games, joining DUANE THOMAS (1970) and ICKEY WOODS (1988).
If he continues his streak against Indianapolis, Greene can become the first player in NFL history with 100+ rush yards in each of his first three playoff games. With 121 rushing yards, Greene can also set the NFL record for the most rushing yards by a player in his first three postseason contests. FRED TAYLOR (383 yards) currently owns the record.
The players with the most rushing yards in their first three playoff games:
| PLAYER | TEAM | YEARS | RUSH YARDS |
| Fred Taylor | Jacksonville | 1998-99 | 383 |
| Terrell Davis | Denver | 1996-97 | 376 |
| Eddie George | Tennessee | 1999 | 354 |
| Timmy Smith | Washington | 1987 | 342 |
| Freeman McNeil | New York Jets | 1981-82 | 335 |
| | |||
| Shonn Greene | New York Jets | 2009 | 263* |
| *Through 2 games | |||
PLAYOFF SPARK FROM CLARK: Indianapolis’ Pro Bowl tight end DALLAS CLARK can become the NFL’s all-time postseason leader among tight ends in receptions and receiving yards this Sunday. Clark, who currently ranks fourth in both categories with 53 catches for 726 yards, needs 10 receptions and 109 yards against the Jets to set both records.
The tight ends with the most receptions and receiving yards in NFL postseason history:
| PLAYER | REC. | | PLAYER | YARDS |
| Jay Novacek | 62 | | Keith Jackson | 834 |
| Shannon Sharpe | 62 | | Shannon Sharpe | 814 |
| Brent Jones | 60 | | Brent Jones | 740 |
| Dallas Clark | 53 | | Dallas Clark | 726 |
| Keith Jackson | 51 | | Jay Novacek | 645 |
-- AFC --
WAYNE MANOR: Colts wide receiver REGGIE WAYNE is currently tied for sixth all-time with nine postseason touchdown receptions. If he catches his 10th playoff touchdown this Sunday against the Jets, Wayne will tie for third on the all-time list with Pro Football Hall of Famer FRED BILETNIKOFF, ANTONIO FREEMAN and RANDY MOSS.
The players with the most receiving touchdowns in NFL postseason history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | RECEIVING TDs |
| Jerry Rice | San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle | 22 |
| John Stallworth | Pittsburgh | 12 |
| Fred Biletnikoff | Oakland | 10 |
| Antonio Freeman | Green Bay, Philadelphia | 10 |
| Randy Moss | Minnesota, New England | 10 |
| | ||
| Reggie Wayne | Indianapolis | 9 |
Wayne also has an active streak of four consecutive postseason games with a touchdown catch. He can extend that streak to five games this Sunday, which would tie for the third longest such streak in NFL playoff history.
The most consecutive postseason games with a touchdown reception in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | YEARS | CONSECUTIVE PLAYOFF GAMES WITH TD CATCH |
| John Stallworth | Pittsburgh | 1978-1983 | 8 |
| David Givens | New England | 2003-2005 | 7 |
| James Lofton | Green Bay, Buffalo | 1982-1990 | 5 |
| Randy Moss | Minnesota | 1998-2000 | 5 |
| Antonio Freeman | Green Bay | 1997-2001 | 5 |
| Hines Ward | Pittsburgh | 2002-2005 | 5 |
| | |||
| Reggie Wayne | Indianapolis | 2006-2009 | 4* |
| *Active streak | | | |
-- AFC --
REVIS ISLAND: After intercepting a pass in his playoff debut against Cincinnati in the Jets’ Wild Card win, Pro Bowl cornerback DARRELLE REVIS secured another INT against San Diego. With an interception against Indianapolis, Revis can become the sixth player in NFL history to intercept a pass in each of his first three postseason games.
The players with an interception in each of their first three postseason games:
| PLAYER | TEAM | YEAR(S) | CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH INT TO START POSTSEASON CAREER |
| Aeneas Williams | St. Louis Rams | 1998-2001 | 4 |
| Ken Gorgal | Cleveland Browns | 1950-1953 | 3 |
| Warren Lahr | Cleveland Browns | 1950-1951 | 3 |
| Ed Reed | Baltimore Ravens | 2003-2008 | 3 |
| Jason Sehorn | New York Giants | 1996-2000 | 3 |
| | |||
| Darrelle Revis | New York Jets | 2009 | 2* |
| *Active streak | | | |
AFC TROPHY PRESENTATION: The LAMAR HUNT TROPHY will be presented to the winner of the AFC Championship Game.
The late Hunt, founder of the Kansas City Chiefs and American Football League, helped professional football attain its stature as America’s No. 1 sport. In the 10-year history of the AFL, his team posted the most wins (87) and earned berths in two of the first four Super Bowls, including a victory in Super Bowl IV.
In 1972, Hunt became the first person from the AFL to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
# # #
FOR USE AS DESIRED
January 20, 2010
WHAT TO LOOK FOR – NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
TOP-TWO SQUARE OFF: For the fifth time since the 2000 season, the top-two seeds will square off in the NFC Championship Game (Sunday, 6:40 PM ET, FOX). The New Orleans Saints aim to reach their first Super Bowl in franchise history, and the Minnesota Vikings seek their fifth Super Bowl berth.
| SEASON | ONE SEED | TWO SEED | RESULT |
| 2000 | N.Y. Giants | Minnesota | N.Y. Giants 41, Minnesota 0 |
| 2002 | Philadelphia | Tampa Bay | Tampa Bay 27, Philadelphia 10 |
| 2004 | Philadelphia | Atlanta | Philadelphia 27, Atlanta 10 |
| 2006 | Chicago | New Orleans | Chicago 39, New Orleans 14 |
| 2009 | New Orleans | Minnesota | ??? |
-- NFL --
SCORING BONANZA: The NFC Championship Game will match the two highest scoring teams in the NFL in 2009. The Saints, who recorded the ninth-highest single-season points total in NFL history with 510, will face the Vikings, who averaged 29.4 points per game (470 total) this year. The meeting will be just the fifth Conference Championship Game featuring the top two scoring teams in the league. All such matchups have taken place in the NFC Championship Game.
Conference Championship Games featuring the top two scoring teams in the league:
| SEASON | HOME (RANK) | VISITOR (RANK) | RESULT |
| 1989 | San Francisco (1) | LA Rams (2) | San Francisco 30, LA Rams 3 |
| 1992 | San Francisco (1) | Dallas (2) | Dallas 30, San Francisco 20 |
| 1993 | Dallas (2) | San Francisco (1) | Dallas 38, San Francisco 21 |
| 1994 | San Francisco (1) | Dallas (2) | San Francisco 38, Dallas 28 |
| 2009 | New Orleans (1) | Minnesota (2) | ??? |
The Saints and Vikings showed off their high-powered offenses in the Divisional Playoffs, posting 45 (New Orleans) and 34 (Minnesota) points. The two tie for the second-highest combined points scored in the Divisional Playoffs by Conference Championship opponents.
| SEASON | HOME | POINTS | VISITOR | POINTS | TOTAL |
| 1999 | Jacksonville | 62 | Tennessee | 19 | 81 |
| 1994 | San Francisco | 44 | Dallas | 35 | 79 |
| 2009 | New Orleans | 45 | Minnesota | 34 | 79 |
| 2001 | St. Louis | 45 | Philadelphia | 33 | 78 |
| 1981 | San Francisco | 38 | Dallas | 38 | 76 |
| 1986 | N.Y. Giants | 49 | Washington | 27 | 76 |
-- NFL --
FAVRE AND AWAY: Minnesota quarterback BRETT FAVRE will be 40 years and 106 days old on Sunday when he faces the New Orleans Saints. If he starts that game as expected, he will become the oldest quarterback ever to start a Conference Championship Game. Favre’s four touchdown passes last week against Dallas are twice as many as all other 40-year old quarterbacks have thrown in NFL postseason history combined.
The oldest quarterbacks to start a Conference Championship Game:
| PLAYER | SEASON, TEAM | YEARS | DAYS | RESULT |
| Johnny Unitas | 1971 Baltimore | 38 | 240 | L 21-0 vs. Miami |
| Earl Morrall | 1972 Miami | 38 | 228 | W 21-17 vs. Pittsburgh |
| John Elway | 1998 Denver | 38 | 203 | W 23-10 vs. NY Jets |
| Brett Favre | 2007 Green Bay | 38 | 102 | L 23-20 (OT) vs. NY Giants |
| Johnny Unitas | 1970 Baltimore | 37 | 241 | W 27-17 vs. Oakland |
| | | | | |
| Brett Favre* | 2009 Minnesota | 40 | 106 | ??? |
| * Favre will be 40 years and 106 days old on Sunday | ||||
Favre ranks second in NFL playoff history in completions, passing yards and touchdown passes. He needs eight completions, 228 passing yards and three touchdowns on Sunday to set postseason records in each passing category. He is already the all-time postseason leader in attempts with 745.
The top two quarterbacks in playoff completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdown passes:
| PLAYER | COMPLETIONS | | PLAYER | ATTEMPTS |
| Joe Montana | 460 | | Brett Favre* | 745 |
| Brett Favre* | 453 | | Joe Montana | 734 |
*Active *Active
| PLAYER | PASS YARDS | | PLAYER | TD PASSES |
| Joe Montana | 5,772 | | Joe Montana | 45 |
| Brett Favre* | 5,545 | | Brett Favre* | 43 |
*Active *Active
-- NFL --
BEEN HERE BEFORE: When he takes the field on Sunday, Favre will tie Philadelphia Eagles quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB for third-most starts by a quarterback in the NFC Championship Game. Pro Football Hall of Famers JOE MONTANA and ROGER STAUBACH have each started an NFL-record six NFC Championship Games.
The quarterbacks with the most NFC Championship Game starts:
| PLAYER | NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME STARTS | RECORD |
| Joe Montana | 6 | 4-2 |
| Roger Staubach | 6 | 4-2 |
| Donovan McNabb | 5 | 1-4 |
| Troy Aikman | 4 | 3-1 |
| Brett Favre* | 4 | 2-2 |
| Steve Young | 4 | 1-3 |
| * Favre will start his fifth NFC Championship Game on Sunday | | |
-- NFL --
TRIPLE CROWN QUARTERBACKS: New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES and the Vikings’ Favre both passed for 4,000+ yards, 30+ touchdowns and had a passer rating of 100+ this season. When they face off on Sunday, it will be the first matchup of quarterbacks with such passing totals in Conference Championship Game history.
There has been only one previous Conference Championship Game matchup in which both starting quarterbacks passed for even 4,000+ yards during the regular season.
Conference Championship Game matchups of quarterbacks with 4,000+ passing yards in the regular season:
| GAME | HOME QB (YARDS) | VISITING QB (YARDS) | RESULT |
| 1996 AFC Championship Game (New England vs. Jacksonville) | Drew Bledsoe (4,086) | Mark Brunell (4,367) | New England 20, Jacksonville 6 |
| 2009 NFC Championship Game (New Orleans vs. Minnesota) | Drew Brees (4,388) | Brett Favre (4,202) | ??? |
-- NFL --
PUNT RETURN PROWESS: New Orleans running back/punt returner REGGIE BUSH recorded an 83-yard punt-return touchdown in the Saints’ Divisional Playoff win over Arizona, becoming just the 20th player with a punt-return touchdown in playoff history. With a punt-return touchdown against Minnesota, Bush will become the first player in postseason history with two punt-return touchdowns and just the fourth player with two combined kick-and punt-return touchdowns.
In his last game against Minnesota (10/6/08), Bush tied an NFL record with two punt-return touchdowns.
The players in NFL history with two combined kick-and punt-return touchdowns in postseason history:
| PLAYER | COMBINED RETURN TDs | PUNT-RETURN TDs | KICK-RETURN TDs |
| Ron Dixon | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Desmond Howard | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Jermaine Lewis | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| | | | |
| Reggie Bush* | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| * Active | | | |
Bush has recorded a touchdown in each of his three career playoff games, and has scored an 80+ yard touchdown in an NFL-record two consecutive playoff games. He aims for his third straight such game on Sunday.
-- NFL --
NFC TROPHY PRESENTATION: The winner of the NFC Championship Game will be presented with the GEORGE HALAS TROPHY.
Halas, the late owner of the Chicago Bears and a founder of the NFL, is the second-winningest coach in history (324-151-31) behind DON SHULA (347-173-6). He won six NFL championships with the Bears and is a charter enshrinee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1963).
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