Packers, Steelers head to Super Bowl XLV

NFC Championship Game Rewind

Former USC linebacker and current Green Bay Packer Clay Matthews earned his first trip to the Super Bowl after the Packers defeated the Chicago Bears 21-14 in the NFC Championship Sunday.

Known for their fierce defense all season, the Bears were able to contain Aaron Rodgers limiting him to just 244 yards passing and one rushing touchdown, while also forcing two interceptions.

But the Packers defense showed they were clutch in the end.

With a chance to tie the game, third string quarterback Caleb Hanie threw a ball toward the end zone, but it was intercepted by rookie cornerback Sam Shields.

A knee injury forced quarterback Jay Cutler to leave in the third quarter with his team trailing 14-0.

Backup Todd Collins came in to relieve Cutler, but was immediately pulled in favor of Hanie, who led two scoring drives and gave the Bears a chance to tie the game in the end until Shields interception.

The Packers are now second No. 6 seed in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl.

AFC Championship Game Rewind

The weather was as low as 13 degrees Sunday afternoon as the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets faced off in the 2011 AFC Championship game.

The NFL’s two stingiest defenses battled it out.

A lopsided first half saw the Steelers put up 24 points, while limiting the Jets to a field goal just before halftime.

The Steelers defense shut down the Jets running game in the first half, only allowing them 70 yards rushing.

But this game would be the tale of two halves.

Former USC quarterback and current Jet caller Mark Sanchez started slow, but almost led his team all the way back.

After the Jets recorded a safety, Sanchez hooked up with wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery to cut the lead to 24-19.

But Jets defense came up short in the end, as the Steelers managed to run out the clock.

The Jets are now 1-8 all time on the road against the Steelers (including playoffs).

The Steelers are now on their way to their eighth Super Bowl, and tie Dallas for most Super Bowl berths of all time.