Best Performances in NFL Conference Championship History

We've reached the penultimate weekend of the NFL season as the final four teams -- the 49ers, Chiefs, Packers, and Titans -- will slug it out to win their respective conferences and punch a ticket to Super Bowl LIV.

Throughout the years we have seen a myriad of players deliver clutch performances to give their teams a shot at competing for the Lombardi Trophy.

But which of the bunch deserves to be tabbed as one of the greatest of all time?

10. Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount: 2015

Former New England Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

You could argue that this isn't the sexiest addition, but it's thoroughly deserved. New England fed Blount all he could handle in their 45-7 dub over the Colts. The Oregon product logged 30 carries for 148 yards and three scores, keeping Andrew Luck off the field for long stretches throughout the bout.

9. Patriots CB Ty Law: 2003

Ty Law celebrating against the Colts in the 2003 AFC Championship Game / Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Law was regarded as a superstar defensive back throughout his NFL career, and he normally saved his best performances for the biggest stage. In 2003, the Hall of Famer intercepted Peyton Manning THREE times en route to a 24-14 Patriots victory over the Colts. The fact that Law had more receptions that game than fellow HOF'er Marvin Harrison, who was in the prime of his career at the time, is remarkable. And having a quarterback as spectacular as Manning seeing ghosts all game is pretty special too.

8. Giants QB Kerry Collins: 2001

Former New York Giants QB Kerry Collins / Michael J. Minardi/Getty Images

Collins might not get the recognition he deserves for this particular performance, and most would say that had something to do with the Giants 41-0 demolition of the Vikings. Still, any time you throw for close to 400 yards (381) and FIVE touchdowns to earn your squad a place in the Super Bowl, you deserve all the applause.

7. Dolphins LB AJ Duhe: 1982

Miami Dolphins star LB AJ Duhe / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Duhe was the nucleus of perhaps the best defensive showing by a team in conference championship history. The Dolphins went on to topple the Jets 14-0, a beatdown during which Duhe messed around and recorded three interceptions, returning one of them 35 yards for a touchdown.

6. Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald: 2009

Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald / John McCoy/Getty Images

What a game this was. The Cardinals were ultimately able to fend of the Eagles 35-28, and that was largely due in part to Fitzgerald's remarkable domination out wide. The future Hall of Famer had his way with Philly's secondary, hauling in nine receptions for 152 yards and three (!) touchdowns.

5. Falcons QB Matt Ryan: 2017

Falcons QB Matt Ryan after defeating the Packers in the 2007 NFC Championship Game / Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Matty Ice's powers were at their peak in 2017, and they shined bright during the Falcons' 44-21 drubbing of the Packers in their NFC Championship bout. Ryan completed 27-of-38 pass attempts for 392 yards and four touchdowns without recording a turnover. The Falcons' signal caller has produced some awe-inspiring stat lines throughout his career, but considering the implications, this absolutely stands alone as his legacy-defining performance.

4. Junior Seau: 1994

Former San Diego Chargers LB Junior Seau / Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images

Rest in Peace to an absolute legend. The 1994 AFC Championship Game stands as Seau's most imposing performance, and that's saying something. The Chargers stud LB compiled 16 tackles and forced a fumble, while playing with a pinched freaking nerve in his neck. Stop and think about that for a second. A pinched nerve! Seau was a man possessed, and was a prominent reason San Diego came out on top in the 17-13 defensive chess match against the Steelers.

3. Panthers QB Cam Newton: 2016

Panthers QB Cam Newton after recording a first down in the 2016 NFC Championship Game / Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

We sincerely miss MVP Cam. The Panthers gunslinger went bonkers against the Cardinals in 2016, compiling 335 yards and two touchdowns through the air, while adding 10 carries for 47 yards and two scores with his legs. Newton made LIGHT work of Arizona's defense in this one. If only his mojo translated to the Super Bowl.

2. Eagles QB Nick Foles: 2018

Eagles QB Nick Foles rolling out vs the Vikings in the 2018 NFC Championship Game / Al Bello/Getty Images

The man. The myth. The legend. Nick Foles threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns for Philadelphia in their 38-7 thumping of the Vikings in 2018. What lands Foles on this esteemed list were the sheer odds stacked against him following him being thrust onto the most daunting of stages for an injured Carson Wentz.

1. Patriots QB Tom Brady: 2017

Patriots QB Tom Brady calling an audible against the Steelers in the 2017 AFC Championship Game / Joe Sargent/Getty Images

What's a legendary postseason list without a little Tom Brady? The Patriots absolutely annihilated the Steelers in 2017 by a final score of 36-17. Brady was effortlessly flawless here, going 32-of-42 (76%) for 384 yards and three touchdowns.