NFC championship
1. Dallas vs. 3. Los Angeles Rams
How Dallas can win: There hasn’t been a defense in this tournament that can figure out how to slow down QB Patrick Mahomes while containing the rushing prowess of Earl Campbell, LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson in the modified Wishbone — and the Rams’ defense won’t, either. Granted, this is the first matchup for Dallas where its defensive line won’t dominate, so it’s fortunate that the Cowboys have so much talent on the back end to force turnovers. Harvey Martin, Von Miller, Bob Lilly and Mean Joe Greene against Tyron Smith, Anthony Munoz, Larry Allen and Bruce Matthews? Lawd have mercy. The Dallas secondary is savvy enough to be opportunistic and create turnovers thanks to ballhawks Aqib Talib and Everson Walls, while Jamal Adams plays matchups. — K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire
How Los Angeles can win: This will surely be Los Angeles’ toughest matchup of the tournament, going up against a potent offense led by Patrick Mahomes, Adrian Peterson and LaDainian Tomlinson. Not to mention, Earl Campbell — so L.A.’s linebackers definitely will be tested in this one. The Rams’ defensive line isn’t particularly dominant, so LB Bobby Wagner will have to be active on the second level. Offensively, Warren Moon will have to pick his poison against two ballhawks in Dallas’ secondary: Aqib Talib and Everson Walls. Jamal Adams is a playmaker at safety, too, with the ability to impact the game in several ways. Fortunately, L.A.’s offensive line is outstanding and should give Moon time to find receivers James Lofton, Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson downfield. — Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire
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AFC championship:
Third-round results:
AFC semifinals: 8. Los Angeles Chargers def. 12. Kansas City, 67-33%; 2. Miami def. 6. Pittsburgh, 52-48%.
NFC semifinals: 1. Dallas def. 5. Atlanta, 73-27%; 3. Los Angeles Rams def. 2. New Orleans, 53-47%.
Second-round results:
AFC: 8. Los Angeles Chargers def. 1. Houston, 67-33%; 12. Kansas City def. 13. Tennessee, 66-34%; 6. Pittsburgh def. 3. Cleveland, 61-39%; 2. Miami def. 10. Las Vegas, 74-26%.
NFC: 1. Dallas def. 8. Washington, 79-21%; 5. Atlanta def. 4. San Francisco, 52-48%; 3. Los Angeles Rams def. 6. Carolina, 73-27%; 2. New Orleans def. 10. Detroit, 67-33%.
First-round results:
AFC: 1. Houston def. 16. Denver, 62-38%; 8. LA Chargers def. 9. Buffalo 74-26%; 12. Kansas City def. 5. Jacksonville, 68-32%; 13. Tennessee def. 4. Cincinnati, 53-47%; 6. Pittsburgh def. 11. Baltimore, 83-17%; 3. Cleveland def. 14. Indianapolis, 70-30%; 10. Las Vegas def. 7. NY Jets, 62-38%; 2. Miami def. New England, 87-13%.
NFC: 1. Dallas def. 16. Minnesota, 76-24%; 8. Washington def. 9. NY Giants, 65-35%; 5. Atlanta def. 12. Tampa Bay, 58-42%; 4. San Francisco def. 13. Seattle, 67-33%; 6. Carolina def. 11. Arizona, 68-32%; 3. LA Rams def. 14. Green Bay, 64-36%; 10. Detroit def. 7. Philadelphia, 59-41%; 2. New Orleans def. 15. Chicago, 58-42%.
AFC rosters:
Buf / Mia / NE / NYJ // Bal / Cin / Cle / Pit // Hou / Ind / Jax / Ten // Den / KC / LV / LAC
NFC rosters:
Dal / NYG / Phi / Was // Chi / Det / GB / Min // Atl / Car / NO / TB // Ari / LAR / SF / Sea
- Coming Tuesday, Oct. 6: Homegrown Legends tournament bracket championship matchup