Pathers/Cardinals Vying For 2nd Super Bowl Trip In Their Respective Franchise History

Both teams defeated the Philadelphia Eagles to get to their only Super Bowl appearance. Most recently the Cardinals won at home during the 2008 NFC Championship Game. Advancing to the Super Bowl and thanks to a Larry Fitzgerald touchdown took a late 4th quarter lead. The following possession Big Ben threw for the game winning score. Carolina took Tom Brady and the Patriots down to the wire losing on a game ending field goal. Prior to that the Panthers came into Philadelphia and new Lincoln Financial Field to win the 2003 NFC Championship Game by running the ball and playing defense. For Carolina their is a chance to see Brady and New England once again if they can win at home and New England win on the road. If Arizona wins they won get Big Ben this time yet they'll get a former Super Bowl winner either way in Manning or Brady. Charlotte will be site on Sunday as the top 2 seeds in the NFC square off. Charlotte has been hit with snow and ice. So it will be interesting to see if the conditions play a major factor in the game.

Manning vs. Brady Brady vs. Manning For The Umpteenth + Probably Final Time

It's actually the 17th time they'll meet overall. When the AFC Championship Game kicks off. Through 16 combined meetings from the regular season and playoffs Brady all with New England leads Manning with Indianapolis and Denver 11-5. Manning sat out a Sunday night contest this season in which Denver came back at home in the 4th quarter and forced overtime to defeat New England. Both teams meet 2 years ago in the AFC Championship Game Denver won the game prior to losing to Seattle in the Superbowl. Meanwhile the Patriots hung on to survive in the Superbowl a season ago vs. Seattle. Brady won his 4th Superbowl overall 1st since 2004-05. Manning still seeking his 2nd Superbowl which could be his final season. He's 1-2 overall in the final game of the NFL season 1-1 while in Indianapolis. Winning vs. Chicago. Losing vs. New Orleans. The winner will head to Santa Clara in a few weeks for Superbowl 50 vs. the winner of Arizona/Carolina.

Cardinals Sopohmore Christian McCaffrey Rose Bowl + NCAA Single Season Record Setter

During the 2015 season sophomore Christian McCaffrey had a season for the ages. The all purpose back broke Barry Sanders NCAA single season record. Barry Sanders amassed over 3,200 all purpose yards while at Oklahoma State in 1988. 27 years later Sanders son is the back up running back to McCaffrey at Stanford. 2016 Rose Bowl 45-16 Iowa steam rolled by Stanford. Christian McCaffrey put on a show in Pasdena. 368 combined total yards breaking the Rose Bowl record. Becoming the 1st player in the Rose Bowl 102 year history to gain 100 yards each rushing and receiving. 2016 season it will be so fun to watch Watson of Clemson and McCaffrey of Stanford. Both players finished behind Alabama running back Derrick Henry during Heisman voting yet it maybe a 1-2 race next season between those two.

Nick Saban 'And Another One' National Title That Is

1 National Championship while coaching LSU now after handing Clemson their only defeat on the 2-15-16 Nick Saban won his 4th National Championship as head coach of Alabama. 5 overall titles for Mr. Blindside. Yeah, Saban had a role in the movie about Michael Oher was Sandra Bullock. Gutsy 4th quarter onside call by Saban with 10 minutes left scored tied 24-24, probably was the difference. Alabama executed the play against Clemson. Which eventually led to a touchdown and a lead that the Crimson Tide would not relinquish. Last year this time Alabama was knocked out in the semifinal round by eventual National Champion Ohio State. This year they would not be denied even as a one loss team. Made quick work during a semifinal shutout of Michigan State 38-0. Then took home the trophy after denying Clemson of an undefeated season, with all the chips on the table.

Despite Championship Game Defeat Watson Still A Winner

Deshaun Watson has always been a winner. A high school football state championship in his native Georgia. The Tigers sophomore quarterback bounced back from an ACL injury shortly after arriving on the Clemson campus. Clemson became the number one team in the county during the 2015 season. Once Clemson defeated the North Carolina Tarheels in the ACC Championship, they clinched their spot in the 2nd annual College Football Playoff. Watson and the Tigers knocked off Oklahoma in Miami at the Orange Bowl in blowout fashion 37-17. With that semifinal win Clemson was off to Glendale, AZ for a chance at their 1st national championship since 1981. However it was against Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Clemson undefeated season was on the line. DeShaun Watson was a Heisman Trophy finalist. His team would take on the winner of the trophy running back Derrick Henry and his Crimson Tide teammates. Instant Classic ! Alabama edged Clemson 45-40. 40 combined 4th quarter points for both teams. Back and forth game along with back and forth final frame. Watson was Vince Young like in the championship game : 30/47 passing 405 yards 4 TD's 1 INT. Watson all rushed for 73 yards on 20 attempts. 478 combined total yards for Watson. All eyes will be on Watson once the 2016 kicks off. He still has his goals National Championship especially after their only 2015 defeat game in their final game. Heisman Trophy after being a finalist. Personally wouldn't bet against the guy.