1995–96 NFL playoffs

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1995–96 NFL playoffs
DatesDecember 30, 1995–January 28, 1996
Season
Sun Devil Stadium
  • Tempe, Arizona
  • Defending championsSan Francisco 49ers
    ChampionsDallas Cowboys
    Runners-upPittsburgh Steelers
    Conference
    runners-up

    The

    Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona
    .

    Participants

    Within each conference, the three division winners and the three non-division winners with the best overall regular season records qualified for the playoffs. The three division winners were seeded 1–3 based on the overall won-lost-tied record, and the three wild card teams were seeded 4–6. The NFL did not use a fixed bracket playoff system, and there were no restrictions regarding teams from the same division matching up in any round. In the first round, dubbed the wild-card playoffs or wild-card weekend, the third-seeded division winner hosted the sixth seed wild card, and the fourth seed hosted the fifth. The 1 and 2 seeds from each conference received a first-round bye. In the second round, the divisional playoffs, the number 1 seed hosted the worst-remaining seed from the first round (seed 4, 5, or 6), while the number 2 seed played the other team (seed 3, 4, or 5). The two winning teams from each conference's divisional playoff games then meet in the respective AFC and NFC Conference Championship games, hosted by the higher seed. Although the Super Bowl, the championship round of the playoffs, was played at a neutral site, the designated home team was based on an annual rotation by conference.

    Playoff seeds
    Seed AFC NFC
    1 Kansas City Chiefs (West winner) Dallas Cowboys (East winner)
    2
    Central
    winner)
    San Francisco 49ers (West winner)
    3 Buffalo Bills (East winner)
    Central
    winner)
    4 San Diego Chargers (wild card) Philadelphia Eagles (wild card)
    5 Indianapolis Colts (wild card) Detroit Lions (wild card)
    6 Miami Dolphins (wild card) Atlanta Falcons (wild card)


    Bracket

    Dec 31 – Lambeau Field Jan 6 – 3Com Park
    6 Atlanta 20
    3 Green Bay 27
    3 Green Bay 37 Jan 14 – Texas Stadium
    2 San Francisco 17
    NFC
    Dec 30 – Veterans Stadium 3 Green Bay 27
    Jan 7 – Texas Stadium
    1 Dallas 38
    5 Detroit 37 NFC Championship
    4 Philadelphia 11
    4 Philadelphia 58 Jan 28 –
    Sun Devil Stadium
    1 Dallas 30
    Wild Card playoffs
    Divisional playoffs
    Dec 31 –
    Jack Murphy Stadium
    N1 Dallas 27
    Jan 7 – Arrowhead Stadium
    A2 Pittsburgh 17
    5 Indianapolis 35 Super Bowl XXX
    5 Indianapolis 10
    4 San Diego 20 Jan 14 – Three Rivers Stadium
    1 Kansas City 7
    AFC
    Dec 30 –
    Rich Stadium
    5 Indianapolis 16
    Jan 6 – Three Rivers Stadium
    2 Pittsburgh 20
    6 Miami 22 AFC Championship
    3 Buffalo 21
    3 Buffalo 37
    2 Pittsburgh 40

    Schedule

    In the United States,

    Fox then televised the rest of the NFC games. NBC broadcast the rest of the AFC playoff games and Super Bowl XXX
    .

    Away team Score Home team Date Kickoff
    (ET / UTC–5)
    TV
    Wild Card playoffs
    Miami Dolphins 22–37 Buffalo Bills December 30, 1995 12:30 p.m. ABC
    Detroit Lions 37–58 Philadelphia Eagles December 30, 1995 4:00 p.m. ABC
    Atlanta Falcons 20–37 Green Bay Packers December 31, 1995 12:30 p.m. Fox
    Indianapolis Colts 35–20 San Diego Chargers December 31, 1995 4:00 p.m. NBC
    Divisional playoffs
    Buffalo Bills 21–40 Pittsburgh Steelers January 6, 1996 12:30 p.m. NBC
    Green Bay Packers 27–17 San Francisco 49ers January 6, 1996 4:00 p.m. Fox
    Philadelphia Eagles 11–30 Dallas Cowboys January 7, 1996 12:30 p.m. Fox
    Indianapolis Colts 10–7 Kansas City Chiefs January 7, 1996 4:00 p.m. NBC
    Conference Championships
    Indianapolis Colts 16–20 Pittsburgh Steelers January 14, 1996 12:30 p.m. NBC
    Green Bay Packers 27–38 Dallas Cowboys January 14, 1996 4:00 p.m. Fox
    Sun Devil Stadium
    , Tempe, Arizona
    Dallas Cowboys 27–17 Pittsburgh Steelers January 28, 1996 6:00 p.m. NBC

    Wild Card playoffs

    Saturday, December 30, 1995

    AFC: Buffalo Bills 37, Miami Dolphins 22

    Game information
    • Scoring
      • BUF – Thomas 1 run (Christie kick) BUF 7–0
      • BUF – field goal Christie 48 BUF 10–0
      • BUF – Holmes 21 run (Christie kick) BUF 17–0
      • BUF – Tasker 37 pass from Kelly (Christie kick) BUF 24–0
      • BUF – field goal Christie 23 BUF 27–0
      • MIA – McDuffie 5 pass from Marino (Stoyanovich kick) BUF 27–7
      • BUF – Tindale 44 run (Christie kick) BUF 34–7
      • MIA – Hill 45 pass from Marino (Stoyanovich kick) BUF 34–14
      • BUF – field goal Christie 42 BUF 37–14
      • MIA – Kirby 1 run (McDuffie pass from Marino) BUF 37–22

    Although Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino completed 33 out of 64 passes for 422 yards, the Bills jumped to a 27–0 lead going into the fourth quarter, forced four turnovers, and rushed 341 yards, the second highest amount in NFL postseason history and the most since Chicago gained 382 rushing yards in the 1940 NFL championship game.

    Buffalo started the scoring with a 58-yard drive, 45 yards which came from 3 receptions by Steve Tasker (who normally only played on special teams). Thurman Thomas finished off the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Bills a 7–0 early lead. Miami had to punt on their next drive, and John Kidd's kick went just 29 to the Bills 44-yard line. Three carries by Thomas for 26 yards on the following drive set up Steve Christie's 48-yard field goal. At the end of Miami's next possession, Kidd's 48-yard punt pinned Buffalo back at their own 1-yard line. Buffalo then drove 98 yards, with receiver Bill Brooks picking up 21 yards on an end-around run and Kelly completing a 26-yard pass to Tasker. Darick Holmes' 34-yard run then moved the ball to the Dolphins 1, but that was as far as the drive would go, as Gene Atkins intercepted Kelly's pass in the end zone on the first play of the second quarter.

    Still, Miami was unable to build any momentum. They managed to drive into Buffalo territory, only to turn the ball over on downs at the Bills 32. Then Thomas went back to work, breaking off a 13-yard run on the next play, and later taking off for a 32-yard gain to the Dolphins 21-yard line. On the next play, Buffalo scored on Holmes' 21-yard touchdown run, increasing their lead to 17–0. Then on the Dolphins' next drive, Dan Marino threw a pass that was deflected by Phil Hansen and picked off by linebacker Marlo Perry, giving Buffalo the ball on their 38-yard line. Following an 18-yard run and 7-yard reception by Thomas, Kelly capitalized on the turnover with a 37-yard touchdown throw to Tasker, increasing the Bills lead to 24–0. The next three drives would end poorly for both teams. First Miami turned the ball over on downs again when linebacker Cornelius Bennett tackled Terry Kirby one yard short of a first down on 4th and 10 from the Bills 40-yard line. Then Buffalo gave the ball right back when Kelly threw a pass that was intercepted by Troy Vincent. Miami went on to drive 61 yards, including Marino's 31-yard completion to wide receiver Gary Clark, to the Bills 35-yard line, but their drive ended there and Pete Stoyanovich missed a 53-yard field goal attempt on the last play of the half.

    The situation didn't get better for Miami in the third quarter. On their first drive Marino was intercepted by defensive back Fimel Johnson. Then on their next possession, Marino fumbled a snap out of shotgun formation, and Bills defensive end

    Western Ontario University
    who had never gained more than 6 yards in a single carry before this game, took off for a 44-yard touchdown run, giving the Bills a 34–7 lead.

    The game was essentially over by now, but there was plenty more scoring. Miami stormed back, driving 68 yards in 7 plays to score on Marino's 45-yard bomb to Randal Hill. Buffalo responded with 3 carries by Tindale for 23 yards to set up Christie's 42-yard field goal. Miami then moved the ball 73 yards in 9 plays. The key player on the drive was running back Terry Kirby, who caught 3 passes for 46 yards and finished it off with a 1-yard touchdown run, making the final score of the game 37–22. The Dolphins managed to recover an onside kick, but lost the ball when Marino was intercepted by rookie Ken Irvin.

    Both teams combined for a playoff record 1,038 total yards (502 for Miami, 536 for Buffalo). Thomas rushed for 158 yards, caught 3 passes for 48 yards, and scored a touchdown. Tasker rushed for 7 yards, while also catching 5 passes for 108 yards and a score, giving him his first career 100-yard receiving game (he would only have one more before his retirement after the 1997 season). Holmes rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown, while Tindale compiled 68 yards (more than his entire career regular season total) and a score of his own. McDuffie was the Dolphins top offensive performer with 11 receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown. This was the final game in the career of Dolphins head coach Don Shula, who retired as the NFL's all-time leader in coaching wins. It also marked a continuation of dominance against Miami by Bills coach Marv Levy. Since taking over as Buffalo's coach in 1986, Levy recorded a 17–5 record against the Dolphins, including 3–0 in the playoffs.[1] This was the Bills' last playoff victory until 2020.

    This was the third postseason meeting between the Dolphins and Bills. Buffalo won both prior meetings.[2]

    NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 58, Detroit Lions 37

    Detroit Lions vs. Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Lions 7 0 141637
    Eagles 7 31 13758

    at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia

    Game information
    • Scoring
      • PHI – Garner 15 run (Anderson kick) PHI 7–0
      • DET – Sloan 32 pass from Mitchell (Hanson kick) Tie 7–7
      • PHI – field goal Anderson 21 PHI 10–7
      • PHI – Barnett 22 pass from Peete (Anderson kick) PHI 17–7
      • PHI – Wilburn 24 interception return (Anderson kick) PHI 24–7
      • PHI – Watters 1 run (Anderson kick) PHI 31–7
      • PHI – Carpenter 43 pass from Peete (Anderson kick) PHI 38–7
      • PHI – Watters 45 pass from Peete (Anderson kick) PHI 45–7
      • PHI – field goal Anderson 31 PHI 48–7
      • PHI – field goal Anderson 39 PHI 51–7
      • DET – Moore 68 pass from Majkowski (Hanson kick) PHI 51–14
      • DET – Morton 7 pass from Majkowski (Hanson kick) PHI 51–21
      • PHI – Thomas 30 interception return (Anderson kick) PHI 58–21
      • DET – Sloan 2 pass from Majkowski (Rivers run) PHI 58–29
      • DET – Rivers 1 run (Moore pass from Majkowski) PHI 58–37

    Prior to this game, Detroit tackle Lomas Brown famously guaranteed on television that the Lions would win. The Eagles responded by opening up with a 51–7 lead over the Lions. The Eagles scored 31 points in the second quarter, recorded 6 interceptions, and held running back Barry Sanders to 40 rushing yards en route to a 58–37 victory in the second highest scoring game in NFL postseason history. The Eagles' 58 points were the third highest total in NFL postseason history, behind the Lions' 59 points in 1957 and the Bears' 73 points in the 1940 NFL championship game. Their 31-second quarter points was the second highest single quarter total in a postseason game, behind the Redskins' 35 second quarter points in Super Bowl XXII. Two Redskins players from that game, Barry Wilburn and linebacker Kurt Gouveia were playing on Philadelphia's defense in this one, and both would record an interception in this game.

    Philadelphia scored first after Mark McMillian intercepted a pass from Detroit QB Scott Mitchell and returned it 16 yards to the Lions 15-yard line, setting up Charlie Garner's 15-yard touchdown run. Detroit responded with Mitchell's 32-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Sloan. Then Philadelphia exploded in the second quarter, starting with a 30-yard Garner run to set up Gary Anderson's 21-yard field goal. After a punt, the Eagles increased their lead to 17–7 with Rodney Peete's 22-yard touchdown to wide receiver Fred Barnett. Wilburn returned an interception 24 yards for a score less than a minute later, and then Gouveia picked off a pass from Mitchell to give his team a first down at the Lions 34. Following two 13-yard catches by Barnett, Ricky Watters' 1-yard touchdown run made the score 31–7. Later on with just five second left in the half, Eagles receiver Rob Carpenter caught a 43-yard touchdown reception on a Hail Mary pass on 3rd and 25, making the score 38–7 going into halftime.

    In the second half, a 45-yard touchdown reception by Watters and two more field goals by Anderson increased the Eagles' lead, 51–7, still with slightly more than nine minutes remaining in the third quarter. From there, backup quarterback Don Majkowski replaced Mitchell and threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to Herman Moore. Then Lions' linebacker Chris Spielman recovered an Eagles' fumble and Majkowski converted it into another touchdown, a 7-yard toss to receiver Johnnie Morton, cutting the score to 51–21. But Philadelphia linebacker William Thomas quickly put any thoughts of a Lions' comeback to rest by returning an interception 30 yards for a touchdown 23 seconds into the fourth quarter. All that lay ahead for the Lions were a pair of meaningless touchdowns, a 2-yard catch by Sloan and a 1-yard run by Ron Rivers to make the final score 58–37.[3]

    Peete completed 17 of 25 passes for 270 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also rushing for 17 yards. Barnett caught 8 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. Watters rushed for 49 yards, caught 3 passes for 64 yards, and scored 2 touchdowns. Lions receiver Herman Moore caught 7 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown.

    This was the first postseason meeting between the Lions and Eagles.[2]

    Sunday, December 31, 1995

    NFC: Green Bay Packers 37, Atlanta Falcons 20

    Atlanta Falcons vs. Green Bay Packers – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Falcons 7 3 01020
    Packers 14 13 01037

    at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

    Game information
    • Scoring
      • ATL – Metcalf 65 pass from George (Andersen kick) ATL 7–0
      • GB – Bennett 8 run (Jacke kick) Tie 7–7
      • GB – Brooks 14 pass from Favre (Jacke kick) GB 14–7
      • ATL – field goal Andersen 31 GB 14–10
      • GB – Freeman 76 punt return (bad snap) GB 20–10
      • GB – Chmura 2 pass from Favre (Jacke kick) GB 27–10
      • ATL – Birden 27 pass from George (Andersen kick) GB 27–17
      • GB – Levens 18 pass from Favre (Jacke kick) GB 34–17
      • ATL – field goal Andersen 22 GB 34–20
      • GB – field goal Jacke 25 GB 37–20

    The Packers scored 13 unanswered points in the second quarter en route to a 37–20 victory over the Falcons.

    Green Bay got an early scoring opportunity when George Teague intercepted a pass from Falcons quarterback Jeff George and returned it 30 yards to the Atlanta 22-yard line on the second play of the game. However, a 3rd down sack by Chris Doleman pushed the Packers back to the 28 and Chris Jacke missed a 46-yard field goal attempt. Atlanta scored first on quarterback Jeff George's 65-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Metcalf. But Green Bay countered, starting with Antonio Freeman's 42-yard kickoff return to the Packers 48-yard line. 52 yards and 8 plays later, the Packers scored on Edgar Bennett's 8-yard touchdown run. On Green Bay's next drive, they took advantage of a 35-yard pass interference penalty against Ron Davis, driving 78 yards to score on Brett Favre's 14-yard touchdown pass to Robert Brooks.

    On the second play of the second quarter, Morten Andersen's 31-yard field goal made the score 14–10 at the end of a drive that featured a 55-yard completion from George to receiver Terance Mathis. However, Packers wide receiver Antonio Freeman returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown, and Green Bay extended their lead to 20–10 (after the two-point conversion attempt failed). In the closing minutes of the first half, the Packers marched 85-yards in 14 plays to score on Favre's 2-yard touchdown to tight end Mark Chmura to reach a 27–10 halftime lead.

    After the first five drives of the third quarter ended in punts, Atlanta started an 80-yard drive that ended on George's 27-yard touchdown pass to J. J. Birden, making the score 27–17 less than two minutes into the fourth quarter. However, Atlanta's comeback hopes were soon dashed as Green Bay went on to drive 70 yards to score on Favre's 18-yard touchdown pass to running back Dorsey Levens. The key play of the drive was Favre's 20-yard completion to Brooks on 3rd and 8 from the Falcons 45-yard line, Favre's longest completion of the game. All that remained from this point would be a field goal from each team over the next two possessions.

    Bennett turned in the best postseason performance of his career, finishing the game with 108 rushing yards, 3 receptions for 11 yards, and a touchdown. Favre threw for 199 yards and 3 touchdowns. Freeman had 72 punt return yards, 54 kickoff return yards, and 14 receiving yards. Metcalf had 227 all-purpose yards (8 receptions for 114 yards, 6 kickoff returns for 107 yards 2 punt returns for 6 yards) and a touchdown.

    This was the first postseason meeting between the Falcons and Packers.[2]

    AFC: Indianapolis Colts 35, San Diego Chargers 20

    Indianapolis Colts vs. San Diego Chargers – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Colts 0 14 71435
    Chargers 3 7 7320

    at

    Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego

    Game information
    • Scoring
      • SD – field goal Carney 54 SD 3–0
      • IND – Dilger 2 pass from Harbaugh (Blanchard kick) IND 7–3
      • SD – Pupunu 6 pass from Humphries (Carney kick) SD 10–7
      • IND – Crockett 33 run (Blanchard kick) IND 14–10
      • SD – Jefferson 11 pass from Humphries (Carney kick) SD 17–14
      • IND – Dawkins 42 pass from Harbaugh (Blanchard kick) IND 21–17
      • SD – field goal Carney 30 IND 21–20
      • IND – Crockett 66 run (Blanchard kick) IND 28–20
      • IND – Harbaugh 3 run (Blanchard kick) IND 35–20

    Rookie fullback Zack Crockett, who had only one rushing attempt during the regular season, found himself thrust into the starting lineup to replace injured starter Marshall Faulk on the first play of the game. He proved up to the task, rushing for a franchise playoff record 147 yards and scoring two touchdowns to help the Colts win their first playoff game in 24 years. San Diego gained 429 yards of total offense, but quarterback Stan Humphries threw four interceptions, two to safety Jason Belser. Chargers running back Ronnie Harmon caught 10 passes for 133 yards, while Andre Coleman added six kickoff returns for 122.

    The Chargers jumped to a 3–0 lead on their first drive by moving 30 yards and scoring with John Carney's 54-yard field goal. Later in the period, Colts linebacker Steve Grant intercepted a pass from Humphries and returned it 13 yards to the Chargers 33-yard line. But his team was unable to capitalize on the turnover. Five plays later, San Diego linebacker Junior Seau picked off a pass from Jim Harbaugh at the San Diego 1-yard line.

    A 46-yard punt return by Colts cornerback Ray Buchanan to the Chargers 27 set up Harbaugh's 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ken Dilger a minute into the second quarter. But San Diego recaptured the lead on their ensuing possession by moving the ball 68 yards in 18 plays, converting five third downs on a drive in which no play gained more than 10 yards. Humphries's 6-yard scoring pass to tight end Alfred Pupunu at the end of it made the score 10–7. However, the Colts came right back with an 80-yard drive in which Harbaugh completed 4 of 5 passes for 43 yards and rushed for 2 before Crockett scored on 33-yard touchdown run to give the Colts a 14–10 lead. The Chargers countered with a drive to Indianapolis's 17-yard line. But with 17 seconds left in the first half, Humphries' pass was intercepted in the end zone by Ray McElroy.

    4 minutes into the third quarter, San Diego put together another long scoring drive, this one covering 90 yards in 12 plays, the longest a 24-yard reception by Harmon. Humphries finished it off with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Shawn Jefferson, giving the Chargers a 17–14 lead. Indianapolis quickly struck back with a 7-play, 81-yard drive in which Harbaugh completed 4/5 passes for 67 yards, the last a 42-yarder to wide receiver Sean Dawkins.

    In the fourth quarter, runs by Terrell Fletcher and Aaron Hayden for respective gains of 20 and 15 yards set up Carney's 30-yard field goal to cut Indianapolis' lead to 21–20. But on the Colts' next drive, Crockett ran for a 66-yard touchdown and the Colts never looked back. On the Chargers' next possession, Belser intercepted a pass from Humphries and returned it 32 yards to the San Diego 23-yard line. Harbaugh then completed a 21-yard pass to Floyd Turner before taking the ball into the end zone himself on a 3-yard run. The Chargers had three more drives, but they would only result in another Belser interception, a turnover on downs, and time expiring in the game.

    This was the first postseason meeting between the Colts and Chargers.[2]

    Divisional playoffs

    Saturday, January 6, 1996

    AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 40, Buffalo Bills 21

    Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Bills 0 7 7721
    Steelers 7 16 31440

    at

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    Game information
    • Scoring
      • PIT – J.L. Williams 1 run (Johnson kick) PIT 7–0
      • PIT – Mills 10 pass from O'Donnell (Johnson kick) PIT 14–0
      • PIT – field goal Johnson 45 PIT 17–0
      • PIT – field goal Johnson 38 PIT 20–0
      • BUF – Thomas 1 run (Christie kick) PIT 20–7
      • PIT – field goal Johnson 34 PIT 23–7
      • PIT – field goal Johnson 39 PIT 26–7
      • BUF – Cline 2 pass from Van Pelt (Christie kick) PIT 26–14
      • BUF – Thomas 9 pass from Kelly (Christie kick) PIT 26–21
      • PIT – Morris 13 run (Johnson kick) PIT 33–21
      • PIT – Morris 2 run (Johnson kick) PIT 40–21

    Running back

    Bruce Smith
    who fell ill the day before the game, from coming back from a 20–0 deficit. By the end of the game, the Steelers outgained them in total yards 409–250 and forced four turnovers.

    Pittsburgh started off the scoring with a 76-yard drive in which receiver

    Yancy Thigpen caught a 43-yard pass and fullback John L. Williams finished it off with a 1-yard touchdown run. The Bills responded with a drive to the Steelers 21-yard line, but then Darick Holmes was tackled for a 13-yard loss by safety Carnell Lake and Steve Christie missed a 52-yard field goal attempt. Morris then rushed for 44 yards on a 58-yard possession that ended on Neil O'Donnell's 13-yard touchdown completion to Ernie Mills
    .

    Early in the second quarter, Steelers receiver

    Lee Flowers stormed into the backfield and tackled punter Chris Mohr on the Bills 12-yard line, leading to another Johnson field goal that gave Pittsburgh a 20–0 lead. Buffalo responded with a drive to the Steelers 30-yard line, only to lose the ball when Lake forced a fumble from Thurman Thomas that was recovered by Chris Oldham. However, the Bills soon got the ball back with excellent field position after Rohn Stark punted the ball 33 yards to the Steelers 49. Kelly then got the team to the 1-yard line with three completions, hitting Tony Cline for 17 yards, Andre Reed for 5, and Steve Tasker for 26. Thomas then ran the ball into the end zone, cutting the score to 20–7. Only 45 seconds remained in the half, but O'Donnell proved up to the challenge of earning his team some more points, completing 4 consecutive passes for 53 yards to get the team to the Bills 16-yard line. Johnson finished the drive with his third field goal, giving the Steelers a 23–7 halftime lead.[4]

    In the third quarter, Lake intercepted a pass from Kelly and returned it 3 yards to the Buffalo 25-yard line, leading to Johnson's fourth field goal that put the team up 26–7. Both teams had to punt on their following drives, and Tasker returned Stark's 30-yard punt 4 yards to the Steelers 42-yard line. A few plays later, he took a handoff on a reverse and ran 40 yards to the 3. Alex Van Pelt (who replaced an injured Jim Kelly) finished the drive with 2-yard touchdown pass to Cline, making the score 26–14.

    Early in the fourth quarter, Buffalo took advantage of yet another poor punt from Stark, this one a 31-yard kick that gave them the ball on the Pittsburgh 36. Van Pelt then guided the team to the 11-yard line, where Kelly returned to the field and eventually hit Thomas for a 9-yard scoring completion, cutting the score to 26–21 with 11:23 left in the game. But Pittsburgh then marched 76 yards, including O'Donnell's 3rd down conversion passes to Thigpen and Andre Hastings for gains of 21 and 17 yards, to score on Morris' 13-yard touchdown run, increasing their lead to 33–21. The following three drives would result in interceptions, with Kelly throwing a pick to Jerry Olsavsky and Matt Darby nabbing a pass from O'Donnell. On the next play, Linebacker Levon Kirkland intercepted a pass from Kelly and returned it 4 yards to the Bills 23-yard line to set up Morris' 2-yard score with 1:58 remaining to clinch the victory.

    With the Steelers win, they snapped the Bills' 10 game postseason winning streak against the AFC dating back to 1990. Morris rushed for 106 yards and caught 2 passes for 7. Lake had an interception and a fumble recovery.

    This was the third postseason meeting between the Bills and Steelers. Both teams split the first two meetings.[2]

    NFC: Green Bay Packers 27, San Francisco 49ers 17

    Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Packers 14 7 3327
    49ers 0 3 7717

    at 3Com Park at Candlestick Point, San Francisco

    Game information
    • Scoring
      • GB – Newsome 31 fumble return (Jacke kick) GB 7–0
      • GB – Jackson 3 pass from Favre (Jacke kick) GB 14–0
      • GB – Chmura 13 pass from Favre (Jacke kick) GB 21–0
      • SF – field goal Wilkins 21 GB 21–3
      • SF – Young 1 run (Wilkins kick) GB 21–10
      • GB – field goal Jacke 27 GB 24–10
      • GB – field goal Jacke 26 GB 27–10
      • SF – Loville 2 run (Wilkins kick) GB 27–17

    For the first time ever since becoming the head coach of the Packers, Mike Holmgren was coaching against his former team where he was the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks coach for six seasons.

    The Packers jumped to a 21–0 lead en route to a 27–17 victory. Green Bay quarterback

    Steve Young
    three times and intercepted him twice. Young ended up setting a playoff record with 65 pass attempts, but completed only 32 of them for 328 yards. He added 77 yards on the ground. For the second playoff game in a row, Green Bay did not lose any turnovers, while the 49ers turned the ball over 4 times.

    The Packers took the opening kickoff and held onto the ball for 7:11 before kicker Chris Jacke's 44-yard field goal attempt was blocked by 49ers safety Tim McDonald. But on San Francisco's first play, running back Adam Walker fumbled after being hit by linebacker Wayne Simmons. Rookie cornerback Craig Newsome picked up the ball and returned it 31 yards for the touchdown. Then after forcing the 49ers to punt, the Packers advanced 62 yards, with Favre completing a 35-yard pass to tight end Keith Jackson and a 20-yarder to Brooks, to score on Favre's 3-yard touchdown to Jackson, who finished the day with four receptions for 101 yards.[5]

    Green Bay would later drive 72 yards in 7 plays to score on tight end Mark Chmura's 13-yard touchdown reception before Young's 32-yard completion to Jerry Rice set up Jeff Wilkins 21–3 field goal to cut the lead to 21–3 at the end of the half. In the second half, Jacke kicked two field goals while the 49ers could only manage two touchdowns: a 1-yard run by Young and a 2-yarder by running back Derek Loville.[6]

    This was the only time during the 1990s that an NFC team won a divisional playoff game on the road. Rice finished the game with 11 receptions for 117 yards, while 49ers tight end Brent Jones had 8 catches for 112.

    This was the first postseason meeting between the Packers and 49ers.[2]

    Sunday, January 7, 1996

    NFC: Dallas Cowboys 30, Philadelphia Eagles 11

    Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Eagles 0 3 0811
    Cowboys 3 14 6730

    at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

    Game information
    • Scoring
      • DAL – field goal Boniol 24 DAL 3–0
      • PHI – field goal Anderson 26 Tie 3–3
      • DAL – Sanders 21 run (Boniol kick) DAL 10–3
      • DAL – Smith 1 run (Boniol kick) DAL 17–3
      • DAL – field goal Boniol 18 DAL 20–3
      • DAL – field goal Boniol 51 DAL 23–3
      • DAL – Irvin 9 pass from Aikman (Boniol kick) DAL 30–3
      • PHI – Cunningham 4 run (R. Johnson pass from Cunningham) DAL 30–11