In the realm of NFL history, the NFC Championship has long been a stage where gridiron legends are made. From iconic franchises to underdog contenders, the list of NFC Championship teams is a testament to the fierce competition and unwavering spirit that defines the league.
As fans eagerly anticipate each new season, the legacy of these teams continues to captivate and inspire.
With a rich tapestry of triumphs, heartbreaks, and unforgettable moments, the NFC Championship teams represent the pinnacle of professional football excellence.
From dominant dynasties to unexpected upsets, each team etches its name into the annals of the sport with every hard-fought victory.
As we delve into the history of these storied franchises, we uncover a tapestry of dedication, passion, and the relentless pursuit of gridiron glory that defines the essence of the NFC Championship.
NFC Championship Teams List 1970–present
Explore the NFC Championship Teams List from 1970 to present, showcasing iconic matchups, legendary franchises, and memorable moments that define the journey to the Super Bowl.
1970s
1970: Dallas Cowboys: The Dallas Cowboys won their first NFC Championship in 1970, defeating the San Francisco 49ers. However, they lost Super Bowl V to the Baltimore Colts.
1971: Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys returned to the NFC Championship game in 1971, defeating the San Francisco 49ers again and going on to win their first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl VI against the Miami Dolphins.
1972: Washington Redskins: The Washington Redskins won their first NFC Championship in 1972 by defeating the Dallas Cowboys but lost to the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VII.
1973: Minnesota Vikings: The Minnesota Vikings clinched the NFC Championship in 1973 by beating the Dallas Cowboys. They lost to the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VIII.
1974: Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings won back-to-back NFC Championships in 1974, defeating the Los Angeles Rams. They lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl IX.
1975: Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys claimed another NFC title in 1975 by beating the Los Angeles Rams but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl X.
1976: Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings secured their fourth NFC Championship in 1976 by defeating the Los Angeles Rams but fell to the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XI.
1977: Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys won the NFC Championship in 1977 by beating the Minnesota Vikings and went on to win Super Bowl XII against the Denver Broncos.
1978: Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys repeated as NFC Champions in 1978 by defeating the Los Angeles Rams but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIII.
1979: Los Angeles Rams: The Rams won their first NFC Championship in 1979 by beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIV.
1980s
1980: Philadelphia Eagles: The Philadelphia Eagles won their first NFC Championship in 1980 by defeating the Dallas Cowboys but lost to the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XV.
1981: San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers won their first NFC Championship in 1981 by defeating the Dallas Cowboys and went on to win Super Bowl XVI against the Cincinnati Bengals.
1982: Washington Redskins: The Redskins won their second NFC title in 1982 by beating the Dallas Cowboys and went on to win Super Bowl XVII against the Miami Dolphins.
1983: Washington Redskins: The Redskins repeated as NFC Champions in 1983 by defeating the San Francisco 49ers but lost to the Los Angeles Raiders in Super Bowl XVIII.
1984: San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers won the NFC Championship in 1984 by defeating the Chicago Bears and went on to win Super Bowl XIX against the Miami Dolphins.
1985: Chicago Bears: The Chicago Bears won the NFC Championship in 1985 by defeating the Los Angeles Rams and went on to win Super Bowl XX against the New England Patriots.
1986: New York Giants: The Giants won their first NFC Championship in 1986 by defeating the Washington Redskins and went on to win Super Bowl XXI against the Denver Broncos.
1987: Washington Redskins: The Redskins won their fourth NFC Championship in 1987 by defeating the Minnesota Vikings and went on to win Super Bowl XXII against the Denver Broncos.
1988: San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers won the NFC Championship in 1988 by defeating the Chicago Bears and went on to win Super Bowl XXIII against the Cincinnati Bengals.
1989: San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers repeated as NFC Champions in 1989 by defeating the Los Angeles Rams and went on to win Super Bowl XXIV against the Denver Broncos.
1990s
1990: New York Giants: The Giants won their second NFC Championship in 1990 by defeating the San Francisco 49ers and went on to win Super Bowl XXV against the Buffalo Bills.
1991: Washington Redskins: The Redskins won their fifth NFC Championship in 1991 by defeating the Detroit Lions and went on to win Super Bowl XXVI against the Buffalo Bills.
1992: Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys won their first NFC Championship of the 1990s in 1992 by defeating the San Francisco 49ers and went on to win Super Bowl XXVII against the Buffalo Bills.
1993: Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys repeated as NFC Champions in 1993 by defeating the San Francisco 49ers and went on to win Super Bowl XXVIII against the Buffalo Bills.
1994: San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers won the NFC Championship in 1994 by defeating the Dallas Cowboys and went on to win Super Bowl XXIX against the San Diego Chargers.
1995: Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys won their third NFC Championship of the decade in 1995 by defeating the Green Bay Packers and went on to win Super Bowl XXX against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
1996: Green Bay Packers: The Packers won their first NFC Championship since 1967 in 1996 by defeating the Carolina Panthers and went on to win Super Bowl XXXI against the New England Patriots.
1997: Green Bay Packers: The Packers repeated as NFC Champions in 1997 by defeating the San Francisco 49ers but lost to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII.
1998: Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons won their first NFC Championship in 1998 by defeating the Minnesota Vikings but lost to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII.
1999: St. Louis Rams: The Rams won their first NFC Championship since moving to St. Louis in 1999 by defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and went on to win Super Bowl XXXIV against the Tennessee Titans.
2000s
2000: New York Giants: The Giants won their third NFC Championship in 2000 by defeating the Minnesota Vikings but lost to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV.
2001: St. Louis Rams: The Rams won their second NFC Championship in 2001 by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles but lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI.
2002: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Buccaneers won their first NFC Championship in 2002 by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles and went on to win Super Bowl XXXVII against the Oakland Raiders.
2003: Carolina Panthers: The Panthers won their first NFC Championship in 2003 by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles but lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
2004: Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles won their second NFC Championship in 2004 by defeating the Atlanta Falcons but lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.
2005: Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks won their first NFC Championship in 2005 by defeating the Carolina Panthers but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL.
2006: Chicago Bears: The Bears won their second NFC Championship in 2006 by defeating the New Orleans Saints but lost to the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI.
2007: New York Giants: The Giants won their fourth NFC Championship in 2007 by defeating the Green Bay Packers and went on to win Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots.
2008: Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals won their first NFC Championship in 2008 by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII.
2009: New Orleans Saints: The Saints won their first NFC Championship in 2009 by defeating the Minnesota Vikings and went on to win Super Bowl XLIV against the Indianapolis Colts.
2010s
2010: Green Bay Packers: The Packers won their fourth NFC Championship in 2010 by defeating the Chicago Bears and went on to win Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2011: New York Giants: The Giants won their fifth NFC Championship in 2011 by defeating the San Francisco 49ers and went on to win Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots.
2012: San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers won their sixth NFC Championship in 2012 by defeating the Atlanta Falcons but lost to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII.
2013: Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks won their second NFC Championship in 2013 by defeating the San Francisco 49ers and went on to win Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos.
2014: Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks repeated as NFC Champions in 2014 by defeating the Green Bay Packers but lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX.
2015: Carolina Panthers: The Panthers won their second NFC Championship in 2015 by defeating the Arizona Cardinals but lost to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50.
2016: Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons won their second NFC Championship in 2016 by defeating the Green Bay Packers but lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI.
2017: Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles won their third NFC Championship in 2017 by defeating the Minnesota Vikings and went on to win Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots.
2018: Los Angeles Rams: The Rams won their fourth NFC Championship in 2018 by defeating the New Orleans Saints but lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII.
2019: San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers won their seventh NFC Championship in 2019 by defeating the Green Bay Packers but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.
2020s
2020: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Buccaneers won their second NFC Championship in 2020 by defeating the Green Bay Packers and went on to win Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs.
2021: Los Angeles Rams: The Rams won their fifth NFC Championship in 2021 by defeating the San Francisco 49ers and went on to win Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals.
2022: Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles won their fourth NFC Championship in 2022 by defeating the San Francisco 49ers but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.
The NFC Championship Games have provided some of the most memorable and dramatic moments in NFL history, showcasing intense rivalries, remarkable comebacks, and the emergence of legendary teams and players.
List of NFC Championship Games
In the NFL, the NFC Championship serves as a pivotal stage where teams battle it out for the coveted spot in the Super Bowl. Let’s explore how teams have navigated through the playoffs and memorable NFC Championship games.
Playoff Structure
The NFC Championship playoff structure comprises a single-elimination tournament format. It starts with the Wild Card round, followed by the Divisional round, leading to the highly anticipated NFC Championship game. The victor of this game secures a spot in the Super Bowl.
NFC Championship Game Appearances 1970-Present
Since 1970, the NFC Championship game has witnessed formidable teams competing for conference supremacy. Iconic franchises like the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and Green Bay Packers have made multiple appearances in the NFC Championship.
Noteworthy underdog contenders have also risen to the occasion, adding an element of unpredictability to the games.
Team Records in NFC Championship Games
In the realm of NFC Championship games, teams have etched their names in history with remarkable feats and enduring records. Let’s delve into the remarkable team records in NFC Championship history:
Most NFC Championship Game Wins
- San Francisco 49ers: The San Francisco 49ers lead the pack with an impressive number NFC Championship Game victories, showcasing their dominance in pivotal matchups.
- Dallas Cowboys: Following closely behind, the Dallas Cowboys have also secured a significant number of wins in NFC Championship Games, solidifying their legacy as a formidable force in the conference.
Most NFC Championship Game Losses
- Minnesota Vikings: Despite their storied history, the Minnesota Vikings hold the record for the most NFC Championship Game losses, reflecting their struggles to clinch the conference title.
- Los Angeles Rams: The Los Angeles Rams have faced defeat in several NFC Championship Games, highlighting the challenges they’ve encountered on the path to conference triumph.
Most NFC Championship Game Appearances
- Dallas Cowboys: With a remarkable number of NFC Championship Game appearances, the Dallas Cowboys have consistently showcased their ability to reach the conference pinnacle.
- San Francisco 49ers: The San Francisco 49ers have also been frequent contenders in NFC Championship Games, displaying their sustained excellence in conference clashes.
Most Consecutive Appearances
The Dallas Cowboys boast a record for the most consecutive NFC Championship Game appearances, a testament to their sustained success in reaching the conference title match.
Most Victories and Consecutive Victories
The San Francisco 49ers hold the record for most victories and consecutive victories in NFC Championship Games, highlighting their dominance and ability to secure back-to-back wins in critical matchups.
Past Results
- Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks (2014): In a memorable matchup, the Green Bay Packers faced the Seattle Seahawks in a closely contested NFC Championship Game that went into overtime, ultimately deciding the Super Bowl contender.
- Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings (2017): The Philadelphia Eagles secured a decisive victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship Game, propelling them to a Super Bowl triumph.
- New York Giants: The New York Giants hold a unique record for unexpected NFC Championship Game victories, showcasing their ability to emerge as underdog champions in critical matchups.
- Chicago Bears: The Chicago Bears boast a historic NFC Championship Game record, underscoring their legacy as a resilient and competitive force in conference battles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the historical significance of the NFC Championship in NFL history?
The NFC Championship symbolizes a pivotal moment in the NFL season, determining the conference champion that advances to the Super Bowl.
Iconic franchises and underdog contenders have fiercely competed, creating a legacy of triumphs, heartbreaks, and unforgettable moments.
What is the playoff structure leading to the NFC Championship game?
The journey to the NFC Championship includes the Wild Card round and Divisional playoffs, culminating in the conference championship where the victor secures a coveted spot in the Super Bowl. This structure has been in place since 1970.
Can you mention some notable past matchups in the NFC Championship?
Past memorable matchups include Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks in 2014 and Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings in 2017, showcasing thrilling contests that define the excitement and impact of these games.
Which teams have achieved success in NFC Championship games?
Teams like the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys boast the most wins in NFC Championship history, while the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams have faced the most losses.
The element of unpredictability has seen underdog contenders like the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings leave their mark.
What rivalries stand out in NFC Championship history?
Intense rivalries like San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys have marked historic battles for conference supremacy, adding excitement and depth to the NFC Championship legacy.
Conclusion
The NFC Championship Games, from 1970 to the present, have been a testament to the evolving landscape of the NFL.
Dominated by iconic teams like the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Redskins, these games have showcased some of the greatest talents and most memorable moments in football history.
The fluctuating dominance across decades, from the Cowboys in the ’70s to the 49ers in the ’80s, and the resurgence of teams like the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles in recent years, highlights the competitive nature of the league.
Each championship game not only determines the NFC’s representative for the Super Bowl but also often marks the pinnacle of season-long efforts, intense rivalries, and strategic brilliance.
The NFC Championship has become a crucial part of NFL lore, embodying the spirit, determination, and excellence that defines professional football.
Ashley Hopkinson