As it is one of the greatest games in NFL history, I've included the 2002 Giants/49ers game as it took place in 2003.
Baltimore Ravens @ Denver Broncos, 2012 Divisional Round
The Baltimore Ravens were - on the back of Ray Lewis' retirement announcement - the 'hot wildcard team' heading into the 2012 postseason. After a solid home win against the Indianapolis Colts, the Ravens travelled to Denver to face the heavily-favoured Broncos. The Broncos looked set to win the game, but blown coverage by Tony Carter and Rahim Moore allowed Flacco to complete a 70-yard touchdown pass with seconds remaining in the 4th quarter. After two periods of overtime, Justin Tucker kicked the game-winning field goal on the back of a Peyton Manning interception.
New York Giants @ San Francisco 49ers, 2011 NFC Championship Game
The 2011 New York Giants were very similar to their 2007 counterparts in that they flew under the radar on their way to the playoffs, beat heavily-favoured opposition throughout, and then overcame the Patriots in the Super Bowl. In another instalment of one of the NFL's greatest postseason rivalries, the Giants upset the 49ers after Kyle Williams fumbled a punt and Lawrence Tynes kicked his second career overtime playoff-winning field goal.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos, 2011 Wild Card Round
Tim Tebow had an incredible 2011 season. His first start was a comeback win over the Miami Dolphins in week 6, and several unlikely wins later, he made his last start against the 12-4 Pittsburgh Steelers. Tebow had developed a habit of playing his best football when the odds were stacked against him, and this most improbable of wins came on the back of a 80-yard touchdown to Demariyus Thomas on the first play of overtime.
New Orleans Saints @ Seattle Seahawks 2010 Wildcard Round
Seeing that the Seahawks emerged as champions of the NFC West with a 7-9 record, it's somewhat of a miracle that the 2013 NFC Championship game will be contested by two NFC West teams. Marshawn Lynch's 69-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter capped one of the biggest postseason upsets ever, with the Seahawks defeating the defending Super Bowl champions 41-36.
Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals 2009 Wild Card Round
The Arizona Cardinals didn't suffer a Super Bowl 'hangover' after their loss to Pittsburgh at the end of the 2008 season - they made the playoffs again in 2009, and their meeting with the Aaron Rodgers-led Green Bay Packers turned out to be the highest-scoring playoff game in history. After the Cardinals raced to a 17-0 lead, and were up 31-10 in the second half. Rodgers was flawless in the second half, and tied the game at 45-45 with 2 minutes remaining. before having a fumble returned for a game-winning 17-yard touchdown in overtime. Kurt Warner finished the game with a record-breaking passer rating of 154.1.
New England Patriots @ Indianapolis Colts, 2006 AFC Championship Game
The best rivalry of the 2000s came to a head in yet another AFC championship game. Peyton Manning and the Colts were 0-2 against Tom Brady's Patriots in previous postseason encounters, but overcame a 21-3 deficit to win 38-34. Three touchdowns were scored by interior linemen (Jeff Saturday and Dan Klecko for the Colts, and Dan Koppen for the Patriots), and the win arguably marked the end of the Patriots dynasty.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Indianapolis Colts, 2005 Divisional Round
One year prior to their triumph over the Patriots, the Colts suffered another meltdown at the hands of the Steelers in one of the most bizarre endings to a playoff game ever. The Steelers were leading 21-18 late in the fourth quarter when Jerome Bettis took the ball close to the Colts goal line. Colts linebacker Gary Brackett forced Bettis' first fumble all season, and a flailing Ben Roethlisberger inexplicably managed to tackle Nick Harper and prevent the winning touchdown. Peyton Manning drove the Colts to the 42 yard line, Mike Vanderjagt shanked the field goal attempt to tie the game, and the Steelers travelled to Denver on their way to a Super Bowl XL victory over the Seahawks.
New York Giants @ San Francisco 49ers, 2002 Wild Card Round
Thanks to a controversial ending, the 2002 edition of the Giants/49ers postseason rivalry is still a source of bitterness for Giants fans. Thanks to a stellar performance by Kerry Collins (342 yards, 4 TD), the Giants had a 38-14 lead late in the third quarter and advancement to the divisional round looked likely for Big Blue. Jeff Garcia then led the 49ers to 25 unanswered points, but Collins led the Giants to the 49ers 23 yard line with 6 seconds left on the clock. The snap on the ensuing field goal was bad but rather than spike the ball (giving the Giants another shot on fourth down), holder Matt Allen threw an incomplete pass. The Giants were penalised for an ineligible receiver, even though it emerged that Giants guard Rich Seubert was eligible and that the 49ers had committed a pass interference penalty against him.
Here's hoping tonight's games produce some moments as memorable as these.
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