NFL Playoff Schedule 2016: Conference Championship Game Times, Matchups Bracket

If the first two rounds of the NFL playoffs are any indication, the final three games should be a lot of fun.

Over the last two weeks, fans were treated to wild finishes, memorable individual performances, a successful Hail Mary and an almost-historic comeback. After the dust settled, we still have the four top teams in the NFL, as both championship games feature No. 1 vs. No. 2 seeds.

Whether your team is still fighting for a Super Bowl title or you just want to enjoy the show, you want to make sure you catch every second of the action in the upcoming weekend. Here is a look at what you need to know going forward in the NFL playoffs.

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos

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The story writes itself with Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning for possibly the last time, giving fans yet another chance to see two of the best quarterbacks in NFL history on the same field. The problem is the Denver Broncos are more known for their defensive play than anything Manning has done this year.

Denver led the NFL in yards allowed this season and gave up just 16 points in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round. Even Manning admitted the defense is why the squad is competing for a spot in the Super Bowl, per ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold:

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Our defense has been outstanding all season. They have led us to this point, let’s make that clear. Different guys stepped up at different times all season. I could go on and on. Each game, key defensive players stepped it up. But you have to be a good team to win these playoff games and you have to win as a team.

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With the league's top pass rush and a playmaking secondary, it will definitely make things difficult for Brady on Sunday.

Fortunately for the Patriots, they finally appear healthy, with both tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Julian Edelman making a big impact offensively in a win over the Kansas City Chiefs. This duo can get open easily as well as make things happen after the catch, completely transforming what was a struggling offense at the end of the year.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has also had success against elite defenses in his past, according to ESPN Stats & Info:

While a lot of the spotlight will be on Manning, the bigger story will be whether the Broncos defense can contain Brady in this game.

Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers

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Neither team had an easy time closing out a win in the divisional round.

The Arizona Cardinals looked to close out a seven-point win in the final seconds before Green Bay signal-caller Aaron Rodgers completed two miracle passes to force overtime. They needed wideout Larry Fitzgerald to come through with a pair of big plays to win on the first possession of the extra period and earn a spot in the NFC title game.

A day later the Carolina Panthers appeared ready to blow out the Seattle Seahawks with a 31-0 halftime lead, but a furious comeback meant the game had to come down to recovering an onside kick before securing the one-possession win.

In any case, both teams survived and now face the toughest test of the year, a game against each other.

Carolina head coach Ron Rivera has a lot of respect for his upcoming opponent, per the Panthers' official website:

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Now here comes the next one and it’s Arizona. They are the two seed for a reason. They are a well coached football team with a dynamic quarterback. They’ve got some playmakers that we saw last night and then they have an aggressive defense. This is a complete team that we will play as well and we have to be on our game.

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Quarterback Carson Palmer has played as well as anyone in the NFL this season and has a bunch of top receivers around him, making this offense a tough one to stop. Of course, the Panthers can also be deadly when playing at their best, which they showed in the first half against the Seahawks, as Curt Menefee of Fox noted:

Even though the second half wasn't as pretty, Carolina found a way to win as it has 16 of 17 times this season. This could create an exciting battle of elite teams for a chance to go to the Super Bowl.

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