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Congratulations to Sam Shields, Phillip Dorsett, Ufomba Kamalu, Braxton Berrios, and Trent Harris, as the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams advanced to Super Bowl LIII.
Los Angeles Rams 26 - New Orleans Saints 23
Rams CB Sam Shields hasn’t seen much playing time down the stretch, but the 8-year vet was still able to make an impact on the game with a 12-yard reception on a fake punt in the second quarter:
MOVE THOSE CHAINS‼️@JHekker to Shields! pic.twitter.com/Id1tFRmKqN
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 20, 2019
The 4th-down conversion led to the Rams first points of the game. LA was able to force overtime with a last-minute field goal, and then secure their first NFC Championship since 2001 by intercepting Drew Brees to set up their game-winning field goal. This will be Sam Shields second trip to the Super Bowl, as he also reached the pinnacle in 2010, his rookie year with the Packers.
New England Patriots 37 - Kansas City Chiefs 31
Pats WR Phillip Dorsett scored his first career postseason touchdown last week against the Chargers, but his postseason success did not end there, as Dorsett reached paydirt once again on Sunday:
Quarterbacking at its finest.
— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2019
Brady to @Dorsett_4 for the 29-yard TD! #EverythingWeGot
: #NEvsKC on CBS pic.twitter.com/R8Lmqh6HGV
The 29-yd TD reception was Dorsett’s only reception of the day, but it proved crucial as the AFC Championship game also went to overtime. The Pats were able to drive down the field and score a touchdown on their first possession in the extra period to secure their spot in the Super Bowl. The Pats are carrying 3 other former Canes in their system, as DT Ufomba Kamalu is a reserve, WR Braxton Berrios is on injured reserve, and DE Trent Harris is on the practice squad. This is Dorsett’s second-consecutive trip to the big game, but this is the first appearance for Kamalu, Berrios and Harris.
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Chiefs DE Allen Bailey rebounded from his stat-less performance in the divisional round with 5 tackles in the conference championship game. Unfortunately, the Chiefs defense was gouged for 524 total yards and 5 touchdowns (4 rushing touchdowns, 1 passing). extending the Chiefs Super Bowl drought to 49 years.
The Rams and Chiefs will meet on February 3rd with a Lombardi Trophy on the line, but first the rest of the NFL’s best take the field for the Pro Bowl next Sunday in Orlando,