NFL: 49ers, Broncos punch tickets to conference championship games

Rappler.com

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The San Francisco 49ers beat the Carolina Panthers, while the Denver Broncos topped the San Diego Chargers to earn trips to NFL divisional championship games.

GOLD RUSH. San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore gains yardage against the Carolina Panthers. Photo by Davis Turner/EPA

MANILA, Philippines – The San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos punched their tickets to conference championship games with victories over the Carolina Panthers and San Diego Chargers, respectively.

The 49ers (14-4) rallied behind strong play from quarterback Colin Kaepernick and running back Frank Gore to defeat the Panthers (12-5) in their NFC divisional playoff game 23-10 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, S.C. 

Kaepernick threw for 196 yards while connecting on 15 of 28 passes, throwing for a touchdown and running another one in, the latter of which was proceeded by a mocking over Panther Cam Newton’s Superman celebration.

Niners receiver Anquan Boldin caught eight passes for 136 yards and Frank Gore racked up 84 yards on 17 carries.

The number one draft selection in the 2011 draft Cam Newton played well early but failed to convert two goal line opportunities in the first half and was sacked 4 times and threw two interceptions. 

San Francisco will meet the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC Championship on Sunday Jan. 20 (Monday, 7:30 a.m. MNL time) at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. A win would send San Francisco to the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year. 

MILE HIGH. Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning throws the football during the second half of their AFC Divisional Playoff game against the San Diego Chargers. Photo by Bob Pearson/EPA

In Denver, quarterback Peyton Manning earned his first postseason victory over Chargers’ QB Philip Rivers in three tries, as the Broncos (14-3) downed the Chargers (10-8) 24-17 in their AFC divisional playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

The 4-time AP NFL MVP Manning connected on 25 of his 36 pass attempts for 230 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, while Rivers threw for 217 yards on 18 of 27 attempts but was sacked four times.

Denver will next face the New England Patriots on Monday, Jan. 20 at 4:00 a.m. Manila time in Denver for the AFC Championship. –Rappler.com

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