The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers have won National Football League playoff games on the road to move to within one victory of advancing to Super Bowl 40.
Pittsburgh upset the host Indianapolis Colts, 21-18, to reach the American Conference championship game. Also Sunday, Carolina held off the Chicago Bears, 29-21, to go to the National Conference championship game.
The Colts had been considered the strongest favorite to win Super Bowl this season. But the usually dependable Mike Vanderjagt missed a tying field goal attempt for the Colts with just seconds remaining in the game.
Carolina's defense proved tougher than Chicago's as the host Bears fell behind in the opening minute and never caught up. With four teams remaining, the Denver Broncos will host the Pittsburgh Steelers while the Carolina Panthers visit the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday.
The winners go to the Super Bowl in Detroit on February 5.