The conference championship games are set in the National Football League playoffs after both the Oakland Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers posted victories.
Oakland beat the visiting New York Jets Sunday, 30-10. League most-valuable-player Rich Gannon complete 20 of 30 pass attempts for 283 yards and one touchdown. Third-year receiver Jerry Porter outperformed his heralded fellow wideouts, Jerry Rice and Tim Brown, catching a 29-yard touchdown pass and setting up Rice's nine-yard score with a 50-yard reception. Rice's catch was his 21st postseason touchdown, tying an NFL record.
The Raiders will host the Tennessee Titans next Sunday in the American Conference title game with the winner advancing to Super Bowl 37 in San Diego, California on January 26th.
Earlier in Tampa, the Buccaneers advanced to the National Conference tile game against the Philadelphia Eagles with a dominating 31-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Brad Johnson was back at quarterback for Tampa Bay, after missing the last two games of the regular season with a back injury. He responded by completing 15 of 31 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Fullback Mike Alstott also scored two touchdowns, as the Buccaneers offense finally played up to the level of the team's top-ranked defense. The 49ers failed to score a touchdown, and were held to just a pair of field goals by the Buccaneers swarming defense.
Tampa Bay will face the Eagles in Philadelphia next Sunday in the final NFL game at Veterans Stadium. Philadelphia has ended the Buccaneers playoff run the last two seasons.