After the Denver Broncos took care of the New England Patriots 20 - 18 in a close one .
The Carolina Panthers destroyed the Arizona Cardinals in the 2016 NFC Championship , it was settled that both # 1 seeds advanced to the big game .
After the Denver Broncos took care of the New England Patriots 20 - 18 in a close one and the Carolina Panthers destroyed the Arizona Cardinals in the 2016 NFC Championship , it was settled that both # 1 seeds advanced to the big game .