* The Drive - 1986 AFC Title Game

Imagine how history would have played out if the Cleveland Browns would have just been able to stop John Elway and Denver on a 98-yard drive that eventually tied the 1986 AFC title game at 20.

It was the coming out party for Elway, and the Browns played a mostly zone prevent defense, which did them no favors. Elway and the Broncos picked them apart.

Denver became the arch-rival of the Browns following this game, beating them again the following year in the game knows as "The Fumble." Two years later, they went at it one more time in a game that lacked drama, as Denver blew out the Browns at Mile High Stadium.

If the Browns had won the game in '86 though, they would have gone to the Super Bowl, and who knows? Maybe it would've been Bernie Kosar in the Hall of Fame and not Elway.

Honorable Mentions:

* Bucs Close Down the Vet Against Eagles - 2002 NFC Title Game

The Eagles endured heartbreak year after year in the late 90s/early 2000s, as they dropped an amazing three straight NFC title games, the last two of which were at home.

This one against the warm weather Bucs hurt the most. Though the Eagles had a quick lead, Tampa's D set the tone and eventually took out the Eagles 27-10.

* One Last Ride - 2019 AFC Title Game

It was the final run for Tom Brady and the Patriots, as they and the Chiefs went back and forth in a fantastic game played in 19 degree temps with snow and 14 MPH winds.

New England amassed over 500 yards of offense, and they needed every single one. The game went to overtime tied at 31, and the Pats put together a perfect drive with Rex Burkhead wrapping up a 13-play drive that went 75 yards to win the game.

* Steel City Letdown - 1994 AFC Title Game

The 1994 Steelers had the best defense in the NFL and a punishing offense that led the league in rushing.

They hosted the San Diego Chargers, a team that had to travel to Pittsburgh after a tough home win against Miami the week before.

Pittsburgh drove right down the field to score first, and it looked like the route was on. The Steelers led 10-3 at half, and it still looked they were in line to get back to the Super Bowl.

Then, out of nowhere, their defense had a couple of bad collapses in the second half. One blown coverage allowed Stan Humphries to hit Alfred Pupunu on a 43-yard score. Humphries then hit Tony Martin on a 43-yard TD pass to make it 17-13.

Neil O'Donnell led Pittsburgh to the Chargers' three with just over a minute left, but on a 4th down, linebacker Dennis Gibson knocked down a pass intended for Barry Foster that could have won the game.

San Diego was off to the Super Bowl, only to get slammed by San Francisco 49-26.

Stan Humpries

Epic Meltdowns: 10 AFC And NFC Title Game Letdowns We Won't Soon Forget