Australian punters Jeremy Crawshaw and Michael Dickson have earned a spot in the NFL's conference championship weekend, as Denver and Seattle claimed crucial playoff victories.
Crawshaw helped the Broncos secure their first post-season win since 2016 as they defeated Buffalo 33-30 in a thrilling overtime clash.
It means Denver will host either Houston or New England in the AFC championship game next Monday (AEDT), where the winner will qualify for the Super Bowl.
The Seahawks thrashed divisional rivals San Francisco 41-6 to secure an NFC championship match berth against Chicago or the Los Angeles Rams.
But Denver will dominate the headlines leading into conference championship weekend next Monday (AEDT), as star quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury.
In the second-last play the 25-year-old fractured his right ankle, which will require season-ending surgery.
"He's scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday of this week, which will put him out for the rest of the season," Broncos coach Sean Payton said.
"He's such a strong, faith-based guy. He's sitting in the hallway with his family and coming over and we're all talking to him.
"He knows that God's got a plan for him and he said he had (a broken ankle) in high school and then he said he had one at Auburn."
Nix was instrumental, becoming the 22nd quarterback in NFL history to lead a team to its conference championship game within his first two seasons.
He threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns while Wil Lutz was 100 per cent from the field, kicking three field goals and three extra points.
Sydneysider Crawshaw (four punts) also played a key part after the Broncos' unsuccessful first drive in overtime, kicking a crucial 54-yard punt that put Buffalo at the eight-yard line.
The Bills couldn't capitalise on their drive, and the Broncos received the ball.
A pass interference call on Buffalo cornerback Taron Johnson helped Denver move into scoring position, before kicker Lutz slotted a 24-yard field goal to seal the victory.
Buffalo's Australian punter Mitch Wishnowsky was kept quiet, making punts but helping the Bills kick three field goals, holding the ball as kicker Matt Prater fired.
Star quarterback Josh Allen threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns, but his efforts weren't enough and Buffalo will have to wait at least another year for their long-awaited first Super Bowl ring.
In Seattle, Dickson hit three punts and averaged about 49 yards as the Seahawks dominated from the outset.
Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed scored a touchdown after running 95 yards on the opening kick-off, while running back Kenneth Walker rushed for three six-pointers.
Quarterback Sam Darnold, who had been listed as questionable because of an oblique injury, secured the side's first playoff win since 2014, throwing for 124 yards.
It wasn't the 49ers' night as they suffered their second largest playoff loss and star running back Christian McCaffrey picked up an injury in the second quarter.
With AP
