SPECIAL teams were very special for Carolina, but another overtime home opener was less than memorable for the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL on Sunday.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers advanced to the first Super Bowl in the franchise’s 27-year history with a 27-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game.

A.J. FEELEY threw two touchdown passes and linebacker Carlos Emmons returned a fumble for a touchdown as the Eagles clinched the NFC East title with a 34-21 victory over the Washington Redskins.

BRAD JOHNSON threw two second-half touchdown passes and Tampa Bay defenders intercepted Brett Favre four times as the Buccaneers beat Green Bay 21-7 in a showdown of American football’s most successful teams.