The NFL playoffs are in the thick of their schedule. So far, the playoffs have watched the number 1 seed, the Detroit Lions, crash out in the divisional to 6th seed Washington Commanders. The divisional round also saw a clash of Titans with Josh Allen on the Buffalo Bills and Lamar Jackson on the Ravens. As we look forward to the conference championship games, two big matchups are taking place, which are highly anticipated for two reasons.
NFC Championship preview
The NFC championship will see the Philadelphia Eagles host the Washington Commanders. This is a conference game – meaning both teams play in the same division; they share deep-rooted hatred for each other. As fans look to this game, the consensus is that the Eagles should win this game, and they are favored. However, there is growing hope amongst neutrals that the Commanders can continue their Cinderella story from being a 6th seed to clinching a 4th Super Bowl berth in their franchise’s history.
Eagles Keys to Victory
1) Feed MVP finalist Running back Saquon Barkley. After making the shocking switch from the Giants to the division-rival Eagles, Barkley is in his first season with the Eagles. He is in a career year, one highly impressive: 2005 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Give him the ball; it will wear out the commander’s defense and chew the clock. 2) Pass rush on commander’s rookie QB, Jayden Daniels. Daniels has been remarkable this year, but if the Eagles can put pressure on the quarterback throughout the game, I expect the Eagles will comfortably win.
Eagles’ RB Saquon Barkley
Commanders Keys to victory
1) The defense needs to hold the Eagles’ offense to under 4 scores. If the commanders are to win this game, they must keep the Eagles’ offense in check – they can bend, but they can’t break. 2) The offensive line. The commander’s offensive line suffered a blow in the divisional round, with star o-linemen Sam Cosmi suffering an injury that will keep him out for the rest of the playoffs. With this, keeping their young QB upright in the pocket will be an even more challenging task. If they can keep Daniels upright and give him time to throw, they will have a chance to stay in the game and possibly knick a win. NFL fans have seen Daniels’s playmaking ability, and with a solid receiving core, the commanders have a fighting chance.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels
AFC Championship preview
The AFC championship, between the Bills and the Chiefs, will be the more exciting, enthralling game of the two. The stakes are sky high; Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are looking to carry out a feat that has never been done before: threepeating – winning back-to-back-to-back Super Bowls. On the flip side, Josh Allen and the Bills are trying to get over the hump and finally advance to a Superbowl after 4 years of heartbreaking losses at the hands of the Chiefs and Bengals.
Bill’s Keys to Victory
1) Get pressure on Patrick Mahomes. When we have seen Mahomes lose in the playoffs, the reason has been because the opposing defense put consistent pressure on him, and the defense forced turnovers. If the Bills win this game, they can’t afford to consistently give Mahomes 3 to 4 seconds in the pocket. If that happens, the Chiefs will win this game; they must make him uncomfortable. 2) Special teams. Just last year, we saw the Bills lose to the Chiefs in the divisional due to a missed field goal to send it to over time. If the Bills want to win, they cannot afford any slip-ups on special teams. Games between these teams always come down to the wire and finish in a one-score game.
Bills QB Josh Allen
Chief’s Keys to Victory
1) Contain Josh Allen. Josh Allen has been the most dominant quarterback this year in the NFL. He is a huge threat running the ball. The Chiefs need to find a way to keep him in the pocket and not let him scramble for yards on third downs. 2) The receiving core. The Chiefs have a lethal set of weapons on offense. Travis Kelce was back in his prime in the divisional round; this means the Bills will focus on him and double him throughout the game. That’s when the Chiefs can target speedy rookie Xavier Worthy and veteran Deandre Hopkins. Both receivers possess unique, outstanding abilities to stretch the field and win contested balls. If the offense can get the ball to the two of them – who will be in single coverage – I would side with the Chiefs winning this game.
Chiefs WR Deandre Hopkins (left) and QB Patrick Mahomes
Final predictions
I am rooting for the Commanders to continue their magical run through the playoffs, and as much as I believe in Jayden Daniels, I don’t think they have the complete package to overcome the onslaught of Jaylen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and the elite Eagles defense.
NFC Championship score: Eagles 31-21 Commanders
I am excited to see this game between the Chiefs and Bills. The Bills are the team best equipped to beat the Chiefs in the league. It will be a 3-point game. I am picking the Chiefs to win. Mahomes and the Chiefs find a way to win, and most importantly, they possess tons of guys who know how to get to a Superbowl – something the Bills do not have. Expect this to be a playoff classic.
Final Score: Chiefs 34 – 31 Bills
