NFL Championship Weekend Preview
Four teams remain in the NFL playoffs: Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles remain from the NFC, and the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills remain from the AFC. On Jan. 26., the Commanders will face off against the Eagles at 3 p.m., and the Bills will face off against the Chiefs at 6:30 p.m.
AFC: Buffalo Bills (2) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1)
Joshua Reiser
For the sixth time in the past three years, the Chiefs and Bills will face off against each other. Although the Bills have the Chiefs’ number by winning three of the five past matchups, the Chiefs have won when it mattered most: in the playoffs. The Chiefs defeated the Bills last year in the Divisional Round 27-24 and beat them again in the Divisional Round in 2022, 42-36.
These teams arguably have two of the best quarterbacks in the league. Patrick Mahomes, quarterback for the Chiefs, looks to advance to his third straight Super Bowl. Josh Allen, quarterback for the Bills, has never made the Super Bowl. In the past two years, he has been stopped by Mahomes in the playoffs.
Comparing the two players, Josh Allen has had a better season than Mahomes. Allen has had 40 total touchdowns, with 28 passing and 12 rushing, 3,371 passing yards, and only six interceptions. Mahomes has only had 28 total touchdowns, with 26 passing and two rushing, 3,928 passing yards and 11 interceptions.
Prediction: As much as everyone would love to see Allen dethrone Mahomes and advance to his first Super Bowl, I just don’t see it happening. When these two teams have faced off in the past, there are usually a lot of points involved, and I think that is going to be the case again. I think the Chiefs will win 35-31, advancing to their third straight Super Bowl.
NFC: Washington Commanders (6) vs Philadelphia Eagles (2)
Drew Elbogen
The Commanders and Eagles have faced off against each other 180 times in their history. Sunday will be their 181st meeting. The Commanders lead the series 90-85-5.
The Eagles defeated the Commanders in the first matchup 26-18, in Week 11. The Commanders beat the Eagles in a thrilling matchup with a score of 36-33 in Week 16.
These teams know each other very well heading into this matchup. The Commanders will look to utilize their screen offensive scheme, and the Eagles will look to Saquon Barkley (RB.) and Jalen Hurts (QB.) for their run game. Both defenses will have a tough time trying to stop these juggernaut offenses in this game. Jayden Daniels, the quarterback of the Commanders, has statistically had the best rookie season of all time. Daniels this year had 31 total touchdowns, with 25 passing and six rushing, 3,568 passing yards, and nine interceptions. On the other hand, Jalen Hurts, the quarterback of the Eagles, has been amazing this year. He had 32 total touchdowns, with 18 passing and 14 rushing, 2,903 yards, and only five interceptions; yet, Hurts has been banged up these last few weeks, as he was out for the last two games of the regular season with a concussion he suffered in his game against Washington in Week 16. He then went into the medical tent in the team’s most recent playoff win against the Rams.
Prediction: I want the Commanders to win mainly because we have never seen a rookie QB start in the Super Bowl; however, I think the Eagles’ run game and defense will be too much for the Commanders. As mentioned before, these teams have had very high scoring games, and I think that will continue. I’m predicting that the Eagles will be victorious by a score of 31-28.
Drew’s Super Bowl prediction: Eagles defeat Chiefs
Josh’s Super Bowl prediction: Chiefs defeat Eagles
