The weekend started out with a quick thaw, and eight teams battling to play next week in the conference championship game. Then, the snow came, the temperatures fell, and there were four teams left.
As we enter this cold week ahead and look forward to and enjoy the NFL’s Final Four, let’s look back at the weekend action. There were expected outcomes and big surprises. There were repeat performances and more of the same. Either way you looked at it, you were not to be disappointed, unless your team lost.
Kansas City returns to its seventh consecutive AFC Championship game with a 23-14 win over the Houston Texans. It’s funny that their run began at the end of the Patriots’ eight year run. Therefore, there hasn’t been a conference title game without Patrick Mahomes or Tom Brady since 2010. That was the expected outcome.
Washington pulled the biggest shocker of the weekend, coming into Detroit and outlasting the heavily favored Lions. In my opinion, they came out cold after running through the regular season, taking teams like the upstart Commanders for granted. Detroit’s injuries finally caught up to them. Plus, you won’t win when you lose the turnover battle. Also, for the first time since 1991, Washington will be playing in the NFC Championship Game
History repeated itself in Philadelphia as Saquon Barkley put up another 200 yards against the Rams’ defense (205 to be exact) as the Eagles won on a snowy day at Lincoln Financial Field. In just a few hours, the weather really changed and that’s one thing to truly enjoy about football. Barkley’s 460 yards vs. the Rams this season are the most since Jamal Lewis put up 500 vs. Cleveland in 2003. Those two games were in the regular season though.
History repeated itself in Buffalo as once again, Lamar Jackson came up short in a loss to the Bills. I’m happy to see Buffalo back in the AFC Championship game and against a familiar opponent. But, Baltimore had their chances to win here. Lamar made mistakes, and Mark Andrews dropped a two point conversion that could have tied this game. At least Josh Allen advances and next week, we get yet another exciting Bills vs. Chiefs matchup.
Washington at Philadelphia, 3:00 ET, FOX
We’re all impressed with how far Washington has come this year. It’s the first time they’ve won a playoff game since 2005, and their first trip to the NFC Championship game since 1991. Part of the reason for that is how well Jayden Daniels has played and the supporting cast he’s had in Washington. 32 years of frustration has been erased and the Commanders could reach the Super Bowl with a win Sunday. They’re on a seven game winning streak but Philadelphia will provide a strict test.
The reason for Philadelphia’s resurgence has been a much improved defense. That was the culprit in the Eagles’ late season slump that cost them the division and led to a one and done exit in the Wild Card game. While I can excuse the 49ers, Cowboys, and Seahawks losses, the Cardinals and Giants meltdowns were unacceptable. Adding Saquon Barkley obviously boosted the running game. Jalen Hurts ca put up average numbers in the passing game and Philly can still win.
Don’t turn over the ball like Detroit did, don’t take Washington for granted and you’ll be fine. The clock strikes Midnight in Washington but you can’t argue that this season was the best in a long time. Sometime a change of ownership can make all the difference too.
Buffalo at Kansas City, 6:30 ET FOX
Where have we seen this matchup before? Oh right, eight times they’ve met in the last five years. Each team winning four. Buffalo dominates the regular season but Josh Allen can’t win when it counts. Patrick Mahomes is quickly becoming the new GOAT of the NFL. It’s like Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady all over again. Sunday’s matchup at Arrowhead will be no different.
It’s the Super Bowl before the Super Bowl, and like the 90s, Buffalo is trailing in this tuneup to the big game vs. their biggest rival, not including a loss to Cincinnati in the 2022 Divisional Playoff game. The Bills capitalized on mistakes by the Ravens and great play by the offensive line to edge Baltimore and advance to the AFC title game. Buffalo is 0-3 vs. KC, surely they can’t lose a fourth game to the Chiefs, can they?
Kansas City has had another successful season. Not even going on the road last year for the most of the playoffs stopped the Chiefs from winning back to back Super Bowls. They won very close games and got off to a fast start, with their only losses coming at Buffalo and Denver. The latter game was meaningless as the Chiefs rested their starters in Week 18. All they have standing in their way is a Buffalo team that has already bested them, but it’s in KC this Sunday.
It’s hard to three-peat in this league but the last time we were at this crossroads was January 1991, when San Francisco had their opportunity but lost to the New York Giants at home. I want to say history will repeat itself on Sunday and I’m going with the Buffalo Bills in a close one.
It will be Buffalo Wings vs. Cheesesteaks in Super Bowl LIX on February 9.
Stylish 🍒 