NFC & AFC Championship Weekend Previews – Four Strong Teams Battle For Their Ticket To The Super Bowl

With Super Bowl LIX on the horizon, the NFL’s final four teams battle to punch their ticket to football glory.

The Washington Commanders will visit the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship, while the Buffalo Bills will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship. Both games are set for Sunday, Jan. 26.

The Dan Quinn-led Commanders finished the regular season with a record of 12-5. They are riding a seven-game winning streak, with their most recent victory over the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round.

Jayden Daniels is already one of the league’s top players, an impressive feat for a rookie quarterback.

He’s set to become only the sixth rookie quarterback to start in a conference championship. He joins the list of Brock Purdy, Mark Sanchez, Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger and Shaun King. Each of those five quarterbacks lost in the conference championship, leaving Daniels with the chance to become the first rookie QB to reach the Super Bowl.

The Commanders will need to overcome a dominant Eagles lineup coached by Nick Sirianni, which just had a stellar 14-3 season.

Philadelphia features the toughest defensive front and is still in the playoffs. They can shut down the run game, and their pass rush is quick, physical and full of depth.

Defensive tackle Jalen Carter has displayed a level of dominance that has drawn comparisons to Aaron Donald. Edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr. has come into his own just when the team needs it most for their championship push. It doesn’t just stop with just those two.

With Carter, Smith Jr., Jordan Davis, Bryce Huff, Jalyx Hunt, Josh Sweat and Milton Williams, Philadelphia’s defensive line boasts seven deep. Backing them up is linebacker Zack Baun, the most pivotal defensive player remaining in the playoffs. He gives the Eagles the unique ability to exploit matchups on the line of scrimmage like no one else.

Offensively, the Eagles thrive in the rushing game, driven by the strength of their offensive line and Saquon Barkley‘s playmaking ability. Their roster is stacked with the pieces needed to defeat any team.

While the Commanders and Eagles dominate in the NFC, the Bills and Chiefs are equally formidable in the AFC.

Quarterback Josh Allen is playing the most well-rounded football of his career, making the Bills’ offense nearly unstoppable. He’s become a dynamic passer and a significant rushing threat. However, the 13-4 Bills have more to offer than just Allen.

When Joe Brady was promoted to offensive coordinator last season, the Bills’ offense changed its approach, focusing more on the running game, where James Cook has excelled.

Defensively, Buffalo’s pass-rush ability has weakened this season, ranked 24th in the league. Their pressure and sack rates placed them in the bottom third.

While the Bills’ defense is not top-tier, it’s reliable enough to stay in the game. Overall, they’re a solid, well-rounded team.

While Buffalo’s defense has faced some struggles, it remains to be seen if they can stay competitive. On the other hand, the Chiefs’ offense has dealt with its own challenges his season.

The 15-2 Chiefs’ offense has been far from smooth sailing, mainly due to the struggles of their offensive line. Their defense can still hold its ground, but their offense must match the high-scoring Bills blow-for-blow.

Kansas City holds an NFL record with 16 consecutive wins in one-score games. They’ve faced countless pressure situations and thrive in tight games.