Championship Game Picks

 


I thought there would be one upset in the Divisional Round last week. I predicted it would be the Eagles falling to the Rams. Instead, it was the Lions that proved vulnerable to the Commanders. That sets up a Championship Weekend that features a couple of games where the teams know each other well. Let’s dive in.

NFC Championship Game

Washington Commanders (12-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
About: These teams are division rivals who played twice already this season. They split those games. The Eagles, behind a monster performance from Saquon Barkley, beat the Commanders on a Thursday night in the first meeting. In the second, Jalen Hurts was knocked out early and Kenny Pickett suffered broken ribs as the Commanders came from behind to get a win at home. The point is, both games were close. These teams match up well and both have some good weapons. The key is going to be the health of the weapons, and whether each team can keep the stars in check. For the Commanders, that star is rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. He’s likely the Offensive Rookie of the Year, but he’s played like a seasoned veteran in the post-season. He was key to the Commanders’ late season win over the Eagles. On the other side, Barkley has been the engine driving the Eagles’ offense all season. Last week he went for 205 yards in dispatching the Rams. He exploded in the first game against the Commanders, and if he goes off again it will be hard for anyone to hang with the Eagles.
The Pick: The Eagles

AFC Championship Game

Buffalo Bills (13-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)
About: The next challenge to the Chiefs in their quest for a third straight Super Bowl is a re-match with a familiar foe, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. These teams have clashed often the past few seasons, leading to some great matchups. Allen and the Bills have had the Chiefs’ number during the regular season, including in 2024 when the Bills were the only team to hand the Chiefs a loss at full strength in the regular season. The playoffs have been a different story. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have dispatched the Bills in all their post-season battles, often in agonizing fashion for Bills fans. Now, they have a chance to do it again at home and move to yet another Super Bowl. Or can Allen turn the tables and make his first trip to the big game? This is the top two seeds in the AFC squaring off, and the matchup most of us wanted to see. Their games have been epic so far and I expect more of the same on Sunday.
The Pick: The Bills

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