The NFL Playoffs have reached the Convention Championship stage. Right here, the 2 groups taking part in within the Tremendous Bowl will probably be identified. However, after a divisional spherical the place the favourite within the NFC have been eradicated, would we see any upsets right here?
NFC Championship: Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles
This yr’s NFC Championship recreation was an all-NFC East affair between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders. The Eagles have been broadly anticipated to get to this stage, however not for the Commanders. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has taken the four-win staff to the convention championship recreation and is now one win from turning into the primary rookie quarterback to make the Tremendous Bowl. However would he have the ability to do it?
The Commanders had the primary possession of the sport and would have the ability to get the primary set of factors from it. Ranging from their 30-yard line, the Commanders’ offense was capable of slowly make its method all the way down to the Eagles’ 16-yard line. That is the place the drive would stall, organising a 34-yard discipline purpose from Zane Gonzalez. He made it, giving Washington the early lead.
However, the lead lasted one play. On their first contact of the sport, the Eagles discovered the endzone. Saqoun Barkley ran for 60 yards to report a speeding landing. Any hopes that the Commanders would have been capable of include the operating again have been effectively and really shot down in that one play. On their subsequent drive, issues obtained worse for the Commanders when Dyami Brown fumbled the ball. This was scooped up by the Eagles on Washington’s 48-yard set, setting themselves up for one more scoring alternative.
This was one thing that they have been capable of take. The Eagles’ offense, led by Jalen Hurts, made its method all the way down to the Commanders’ four-yard line. Right here, Barkley discovered the endzone for his second landing of the sport.
Washington was capable of get one thing on their subsequent drive. Daniels and firm made their method all the way down to the Eagles’ 28-yard line, the place their drive would once more stall. This arrange a 46-yard discipline purpose from Gonzalez, which he was capable of make. Philadelphia would try a discipline purpose of their very own on their subsequent drive. Jake Elliot had an try from 54 yards out nevertheless it went wide-right.
The Commanders closely decreased the Eagles’ lead on their subsequent drive. On the Eagles’ 36-yard line, Daniels discovered Terry McLaurin for the landing cross. The Commanders then tried a two-point conversion, however this was unsuccessful. However, the lead was solely two factors.
However, this didn’t final lengthy. On the following drive, the Eagles have been down on the one-yard line, so you possibly can guess what play occurred subsequent. The Tush push for the landing. As with the rating earlier than it, the Eagles tried a two-point conversion, which was additionally unsuccessful.
Washington then made a mistake after they fumbled the kickoff return. The free ball was recovered by the Eagles on the 24-yard line. A number of performs later, Hurts discovered A.J Brown for a four-yard landing cross to additional their lead. The Commanders did try to chop into the lead earlier than the half, however might solely handle a discipline purpose.
This meant that at halftime, the Eagles had a 27-15 lead over the Commanders.
The Eagles have been capable of lengthen their lead early within the second half. Ranging from their 42-yard line, the offense made its method all the way down to the Commanders’ nine-yard line. Right here, Hurts discovered the endzone for the speeding landing.
The Commanders responded to this with a landing of their very own. On the Eagles 10-yard line, Daniels would run into the endzone for the rating. Washington then tried a two-point conversion, which this time was profitable.
However, any momentum that the Commanders gained from their earlier drive was misplaced on their subsequent one. On the 50-yard line, one other fumble would fall the Commanders’ method, which once more led to a loss in possession. This error could be one thing that the Eagles would capitalize on, with Hurts and firm transferring all the way down to the one-yard line. Right here, the quarterback discovered the endzone once more for a landing.
This lead would get even larger on the following drive when Barkley discovered the endzone for a four-yard speeding landing, his third of the sport. This put the sport effectively and really out of the attain of the Commanders.
To rejoice their spot within the Tremendous Bowl, the Eagles picked off Jayden Daniels yet one more time, and some performs later, Will Shipley discovered the endzone for a four-yard speeding landing.
This meant that the Philadelphia Eagles had defeated the Washington Commanders 55-23 to win the NFC and earn a spot in Tremendous Bowl LIX.
That is the second time in three years that the Eagles have made it to the Tremendous Bowl and their fifth convention championship. As for the Commanders, nobody can take away what they’ve achieved this yr, and in the event that they maintain this type up, they may positively be again at this recreation sooner or later.
So the Eagles have made the Tremendous Bowl. However who would play them?
AFC Championship: Buffalo Payments @ Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
This was the sport that much more folks have been excited by, and who might blame them? The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs hosted the Buffalo Payments in a recreation everybody exterior of Kansas Metropolis wished the Payments to win. This may be one other encounter between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Allen has by no means defeated Mahomes within the postseason however was capable of get the higher of him within the common season. May this yr be the yr that Buffalo made it to the Tremendous Bowl?
The Payments had the primary drive of the sport however could be unable to do something with it. The Chiefs have been capable of get one thing on their first drive. Ranging from their 10-yard line, the Mahomes-led offense made its method all the way down to the Payments’ 12-yard line. Right here, Kareem Hunt discovered the endzone for the speeding landing.
In response to this rating, Buffalo have been capable of put their first set of factors on the board. Their drive would stall on the Chiefs 35-yard line, which arrange a 53-yard discipline purpose try from Trevor Bass. That is one thing he would make.
Then, the Chiefs made a mistake. On the Payments’ 28-yard line, Mahomes fumbled the ball, and this was recovered by the Payments protection. Buffalo was capable of capitalize on this error, as Allen and firm would transfer the ball all the way down to the Chiefs’ six-yard line. Right here, James Prepare dinner discovered the endzone for the speeding landing to present the Payments the lead.
However, this lead didn’t final lengthy. On the following drive, the Chiefs would shake off their earlier mistake and make their method all the way down to the Payments’ 11-yard line. Right here, Mahomes discovered Xavier Worthy for the landing cross. Kansas Metropolis would lengthen their lead on their subsequent drive when Mahomes scrambled for a one-yard speeding landing.
Nonetheless, Buffalo would have the ability to maintain themselves within the recreation earlier than halftime. On the ultimate drive of the half, Allen discovered Mack Hollins for a 34-yard landing cross. The Payments then determined to aim a two-point conversion, which was unsuccessful.
This meant that at halftime, the Chiefs had a 21-16 lead over the Payments.
The Payments have been capable of take the lead early within the second half. Ranging from their 20-yard line, the Allen-led offense slowly made its method all the way down to the Chiefs’ one-yard line. Then, on a fourth down try, Prepare dinner discovered the endzone for the speeding landing. Buffalo then determined to aim one other two-point conversion. Nonetheless, Allen was sacked on the try, which failed. However the landing did give the Payments a one-point lead because the groups went into the fourth quarter.
This lead quickly disappeared. A number of drives into the fourth quarter, the Chiefs would strike again. Mahomes would deliver his offense all the way down to the Payments’ 10-yard line. Right here, he discovered the endzone for the speeding landing. The Chiefs then tried a two-point conversion, and in contrast to the final two makes an attempt from Buffalo, this one was profitable.
Nonetheless, Kansas Metropolis then obtained a style of their very own drugs and noticed their lead exist no extra. On the following drive, Allen discovered Curtis Samuel for a four-yard landing cross. The Payments then determined to take the PAT, which was profitable. This tied the scores with six minutes left to play.
The Chiefs had the following possession and would have the ability to deliver the ball all the way down to the Payments’17-yard line however no additional. The stalled drive led to a 35-yard discipline purpose try from Harrison Butker. Butker made the kick, giving the Chiefs a three-point lead with three minutes left on the clock. The Payments wanted to seek out the endzone on their subsequent drive, or it might seemingly be curtains.
The drive began on their 30-yard line, and Josh Allen was capable of deliver his Payments’ offense all the way down to their 47-yard line. Right here, an important fourth-down try occurred. Buffalo wanted to seek out 5 yards, or it might be recreation (and season) over. Allen threw a deep cross to Dalton Kincaid, which was incomplete.
This meant the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Payments 32-29 to win the AFC and earn their spot in a 3rd consecutive Tremendous Bowl.
Now we have the groups for Tremendous Bowl LXI. It will likely be the Philadelphia Eagles towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, a rematch of the Tremendous Bowl from two years in the past.
From a fan perspective, that is the sport nobody wished. Nonetheless, we’re going to have to simply accept that that is occurring once more, and neither staff profitable goes to be factor (particularly for me)
