Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are set to face off against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game, marking their fourth postseason clash in five years.
Allen showcased his skills by rushing for two touchdowns, leading the Bills to a narrow 27-25 victory over Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in a divisional playoff match on Sunday. A pivotal moment came when Mark Andrews missed a pass from Jackson on a crucial 2-point conversion that would have tied the game with 1:33 left on the clock, allowing Buffalo to secure the win.
The Chiefs have triumphed over the Bills in their last three playoff encounters, including a conference title showdown four years ago in Kansas City. Notably, Buffalo managed to defeat Kansas City’s starters this season with a convincing 30-21 victory at home during Week 11, highlighting a competitive edge that they hope to leverage.
In the NFC Championship game, Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and the Philadelphia Eagles will host Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. The Eagles advanced to this stage following a 28-22 win against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. They will play at home next week as the sixth-seeded Commanders pulled off an impressive upset against the top-seeded Detroit Lions, winning 45-31 on Saturday night.
Barkley had an outstanding performance, rushing for 205 yards with touchdown runs of 62 and 78 yards. Philadelphia’s defense stepped up when it mattered most, with Jalen Carter sacking QB Matthew Stafford for a significant loss, forcing an incomplete pass on fourth-and-11 during the final drive.
The rivalry between the Eagles and Commanders will intensify as they meet for the third time this season; each team has won when playing at home. Previously, the Eagles won 26-18 on November 14, but the Commanders retaliated with a 36-33 victory on December 22, during which Hurts sustained a concussion.
In that game, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett positioned Philadelphia for a potential win, but a dropped pass by DeVonta Smith on third down hindered their clock management, allowing Daniels to lead another comeback, capped off by a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jamison Crowder with just 6 seconds to spare.
The Eagles, boasting a record of 16-3, are making their second NFC title game appearance in three years and the ninth in the franchise’s history. Their current NFC title game record stands even at 4-4, with one of those leading to a Super Bowl victory.
Meanwhile, the Commanders (14-5) celebrate their first conference championship game appearance in 33 years, marking the seventh time in franchise history they’ve reached this stage. With a 5-1 record in NFC title games, Washington has celebrated three Super Bowl victories. Rookie quarterbacks historically have struggled in these high-stakes games, holding an 0-5 record in conference championship appearances, so Daniels will look to break that trend.
The Chiefs (16-2) secured their spot in the AFC Championship with a 23-14 win against the Houston Texans on Saturday. Mahomes recorded 177 passing yards and threw a touchdown to Travis Kelce, who had a standout performance with seven catches for 117 yards, all while Taylor Swift and WNBA star Caitlin Clark cheered from a suite.
This game will mark the seventh consecutive AFC Championship for Mahomes, head coach Andy Reid, and the Chiefs. They have achieved a 4-2 playoff record during this run and have celebrated three Super Bowl wins, including back-to-back championships. Kansas City aims to make history by becoming the first team to win three Super Bowls in the NFL’s modern era.
The Bills hold a 4-2 record in AFC title games but have faced disappointments in the Super Bowl, losing four consecutive matches from 1990 to 1993.
