In the NFL playoffs, familiar opponents are set to clash in the conference championship games. The Kansas City Chiefs, led by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the reigning Super Bowl champions, are preparing to face off against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. This matchup marks the fourth encounter between these two teams in the last five postseasons. The Chiefs have emerged victorious in all three previous playoff contests, including a decisive win in the AFC championship game four years ago. However, the Bills managed to halt Kansas City’s quest for an undefeated season with a 30-21 victory in Week 11.
On the NFC side, the Washington Commanders, under quarterback Jayden Daniels, will go up against the Philadelphia Eagles, featuring star players Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. These NFC East rivals have each claimed victory in their home games against one another, splitting the season series evenly.
Both the Chiefs and the Commanders played their divisional matchups on Saturday, granting them an advantage with an extra day of rest. Historically, teams that have this additional day off hold a favorable 26-16 record in conference championship games since 2004, showcasing a 20-7 home advantage.
Pro Picks continues to uphold its preseason forecast, anticipating a Super Bowl rematch between the Eagles and the Chiefs. For the NFC title game, the Commanders (14-5) visit the Eagles (16-3), with the Eagles favored by six points. This season marks the Eagles’ second appearance in the NFC championship game in three years and the ninth in their franchise history, where their record currently stands at 4-4 overall, including 4-2 at home.
Conversely, the Commanders are making their first NFC championship game appearance in over three decades and only the seventh in their franchise’s history. Washington has a commendable 5-1 record in NFC title games, having secured three Super Bowl titles. In previous encounters this season, Philadelphia won a close contest 26-18, while Washington bounced back to claim a 36-33 victory on December 22. That game saw Hurts sustain a concussion early, and despite opportunities for the Eagles, a missed pass by DeVonta Smith led to a dramatic Commanders comeback led by Daniels.
Daniels has developed a knack for clutch performances, throwing a touchdown in the closing seconds or overtime in five games this season. However, history isn’t on the side of rookie quarterbacks in conference title games, with an unfortunate 0-5 record. Barkley has established dominance over Washington’s defense, amassing 296 rushing yards and four touchdowns throughout the season, including a standout 68-yard TD run in the Eagles’ earlier defeat.
Hurts faces questions regarding his mobility following a knee injury sustained last week against the Rams, which could significantly benefit Washington. The Commanders also encounter setbacks with the loss of right guard Sam Cosmi due to injury, and they’ll need to strategize against Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who has excelled in recent games.
In the AFC matchup, the Bills (15-4) will visit the Chiefs (16-2), with Kansas City favored by two points. Historically, these two teams have engaged in several thrilling matchups, including a dramatic encounter in the 2021 divisional round where Mahomes orchestrated a comeback to win in overtime, prompting the NFL to revise its overtime rules.
Earlier this season, the Bills defeated the Chiefs in Week 14, with crucial moments leading to their victory, including a touchdown run by Allen that solidified the win. Despite a solid regular-season record, Allen is still searching for his first playoff victory against Mahomes, who remains formidable in postseason play, recording a 16-3 record overall. The Bills are looking to break a trend where Allen has yet to win consecutive games as an underdog in 15 opportunities.
As the Chiefs strive to make history by becoming the first team to win three Super Bowls in a row, the support of celebrity fans might prove advantageous at Arrowhead Stadium. As predictions come in, confidence is high for a Chiefs victory, with a projected score of 27-26.
In the previous week, the track record was solid with a straight win rate of 3-1 and against the spread performance of 3-0-1. Overall in the playoffs, the record now stands at 7-3 straight up and 6-3-1 against the spread, further bolstering the betting statistics.
