The match-up is set! On Sunday afternoon, January 26th, the NFC and AFC Championship games played out. The NFC Championship Game was first up at 3:00pm EST, broadcasted on FOX. The Washington Commanders played at the Philadelphia Eagles, at Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia.
The atmosphere was electric. A home game for the Eagles almost always signifies madness. The Philly fanbase is and has always been crazy and wild; but they always show out. This city unionizes under their sports teams, and this couldn’t be an truer for the Eagles. The last two championships the Eagles hosted were crowded with fans, 69,500 in 2017 and 69,800 in 2022. The fans showed out again this year with 69,800 attending, matching the attendance of 2022—and they were not disappointed.
The Eagles blew the Washington Commanders out of the Linc, beating them 55-23: the most points scored by a team in the NFC Championship Game and the third time in a row that the Eagles blew out their competition in the big game.
The addition of Saquon Barkley by GM Howie Roseman proved again to be one of the greatest trades in NFL history (Thanks, Giants). Saquon had 118 yds and 3 TDs on 15 attempts, including the explosive 60-yard touchdown on the first play of the Eagles first drive.
Sports Analysts love to doubt Jalen Hurts (I’m looking at you D.O.), but all the doubt fuels him, as he had his best game of the season. His passing game was on fire with 246 yds passing going 20/28 attempts and combined for 4 TDs, one passing and three rushing. Who said he can’t throw? With a passer rating of 110.1, Hurts outclassed his rookie opponent, Commanders’ quarterback Jayden Daniels, a stud in his own right.
Daniels played like a seasoned vet throughout his rookie campaign and was the first full-time starting rookie QB to make the big game since Mark Sanchez (Jets) in 2009. Despite the loss, he had a good game with 255 yds going 29/48 with one passing TD and one interception. Props to Jayden Daniels and his head coach Dan Quinn for the amazing turnaround in one year. May our future rivalry be strong! (But in the Eagles’ favor of course.)
The AFC Championship Game was played at 6:30pm EST, broadcasted on CBS, Paramount+; the Buffalo Bills played the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Round 4 of this matchup in the post was another thriller, but ended in the same heartbreaking fashion for the Bills Mafia. If you thought losing four times in a row in the Super Bowl was bad, imagine losing four times in a row to the same team in the biggest games. The Chiefs again took the dub 32-29 over the Bills. Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes played a good game, going 18/26 for 245 yds and combined for 3 TDs (one passing and two rushing). Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen also played a good game going 22/34 for 237 yds and 2 TDs. This game capped off championship weekend and set the matchup for the Super Bowl, where the Chiefs play at the Eagles in New Orleans.
This rematch from the 2022 season was the “worst outcome” for many NFL fanbases. The last time these two teams faced each other in the Bowl, it was one of the highest-scoring Super Bowls games ever and some of the best performances from both teams. Despite the terrible field conditions, the game really came down to a last-minute call.
Jalen Hurts was just about perfect, despite giving up a costly fumble which resulted in a scoop and score. He outplayed Mahomes, going 27/38 and 304 YDs and combining for 4TDs (1 passing and 3 rushing), while Mahomes stats are more modest, 21/27 and 182 yds and 3TDs.
The tale of the game was the defense of the Eagles folding in the second half, giving up 24 points—17 in the 4th quarter, 14 of which came from the same exact play call in which the defensive coordinator did not call the right defense and blew cover twice. The controversial holding on James Bradberry IV was called out by commentators and analyst making the 38-35 loss even more bitter. This marked the start of the Chiefs true reign of terror, winning the Super Bowl again the next year and eventually making it back for the third time in a row.
But now is the time. They say hungry dogs run faster. The Eagles have been underdogs before, and are now the underdogs are hungry and gunning for that Lombardi Trophy. Will the Eagles rise to the top once again as the doubted, hungry underdogs, or will the Chiefs make history and continue to win with a three-peat?
Super Bowl LIX takes place on Sunday, February 9 @6:00pm EST on FOX.
GO BIRDS!!!
The Independent 
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