Hunter Tierney Jan 26, 2025 8 min read

Legacies on the Line: Step Inside Championship Weekend

Nov 17, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Highmark Stadium.
Nov 17, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Highmark Stadium. | Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Championship Weekend is where legacies are made and heartbreak is inevitable. 

The stakes couldn’t be higher for the final four teams left standing. After a divisional round full of drama, standout performances, and nail-biting finishes, it’s time to see who has what it takes to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl. 

Each matchup this weekend carries its own storylines — from the electrifying battle between Mahomes and Allen to the unexpected rise of Jayden Daniels leading Washington into uncharted territory. The best teams in football are set to square off, and every snap will feel like it carries the weight of a season.

NFC Championship Game: Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates after throwing a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Northwest Stadium.
Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates after throwing a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Northwest Stadium. | Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

This NFC Championship Game is about as familiar as it gets. The Eagles and Commanders are squaring off for the third time this season, with each team having one win under their belt from their regular-season meetings. 

Both matchups brought their own unique twists, but one thing stayed the same: Saquon Barkley ran wild, racking up 150 yards and two touchdowns each time these teams faced off. 

When these two met in Week 11, Jayden Daniels struggled to find any rhythm with his targets on the outside, ending the game without a single wide receiver getting more than 10 yards. The Eagles walked away with a 26-18 win.

Fast forward to their second clash: Daniels was unstoppable, throwing for five touchdowns and rushing for 81 yards, overcoming Barkley’s encore of another 150-yard, two-score performance — though it’s worth noting Jalen Hurts didn’t finish that game due to injury. With so much history between these division rivals, this matchup feels personal.

The Storylines

This game has no shortage of drama. Jayden Daniels is looking to make history as the first rookie quarterback to win a conference championship and lead his team to the Super Bowl. Despite the high stakes, he's shown poise beyond his years, posting an NFL-best 116.2 passer rating for a rookie in the playoffs. 

On the flip side, all eyes are on Saquon Barkley, who joined the likes of Hall of Famers Terrell Davis and Eric Dickerson as one of just three players to surpass 2,200 rushing yards in a season, playoffs included. 

Then there’s the Commanders themselves, a team nobody expected to be here, embracing the underdog role all the way to the NFC Championship. They’ve thrived on defying expectations and leaning into their grit, turning a season that started with doubt into one defined by resilience. It’s not just about the wins they’ve pulled off, but the way they’ve done it — facing every challenge head-on and putting complete faith into their rookie leader. 

The Matchups to Watch

Nov 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs past Washington Commanders defenders on way to a 39-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field.
Nov 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs past Washington Commanders defenders on way to a 39-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders | Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Barkley’s ability to take over games will once again be a focal point, but the Commanders’ front seven is going to be determined to keep him from a third straight monster performance against them. Meanwhile, Daniels will lean on weapons like Terry McLaurin, Zach Ertz, and an emerging Dayami Brown to challenge a seasoned Eagles secondary. 

Perhaps the biggest intangible is Daniels himself: while he hasn’t blinked under pressure yet — winning two playoff games on the road — this is by far the biggest stage he’s ever played on. 

The question isn’t whether he can rise to the occasion; it’s how much higher he can go.

The Stats That Matter

The Commanders have been living and dying by aggressive play-calling, scoring five of their seven playoff touchdowns after successful fourth-down conversions (they’re 6-for-9 on fourth down this postseason). A huge part of their success in those critical downs is Daniels' composure, boasting a postseason QBR of 99.1 on third and fourth downs. 

On the Eagles’ side, it's not just Barkley who's been impressive in the run game. The Eagles' offensive line has been moving bodies at will, averaging 2.5 yards before contact per carry, the best in the NFL. The team is now 7-0 when topping 150 rushing yards. 

The Prediction

Stopping Barkley might be the Commanders’ plan, but executing it is another story. The Eagles’ offensive line sets the tone with their physicality, and when you pair that with Barkley's explosive burst through even the smallest of gaps, you have a ground game capable of dictating the entire flow of a game. 

Still, Daniels has been the ultimate wildcard, and if he keeps his calm under the brightest lights of his career, this game could come down to the wire. 

AFC Championship Game: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs

Dec 10, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) talks with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Dec 10, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) talks with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. | Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The AFC Championship Game is set to deliver another instant classic, featuring two of the NFL’s heavyweights in the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. This rivalry has defined recent postseasons, and the stakes couldn’t be higher with a Super Bowl berth on the line. 

Making it to a seventh consecutive AFC Championship, the Chiefs have proven they’re the gold standard for consistency in a league built for parity. With every team gunning for them, their ability to keep winning when it matters most says a lot about the leaders in that building. 

The Bills, on the other hand, are determined to finally conquer their postseason nemesis and silence doubts about their championship window.

Both teams are equipped to handle the conditions they could face in Arrowhead Stadium — Buffalo’s emerging run game gives them a new dimension, while Kansas City’s defense and Mahomes’ ability to adapt make them just as comfortable in adverse weather.

The Storylines

Josh Allen heads into this matchup riding a wave of momentum after a season where he firmly established himself as the MVP front-runner. One of his standout moments was leading the Bills to a huge win over Kansas City, making him the only quarterback to beat Patrick Mahomes with him as the starter. 

However, the postseason has been a different story — Mahomes holds a 3-0 record over Allen in playoff matchups, adding extra weight to their latest showdown.

Then there’s Travis Kelce, the Chiefs’ postseason mainstay who continues to deliver when it matters most. He’s been an unrelenting force, slipping through defenses as if they forget he’s on the field. His connection with Mahomes has come back to life as the heartbeat of Kansas City’s offense.

For Buffalo, this game is as much about redemption as it is about advancing. After an offseason filled with questions about whether their Super Bowl window was closing, a win here would send a resounding message. 

On the flip side, Kansas City stands on the cusp of history. No team has ever won three straight Super Bowls, and Mahomes and company are looking to turn that possibility into reality.

The Matchups to Watch

Jan 18, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts after catching a pass for a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Jan 18, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts after catching a pass for a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of a 2025 AFC divisional round game | Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Buffalo’s pass protection will face a major test against Kansas City’s defensive line. Chris Jones and George Karlaftis have been dominant, with Karlaftis coming off a game where he was a constant disruption. 

Meanwhile, Travis Kelce’s connection with Mahomes will be key. Can the Bills’ improving defense find a way to contain the league’s most dangerous tight end?

Both teams’ run games could play a pivotal role as well. The Bills have leaned heavily on their ground attack late in the season, while the Chiefs prioritize situational running to keep defenses honest and convert key downs. With Isaiah Pacheco now fully healthy, Kansas City’s backfield could be a difference-maker.

The Stats That Matter

Kansas City’s pass rush has created a league-high 49 unblocked pressures on blitzes this season. It’s not just that they blitz often (5th-most in the league); it’s how effective they are when they do. 

For the Bills, Josh Allen showed a clear preference for targeting Khalil Shakir in their Week 11 matchup, giving him a career-high 12 targets. 

Mahomes, on the other hand, had a rare off night in that game, completing just 1 of 4 passes for 13 yards and throwing two interceptions on open downfield throws. Don’t expect that to happen again.

The Prediction

With two teams this evenly matched, it’s going to come down to execution in the biggest moments. The Chiefs’ championship pedigree and Mahomes’ ability to deliver under pressure might just give them the edge. 

But if James Cook can take some attention off Josh Allen and Buffalo’s defense can disrupt Mahomes’ rhythm, the Bills have a legitimate shot at pulling off the upset. One thing is certain: this game will be must-watch football.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni greet each other after Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Feb. 12, 2023. Nfl Super Bowl Lvii Kansas City Chiefs Vs Philadelphia Eagles
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni greet each other after Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Feb. 12, 2023. Nfl Super Bowl Lvii Kansas City Chiefs Vs Philadelphia Eagles | Credit: Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Coaching will undeniably play a massive role in the outcomes of this weekend's games. Whether it’s Andy Reid’s knack for dialing up creative offensive plays, Sean McDermott’s clock management potentially coming under scrutiny, Nick Sirianni’s fiery sideline energy, or Dan Quinn’s bold decisions putting points on the board, every move will matter. 

This weekend isn’t about flash — it’s about execution. These are the moments where great coaches rise, and every choice has the potential to define an entire season.

All stats courtesy of NFL Pro

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