AFC Championship games should be something to see
Without question, the AFC and NFC Championship games will feature the premier four teams in the NFL. Early coronations of the Bills and the hopeful heralding of the Cowboys returned to reality once they squared up against the more complete Bengals and 49ers. The Chiefs may be limping in, but an injured Mahomes proved Saturday that he had plenty of (one) leg to will a victory. The Eagles remain, like their namesake, hovering above the fray and ready to pounce. Here’s a look at what promises to be another great weekend in the NFL Playoffs.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce reportedly rotate houses when watching other NFL games. There’s no such flipflopping when Mahomes, hobbled or not, needs to guarantee a reception. Kelce caught a modern-day record 14 passes against Jacksonville, including two touchdowns. Critically, Mahomes heroics are supplemented by an outstanding offensive line and, as scripted by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, a disruptive defence when they have to be.
Declared to be the AFC’s third wheel all season, the Bengals didn’t need extra motivation against the Bills. Still, pre-selling tickets to neutral site Atlanta for the “inevitable” Bills-Chiefs AFC Championship showdown must have felt like a thorn in the paw. Ditto all the chatter about the 2nd string offensive line. Burrow is drawing comparisons to Peyton Manning for his suave demeanour behind centre. Mixon, Chase and Higgins have bolted to a sprint at just the right time. In the end, a repeat trip to the Super Bowl may rest on the very talented and deep defensive core.
Philly came into its divisional match-up against the Giants with more questions than answers, a rare puzzle for a season-long Super Bowl favourite. Jalen Hurts and the other banged-up birds, who took full advantage of the bye week to recuperate, passed their exam with flying colours. Philly and the 49ers will present impressively impervious defences but very different offensive designs. If the Eagles’ smash-mouth run attack can come close to last week’s 268-yard ground game, they may soar to Glendale.
The stakes keep increasing for the rookie Brock Purdy, who played his weakest game against the Cowboys in his undefeated run, going 19 for 29 with no touchdowns. Tight end superstar George Kittle made what might be forever known as “The Catch” were that moniker not taken by the late Dwight Clark. Like Kyle Shanahan’s offensive shenanigans, the 49ers’ defence, led by Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, will need plenty of scheming to clip the Eagles’ wings.
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