NFL Championship Weekend Preview

After months of football, we are finally down to our last four teams. As a whole, the NFL couldn’t have been happier with these matchups. No matter who wins this week the NFL will have a great storyline for the Super Bowl. We could potentially have an Aaron Rodgers vs Patrick Mahomes final. Maybe Tom Brady vs Mahomes in a potential passing the torch game. Josh Allen could show up to the big game and play against either Rodgers or Brady, two QBs he grew up watching. The point is, we are in for a great finish to the season. So let’s go ahead and breakdown these matchups.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Green Bay Packers (Sunday 3 pm)

It’s hard to believe that this will be the first-ever meeting in the playoffs between Rodgers and Brady. Granted, Brady spending the majority of his career in the AFC is a big reason why. However, it is still remarkable these two never met in the Super Bowl. Now, these two get to face off for the right to play in the big game. It will be fascinating to see who comes out on top in this one.

Green Bay has been the class of the NFC and they showed why with their complete win over the Rams last week. Aaron Rodgers is firing on all cylinders and is determined to get back to the Super Bowl. Offensive weapons Devante Adams and Aaron Jones will also want to have big games. The Packers had no problems moving the ball last week against the number 1 defense in the league. A similar outcome against a lesser Bucs defense seems likely. On the defensive side of the ball, the Packers were consistently able to get to the QB. A similar performance should result in a few turnovers. If the defense is able to generate a few turnovers this game might not even be close.

Tampa caught a minor break with this being the first game of the day. Sure it will still be cold in Green Bay, but a night game would’ve made for worse conditions. We will see early in the game how well the team from Florida deals with the colder weather. If they can’t adjust on the fly they will find it hard to overcome their opponents. That being said, Tampa has Tom Brady, and if you’re going to bet on someone to upset the Packers he’s your guy. You can add to the fact that Tampa’s defense just forced 4 turnovers a week ago. Tampa needs to force Green Bay into some turnovers if they are going to have a chance in this one.

Green Bay Packers 31 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21

Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs ( Sunday 6:40 pm)

If the first game is about two of the best QBs we have ever seen playing each other, then this is all about the battle of QBs who should be at the top of the league over the next decade. Patrick Mahomes vs Josh Allen should be a matchup we see pretty regularly over the next couple of seasons. This is the first time Josh Allen has made it to the AFC Championship game and will want to make a splash. As for Mahomes, this is his third straight year making it this far.

The big worry for the Chiefs is the health of Patrick Mahomes. He went down late in the 3rd quarter last week with a concussion. As such, he is under the NFL’s concussion protocol and would need the approval of an independent doctor to play. I’m assuming that he indeed gets the go-ahead to play. With Mahomes, the Chiefs are arguably the best team in the league. He has so many weapons at his disposal that he has several ways to pick you apart. They have the ability to blitz you for 28 points in a quarter or grind out long possessions. Defensively the Chiefs aren’t as great, but they have the ability to make plays when they need them most. If Mahomes can’t play it will be a major blow to their title aspirations.

The Bills in most people’s eyes are the fourth best team left in the playoffs but don’t underestimate them at your own peril. This team is seriously good and they’re led by breakout star Josh Allen. His connection to Stefan Diggs has been deadly all season and they will look for that to continue this week. It will be crucial for the Bills to avoid mistakes as there are no second chances against Kansas City. The key for the Bills this week will be slowing down Mahomes as much as possible. If they can create some turnovers, that would be icing on the cake. The real focus will be on limiting the number of big plays that Mahomes can make. The target number for Buffalo will be 24 points. If they can hold Mahomes to 24 points or under they have a real good shot at reaching the Super Bowl.

Kansas City Chiefs 27 Buffalo Bills 24

Last week 2-2

 Overall 6-4