NFL Championship Round Review
AFC & NFC Championship Games Review: Same Old, Same Old!
After an action packed weekend, we FINALLY know who will face off in New Orleans on Sunday 9th February: The Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Kansas City Chiefs. For many neutral NFL fans, it is a match up they did not want! The three-peat is still on … to the disgust of those who love the sport for its lack of repeated winners! And EVEN Saquon’s incredible season cannot help neutrals stomach the Eagles’ fanbase! Ah well, let’s have a look at how both teams made it to the “big game” by reviewing this week’s games.
The REAL Mahomes Stands Up…
It would take a performance of near-perfection to eliminate Josh Allen and the Bills this season, and “clutch” Patrick Mahomes arrived this week! Just in time to go 4-0 against Josh Allen in play-off games. You could simply not look away! The Chiefs had the opportunity to give themselves a chance of immortality: the never before achieved three Lombardis in a row! The Bills were seeking their first Superbowl appearance in thirty years …
With six minutes left, the game was drawn: 29-29! It was a matter of who could hold their nerve: the consummate Mahomes or the challenger: Allen. Mahomes drew first blood: setting up his team, via a Harrison Butker Field Goal, to lead 32-29. Over to you, Josh Allen! With 3:33 remaining, Bills fans were on tenterhooks, their offense had stalled throughout the night, but Allen had been a MVP contender all year: the six foot seven behemoth accomplishing near superhuman feats all season! Alas, he failed to connect on fourth down to Dalton Kincaid and the Chiefs will have their opportunity to seek Football immortality … and a distraught Josh Allen joined his team-mates as they walked towards the locker room … coming up short against this Chiefs machine … again!
Chiefs 32 Bills 29
New Orleans … Where Eagles Dare
The Eagles will be out to avenge their 38-35 loss to the Chiefs two years ago in Superbowl LVII, when they take to the field in New Orleans in under a fortnight. If this game was any indicator of their form, the Chiefs better be ready! Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts and THAT formidable Eagles O-Line were in fine form as they ran riot over their NFC East division rivals. The former Giants Running Back seems to be making up for lost time: his first touch of the ball saw him score a touchdown on a sixty yard run: no doubt the Chiefs defensive coordinator and team will be scheming to try and minimise Barkley’s effectiveness in two weeks time!
It was NOT simply the Saquon Barkley show however. Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts was equally effective on the night: he completed twenty of twenty-eight passes for ONLY 246 yards and JUST three touchdowns … add him to your list of in-form threats Steve Spagnuolo! His direct rival, Jayden Daniels had a productive night:completing twenty-nine of forty-eight and one touchdown. Alas three turnovers lost to the Eagles made it a titanic task for the Commanders. This season had many bright spots for the rejuvenated franchise, there is no doubt the future is bright in Washington.
Eagles 55 Commanders 23
Countdown to NOLA
It is without doubt, going to be an epic countdown to Superbowl LIX in Caesar’s Superdome in NOLA. Following their respective games, both teams immediately spoke of their desire to seek the Lombardi and celebrate ONLY when the game is settled on 9th February (well 10th for us in Ireland!) Perennial winner Patrick Mahomes gushed “I’m just so proud of my teammates and how they responded. That was a great football team. I’m just at a loss for words. I’m excited for New Orleans.” First time Superbowl competitor Saquon Barkley noted “It’s amazing. We’re here. The Super Bowl. But the goal wasn’t just getting there. The goal is to win.”
Hook it into my veins!
Bring it on! Stay tuned to GaelicGridiron for preview podcasts and articles go leor/galore!