The Washington Commanders take on the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia at noon on Sunday, Jan. 26. The Buffalo Bills play the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City at 5 p.m. on Jan. 26th.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels is the truth.
I cannot see a way the Washington Commanders lose this football game on Sunday. This game could be played in the Austrian Alps, a la Julie Andrews, and I would be a fool not to pick Jayden Daniels and the Commanders.
If Joe Whitt Jr. and the Commanders’ defense can limit the Saqoun Barkley explosive plays, there is a ball game to be had. This is much easier said than done, as Barkley has killed the Commanders in both matchups this season. Washington played Philadelphia in Week 16. Daniels and the Commanders won the game 36-33.
Jalen Hurts will be outplayed come Sunday afternoon in front of 67,000 people at Lincoln Financial Field.
Hurts is hurting. Philadelphia’s game versus the Rams was Hurts’ first game action following his concussion in Week 16. The Eagle’s offensive line was a hot mess in Sunday’s game versus the Rams as Hurts touched Earth seven times.
The Philadelphia quarterback was sacked with three minutes left in the third quarter that saw both of his legs bend in a manner not as advertised. I am not a doctor, but this did not look good.
The effectiveness of looking at regular season games in order to predict playoff outcomes is far from a science, however, I must acknowledge the information available. Both teams deserve a fair trial. Donald Trump has yet to repeal the Sixth Amendment.
The Commanders and Eagles have played two times this season. As aforementioned, Barkley was a major force in both games, rushing for 296 yards on 55 carries.
The Philadelphia defense is currently the number one defense in the whole NFL. This is irrefutable.
Will it matter? No.
The deciding factor in Sunday’s game will be whether or not Hurts can keep up with the offense of the Commanders. Will Hurts get A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith involved enough to put points on the board in an efficiency comparable to Washington? Barkley will do Barkley things, but the question is, can Hurts get his superstar wide receivers involved?
I will answer that question for you — no, no, he will not.
The Heisman winner will extend the greatest 30 for 30 beyond the Philadelphia Eagles and into New Orleans on Feb. 9.
Dan Quinn is Dan Campbell if Campbell drove a Subaru and ate less raw meat. Quinn has this Commander’s team firing on cylinders that even the players were unaware of.
Las Vegas currently has a spread of six points, favoring Philadelphia. Washington is a +270 underdog. Take both of these lines. Car note? Do it. Rent check? Do it. Grocery money? Do it.
Have faith in Daniels, and let No. 5 do the rest.
Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The dawn of a new era is upon us. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will not be in the Superbowl this year.
Before continuing, I must make one point extremely clear — this article should have been about Lamar Jackson. Nonetheless, this article is about the MVP runner-up, Josh Allen.
A contagious sense of confidence permeates from the Buffalo Bills’ sideline. The Bills gave the Chiefs their only legitimate loss of the season in Week 11. Sean McDermott has learned from his postseason woes. Allen is playing at an MVP level.
The deciding factor in the AFC Championship game will be Allen’s ability to protect the football. Steve Spagnolo has no problem sending heavy blitz looks to enunciate the importance of this. When Allen is outside of the pocket, in Kansas City, that is what will decide the game.
If the Buffalo Bills can play a near-perfect brand of football with particular emphasis on protecting the football, they will beat the Kansas City Chiefs.
Andy Reid and Mahomes’ postseason resumes are incontestable. If your name is not Tom Brady or Joe Burrow, you have not beaten Mahomes in the playoffs. Allotting extra possessions to this dynastic team will never win football games, this has been proven emphatically.
Chris Collinsworth was out of his chair regarding the referee and Mahomes’ tomfoolery in the divisional round against the Houston Texans. I will only briefly touch on this topic as it is blown out of proportion. Does Mahomes exaggerate to get calls? Sure. Does every professional athlete in sports with an umpire also dramatize for favorable decisions? Absolutely.
The Chiefs are the most difficult team to beat in the NFL; this is not due to any calls made by the referees. If you think the NFL is rigged, call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).
The Chiefs are the most difficult team to beat as they have the best: head coach, defensive coordinator and quarterback in the NFL. Mahomes’ numbers this season objectively imply regression.
However, I must make one thing clear; I do not see Mahomes throwing for 350 yards and 4 touchdowns to win football games anymore — this is by design. The Chiefs win football games due to this.
The Spagnolo defense is comparable to that of a boa constrictor. As the game progresses, the quarterback starts to see more defensive players at the line of scrimmage.
Mahomes has mastered the art of game management. The importance of every yard is emphasized. The Chiefs win rate increases with every first down. The clock management is A1.
Bobby Babbich and the Bills’ defense have to show up on early downs. The point of emphasis being Buffalo’s front seven limiting the impact of Isaish Pacheco and Kareem Hunt on first down. Do not let Mahomes see short-yardage scenarios on second and third down.
Allowing explosive plays on first down, in Kansas City, in the AFC championship, facing a top-tier Spagnolo defense will not win the football game. If Pacheco sees 5-6 yards per carry in the first half, the game will be over in the first half.
The spread is currently Chiefs -1.5. I will not tell you to bet against Mahomes in a home AFC Championship, but you should entertain it.
Allen has faced the Chiefs three times in the playoffs and has lost all three times. Why is the spread only 1.5 points? Allen has played a tremendously efficient brand of football this season. Impressively, much like Tom Brady, you can’t name 75% of Allen’s receiving targets.
All empires will eventually fall, dynasties will end. Sunday evening on Jan. 26 in Kansas City. The Buffalo Bills will beat the Kansas City Chiefs. The roof over my head, along with the food in my refrigerator, will be reliant upon the Allen-led Buffalo Bills.
I’ll take an order of Bills +105, please and thank you.
