Ladies and gentlemen, the NFL playoffs are reduced to just four teams. The Divisional Round is officially in the books after this weekend’s action, and we already have our conference championships scheduled. You know what that means, right? It’s time to look at the final fights before Super Bowl LV!
Below, you’ll find instant previews of both conference championships, including information on how to tune in and an early look at each contest:
NFC Championship
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Meeting: Sunday, January 24 | Time: 3:05 pm Eastern Time | TV: Fox
Opening Line: Packers -4
Last meeting: Week 6 (Buccaneers 38, Packers 10)
Overview: Who said old people can’t play as a defender? OK, so neither Drew Brees nor Tom Brady looked spectacular in the Divisional Round, but between Brady and Aaron Rodgers, the QBs of that showdown, there are many reasons to tune in. Brady practically didn’t have to stumble to beat the Saints, with the Tampa Bay defense delighting in wrong passes. Rodgers, for his part, is perhaps the hottest arm in football after dispatching the Rams. Green Bay has been the most complete team throughout the year, but one of their few major slips in 2020 came against … the Buccaneers, who have now won six consecutive games in mid-December.
Initial perspective: Tampa Bay may have beaten them early in the season, and the Bucs can come face to face with anyone when they are actually playing on the field. But the Packers deserve to be favored. They are at home with an extra day of rest and, more importantly, Rodgers is playing with authority. Green Bay has also been more consistent as a whole. Even so, prepare your popcorn. This is going to be fun.
AFC Championship
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Meeting: Sunday, January 24 | Time: 18h40 ET | TV: CBS, CBS All Access
Opening Line: Bosses -3
Last meeting: Week 6, 2020 (Chiefs 26, Bills 17)
Overview: Kansas City is back in the AFC title fight for the third time in three years, proving Andy Reid’s brilliance at the helm. The real question, however, is whether surviving the Browns cost the Chiefs anything even greater: the status of their superstar QB Patrick Mahomes is in the air after No. 15 suffered a concussion against Cleveland, and while the Chiefs proved to be able to win without your boss before, this is a different kind of internship. Buffalo, on the other hand, has not yet fully hit his offensive advance in the playoffs, but he certainly showed his defense against the Ravens, suppressing one of the best quick attacks in the game and appearing especially close to the red zone. Whether Mahomes is ready or not, this will be an unmissable TV.
Initial perspective: It all depends on Mahomes, doesn’t it? If he is free to play, the Chiefs will obviously remain the favorites. But even if he was totally healthy, it wouldn’t be a gimme for KC. The Bills must burst at some point with Allen in the center, and his “D” does not give up. If there was ever a time for someone to remove the Chiefs, it seems that now.