On January 26, 2025, football fans will witness the highly anticipated NFL Conference Championship Games, marking the penultimate round before the Super Bowl. The stage is set for two thrilling matchups: the Washington Commanders will battle the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC title, and the Buffalo Bills will take on the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC championship.
The first game kicks off at 3 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, where the sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) will clash with the second-seeded Eagles (16-3). The Eagles, buoyed by their star running back Saquon Barkley, are considered the favorites, holding the home-field advantage. Barkley has been explosive this postseason, demonstrating his capacity for significant yardage, having rushed for 205 yards against the Los Angeles Rams just last week.
The Commanders, with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels at the helm, are riding high after defeating the NFC’s top-seeded Detroit Lions. Coach Ron Rivera's squad is eager to defy the odds once more, propelled by their remarkable turnaround from last season when they secured only four victories.
"The expectations are high for the Eagles, and they know how important this matchup is not just for them, but for the franchise, as it will be their second conference championship appearance in three years," remarked analyst Chris Sims. The Eagles have been formidable at home, boasting a 10-1 record this season at Lincoln Financial Field.
Meanwhile, at 6:30 p.m. ET, Arrowhead Stadium will host the AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills (15-4) and the Kansas City Chiefs (16-2). This matchup carries with it rich playoff history; the teams have met three times over the last five postseasons, with the Chiefs prevailing each time. Kansas City is also aiming for its seventh consecutive NFL title appearance and hopes to cement its legacy with another Super Bowl run.
"Winning is the expectation at this point for the Chiefs. They’ve set the bar incredibly high," stated NFL commentator Mike Tirico. Patrick Mahomes leads Kansas City, supporting his historic quest for a three-peat, which will mark the franchise’s fifth Super Bowl appearance during his tenure. Conversely, the Bills, under quarterback Josh Allen, are desperate to penetrate the Super Bowl barrier, especially after losing four consecutive championship games during the 1990s.
With the betting lines indicating the Chiefs as 2-point favorites and the Eagles favored by 6 points, pundits are making their picks. Prediction analyses from various sources suggest potential nail-biters, with the Eagles tipped to edge out the Commanders 27-24 and the Chiefs expected to narrowly defeat the Bills 31-28.
The stakes are high as the victor of the NFC will move on to face the winner of the AFC at Super Bowl 59, set for February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. This year's finals will be significant, as both the Bills and the Commanders have yet to secure their first Super Bowl victory. Could we see the Bills finally break their drought, or might we witness the Eagles and Chiefs rematch after their fiery Super Bowl 57 encounter? Fans are sure to be glued to their screens on championship Sunday, as they anticipate the possibility of history being made.
The action can be watched live on FOX for the NFC Championship and on CBS for the AFC Championship. Streaming options include Fox Sports and Paramount+; subscribers can enjoy the games from the comfort of their homes.