By ROB MAADDI
Acquainted foes are going through off within the convention championship video games within the NFL playoffs.
Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Tremendous Bowl champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs tackle Josh Allen and the Buffalo Payments for the fourth time prior to now 5 postseasons.
The Chiefs have gained all three playoff matchups, together with the AFC championship sport 4 years in the past. The Payments ended Kansas Metropolis’s bid for an ideal season with a 30-21 victory in Week 11.
Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders go to Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles within the NFC championship sport.
The NFC East rivals cut up their season collection, every successful at residence.
The Chiefs and Commanders performed their divisional video games on Saturday so that they’ve had an additional day of relaxation. Since 2004, the groups with an additional day without work are 26-16 within the convention championship video games, together with 20-7 at residence.
Professional Picks is sticking with its preseason prediction of an Eagles-Chiefs Tremendous Bowl rematch.
Washington (14-5) at Philadelphia (16-3)
Line: Eagles minus 6
The Eagles are again right here for the second time in three years and ninth time in franchise historical past. They’re 4-4, together with 4-2 at residence.
The Commanders are within the convention championship sport for the primary time in 33 years and seventh time in franchise historical past. Washington is 5-1 within the NFC title sport and has gained three Tremendous Bowls.
The Eagles beat Washington 26-18 in a Thursday evening sport on Nov. 14. The Commanders rallied for a 36-33 victory on Dec. 22 in a sport the place Hurts sustained a concussion within the first quarter. The Eagles had an opportunity to seal a victory in that one however DeVonta Smith dropped a move from Kenny Pickett on third down, setting the stage for Daniels to guide a comeback victory.
Daniels has thrown a TD move within the ultimate 30 seconds or extra time in 5 video games this season. However no rookie quarterback has gained a convention title sport, going 0-5.
Barkley has 296 yards speeding and 4 TDs towards Washington this season, together with a 68-yard TD run in Philadelphia’s loss.
Hurts injured his knee final week within the snow towards the Rams. If his mobility is restricted, that’ll be a serious benefit for Washington.
The Commanders misplaced proper guard Sam Cosmi of their win over Detroit. They’ll should discover a technique to include Eagles defensive deal with Jalen Carter, who was a dominant power vs. Los Angeles.
The Eagles are 7-3 towards the unfold of their previous 10 video games whereas the Commanders are 5-5 ATS in that span.
EAGLES: 26-23
Buffalo (15-4) at Kansas Metropolis (16-2)
Line: Chiefs minus 2
These two groups have performed some traditional video games within the postseason and common season, too.
There was the back-and-forth within the ultimate two minutes within the 2021 divisional spherical the place Allen threw a TD move to Gabe Davis with 13 seconds left solely to observe Mahomes full two passes for 44 yards to arrange a tying subject purpose that compelled extra time. The Chiefs gained the coin toss, scored a landing and the Payments didn’t get the ball. That led the NFL to vary its postseason extra time guidelines to make sure each groups get a possession.
There was Buffalo’s win in Week 14 in 2023 when an offside penalty on Kadarius Toney negated Toney’s TD off a lateral from Travis Kelce.
Allen’s 26-yard TD run with 2:17 left sealed the Payments’ win earlier this season in the one sport Kansas Metropolis’s starters misplaced.
Allen is 4-1 towards Mahomes within the common season. However he’s nonetheless searching for his first win within the playoffs.
Mahomes has solely misplaced to Tom Brady (twice) and Joe Burrow within the postseason, going 16-3. He’s 7-0 straight up and ATS as an underdog or a favourite of lower than a subject purpose.
The Payments have been a house underdog final week after they beat the Ravens. Allen has by no means gained consecutive video games as an underdog in 15 tries.
The Chiefs are aiming to develop into the primary group in NFL historical past to three-peat within the Tremendous Bowl period. With Taylor Swift and possibly Caitlin Clark cheering them on, they’re robust to beat at Arrowhead Stadium.
CHIEFS: 27-26
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Final week: Straight up: 3-1. In opposition to unfold: 3-0-1.
Playoffs: Straight up: 7-3. In opposition to unfold: 6-3-1.
Total: Straight up: 199-83. In opposition to unfold: 150-127-5.
Greatest Guess: Straight up: 12-7. In opposition to unfold: 10-8-1
Upset Particular: Straight up: 10-9. In opposition to unfold: 10-9.
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Professional Picks is a weekly column the place AP Professional Soccer Author Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming video games. For all earlier Professional Picks, head right here.
Initially Revealed: January 24, 2025 at 3:45 AM PST
