Championship Sunday

We are down to three games in the NFL, two this weekend and then the Superbowl. The cream of the crop has risen to the top. In this week’s championship games we have the 49ers going against the Eagles in Philadelphia and the Bengals facing the Chiefs in Kansas City. Those are two pretty good matchups. Let’s take a brief look at both.

49ers vs Philly

Jalen Hurts! He can totally change most narratives about him coming out of Oklahoma and Alabama and going into this season with a win today. It’s been pointed out that he balls out during the regular season, at Alabama and Oklahoma. But when he gets to the post season he hasn’t fared so well. He was replaced by Tua in the championship game at Alabama and he lost in the semi final game at Oklahoma two years later. But this game can help erase some of those bad memeries. Get your team to the Super Bowl and he looks like one of the top 3 QBs. Philly has all the tools, a good QB, a run game, WRs on the outside and a defense that can bring pressure on the QB. Can AJ Brown or Devante Smith come up big in the 2nd half? Can that Philly defense stop the 49ers dangerous run game?

But the 49ers are ready for the challenge. They come in sporting a 12 game winning steak and have a coach that’s taken his team to the SB before, once as a Head Coach a few years ago and another time as an Offensive Coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons. Although they have a young rookie QB, he is unshaken and playing like a proven veteran. They also have offensive weapons at the skilled positions with a defense that is tops in the league. Can Bosa make a difference in this game and cause a turnover or two? Will Kittle or Deebo make the big plays down the stetch? I have Philly pulling this one out, 30-27.

Bengals vs Chiefs

Joe Freaking Burrow! That bad boy has his team back in the AFC championship game for the 2nd straight season and this is only his 3rd season in the league. He just gets it done whether he needs to throw it long, throw it short, change the play, take off and run or whatever needs to be done. He’s not a game manager but he manages the game and offense perfectly. Cincy has a hard hitting defense of it’s own but I’m going to be looking for Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins to make a lot of impact plays in this one. Joe Mixon and the running game will be the key though. If they get him going early, it could be a long afternoon for KC. Let’s also not forget that Cincy has beaten these boys the last 3 times they have faced them, including this season and in the AFC championship game last year.

What is Patrick Mahomes going to do? Will he really get beat 4 times in a row by Joe Burrow and the Bengals? Possibly. Him, Andy Reid and Bienemy better call a great game so that Mahomes doesn’t have to make a lot of plays outside of the pocket. And here’s where they could miss Tyrek Hill. Sure they have Kelce but without a WR that can blow the top off the defense and open the field up for other WRs, a hurt Mahomes may be in trouble if they have to throw the ball often. And after saying that, RUN THE BALL KC. Will they do it? We shall see. I have the Bengals winning this one 31-24.

Let’s enjoy the games and see how they unfold. I’m sure they will have a few twist and turns that we did not expect. Hopefully a referee’s call is not one of them. And I’m out. Holla!