The Divisional round of the playoffs provided plenty of storylines for us to discuss this week. The Detroit Lions coming up short at home despite being the No. 1 seed in a big upset. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens falling short yet again when it looked like they were coming to the boil at just the right time. The Houston Texans lamenting the officiating in their defeat in Kansas City.
All of that means we now have our championship games lineup confirmed. I take a stab at predicting who I think will make Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans in a few weeks.
Sunday, January 26th
Washington Commanders @ 
Philadelphia Eagles
Jayden Daniels is a superstar. He was already locked in to win offensive rookie of the year and he is quickly becoming the story of the season after what he and his team were able to pull off in Detroit. In a crazy 45-31 victory, Daniels threw for 299 yards and two TDs, showing all the poise and presence of a seasoned vet. He has lit up the NFL this season, with a strong arm and electric legs. He has turned around a moribund franchise, who have been in the depths for so long but are now one game away from the Super Bowl.
Daniels will say, though, that it is not all about him. Football is a team game and Commanders General Manager Adam Peters has been clever, signing experienced free agents such as Bobby Wagner to bring leadership to this team. They have proven they can go toe to toe with the best the NFL has to offer, and you feel this is just the start of what could be an amazing career for Daniels.
The Eagles overcame a close one, 28-22 against the Rams, thanks to their ground game and one Saquon Barkley in particular. The all-world running back ran for 205 yards and two TDs against LA, who just couldn’t live with him. Once again, Jalen Hurts’ numbers weren’t fantastic through the air, but when you can move like he does and you can hand the ball off to Barkley, they don’t need to be.
In my view, the Eagles have the best team on paper in the entire NFL. They certainly have the best running back in the game at the moment. I think they will lean on Barkley once again and will be heading to New Orleans.
Eagles to win Moneyline @ -225
Over 48.5 @ -110
Buffalo Bills @ 
Kansas City Chiefs
So, these two meet again in the playoffs. Whenever we think of Buffalo at Kansas City in the playoffs, we think of the AFC Championship game in 2022, where the Chiefs won 42-36 in one of the best games I’ve ever seen. To reach this stage, the Bills beat the Ravens in a nail biter, holding on to win 27-25 after Ravens tight end Mark Andrews couldn’t hold on to a two point conversion that would have tied it up with a minute to play. Credit the Bills defense, who forced three turnovers, which was the key to the win.
Buffalo have been more balanced this season. They have found a run game with James Cook pounding the rock and Josh Allen hasn’t had to play superhero as much. Of course, Allen has still been outstanding, and against the Ravens he took care of the football as he has done so well all season, limiting the turnovers that have haunted him and the Bills in previous seasons. The Bills won every game at home, but they know they need to go on the road and overcome the ultimate test.
We may as well pencil in the Chiefs to be in the AFC Championship game next year. This is the seventh straight year the Chiefs have reached this stage, which is quite the feat. Once again, as they have been all season, they were solid if not spectacular in their divisional win over the Texans. Travis Kelce, Mr playoffs himself, once again came up clutch, with 117 yards and a TD in the win.
The Chiefs have faced a lot of criticism this year, despite barely losing a game and now being one game away from another Super Bowl. They are extremely well coached, and in Mahomes, Kelce and Chris Jones have players on both sides of the ball that have been there and done it in the biggest moments.
Yet, despite all that, and the Chiefs beating the Bills in both the AFC Championship game and the divisional round last year, I am backing the Bills in this one. Third time lucky for Josh Allen and Buffalo.
Bills moneyline @ +105
AFC & NFC Championship Game Parlay Picks
The bold pick here is clearly the Bills. I just think this is their time, third time in the playoffs, they are due one, right? Jayden Daniels and the Commanders have been phenomenal but I think the Eagles will be too strong. I also like the over 48.5 in that game.
If you want to have a go at creating your own parlay and seeing what returns you could get, you can use our free parlay odds calculator.
