Eagles Win Super Bowl 40-22

Phi 40 - KC 22:  Not much to say about this one.  I knew the Eagles defense was really good but wow.  They dominated the line of scrimmage and made life a nightmare for Patrick Mahomes.  Good on Philly.  Huge win for the Eagles who get their second Super Bowl victory.  You have to be happy for all these guys.  They had a great year and were pretty dominant when it mattered most - the playoffs.   

 

Bills lose to Chiefs 32-29 in AFC Championship Game

Buffalo lost to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.  Just ugh.  So close to winning.  After Buffalo got the touchdown late in the 2nd quarter, I thought they were there.  But KC had an answer for every score.  They executed really well in big moments.  Overall, the team stats were very similar.  Felt like I kept thinking Kansas City had the right play at the right time.  

I know Buffalo converted 4-6 fourth down conversions but the story is they put themselves in that situation too much.  And the failure to convert their last two fourth down conversions were huge.  They only converted 5 of 14 third downs.  Again, making them go for it on 4th.  The old guy in me was saying "kick the field goal" a few times.  I know what the metrics say different but big what ifs.  Give KC's defense credit too.  They stopped two of Buffalo's two-point conversions which, in the end, were huge.   

KC just seemed to have the right play call so many times on offense.  It was frustrating to watch.  The blitz on Buffalo's 4th down play was another perfect call.  The drop by Kincaid was huge.  It would have been a really good play but still it felt like he could and should make that catch.  Buffalo was in that situation because I think Kansas City was better and put themselves in a position to win.  It was a really good Bills play too.  It could have been a big gain if the KC defense doesn't get to Josh Allen like they did.  Their defense made it a struggle for Buffalo.  I know the Bills scored 29 points, but it rarely felt easy.  I'm always guarded as a fan, but I had bought into this iteration of Buffalo being able to win it all.  But KC was better. 

Washington - Philly was all about turnovers.  It really was that simple.  The game got away from the Commanders at the end but what can you do when you keep handing over the ball.  They were within 10 points at the end of the 3rd but the turnovers were maddening for anyone rooting for Washington or just wanting a good game.  Washington has lots of good things to take into next season and Jayden Daniels wasn't the reason they lost yesterday.  On the other side the Philly offense looked really good.  They could run, pass whatever they needed to do.  

  

Eagles Win Super Bowl in a Thriller

What a great game.  I like defense as much as the next guy but this game kept me on my toes and I never knew which way it was going to go.  And with all that offense it came down to the only sack of the game and a Tom Brady fumble.  Wow.  Give it to Nick Foles and the Eagles - they deserved this championship.  For New England, Tom Brady gave it everything he had, everything, and still came up short.  Tells you what kind of game that was.  I mean Philly went for it on 4th down in two situations where if they don't make it, there are huge repercussions - you either take points off the board or you give New England the ball with great field position with a chance to sew up the game.  

Doug Pederson has guts, the likes of which we may never see again in a Super Bowl.  I was beside myself when he made each of those calls because of what was on the line each time.  And he threw it to his quarterback for a touchdown in the first instance - what?  Great stuff.  You have to be excited for Philly for getting their first Super Bowl win.  Doesn't get much better than that for an NFL franchise who has been around as long as them.  My man crush aside, I can't be sad for Brady and the Pats.  Brady played out of his mind and they had a chance at the end.  In fact who didn't think they were gonna march down the field and take back the d game to watch which is all we can ask for, right?

Atlanta Falcons Lose to the Philadelphia Eagles in Divisional Playoff Game

Atlanta's offense has been shaky all year and it really played out that way against an Eagles defense that was able to get pressure and wouldn't let the Falcons convert on third down.  It was a frustrating game to watch as Atlanta just never looked comfortable or like they'd take the game over.  They should have beaten the Eagles but hats off to Philly.  Their defense played very well and their offense did what it needed to to win.  That last offensive play by the Falcons for the touchdown was not pretty to look at.  I'm not a fan of that fade play especially when you roll out.  It takes all the defenders to that side of the end zone.  Still Julio Jones had a shot at it and can make that play.  It just didn't happen.  Too bad as the defense played well.  Would have loved to have see Atlanta in the NFC Championship game but as poorly as the offense has played I wouldn't have much confidence they could have won.  Here' to next year and hopefully a better offense. 

Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles - Divisional Playoff Game

No one saw it due to my lack of posting about it but I had a good feeling about the Falcons-Rams game.  While it is hard to say Atlanta had been hot but they had won six of their last eight to end the season and make the playoffs.  The offense still isn't the 2016 "on fire" version we all fell in love with last year.  The good news is their defense is good and was very good against the run which helped them shut down the Rams.  This also bodes well going to Philly who will start their backup quarterback and will probably not want him having to throw any more than he has too.  Atlanta should win this weekend.  That isn't cockiness but Philadelphia isn't the same without Carson Wentz.  They do have a great run defense but the passing defense is average.  Hopefully the Falcons can exploit that.  So all that said this could be a trap game.  A few lucky bounces or turnovers and Atlanta could be wondering what if - again.  Either way I'll be watching come Saturday.