The NFL season is into the Conference Championship where four teams battle it out for two spots in Super Bowl LIX.
NFC Championship: Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles
Few saw the Washington Commanders making it this far into the season. That’s what one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history will do for you, though. Jayden Daniels has been that good throughout the playoffs and will now be tasked with beating one of the best defensive units in the league.
Should Washington get past the Philadelphia Eagles as $3.25 and +6.5 underdogs, they will become the first team since the 2008 New York Giants to win three straight games as a underdog entering Super Bowl LIX.
Jalen Carter is on fire at the moment and came up with a big play in a big spot against the Los Angeles Rams. He’s a big reason for Philly’s $1.34 favouritism.
Big dawg in big moments. 🐶
Jalen Carter’s game-winning sack saved the @Eagles season.#NFLTurningPoint on ESPN+ | @LRiddickESPN pic.twitter.com/BSKPrW21GW
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) January 22, 2025
The Eagles defence is $3.90 to sack Daniels 5+ times as they look to rattle the young quarterbacks’ confidence. He’s without an interception in the playoffs, but faces a much tougher task this week to be $1.79 to throw a pick.
Philly’s running game is another major factor in this one. Saquon Barkely is rushing for one of the best seasons in NFL history. Despite teams having the opportunity to scheme against in him as the Eagles passing game struggles, there isn’t a defence in the league that has solved the problem. Jordan Mailata, in particular, is proving to be a dominant piece of the offensive line.
“He [Barkley] continued his incredible season put play out one of the best games for a rusher in NFL post-season history. He finished with 205 yards on 26 carries to go along with two massive touchdowns.” – Who Cares If The Eagles Aren’t Elite In The Air?
With his rushing yards line set at 125.5 and $1.42 to score a touchdown, the expectation is for Barkley to, once again, be the leading factor in the Eagles offence.
Eagles Touchdown Scorers: Jalen Hurts – $1.85, A.J. Brown – $2.55, DeVonta Smith – $3, Dallas Goedert – $4.30, Jahan Dotson – $11.50
While there are concerns for the Commanders defensively, they’ll be confident in the offence holding up their end of the bargain. They’ve been one of the best and most efficient units in the NFL this season. They’re one of the best teams ever when it comes to 4th-down conversion rate.
They’re coming into this one on the back of scoring 45 points against the Lions – the second-most in a playoff game in franchise history. Washington rank 7th in total offence, 5th in scoring, 3rd in rushing and 3rd in 3rd-down offence. This albeit top-shelf Eagles defence won’t have it easy.
“Everybody loves playing with each other (…) I got the utmost trust in those guys.” @JayD__5 🤝 @Commanders offense pic.twitter.com/Ibmw7Ecl4N
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 22, 2025
Daniels will be the deciding factor. He’s at $1.58 to throw Over 1.5 touchdowns on the Eagles defence. As expected, Commanders legend Terry McLaurin is the favourite to be targeted when Washington have the ball in the red zone at $2.50.
Commanders Touchdown Scorers: Brian Robinson Jr. – $3.10, Jayden Daniels – $3.30, Zach Ertz – $4, Austin Ekeler – $4.50, Dymani Brown – $4.50, Olamide Zaccheaus – $5.90
While defence is so often the deciding factor at this point of the NFL season, and with the Eagles coming in with one of the best, the Commanders have been strong enough for the Total Score to be set at 47.5 points. In what could be low-scoring by Washington’s standards, Philadelphia to win in a close one (1-13) is the favourite margin at $2.15.
All of the pressure is on the Eagles. History suggests the rookie quarterback will falter sooner rather than later. But perhaps that is what makes the Commanders so dangerous?
Bet Now Commanders @ EaglesAFC Championship: Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes v Josh Allen.
One of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history v the best player in the league right now.
Kansas City Chiefs v Buffalo Bills is the potential to be an all-time great game. Mahomes has been here and done it all so many times before. As a result, the Chiefs are $1.78 and -1.5 favourites to advance to Super Bowl LIX.
Buffalo aren’t meant to be here. They’re playing with $70 million in dead cap space and opened the NFL season with a lowly 10.5 win total. However, Allen is on a different level to the rest of the league right now. His team might not be as deep as the Chiefs, but it doesn’t need to be with how he’s playing.
The complete list of QBs named 1st or 2nd team All-Pro over the last 15 years, who didn't have another All-Pro teammate
2024 Josh Allen
That's it pic.twitter.com/jPFaaFECOk
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 15, 2025
Which version of Allen turns up on the day? Does he clear his 230.5 passing yards and 31.5 passing attempts lines, his 47.5 rushing yards line, or both?
He’s at $1.56 to throw for over 1.5 passing touchdowns and $2.08 to score one himself. Should he hand it off elsewhere, James Cook is the Bills favourite at $2.55.
Bills Touchdown Scorers: Khalil Shakir – $3.60, Dalton Kincaid – $4.50, Keon Coleman – $4.75, Amari Cooper – $6.50, Mack Hollins – $7.25
For all of the points Allen might produce, it will likely be for nothing if Mahomes has the ball last with enough time in a one-score game. Referee conspiracy theories aside, he’s inevitable in late-game situations.
So too is Travis Kelce in the playoffs.
“Another monster playoff game for Travis Kelce ensured the Chiefs were always in control. The veteran tight end finished with 117 yards and a touchdown on only seven receptions” – Divisional Round Review
The pair link up better than any other in NFL history at this point of the season. As expected, Kelce is the favourite among Chiefs players to score at $2.45. With Kansas City’s total set at 23.5, there isn’t likely to be a lot of different Chiefs finding the ball in the end zone.
Chiefs Touchdown Scorers: Kareen Hunt – $2.75, Xavier Worthy – $3.05, Marquise Brown – $3.80, DeAndre Hopkins – $4.30, Noah Gray – $6.50, Patrick Mahomes – $6.75
WHAT. A. TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/6Ch2lUfLp7
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 18, 2025
This feels like one the neutral NFL fan will side with the underdog. Particularly when those favourites are the Chiefs. Should the Eagles advance to Super Bowl LIX as expected, the prospect of another Chiefs v Eagles decider will turn some people off. Nonetheless, the Bills can cause an upset here. Allen is in the form of his life and the Chiefs haven’t quite reached the heights they have done in previous seasons.
If the Chiefs slip up for a second, Allen and the Bills are good enough to pounce on a Super Bowl appearance.
Bet Now Bills @ Chiefs