What is not unreasonable is that two excellent games await us to define the Super Bowl contenders
The NFL season is coming to an end, as are the hype every weekend. There are only three games left. That’s the bad new. The good news is, if the divisional round was any indication, there’s a chance the last three games will be amazing.
We have spent the season in this space playing with things we thought we knew or didn’t know. We’ve got some right, some wrong, but we’ve had a lot of fun with it, which is what matters. This is sport, remember? It’s supposed to be fun. With the season almost over, we bring you hype once again, with one for each of the four teams still standing.
The Chiefs are the clear favorites to win Super Bowl LVI.
The top two teams left in the playoff field played out an unforgettable night, a 42-36 victory for the Chiefs over the Bills that capped off the most exciting weekend of postseason play in NFL history.
Three touchdowns and a field goal were scored in the last two minutes of regulation. Josh Allen Buffalo threw two touchdown passes to Gabriel Davis, each of which likely would have won any other game in which the opposing quarterback was a deadly.
Patrick Mahomes threw a dazzling touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill to give the Chiefs a brief lead. Mahomes got the ball back with 13 seconds remaining, trailing three points, and somehow moved the Chiefs into field goal range, with Harrison Butker converting to draw.
With both defenses exhausted, teams and referees met in the center of the field for one of the biggest tosses in recent NFL history. The Chiefs won it, and moments later, Mahomes found Travis Kelce in the end zone for the touchdown that sent the Chiefs to their fourth straight AFC Championship Game at home.
The verdict: IT IS NOT AN EXCESSIVE REACTION. Yes, of course the Bengals can beat the Chiefs next Sunday. They did it three weeks ago (though not at Arrowhead Stadium). The Bengals will get an extra day off, and the Chiefs may well be physically and emotionally drained. And yes, whoever wins the NFC could absolutely beat the AFC champion. No one is underestimating or underestimating any of the teams left on the field.
All that said, there were 13 seconds left and even then it was too long for Mahomes. He is absolutely the best quarterback. Kelce and Hill are the most reliable and dynamic offensive players. They have enough playmakers up front defensively to hang on even if they continue to get hit in the back. The Bills have one of the most loaded rosters in the league, they came in hotter than anyone and landed all the shots they needed to win the game with Josh Allen and his offense. The Chiefs just found a way. And they have players who almost always seem to find a way this time of year.
The only quarterback to knock the Chiefs out of the playoffs in the past four seasons is Tom Brady, who is no longer in the postseason. Joe Burrow he could join him, sure, but until we see him we have to consider the two-time defending AFC champion the favorite among the remaining four teams.
Joe Burrow ya es un quarterback Top-5
The legend grows. The Bengals’ second-year quarterback was sacked nine times Saturday, but his team still managed to beat the Titans. Under siege from pass rush throughout the game, Burrow, however, went 28 of 37 for 348 yards. He was intercepted once, but that ball hit his running back in the hands and went airborne. He didn’t throw a touchdown pass, but there was only one of those total in the two games on Saturday.
Burrow stood his ground despite taking a beating, made the passes he needed to make when Tennessee turnovers gave him opportunities and got the Bengals into game-winning field goal range late. After a breakneck end to the regular season, his numbers have been less than stellar in the two playoff games so far. But it’s clear he’s the sun this team revolves around, and his connection to his varsity teammate Ja’Marr Chase it’s unreal.
The verdict: EXCESSIVE REACTION. I mean, I guess. yes tom brady and Aaron Rodgers they retire, maybe? But otherwise we’re not (yet) putting him ahead of any of those guys or Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes. Justin Herbert, Matthew Stafford Y Derek Carr they threw for more yards this season. All of the above, plus Dak Prescott, threw more touchdown passes. Burrow finished 12th in Total QBR. Russell Wilson Y Lamar Jackson they had down years, but both have enough in the bank to warrant a roster spot or at least consideration.
Let’s be clear, for those who are still reading and haven’t yet tweeted some unnecessarily angry reaction to me: There is literally no bigger fan of Burrow in the NFL media than the person writing these words. I am fully committed to Burrow as the real deal, a legitimate burgeoning force in the NFL for years to come. I think now he can win the Super Bowl. And I fully acknowledge that he is playing and that all but two of the guys I mentioned are out. I guess that’s what matters to him, which is another reason to love him. It will soon be on that list. In the meantime, let’s enjoy what we’re seeing and not worry about its ranking.
There is no way the Niners will beat the Rams for the third time
It’s hard to remember now, but these playoffs could have been a lot different. The 49ers had to erase a 17-0 Rams lead in Week 18 just to make the playoffs, where they’ve already knocked out the Cowboys and Packers. It was the second time this season the Niners had beaten division rival Los Angeles, and the sixth time in a row since the 2019 season.
If ever a team should have beaten another team, it’s the Rams against the 49ers this week. Sean McVay’s team is favored to do what the Buccaneers did last season with the Saints: beat a team in the playoffs after losing to them twice in the regular season.
The verdict: EXCESSIVE REACTION. Are you kidding? Of course the 49ers can beat the Rams again. Sean McVay is 47-1 as a coach when his team leads at halftime, with the only loss coming in that Week 18 game a few weeks ago.
And didn’t you watch the Rams blow a 27-3 lead against the Buccaneers on Sunday before winning it with a last-second field goal? The Rams are loaded with stars on both sides of the ball. Aaron Donald and his defense should make life impossible for Jimmy Garoppolo. But there’s no way you’ve watched Matthew Stafford and that offense operate in the second half on Sunday and walked away believing you can really trust them in a big moment. The Rams are a better team, but so were the Packers.
The Niners will play their third straight playoff game on the road, but it’s their shortest trip yet and they’re 8-3 in road games this season. Pick the Rams if you want, but underestimate these 49ers at your peril. Just ask the Packers – it’s a bad idea to leave them alive.
Odell Beckham Jr. he’ll get a big contract in free agency
Ditched (albeit a bit on demand) by Cleveland midway through the season, Beckham landed in Los Angeles and has six touchdown receptions in 10 games as a Ram. He had six catches for 69 yards in Sunday’s 30-27 win over the defending Super Bowl champions, and displayed some of the dazzling playing skills that wowed everyone during his early years in the league.
especially because Robert Woods he suffered a season-ending injury just after the Rams signed Beckham. He has been a valuable part of his passing game since he arrived. And he seems to be enjoying himself as much as he has since coming to the NFL. As a result of the way Beckham and the Browns adjusted his contract when Cleveland released him, his deal is void 10 days after the Super Bowl, and he will be a free agent after this season ends.
The verdict: IT IS NOT EXAGGERATED. I guess it depends on what you mean by “big”. I doubt that Beckham will get money at the level of Amari Cooper. While you can tell by watching games that he has specific value in the Rams’ offense, his numbers since arriving haven’t been amazing (he has five games with less than 40 receiving yards). Once again, he doesn’t seem to care, because he’s finally winning at a level he’s never been before. But this passing game is through Cooper Coup, and nobody else will really get big numbers as long as that’s the case.
Beckham’s acceptance of his role, along with McVay’s ability to fuel him with touchdown passes, is a plus as he deals with teams this offseason, and I think he’ll do well. Although the best thing for him and the Rams might be that he re-signs with them. Woods’ injury could absolutely stretch into next season, and so far this marriage seems destined to be.
