NFL Championship Round Recap

For the past four years, fans have believed the Super Bowl logo has reflected the colors of the teams that would play in the season finale.

This year was no different.

The logo this year features the colors red and green, which are the colors of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, who are both heading to New Orleans after becoming conference champions on Sunday.

However, after impressive victories throughout the first two rounds of the playoffs, it was a toss-up of who would edge the other out on both sides.

Here is a recap of Sunday’s matchups:

NFC Championship: Philadelphia Eagles 55, Washington Commanders 23

After coming off a huge upset in the Divisional Round against the Detroit Lions, the Washington Commanders were looking to have a historic year by making the Super Bowl with a whole new squad.

Unfortunately for them, their division rival was not going to let that happen.

The NFC East champion Eagles defeated the Commanders 55-23, earning their second Super Bowl trip in the last three years.

On Philadelphia’s first play of the game, Saquon Barkley rushed 60 yards for a touchdown and totaled 118 yards. He scored three of the seven rushing touchdowns for the Eagles.

Jalen Hurts also scored three rushing touchdowns and added a passing touchdown to AJ Brown, who finished with 96 yards in addition to his score.

Washington’s defense almost gave up another touchdown that would have been awarded by the referee as linebacker Frankie Luvu timed Philly’s tush push wrong, landing on the offensive line and Hurts twice.

Commanders’ rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has created a big reputation for himself after a fantastic season, but he failed to become the first rookie quarterback to play in a Super Bowl.

Daniels threw one touchdown and one interception as part of his team’s total of four turnovers.

Even with a banged-up offensive line, the Eagles were able to run all over their foe in these two teams’ third matchup of the season.

AFC Championship: Kansas City Chiefs 32, Buffalo Bills 29

A three-peat for the back-to-back reigning Super Bowl champions is still possible, while their conference nemesis will have to wait another year to win their first Lombardi.

The Chiefs edged out the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in what was the most-watched AFC Championship game in NFL history.

It was also one of Mahomes' best games all year, and he used both his arms and legs to get points on the board, scoring one passing and one rushing touchdown.

Kansas City rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who was passed up by Buffalo in the draft, was the top receiver with 85 yards and a touchdown.

Buffalo did not let the crowd get in their heads as Allen threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-tying score to Curtis Samuel late in the fourth quarter.

After the Chiefs added 3 points to give them the lead, all the Bills needed to do was get into field goal range to tie the game. But on 4th and 5, Allen’s pass to tight end Dalton Kincaid was dropped, turning the ball over with nothing left they could do.

The Bills found themselves losing a playoff game in Arrowhead for the fourth time in the Josh Allen era, a spot they know all too well.

Even though Kansas City made history by becoming the first team to advance to the Super Bowl for three consecutive years, they are still hungry for that final prize: a ring.

Ashley Mascaro is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email aem6398@psu.edu.