Ranking the potential Super Bowl matchups: Chiefs, Eagles, Bills, Commanders

Ranking the potential Super Bowl matchups: Chiefs, Eagles, Bills, Commanders originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Four teams are left in NFL postseason, but who the final two are is just as important.

The NFC Championship will see the sixth seeds Washington’s commanders fight against no. 2 Philadelphia Eagles for the third time this season. The regular season series between the two NFC East teams went 1-1.

Washington came next upset the Detroit Lions no. 1 away with the rookie no. 2 overall, Jayden Daniels outclassing veteran Jared Goff. Philadelphia held late to beat Los Angeles Rams in a back-and-forth snowy affair, with Saquon Barkley’s individual dominance carrying the team.

In the AFC, the no. 1 Kansas City Chiefs will meet no. 2 Buffalo Bills in another part of the game between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Buffalo beat Kansas City in their lone regular season meeting this season.

Kansas City, albeit controversially, got past the Houston Texans at home, while Buffalo fended off Lamar Jackson and Baltimore Ravens.

So among the four teams standing, which two would make for the best Super Bowl showdown in New Orleans? Let’s rank the various matchup outcomes from least to most desirable:

4. Chiefs vs Commanders

There is certainly intrigue in a Kansas City-Washington meeting. Mahomes is still the NFL’s current, but Daniels’ quick start could elevate him into the conversation sooner. Some aspects, this would boil down to involving Daniels and the Washington offense against Steve Spagnuolo’s setup.

The Chiefs’ experience going up against a Washington team with a mix of veterans and up-and-coming youngsters feels like Kansas City narrowly squeaks out a win or wins by at least two scores.

3. Chiefs vs. Eagles

Recent Super Bowl games aren’t always a bad thing. Chiefs’ overtime win over San Francisco 49ers last season featured some elite football with both teams stacked in all units. But are this year’s Eagles on par with last season’s 49ers? The Chiefs may also have the better record this year, but they aren’t necessarily as good offensively as they were last season.

The Eagles will be heavily anchored by Barkley, a piece they didn’t have when Kansas City won 38-35 two years ago. A rematch feels like it would be a lower-scoring game that Kansas City pulls off, as Jalen Hurts isn’t as explosive as his version that year.

2. Bills vs. Commanders

In terms of a completely fresh matchup, one could argue that Bills and Commanders would be the best possible result: Two new faces from recent years. New York vs. Washington. Two teams hoping to either end a long playoff drought or win it all for the first time. Allen vs. Daniels would also be an extremely fun showcase of dual-threat quarterbacks.

In addition, Washington prevented Buffalo from winning its first Super Bowl in 1992 with a 37-24 victory, which was also the last time the DC franchise hoisted the trophy. Buffalo could get some long overdue revenge, or Washington could inflict that pain again.

1. Bills vs. Eagles

Where the Eagles edge the Commanders in this ranking is their star power. Hurts, Barkley, AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Darius Slay Jr., Jalen Carter and more could probably give Buffalo a tougher time than Washington, as the Commanders feel a few pieces are missing from lifting the title this year. Allen vs. Hurts, James Cook vs. Barkley and more matchups could make this potential New York vs. Philadelphia game for a thriller, high-scoring or not.

But on the bad news side for Buffalo, all four Super Bowl losses have come against NFC East sides: Fighting and Washington once and that Dallas Cowboys twice. However, Allen could further cement his Hall of Fame case with another curse broken.