Who decides the Super Bowl matchup?

On By Littum

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The Super Bowl 59 matchup is being set.

For the four teams still remaining in the conference title games, it may seem like there is little room for surprise. The Washington Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles have already met twice this season, with the NFC East rivals splitting the season series. And the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs have plenty of familiarity with each other, including the Week 11 contest where Josh Allen and Co. handed Andy Reid’s team its first loss of the season.

But the penultimate weekend of action has a way of producing some unexpected twists, including the San Francisco 49ers’ rally from 17 points down to beat the Detroit Lions last year. Could another defining moment for a franchise be ahead?

Here are our bold predictions for the conference titles this Sunday:

Chris Jones ends drought and collects two sacks

In typical matchups, it’s not that bold to predict All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones will get to quarterback. But this is different. It’s Buffalo. And Josh Allen.

The Bills’ underrated offensive line allowed an NFL-low 14 sacks during the regular season, which included a shutout of the Chiefs during Buffalo’s big win in November. In fact, the Chiefs didn’t bench the slippery Allen during KC’s divisional playoff win last year either. So I think the Chiefs defense is too late. Jones will also lead the way — and lead by example — with a pair of sacks to end the drought.

No, it won’t be easy. Allen, coming off an MVP-credentialed season, is arguably the toughest quarterback in the NFL to bring down, given his ability to extend plays with power, speed and vision. And his execution is only part of the reason the Bills gave up the fewest sacks. Allen helps his O-Line’s protection with his improved awareness of the pass game, which translates to knowing exactly when to throw the football when issues are overturned with the pass rush. Of course, Allen can also just bolt from the pocket to avoid a sack. It is worth noting that in the last two meetings between the team, not only Allen was fired. He was also Buffalo’s leading rusher in each of those games as well. Jones had just five sacks during the regular season, his lowest total since his rookie year in 2016. Still, his sack against CJ Stroud last weekend to open the playoffs was a sign. Arguably, his pass rush could be a serious X-Factor with a Super Bowl berth on the line.

– Jarrett Bell

Patrick Mahomes throws 3 interceptions as three-peat dreams end

The three-time Super Bowl MVP is not flopping out of this one.

Mahomes has eight career playoff interceptions total, and he has thrown a pair of them three times (twice in the Super Bowl). A three-pick performance would be unscathed territory for him and would go a long way toward ending the Chiefs’ chances of a three-peat.

Sean McDermott’s defense may not have stars or big names, especially in the secondary. But this unit will have to turn Mahomes over a time or two to put the Chiefs on the back foot. Add in a desperation interception, and there are the three — and the Bills may need each one — to pull off the upset and go to New Orleans.

Mahomes has had a somewhat bizarre season when it comes to throwing picks. He threw at least one in the first seven games of the season, as nine of his 11 occurred. But the two-time league MVP hasn’t thrown a pick in seven straight games.

Of course, the idea of ​​Mahomes even turning the ball over at all works. He has only thrown three picks three times in his entire career, and the Chiefs actually won two of those games. The lone loss was the memorable “Monday Night Football” shootout against the Rams in 2018 that ended 54-51 in favor of Los Angeles. But something drastic will have to happen to end the Chiefs’ spell. This is it.

– Chris Bumbaca

Bills no turnover streak ends in Kansas City

The Bills’ two takeaways were key in their Week 11 win over Kansas City. Buffalo has an NFL-high 35 takeaways and an NFL-low eight turnovers this season (including playoffs). Josh Allen and Company have committed zero turnovers in their last four playoff games. They are the first team ever without a turnover in four straight fall games.

The Bills’ no-turnover streak ends Sunday in Kansas City. I predict Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie will pick Allen and the Bills will also lose a fumble. Buffalo loses the turnover battle for the first time this fall, and the giveaways play a critical role in the team’s loss to Kansas City.

All streaks end at some point. Unfortunately for the Bills, their streak will end with a playoff loss.

– Tyler Dragon

Saquon Barkley runs into the record books with most rushing yards in a season including the playoffs

The Philadelphia Eagles’ All-Pro running back ended just short of Eric Dickerson’s big single-season rushing record when he was held out of the lineup in the Week 18 finale. But Barkley has a solid shot — how bold is this prediction, really? – Breaking Terrell Davis’ Mark for Rushing Yards in a season including the playoffs (2,476) as he stands just 148 yards away from taking over the top spot. His average in two games against Washington during the regular season: 148.

Washington knows it can’t afford to falter in its run, but the league’s 30th-ranked rush defense has continued to spring leaks in key spots. Unless the Chiefs can bottle up any big wins, a spot in NFL history seems like a distinct possibility for Barkley.

-Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz