And now there are four.
The NFL’s 2024 postseason field has been reduced to the final four teams, with conference championship games scheduled to be held this Sunday. There’s historical influence everywhere you look, and both are regular season rematches, adding layers of flavor to what should already be a fascinating matchup.
What is the distance between the remaining clubs? It is very likely less than the points spread indicates, so in terms of championship viability, aka playoff power rankings, there is still no chance of qualifying for Super Sunday 59. We ranked four teams from worst to best (previous rankings in parentheses):
4. Buffalo Bills (5)
Dear Mafia Members, No disrespect intended. Consider the Bills 4 of 32, not 4 of 4. However, some top-of-the-line teams must be fielded here, and only one has to face off against a dynasty on the verge of further fame. Make no mistake, Buffalo did what it needed to do to win against Baltimore on Sunday. There’s also no question that the Ravens made a rare mistake on QB Lamar Jackson and tight end Mark Andrews that greatly helped the Bills’ cause. Nevertheless, with that hurdle cleared, the AFC East’s reigning champions and their strong secondary team will be looking to defeat the AFC West’s reigning champions, the Chiefs (3-0 team), this season. We have to take on the battle where we had 4 wins and 4 losses. They faced Buffalo in the playoffs (they’ve won each of the last four years) and were controlled by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid. Two months after suffering their first loss of the 2024 season to KC, the Bills haven’t given up the ball in seven games since, helped by two rare Mahomes turnovers, but Buffalo, who trails by a point and a half, Will they win? (BetMGM) Will they upset the reigning champions again? If so, the Bills will be one win away from winning their first AFL championship since dominating the AFL in the mid-1960s.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: Latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats, and more.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (3)
They are currently six-point favorites to beat the Commanders, who share the season series, but QB Jalen Hurts suffered a concussion early in Game 2 and likely won’t be fully healthy for the rubber matchup. That’s really worrying. Hurts’ mobility is great when navigating the pocket, leaving the pocket, or using his typical strong legs to tunnel into the end zone with Philadelphia’s patented “tuck push” , is a major aspect of his effectiveness. Hurts took the lead last weekend against the Rams with a 44-yard TD scamper, but suffered seven sacks and more penalties throughout the day, and by the end of the game, Hurts was barely able to defend himself with a knee injury. . Never known for his ability as a pure passer (129.5 yards per game in the postseason), if Hurts is one-dimensional, an offense reliant on running back Saquon Barkley could be as well. , he would definitely have been the center of attention. Washington’s defensive game plan for any situation. Barkley needs 148 more yards to break Hall of Famer Terrell Davis’ single-season rushing record (playoffs included) of 2,476 yards in 1998. But aside from Barkley’s heroics, Philadelphia may also have the best defense (+6 turnover differential in the postseason). With the return of rookie cornerback Kunyon Mitchell (shoulder), they should have a league-leading offensive line — and that unit is good enough to overtake Washington for the NFC East championship.
2. Washington Commanders (7)
If playoff performance is part of the equation when considering who should be the league MVP, rookie Jaden Daniels might be the frontrunner. He became the first rookie quarterback in the franchise’s 93-year history to win two road games in one postseason. The Traveling Warriors coaches will aim to improve to 3-0 in the playoffs, currently 8-0 in games that don’t involve the home team. And while Philadelphia’s defense has been excellent, giving up the fewest points in the NFC during the regular season and the fewest points per game in the entire league if you include the postseason, Daniels threw five touchdowns last month. Burned it on the pass. But this wasn’t a one-man show. Back in Dallas, head coach Dan Quinn’s D usually did a great job of containing Hurts, and now he’s doing what he was supposed to do: make big plays, including six points in the playoffs. Washington’s run game also came alive last weekend with 182 yards. The managers are getting everything right now and could become the first team to reach the Super Bowl with a rookie behind center.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (1)
We know they don’t really pass the eyeball test. Fortunately, this isn’t the measure of a group that has been failing all season long, but still won 22 of the past 24 games, including one with the Chiefs’ key starters sitting. The loss came earlier this month in Denver. Mahomes and Reid also have an 11-2 record in the postseason at Arrowhead, including two wins against Buffalo. And if you want to argue that core players like TE Travis Kelce and DL Chris Jones are past or at the end of their prime, it certainly didn’t look that way last Saturday against Houston. It wasn’t, but both looked fresh and typically dominant January shapes. Three years ago, in a classic playoff game between these teams, Allen exploded against this defense and the Chiefs won 42-36 in overtime. Otherwise, KC has turned Buffalo’s workhorse into a lethal postseason passer, but has had difficulty containing him as a runner (Allen has averaged 76 rushing yards in the past three matchups). did). But the Chiefs have played one meaningful game since Christmas, are healthy and should be well prepared given the amount of time Reid and his staff have spent planning ahead. Finally, history appears to be on the side of the management, which has been focused for at least a year on achieving more success as the first franchise in history to win three straight Super Bowls.
All your NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th Monday newsletter.
***
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X (formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis).