24-25 NFL Conference Championships
by Tyler Doty | by Tyler Doty
NFC Conference Championship Game: Commanders vs. Eagles
It began back in 1934 with a 6-0 Washington victory over Philadelphia. Since then, the two teams have played 182 times; Washington leads the all-time series 90-86-6. The Commanders won the last matchup in Week 16, 36-33, but the two teams split the season series.
The Eagles have won 12 of the last 16 games between them.
But they don’t become one of the great rivalries in the NFL simply because they are division foes and have played 192 games. Yes, familiarity can breed contempt. But it’s the history that’s developed between them.
It’s things like the infamous “Body Bag Game” during the 1990 season. Leading up to the game, Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan told reporters his team would physically beat Washington so severely that “they’ll have to be carted off in body bags.”
Philadelphia ended up knocking nine players out of the game; five had to be carried off the field. To add insult to injury, Eagles’ players made comments that would probably result in a fine, if not a penalty, things like:
- "Do you guys need any more body bags?"
- "You guys are going to need an extra bus just to carry all the stretchers!"
Other memorable games include the 2019 season opener, where Washington got out to a 17-0 lead only to see the Eagles roar back and win 32-27. There’s also the one time they met during the playoffs in 1991, a game won by Washington 20-6.
Then there’s the time the former Eagles quarterback returned to Philadelphia as the signal caller for Washington and led the then-Redskins to a 17-12 win over his former team.
The list could go on and on, but the point is this—these guys do not like each other. While a trip to the Super Bowl would be reward enough, notching another win in one of the longest-running rivalries in NFL history will be icing on the cake.
Check out the latest NFL predictions to get expert insights into the final stretch of the 24-25 season.
AFC Championship Game: Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs
This rivalry is not as old as the Eagles-Commanders, nor does it have as much history, but it’s what’s been at stake in many of their meetings that make it stand out.
The rivalry dates back to the AFL days, with the first matchup back in 1960, a 45-28 victory for the then-Dallas Texans over the Buffalo Bills. Over the years, they’ve faced off 56 times, including six postseason meetings, and the Bills lead the all-time series 30-25-1.
It’s the recent games in the Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen Era that generate the most buzz.
Mahomes and Allen have faced off on eight occasions, five in the regular season and three in the playoffs; the AFC title game Sunday will make it nine. Allen has dominated the regular season vs. Mahomes, winning four of five games.
However, Mahomes has won the games that matter most, all three postseason matchups:
- 2020 AFC Championship: Chiefs won 38–24
- 2021 AFC Divisional: Chiefs won 42–36 (OT)
- 2023 AFC Divisional: Chiefs won 27–24
The 2021 Divisional game is one of the more memorable postseason games in recent history. Buffalo appeared to have the game in hand when a Gabriel Davis touchdown reception with 13 seconds left gave the Bills a 36-33 lead.
But then Mahomes got the Chiefs into position to tie the score up at 36-36 in just 13 seconds. They went on to win the game, 42-36 in OT.
Legacies Are On The Line
Legacies are defined by postseason success. Mahomes and the Chiefs can cement their spot in NFL history by beating the Bills and becoming the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
For Josh Allen to ascend to the ranks of the NFL's great quarterbacks, he needs to win the Big Game.
But to even get to the Super Bowl, he needs to finally get past Mahomes and the Chiefs in the playoffs.
Jayden Daniels has already made history this season, but if he were to lead the team past the Eagles, into the Super Bowl, and then win it, he’ll cement his spot in history as the greatest rookie season ever.
As for the Eagles, Saquon Barkley’s legacy stands to gain the most. His regular season play and playoff run are enough to shake off any lingering residue from his lackluster stint with the Giants. But a win in the NFC title game and a trip to the Super Bowl will help people forget he ever played in New York.
So, as you can see, while a spot in Super Bowl 59 is what’s on the line in both conference title games, there is more to each game than that.
