Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders’ improbable season ended in Philadelphia on Sunday.

The Commanders lost to the Eagles 55-23 in the NFC championship game. The disappointment on Washington’s sideline was evident, but the Commanders should feel optimistic about the future of the franchise.

Daniels is the clear-cut favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Dan Quinn is a Coach of the Year candidate.

The Commanders finished the regular season 12-5, an eight-win improvement from a 4-13 year in 2023. The future is bright in Washington.

What’s next for the Commanders as they prepare for the 2025 season? USA TODAY Sports explores.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Commanders key 2025 free agents

Bobby Wagner, LB

Wagner achieved his 13th straight season with over 100-plus tackles, he only trials former Washington standout linebacker London Fletcher, who had 100-plus tackles in 14 seasons, in that department. It would be poetic if Wagner tied Fletcher as a member of the Commanders. The 34-year-old linebacker is still a tackling machine.

Dante Fowler Jr., LB

Fowler logged a team-high 10.5 sacks, the second time in his career he produced double-digit sacks in a season. The former No. 3 overall pick might’ve earned another contract in the nation’s capital. He was Washington’s most consistent pass rusher.

Zach Ertz, TE

The veteran tight end turned into Daniels’ security blanket. Ertz found the fountain of youth as he had his best year since the 2021 season. He’ll turn 35 years old during the 2025 season, but proved he still has juice left in the tank.

Why wasn’t Jayden Daniels the No. 1 pick? Revisiting 2024 NFL draft

Commanders offseason preview: Three moves to make

Edge rusher

Fowler (10) and Frankie Luvu (8) led the Commanders in sacks. Fowler is entering free agency. The franchise still hasn’t replaced departed edge rushers Montez Sweat or Chase Young. Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence is a pending free agent. Commanders coach Dan Quinn has familiarity with Lawrence during his days as the Cowboys defensive coordinator, but it would be good for the Commanders to address the position in the upcoming draft as well.

Offensive line

Daniels was sacked 47 times. Some of his sacks were the result of rookie growing pains and other sacks were on the O-line. A stout offensive line will only benefit the presumptive NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons and West Virginia tackle Wyatt Milum are projected to be available in the first two rounds.

Wide receiver

Terry McLaurin is the Commanders’ excellent No. 1 wide receiver. Olamide Zaccheaus and Noah Brown were Washington’s next two leading receivers and they are both scheduled to be free agents. McLaurin and Ertz accounted for 20 of Daniels’ passing touchdowns. The Commanders need other playmakers out wide. Free-agent wide receivers Keenan Allen or Chris Godwin would be good fits in D.C.

Commanders draft needs

Should the Commanders not

Edge rusher
Wide receiver
Offensive line

The Commanders have seven draft picks in the 2025 NFL draft:

Round 1
Round 2
Round 3 (from PHI)
Round 5 (from NOLA)
Round 7
Round 7 (from PHI)
Round 7 (from PHI)

The Eagles are back in the Big Game.

For the second time in three years, the Eagles are NFC champions and headed to the Super Bowl.

Philadelphia came away with the win over the Commanders, 55-23, on Sunday evening to punch their tickets to Super Bowl 59, where they’ll play the winner of the Bills vs. Chiefs AFC championship game that kicks off later on Sunday night.

Sunday’s game was the Eagles’ second win over their divisional rival this year, albeit one with much higher stakes. They previously won the game they hosted against the Commanders in Week 11 of the regular season.

Here’s everything to know about Philadelphia’s 2025 Super Bowl appearance:

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When is the last time the Eagles were in the Super Bowl?

The Eagles were in the Super Bowl two years ago. They took on the Chiefs in Super Bowl 57 in 2023 (after the 2022 season) and lost, 38-35. It was Philadelphia’s second Super Bowl appearance in the last decade, with the previous one coming in Super Bowl 52 in 2018.

Eagles’ last Super Bowl appearance

Philadelphia lost to the Chiefs in Super Bowl 57, in part thanks to a crucial defensive holding call against cornerback James Bradberry before a nine-yard run by running back Jerick McKinnon to set up the game-winning field goal. Kansas City placekicker Harrison Butker nailed his 27-yard field goal attempt with eight seconds left, and the Eagles were unable to respond on the ensuing possession.

How many Super Bowls have the Eagles won?

The Eagles have won one Super Bowl in their history: Super Bowl 52 (2017). Philadelphia beat Tom Brady’s Patriots in the game that included the famous ‘Philly Special’ play, where quarterback Nick Foles caught a touchdown pass from tight end Trey Burton.

Who are the Eagles playing in the Super Bowl?

The Eagles won’t know who they’re playing in the Super Bowl until the conclusion of the AFC championship game later on Sunday evening. Whoever wins the fourth Bills vs. Chiefs playoff matchup of the last five years will win the AFC title and play Philadelphia in New Orleans in a couple of weeks.

When is the Super Bowl?

The 2025 Super Bowl is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 9.

Where is the Super Bowl?

This year’s Super Bowl will take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. It will be the eighth time that the Superdome hosts the Super Bowl, which is the current record for most times a single venue has hosted the Big Game.

How to watch the Super Bowl

Fox owns the rights to broadcast Super Bowl 59 this year. The game will be available to stream on either Fubo (which offers a free trial) or the Fox Sports app.

Date: Sunday, Feb. 9
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Streaming: Fubo, Fox Sports app
Location: Caesars Superdome in New Orleans

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley had a regular season to remember. He became just the ninth running back in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards, and he did so in 16 games played. He’s a finalist for the NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards in recognition for his season.

In the playoffs, Barkley has continued his stellar season.

Barkley opened things up with 123 total yards on 27 touches against the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs. The Eagles won 22-10 behind Barkley’s reliable running and a strong performance by the defense.

In the divisional round, Barkley put on a show with 232 total yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles beat the Los Angeles Rams 28-22 in snowy conditions at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.

In his first career conference championship game, Barkley was at it again against the Washington Commanders. Here’s how he did:

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Saquon Barkley stats today

Barkley had 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just 15 carries, including a 60-yard touchdown to open the scoring for Philadelphia. That gave him seven touchdowns of 60-plus yards this season – regular season and playoffs combined – the most in a single season in NFL history.

He also caught one pass for four yards.

Saquon Barkley playoff stats

In three playoff games this season, Barkley has 66 carries for 442 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He also has seven catches for 35 yards.

Saquon Barkley’s playoff stats in NFL history

With Barkley’s performance in the NFC championship game, he moves to seventh all-time in rushing yards in a single playoff. Here’s the full top 10:

John Riggins (Commanders), 1982: 610 yards
Terrell Davis (Broncos), 1997: 581 yards
Terrell Davis (Broncos), 1998: 468 yards
Marcus Allen (Raiders), 1983: 466 yards
Eddie George (Titans), 1999: 449 yards
Derrick Henry (Titans), 2019: 446 yards
Saquon Barkley (Eagles), 2024: 442 yards
Thurman Thomas (Bills), 1990: 390 yards
Natrone Means (Jaguars), 1996: 358 yards
Le’Veon Bell (Steelers), 2016: 357 yards

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Hall of Fame basketball legend Kobe Bryant may be gone, but his signature ‘Mamba Mentality’ lives on.

Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles on Jan. 26, 2020, at age 41, alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others. The tragic death of the Los Angeles Lakers icon, who was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021, shocked the world. Five years later, his legacy continues to grow and inspire.

As we near the fifth anniversary of Bryant’s death on Sunday, here’s a look at how his widow Vanessa Bryant, the Lakers, Nike and fans across the world keep Bryant and Gianna’s memory alive:

KOBE BRYANT LEGACY continues with players such as Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker

Lakers unveil statues honoring Kobe, Gianna

On Feb. 8, 2024, the Lakers unveiled one of three statues dedicated to Bryant. The first, located at Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena, shows Bryant wearing his No. 8 jersey in a pose from his 81-point game in 2006. ‘Kobe picked the pose… so if anyone has any issues with it, tough (expletive),’ Vanessa Bryant said at the unveiling.

KOBE BRYANT STATUE: Lakers unveil first of three planned Kobe Bryant statues, honoring his 81-point game

A second statue of Kobe and daughter Gianna was unveiled near the arena on Aug. 2, 2024. The bronze statue depicts Bryant kissing the top of Gianna’s head as they sat courtside at the Lakers game in December 2019, less than a month before their tragic deaths. ‘Kobe was the ultimate Girl Dad and Gigi was the ultimate Daddy’s girl,” Vanessa Bryant said.  

Embedded content: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-L7okYPC6f/

The Lakers plan to create a third statue that features Kobe in his No. 24 jersey, although it’s not clear when the third statue will be revealed. Bryant is the seventh Lakers icon commemorated with a statue. He joins Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West and Chick Hearn. 

Vanessa Bryant continues to run sports foundation

The Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, led by Vanessa Bryant to support underserved athletes in memory of Bryant and Gianna, distributed over 8,000 sneakers and apparel items last week to families as multiple wildfires ravaged Southern California, including the devastating Palisades fire that has burned over 23,000 acres since early January.

‘Kob and I used to live in Palisades when we first got married (sadly, that home was on the street where the initial fire started),’ Vanessa Bryant said on Instagram. ‘We have so many beautiful memories from living in L.A. There are no words to make all the loss and devastation any better. My heart and prayers fo out to everyone in LA who are affected by the fires.’

Nike commemorates Gianna’s 18th birthday

On May 1, 2024, what would have been Gianna Bryant’s 18th birthday, Vanessa Bryant and Nike released a new colorway of the Nike Kobe 8 ‘Mambacita’ sneaker. The black, white and gold shoes incorporate butterflies in her honor. Vanessa reflected on the milestone, writing on Instagram, ‘2024 was your year. You would’ve been graduating high school and choosing which college to go to.’ The Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation also hosted a basketball camp named ‘Play Gigi’s Way’ to commemorate her birthday.

Annie Meyers Drysdale honored with Kobe and Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award

In February, the WNBA awarded Hall of Famer Annie Meyers Drysdale the Kobe and Gigi Bryant Advocacy Award for her ‘continued contributions to the advancement of girls’ and women’s basketball.’ Chris Paul received the inaugural honor in 2022, followed by Pau Gasol in 2023.

“I first met Kobe when his dad was coaching the Los Angeles Sparks, and I was on the Sparks’ broadcast team.  I knew then how much passion Kobe had for the game of basketball and how that devotion ran in the family.  It was a full-circle moment for me when Kobe led his daughters to the sport, and we all saw the support he gave to girls and women in the game,’ Drysdale said in February. ‘As someone who has also lost a husband while raising young children, I hope to honor Vanessa’s strength and bring further awareness to the ways that she continues to recognize her husband and daughter’s legacy.”

Who has won the Kobe Bryant Trophy for All-Star MVP?

Damian Lillard picked up the Kobe Bryant Trophy after being named the 2024 All-Star MVP. Lillard also won the 3-point contest for the second consecutive time the day prior, becoming just the second player since Michael Jordan to win a Saturday event and MVP in the same year.

‘Any time you’re mentioned in the same category as Mike, it’s an honor, and it’s a major accomplishment, even if it’s All-Star Weekend,’ Lillard said. ‘If it was that simple, more people would have done it since 1988. So that’s a major compliment for me to be mentioned in the same conversation as far as that.’

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The basketball world took to social media Sunday to pay tribute to Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash five years ago along with eight other passengers, including his daughter Gianna.

The crash happened en route to Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in Newbury Park, California, where he was scheduled to coach his daughter’s team.

The tragic crash shocked the local area and the basketball world, and five years later, Bryant’s legacy continues to grow and inspire. The NBA legend was was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

Kobe Bryant tributes shared on social media

Social media was filled with photographs, memories and stories of the Hall of Famer as people looked back at his life and career.

All things Lakers: Latest Los Angeles Lakers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

The Lakers did not put out a formal statement but shared a photograph of Bryant sitting courtside of a basketball game with his arm around his Gianna.

A statue of Kobe and Gianna together in front of Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles was unveiled in August of 2024. It was the second of three Kobe Bryant-related statues placed outside of the venue. A date for unveiling the third statue has not been publicly announced.

Carmelo Anthony shares moment with Kobe Bryant

Former Team USA teammate Carmelo Anthony shared a photograph with Bryant and a caption that read ‘Sometimes you never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.’

Anthony and Bryant were members of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic gold medal teams. The teams also featured Lakers forward LeBron James and San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver remembers Kobe Bryant

The NBA’s official X (formerly Twitter) account also shared a portrait of Bryant and a statement from league commissioner Adam Silver.

‘Kobe Bryant continues to serve as an inspiration to aspiring and current NBA and WNBA players, young athletes playing at all levels and those who are motivated solely by his relentless pursuit of excellence. Our thoughts today are with Vanessa and the Bryant family as we remember Kobe and their daughter, Gianna, with whom he shared a special bond around a profound love of the game of basketball.’

WNBA honors Kobe, Gianna Bryant and her teammates

The WNBA’s official X account shared a picture remembering Gianna, Alyssa Altobelli, and Payton Chester.

Altobelli and Chester were teammates of Gianna and were also in the crash. The trio were selected as honorary draftees during the league’s 2020 draft.

How other NBA players honored Kobe Bryant on social media

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum did not share a post about Bryant, his all-time favorite player, but continues to have images that feature Bryant in his profile photo on his official X and Instagram accounts.

Tatum, who played against the Lakers earlier this week, spent time working on his game and being mentored by Bryant. The Laker star’s former teammate, Pau Gasol, also has a photo of Bryant as his X account profile photo.

Jayden Daniels pays tribute to Kobe Bryant

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was asked about Bryant earlier this week.

‘Kobe is my favorite athlete of all time, especially growing up in Southern California, watching the Lakers and watching Kobe,’ Daniels told reporters. ‘Just growing up you fall in love with his game and who he is and as I got older you fall in love with his mindset and everything like that and how he approached the game. He never cheated the game and he took it serious and he gave it his all every time he was on the court.’

Daniels and the Commanders played Bryant’s favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles, on Sunday for the NFC championship game with a chance to advance to the Super Bowl. The quarterback wore Kobe cleats during pregame warmups.

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Nobody in men’s tennis has an answer for Jannik Sinner at the moment. 

The 23-year old Italian cruised to his second straight Australian Open title on Sunday and third major overall, beating world No. 2 Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in a disappointingly one-sided final. 

Sinner, who went 73-6 last year with eight ATP trophies, picked up right where he left off in Australia and dropped just two sets en route to the title. 

Though Sunday’s final had the veneer of competitiveness at times, the reality is that Sinner does everything better than Zverev on a tennis court except serve – and even there, it’s a pretty even battle these days. 

But that’s not just a Zverev issue. Sinner has spent the past year picking apart the top players one by one with his arsenal of ground strokes, which match supreme power with Novak Djokovic-like consistency, and elite movement around the court. 

At the moment, Sinner doesn’t really have a weakness for opponents to exploit. They kind of have to hope he has a bad day – and he wasn’t in that mood over the past two weeks in Australia. 

How it happened

There really wasn’t much drama in this one, nor were there a lot of spellbinding rallies. It was mostly meat-and-potatoes baseline tennis, and it generally didn’t go well for Zverev on the handful of occasions he tried to force the issue by coming to net.

Unsurprisingly, Sinner’s bigger, penetrating ball put him in position to control the forehand-to-forehand exchanges. But Zverev’s backhand, which is typically his best shot, also let him down too many times with 11 unforced errors in the second set when he needed to make his push. 

Despite earning no break point chances in the entire match, Zverev perhaps had an opportunity in the tiebreaker to even things up and test Sinner’s fitness and nerve over a marathon match. But serving at 4-4 in the tiebreak, Zverev suffered a stroke of bad luck: Sinner’s inside-out forehand from the middle of the court clipped the top of the tape and dropped dead over the net, giving Zverev no chance to hit the ball. Sinner won his next two service points to close out the set and take command of the match.

Zverev’s energy dropped precipitously in the third set, and he was broken at 2-3 to essentially concede the title. It’s unclear whether that was resignation or the effect of his type-1 diabetes, which he has had to manage throughout his career. Zverev was seen twice during changeovers injecting himself with medicine to regulate his blood sugar. Zverev also seemed to be upset at various points in the match with the tension in his racket strings. 

Sinner finished the match with a plus-5 winner-to-error ratio, while Zverev was minus-20. 

What it means

With Sinner rolling like this, it seems at the moment that only Carlos Alcaraz can consistently push him head-to-head. Their rivalry stands at 6-4 in favor of Alcaraz, and Alcaraz has four Grand Slam titles to Sinner’s three. 

However, there’s been a huge gulf between them over the last year when it comes to consistency over the course of the season. Alcaraz, who lost to Djokovic in the quarterfinals of this tournament, took several bad early-round losses over the last year while Sinner only lost to highly-ranked players (including three times to Alcaraz).

Their race for Grand Slam titles will be fascinating to watch over the coming years – but also alarming for the players in their late 20s like Zverev who have seen their generation underperform on the biggest stages.

Zverev, who has 23 ATP titles, is arguably the best player in the history of men’s tennis without a major. This was his third loss in a final, and it’s unclear where he goes from here. Zverev had complete control of the 2020 U.S. Open final against Dominic Thiem before falling apart and losing in a fifth-set tiebreaker, and last year he was ahead two sets to one on Alcaraz at Roland Garros before losing.

This match won’t leave Zverev with what-ifs, but where does he go from here knowing that the young guys are only getting better? The scar tissue seems to be accumulating. 

Sinner, meanwhile, will have his biggest upcoming battle with WADA – the World Anti-Doping Agency. A little less than a year ago, he tested positive for traces of a steroid but was allowed to continue competing by the International Tennis Integrity Agency as an investigation took place. 

Sinner and his team attributed the positive test to an over-the-counter spray available in Italy that contains the banned substance clostebol, which Sinner’s trainer had used to treat a cut on his hand. Sinner successfully argued to the ITIA that the substance entered his system by the trainer’s hand contact with lesions on his skin. 

WADA, however, has pushed for Sinner to receive at least a one-year ban as punishment. Sinner now faces an April hearing in front of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. That leaves open the possibility Sinner could miss Grand Slams this summer. 

(This story was updated to add a video.)

There’s a certain magic to Kansas’ Phog Allen Fieldhouse, a building in which seemingly inexplicable things routinely happen late in games to doom visiting teams.

On Saturday night, whatever supernatural forces there might be inside the 80-year-old arena worked against the Jayhawks.

Coach Bill Self’s team squandered a six-point lead over Houston with fewer than 10 seconds remaining before ultimately falling 92-86 in double overtime in a matchup of top-15 teams.

How does a squad as talented and experienced as Kansas manage to blow a multi-possession advantage in such a short period of time, with all of that unfolding in front of what’s arguably the best home-court advantage in the sport?

It took a special, difficult-to-replicate sequence of events.

The Jayhawks led by six, 79-73, in overtime after a pair of Rylan Griffen free throws with 28 seconds remaining. Looking to get his team within a basket, Houston’s LJ Cryer misfired on a 3-pointer, which was collected by Kansas’ Dajuan Harris Jr.

He was quickly fouled, sending the 71.9% free-throw shooter to the line with 18.5 seconds remaining. In that moment, with one made free throw extending their lead to three possessions and effectively icing the game, the Jayhawks had a 99% chance of winning, according to ESPN analytics.

Harris, however, missed both free throws and Houston responded on the other end, with Emauel Sharp draining a contested 3 to cut the Cougars’ deficit in half with 7.5 seconds to play.

On the ensuing inbounds pass, Kansas’ Zeke Mayo threw the ball well short of his intended target, Hunter Dickinson. The ball was deflected back to Houston’s Mylik Wilson, who had the presence of mind to take a step back to get behind the arc and calmly sink the game-tying 3 with 4.3 seconds remaining.

Houston extended the game to a second overtime, where coach Kelvin Sampson’s team used a 6-0 run to turn what was an 86-84 lead with 1:16 remaining into six-point victory.

It wasn’t the first time Saturday that Kansas had given away a late lead. The Jayhawks were up 66-60 with 1:10 remaining in regulation, but allowed a jumper to Houston and then had turnovers on back-to-back possessions, opening the door for the Cougars to tie the game with a pair of J’Wan Roberts free throws with 14 seconds left.

Roberts had a game-high 24 points and nine rebounds for Houston while Wilson added 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting.

The win improved the No. 5 Cougars’ record to 16-3 while dropping the No. 11 Jayhawks to 14-5. For either team, no win or loss this season came under more improbable circumstances.

Free agent first baseman Pete Alonso remains unsigned less than a week from February, and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen got ‘brutally honest’ during an event Saturday about winter negotiations with the team’s longtime slugger.

With fans chanting ‘we want Pete’ during Cohen’s panel at Citi FIeld with president David Stearns and manager Carlos Mendoza, the Mets owner took the mic and explained his frustrations with efforts to bring Alonso back.

‘Personally, this has been an exhausting conversation and negotiation,’ Cohen said. ‘(Juan) Soto was tough, this is worse.’

The Mets signed Soto to a 15-year, $765 million deal in December, the largest contract in sports history. Alonso is also represented by Soto’s agent Scott Boras.

‘We’ve made a significant offer to Pete,’ Cohen said. ‘I don’t like the structures that are being presented back to us. I think it’s highly asymmetrical against us and I feel strongly about it.’

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Drafted by the Mets in 2016, Alonso made his big-league debut in 2019 and set the MLB rookie record with 53 home runs. In six seasons with the Mets, Alonso hit 226 home runs – third on the club’s all-time list – and became one of the team’s most beloved players in recent history.

‘I will never say no, there’s always the possibility. But the reality is we’re moving forward and we continue to bring in players,’ Cohen said Saturday. ‘As we continue to bring in players, the reality is it becomes harder to fit Pete into what is a very expensive group of players. …

‘I don’t like the negotiations. I don’t like what’s been presented to us and maybe that changes – and certainly I’ll always stay flexible – but if it stays this way, I think we’re going to have to get used to the fact that we may have to move forward with the existing players that we have.’

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The Super Bowl 59 matchup is about to be set.

For the four teams still left standing in the conference title games, it might seem like there’s little room for surprise. The Washington Commanders 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 one another, including the Week 11 contest in which 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 title games this Sunday:

Chris Jones ends drought and collects two sacks

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

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The Bills’ underappreciated 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 also didn’t sack the slippery Allen during KC’s divisional playoff win last year. So, I’m thinking the Chiefs defense is overdue. Jones will lead the way – and by example, too – with a pair of sacks to end the drought.

No, it won’t be easy. Allen, rolling with an MVP-credentialed season, is arguably the toughest quarterback in the NFL to bring down, given his knack of extending plays with power, speed and vision. And his elusiveness is only part of the reason the Bills gave up the fewest sacks. Allen helps his O-line’s protection with his improved sense of awareness on pass plays, which translates into knowing exactly when to throw the football as trouble looms with the pass rush. Of course, Allen can also just bolt from the pocket to avoid a sack. It’s worth noting that in the past two meetings between the team, not only wasn’t Allen sacked. He was also Buffalo’s leading rusher, too, in each of those games. Jones had just five sacks during the regular season, which was his lowest total since his rookie year in 2016. Yet perhaps his sack against C.J. Stroud last weekend to open the playoffs was a sign. No doubt, with a Super Bowl berth at stake, his pass-rush could be a serious X-factor.

— Jarrett Bell

Patrick Mahomes throws 3 interceptions as three-peat dream ends

The three-time Super Bowl MVP won’t flop his way out of this one. 

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

Sean McDermott’s defense may not have stars or big names, particularly in the secondary. But that 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’s the three – and the Bills may need each one – to pull off the upset and head to New Orleans. 

Mahomes has had a somewhat bizarre season when it comes to throwing picks. He tossed at least one in the first seven games of the season, when 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 turning over the ball at all seems far-fetched. He’s 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 has to happen to terminate the Chiefs’ magic. 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 postseason games.

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

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

— Tyler Dragon

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

The Philadelphia Eagles’ All-Pro running back ended up just short of Eric Dickerson’s storied single-season rushing record when he was kept out of the lineup for the Week 18 finale. But Barkley has a solid shot – how bold is this prediction, really? – at 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.

— Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz