Adamo Marinelli
Jan. 30, 2023
Super Bowl 57 is set. The NFC’s number-one-seeded Philadelphia Eagles will do battle with the AFC’s number-one-seed Kansas City Chiefs in Arizona on February 12. It shall be known as the battle between Jason and Travis Kelce for their second ring and Andy Reid’s current vs former team.
NFC Championship: San Fransisco 49ers 7 - Philadelphia Eagles 31
Unfortunately, this game between the two best teams in the NFC was never particularly close, quite anticlimactic, actually. Of course, Brock Purdy got hurt early. The 49ers had to rely on backup QB Josh Johnson, who clearly wasn’t game ready, and also relied on running back Christian McCaffrey in the wildcat formation when Johnson exited with an injury. Still, the biggest factor in this game was the Eagles’ defence that forced two turnovers deep in 49ers territory which they capitalized on by scoring two touchdowns to build an early 21-7 lead at halftime. The 49ers' defence was solid all game, but their offence left them some short fields, which is hard for any defence to prevent touchdowns, especially against a dynamic offence like Philadelphia’s. McCaffrey led the way for the 49ers with 84 yards and a touchdown on the ground, but that’s where the 49ers’ offensive production ended. Meanwhile, the Eagles’ offence did not make a single mistake, didn’t turn the ball over and controlled the clock with their effective run game, which combined for 150 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Jalen Hurts only threw for 121 yards, but like against the Giants, they built a big lead early and didn’t need to pass the ball. The only questionable call in this game was Devonta Smith’s huge reception on third down in the first quarter which led to the Eagles’ first touchdown. The replay showed it was incomplete, but 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t throw the challenge flag because his sideline staff didn’t have the definitive angle at the time. Regardless, the Eagles’ defence also pressured both 49ers’ quarterbacks all game, forcing three sacks two fumbles and being in the 49ers' backfield all day. The Eagles’ number-one pass rush which recorded a franchise record of 70 sacks this season is how they win games, and it was no different tonight. The Eagles will return to the Superbowl for the first time since 2017.
AFC Championship: Cincinnati Bengals 20 - Kansas City Chiefs 23
Joe Burrow is no longer perfect against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Just like the Bengals’ three previous victories against the Chiefs, this game was also decided by three points after an unnecessary roughness penalty against Mahomes who after scrambling for a first down on a hurt ankle - great play by him putting his body on the line for the win - was hit late out of bounds by Begals’ defensive end Joseph Ossai which led to Harrison Butker’s game-winning field goal. While that call was correct according to the rule book, many other suspect calls in this game led many people who were on the fence about if the NFL was scripted to believe it definitely was. Most notably, the Chiefs getting to re-do a crucial third down, several missed holds and blocks in the back on the punt return that led to Butker’s game-winning kick, several missed roughing the passers on Burrow, the intentional grounding on Burrow even though Samaje Perine was in the area. Also, many people also argued that it was Ossai’s momentum that carried him out of bounds and as a result, the refs should never decide a championship game with a call like that. People are even calling for the officiating crew to be investigated. Regardless of how bad the referees may have been, the Chiefs’ pass rush was the real reason they won the game. The Chiefs pressured Burrow all night, especially in the first half and capitalized on the Bengals’ makeshift offensive line, recording five sacks and pressuring Burrow, forcing him to hurry up his reads. This led to Burrow throwing two interceptions. Chris Jones and Frank Clarke combined for 3.5 sacks, including the one that forced a Bengals punt, leading to the Chiefs’ game-winning drive. The Chiefs' run game was borderline ineffective, however, even with an ankle that wasn’t 100 percent, Mahomes looked good, completing 29/43 passes for 326 yards and two TDs; and Marquez Valdes-Scantling was the leading receiver with six grabs, 116 yards and one TD. The Bengals kept it close and only trailed by over seven points one time after Travis Kelce’s touchdown in the second quarter. In the second half, Burrow was more composed and found ways to escape pressure and get the ball downfield to his playmakers, but with five minutes left in the game Burrow had the chance for a game-winning drive but his deep ball intended for Ja’Marr Chase was intercepted. After both teams exchanged punts, the Chiefs drove down the field with the help of the major foul on Ossai to give the Chiefs the win with seconds remaining. The Chiefs will go to their third Superbowl in five years.
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