–If there is one lesson from the divisional round, it is that Patrick Mahones and Josh Allen seem destined to be the next Brady-Mannng if not the equivalent of Ali-Frazier.
–The two quarterbacks threw haymakers back and forth and it seemed the game was going to come down to Mahomes having the last 1:47 to break a tie or the game was going into overtime. But a Bills missed field goal gave the game to Chiefs and was a devastating loss for the Bills. It brought back memories of Scott Norwood’s wide right kick in the Super Bowl.
–The Chiefs now move on to the AFC title game against Ravens, the sixth AFC title game in a for Mahones. It is his first on the road and he will face Lamar Jackson, who got his second playoff win against the Texans after being tied 10-10 at halftime. We can expect playoff games involving Jackson, Mahomes and Allen to be part of the NFL landscape n the future but only one of them can be in the Super Bowl each year. And C.J. Stroud, Deshaun Watson, Joe BurrowTua Tagovoloa, Trevor Lawrence, Justin Herbert, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis all in the mix. That is 11 quarterbacks and more could be added even though only seven can make it.each year
–The Detroit Lions beat the Bucs to advance to the NFC conference title game at San Francisco despite Baker Mayfield doing his best to keep the Bucs in the game. Since the Lions haven’t won a title since 1957 (when they beat the 49ers) they are a popular choice to make the Super Bowl.
–The 49ers weren’t at the top of their game and needed a missed field goal by the Packers and a late drive to beat the Packers. Jordan Love played well but an ill-advised throw across his body led to an interception that sealed the game for the 49ers. The 49ers are seven-point favorites over the Lions but nobody will be surprised if it is much closer than that.
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