NFL convention title video games daring predictions: Who decides Tremendous Bowl 59 matchup? – USA TODAY

The Tremendous Bowl 59 matchup is about to be set.
For the 4 groups nonetheless left standing within the convention title video games, it would look like there’s little room for shock. The Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles have already met twice this season, with the NFC East rivals splitting the season collection. And the Buffalo Payments and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have loads of familiarity with each other, together with the Week 11 contest wherein Josh Allen and Co. handed Andy Reid’s staff its first lack of the season.
However the penultimate weekend of motion has a approach of manufacturing some sudden twists, together with the San Francisco 49ers’ rally from 17 factors right down to beat the Detroit Lions final yr. May one other defining second for a franchise be forward?
Listed here are our daring predictions for the convention title video games this Sunday:
In typical matchups, it isn’t so daring to foretell All-Professional defensive deal with Chris Jones will get to the quarterback. However that is completely different. It is Buffalo. And Josh Allen.
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The Payments’ underappreciated offensive line allowed an NFL-low 14 sacks throughout the common season, which included a shutout of the Chiefs throughout Buffalo’s large win in November. In reality, the Chiefs additionally did not sack the slippery Allen throughout KC’s divisional playoff win final yr. So, I am pondering the Chiefs protection is overdue. Jones will prepared the ground – and by instance, too – with a pair of sacks to finish the drought.
No, it will not be simple. Allen, rolling with an MVP-credentialed season, is arguably the hardest quarterback within the NFL to deliver down, given his knack of extending performs with energy, pace and imaginative and prescient. And his elusiveness is simply a part of the rationale the Payments gave up the fewest sacks. Allen helps his O-line’s safety along with his improved sense of consciousness on go performs, which interprets into understanding precisely when to throw the soccer as hassle looms with the go rush. After all, Allen also can simply bolt from the pocket to keep away from a sack. It is value noting that previously two conferences between the staff, not solely wasn’t Allen sacked. He was additionally Buffalo’s main rusher, too, in every of these video games. Jones had simply 5 sacks throughout the common season, which was his lowest whole since his rookie yr in 2016. But maybe his sack in opposition to C.J. Stroud final weekend to open the playoffs was an indication. Little question, with a Tremendous Bowl berth at stake, his pass-rush may very well be a severe X-factor.
— Jarrett Bell
The three-time Tremendous Bowl MVP gained’t flop his approach out of this one. 
Mahomes has eight playoff-career interceptions whole, and he’s thrown a pair of them 3 times (twice within the Tremendous Bowl). A 3-pick efficiency can be uncharted territory for him, and it could go a good distance in ending the Chiefs’ possibilities of a three-peat. 
Sean McDermott’s protection might not have stars or large names, notably within the secondary. However that unit must flip Mahomes over a time or two to place the Chiefs on the again foot. Add in a desperation interception, and there’s the three – and the Payments might have each – to tug off the upset and head to New Orleans. 
Mahomes has had a considerably weird season relating to throwing picks. He tossed at the very least one within the first seven video games of the season, when 9 of his 11 occurred. However the two-time league MVP hasn’t thrown a choose in seven straight video games.  
After all, the thought of Mahomes turning over the ball in any respect appears far-fetched. He’s solely thrown three picks 3 times in his whole profession, and the Chiefs really gained two of these video games. The lone loss was the memorable “Monday Evening Soccer” shootout in opposition to the Rams in 2018 that ended 54-51 in favor of Los Angeles. However one thing drastic has to occur to terminate the Chiefs’ magic. That is it. 
— Chris Bumbaca
The Payments’ two takeaways have been key of their Week 11 win over Kansas Metropolis. Buffalo has an NFL-high 35 takeaways and an NFL-low eight turnovers this season (together with playoffs). Josh Allen and firm have dedicated zero turnovers of their final 4 playoff video games. They’re the primary staff ever and not using a turnover in 4 straight postseason video games.
The Payments’ no turnover streak will finish Sunday in Kansas Metropolis. I predict Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie will choose off Allen and the Payments may even lose a fumble. Buffalo will lose the turnover battle for the primary time this postseason, and the giveaways will play a crucial function within the staff’s loss to Kansas Metropolis.
All streaks come to an finish in some unspecified time in the future. Sadly for the Payments, their streak will coincide with a playoff loss.
— Tyler Dragon
The Philadelphia Eagles’ All-Professional operating again ended up simply wanting Eric Dickerson’s storied single-season dashing report when he was stored out of the lineup for the Week 18 finale. However Barkley has a stable shot – how daring is that this prediction, actually? – at breaking Terrell Davis’ mark for dashing yards in a season together with the playoffs (2,476), as he stands simply 148 yards away from taking excessive spot. His common in two video games in opposition to Washington throughout the common season: 148.
Washington knows it can’t afford to falter in its run fits, however the league’s Thirtieth-ranked rush protection has continued to spring leaks in key spots. Except the Commanders can bottle up any potential large positive aspects, a spot in NFL historical past looks as if a definite chance for Barkley.
— Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

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