NFL Conference Championship Result – Eagles & Chiefs Progress
The much anticipated Conference Championship games are now in the bag and overall it would be fair to say that the better teams progressed. Although a degree of bad luck contributed to both.
In The NFC The 49ers ended up playing their 4th string QB after Brock Purdy was forced out with an elbow injury, which came on a key play. On their first possession, Purdy was sacked by Hassan Reddick, however, it was initially judged to be an incomplete pass. This was challenged and overturned and to add to San Francisco’s woes Purdy was unable to continue meaning they had to rely on journeyman Josh Johnson. Purdy had been perfect to that point going 4 for 4 and the game would likely have been closer had he continued under centre.
Take nothing away from the Eagles though, as their pass rush was ferocious and they held the Niners to only 164 yards of offense, most of which came from Christian McCaffery. He was their main bright spot rushing for 84 yards and also adding 22 through the air. The Eagles forced three fumbles in the game and although they were less impressive offensively the game was never really in doubt after Philadelphia capitalised on one inside the final minutes of the first haft to go in leading 21-7.
The game’s main moment of controversy came on the opening drive where DeVonta Smith’s spectacular one-handed grab was later shown to be an incomplete pass. The refs missed it and Philadelphia ran a play before any challenge could be made. It didn’t matter in the end but that coupled with the injury didn’t help.
Catch or no?? 👀 pic.twitter.com/iH7LeYhPy2
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 29, 2023
AFC Championship Game
Over in the AFC, the game was much closer. Neither team managed to get any sort of running game going and so it ended up a passing duel. Patrick Mahomes came out on top in that despite playing on a sprained ankle. He threw for 326 yards and two TDs and was instrumental in setting up the winning field goal. With 17 seconds left, he scrambled for five yards to set up the winning kick, helped in no small part by also drawing a personal foul. Those 15 yards made it a much more manageable 45-yard attempt which Harrison Butker duly kicked to give the Chiefs revenge for last season.
The Bengals had an awful first quarter where they allowed three sacks on Joe Burrow. However, they did show a lot of character to get back into the game and they had the chance to win the game in the last minute. But once again the offensive line let them down as Burow was sacked for the fifth time so forcing a punt.
So Andy Reid will now play his old team, while a bit of further interest will be added by the Kelsey Brothers being on opposing teams.
The final results are below…
NFC Conference Championship Result kicked with ease.
San Francisco 49ers 7 @ Philadelphia Eagles 31
AFC Conference Championship Prediction
Cincinnati Bengals 20 @ Kansas City Chiefs 23
So now it’s on to Super Bowl LVII which is scheduled for 12th February 2023.
You can check out our other playoff posts here.
