Ranking the possible Super Bowl matchups: Chiefs, Eagles, Bills, Commanders originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Four teams remain in the NFL postseason, but the identity of the final two teams is just as significant.
The NFC Championship will feature the sixth-seeded Washington Commanders facing the No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles for the third time this season. The regular-season series between these two NFC East rivals ended in a 1-1 split.
Washington reached this point after defeating the No. 1 Detroit Lions on the road, with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the second overall pick, outshining veteran Jared Goff. Philadelphia, on the other hand, held off the Los Angeles Rams in a dramatic, snow-filled game, with Saquon Barkley’s dominant performance leading the way.
In the AFC, the No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs will take on the No. 2 Buffalo Bills in yet another showdown between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Buffalo emerged victorious in their sole regular-season encounter this year.
Kansas City, though controversially, managed to defeat the Houston Texans at home, while Buffalo triumphed over Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
So, among the four teams left standing, which two would offer the most exciting Super Bowl matchup in New Orleans? Here’s a ranking of the potential matchups, from least to most desirable:
4. Chiefs vs. Commanders
A Kansas City-Washington game would certainly hold some intrigue. Mahomes remains the face of the NFL, but Daniels’ rapid rise could soon place him in the conversation. The matchup would likely hinge on how Daniels and Washington’s offense perform against Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. The Chiefs’ experience, combined with a Washington team that blends veterans and young talent, could result in either a narrow Kansas City win or a victory by at least two scores.
3. Chiefs vs. Eagles
While recent Super Bowl rematches aren’t always unwelcome, this one raises some questions. The Chiefs’ overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers last season was a showcase of elite football, but are the current Eagles on the same level as last year’s 49ers? The Chiefs may have the better record this season, but their offense isn’t as potent as it was last year. The Eagles, heavily powered by Barkley—a player they didn’t have in their previous meeting—would likely result in a lower-scoring game, with Kansas City pulling off a win. Jalen Hurts’ current form isn’t as explosive as it was during their earlier encounter.
2. Bills vs. Commanders
If a completely fresh matchup is the goal, the Bills vs. Commanders could be the best option: two teams with new faces from recent seasons. This matchup would feature teams aiming to either break long playoff droughts or claim their first championship. Allen and Daniels, both dual-threat quarterbacks, would make for an exciting contest. Additionally, Washington’s 1992 Super Bowl win over Buffalo, which prevented the Bills from securing their first title, sets up a potential story of revenge for Buffalo or another painful reminder for Washington fans.
1. Bills vs. Eagles
The Eagles edge out the Commanders here due to their star power. With key players like Hurts, Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Darius Slay Jr., and Jalen Carter, Philadelphia could pose a tougher challenge for Buffalo than Washington would. A matchup between Allen and Hurts, along with Cook vs. Barkley, would create thrilling showdowns, regardless of whether the game is high-scoring. However, for Buffalo, there’s a troubling history: all four of their Super Bowl losses have come at the hands of NFC East teams—twice against the Cowboys, and once each against the Giants and Washington. That said, Allen could further solidify his Hall of Fame credentials by breaking this curse.
