The NFL Roundup 2020: Conference Championships

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

Well my fellow football fans, we have arrived at the quite the special day in the postseason; Championship Sunday. A day when the two finest teams in the league will be selected to play in the Super Bowl and a day that quite frankly, sometimes offers fans of the sport, better football than the big game itself. Granted, that may sound like blasphemy, but you know exactly what I am talking about. Because coming this close to the big one and losing is unacceptable in the minds of some teams and that’s why we get such incredible and legendary matchups from time to time and there is a chance today may feature some breathtaking games. So, with that in mind, let’s dive right in and take look at today’s Conference Championship games as we anxiously await to see who will be playing in Super Bowl LIV.

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American Conference Football Championship
Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs
Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri
3:05 p.m. EST – CBS 

THE BUZZ
There is a lot of buzz surrounding this particular game and there is good reason for that. After all, this is a Conference Championship that everyone thought would be played in a different town, with different teams but here we are, and it is all thanks to the stunning efforts of the Tennessee Titans. For they have played the spoiler over the past two weeks, knocking off both the Patriots and the Ravens and now they face their biggest challenge yet. For the Kansas City Chiefs have been explosive and methodical for the entire postseason and they are once again a single game away from competing for the Lombardi Trophy and the sheer potential of this particular matchup is what has fans buzzing for several reasons. For this one has the makings of an instant classic, with a grand underdog taking on a genuine Goliath and you can never go wrong with seeing two hungry teams duking it out in the postseason and that’s precisely what I think this game is going to provide us with.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
While the initial thought is that this game is Kansas City’s to lose, there is a path forward for the Tennessee Titans. First and foremost, they have to stick with what works and provide the KC defense with a heavy dose of Derrick Henry. Because they need to wear this D down and need to use Henry to set up the passing game and most important of all, they have to end drives with points. Because the KC offense is no joke and Patrick Mahomes is the real deal and will score a plenty and that’s really what the Titans D needs to focus on in this game, minimizing the damage that #15 can inflict. As for Kansas City, their suspect defense has to step it up in this matchup. Because they’re mediocre at best and they need to give us their best if they want a shot at playing in the Super Bowl. Which means, they have to stop the run and they have neutralize Tannehill and it should be interesting to see which team puts it all together today, and gets to hoist the Lamar Hunt Trophy before making reservations for hotels in Miami. 

National Football Conference Championship
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers
Levi’s Stadium – Santa Clara, California
6:40 p.m. EST – FOX 

​THE BUZZ
Sometimes the football gods are incredibly kind to the fans and they provide everyone who loves this sport with a matchup involving two evenly matched teams and that’s precisely the case with the NFC Championship Game. Because this one features a pair of 13-3 teams that feature solid but not flawless defenses and dynamic quarterbacks/offenses that can make exciting plays and score some serious points. Which doesn’t exactly engender a buzz any other week of the year, but there is an excitement growing around this game simply because there are still some important questions surrounding these teams. For some fans and experts are still wondering if Jimmy G can handle big games and if his coach is the real deal or not, and speaking of coaching, there are still plenty wondering if that was the real problem in Green Bay last year, and a big win here will help silence any concerns, at least… for the victor.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
Well as the old saying goes in football, defense wins championships and that’s going to be supremely applicable to today’s NFC Championship Game. Because both Jimmy Garoppolo and Aaron Rodgers can seemingly score at will, and they both move the ball down the field in efficient and sometimes thrilling fashion. Which means, the defenses in this game have to step it up if they want a free trip to the Super Bowl, and they each need to take unique steps in stopping the dynamic QB’s they’re facing today. When it comes to the Niners, their defense has to attack Aaron Rodgers all day long. They don’t need to sack him per se, they just need to force him to get the ball out quick. Because if he has time to settle in and read the coverage, he’ll make San Francisco pay, and as for the Packers, well they need to offer up a little finesse when their D takes the field. Because Kyle Shanahan has designed quite the creative offense this year, one that features unique routes and disguises and rather than try to figure that out, a little old school might do the trick. So, if Green Bay’s defense plays tight man coverage and they can find ways to disrupt these carefully designed routes, they’ve got a shot, and it should be interesting to see which defense steps it up, so their team can hoist the George Halas Trophy.