The NFL Roundup 2021: Conference Championships

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It is definitely safe to say that everyone, everywhere, eagerly awaits the first Sunday in February. For this is when the Super Bowl takes place, and the sheer wonder that Super Bowl Sunday sends our way is so incredibly energizing that it truly has become a can't miss event. But while we all circle our calendars to highlight that special day and make advance plans for the obligatory watch party, it is important to remember exactly how we arrive at this particular point in the NFL Season. Because it is the playoffs, that are critical to the creation of The Big Game and one particular round not only decides who will play in the Super Bowl, but it also tends to offer up games that are as epic as the title matchup itself.
 
For Championship Sunday is a day when four teams fight hard for a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, and that often means that Championship Sunday offers up some breathtaking play, since everyone involved knows what is at stake and well, that means we are likely in for one heck of a treat tomorrow. For the Conference Championships are upon us and this year's title matchups, features some top-tier teams, the kind that will undoubtedly provide us with some serious on-field thrills and with that in mind… the time has come to preview what we can expect from this epic day of football, one that will set the stage for Super Bowl LV.

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National Football Conference Championship
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers
Lambeau Field – Green Bay, Wisconsin
3:05 p.m. EST – FOX

THE BUZZ
Make no mistake about it, what has everyone eager to watch this game, are the two seasoned quarterbacks leading these particular teams. Because Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady have done it all in this league. They’ve earned the title of MVP, they’ve been to the playoffs and won the whole enchilada in the Super Bowl and well, they’re also damn good football players as well and that likely means we are going to see a lot of points on the board in this one, since these two QBs know how to find the end zone and exploit whatever opportunity an opposing defense gives them. Plus this game also has a little sentimental value hanging over it as well, since Brady and Rodgers are nearing the end of their careers and want to cement their hall of fame legacies, and winning this game... would go a long way in helping them both accomplish that goal.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
At first glance, it really does seem as though this particular game is going to be an outright shootout. Since it features two legendary quarterbacks that know how to score at will. But believe it or not, there are some specific things that both teams can do to take charge of this game. For Tampa Bay, that involves playing some aggressive defense to try and slow Rodgers down, and they will also need to execute some long sustained scoring drives on offense. The kind that keeps the Green Bay offense off the field to minimize the damage it can and will do. And as for the Packers, well they need to let Aaron Rodgers be Aaron Rodgers and on defense, they need to just go after Brady. Because it is no secret that tight man cover and a heavy blitz scheme will frustrate him and force him to make mistakes and honestly... it is that psychological weakness on Tom Brady's part that makes me believe that Green Bay will be the one to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LV.

American Football Conference Championship
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri
6:40 p.m. EST – CBS

​THE BUZZ
There are a lot of reasons to be excited about this particular game. Such as the fact that the Buffalo Bills are back in the Conference Championship game and they’re playing some downright incredible football right now. Plus, as of press time, Patrick Mahomes has cleared concussion protocol and is ready to compete for his second AFC Title and well… that likely means we are going to be in for an action packed game. One that will wow us with big bombs through the air and epic plays and you can never go wrong with a title game that features two teams with something to prove. For the Chiefs want to show the world they didn’t get lucky in the slightest last year and the Bills want to prove to the football world that they are elite, and all of that will definitely help to make tomorrow night's game, a memorable one.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
As silly as it sounds, this game is going to come down to one thing, and one thing alone… defense. Because both of these squads love to play ‘bend but don’t break’ defense and that’s been problematic at times, since it’s kept their respective opponents in the game more often than either team would like, and while Buffalo and Kansas City have escaped any major trouble from that, thus far, it is going to cost someone in this game. So really, the first team that shores up their D is the one to win and honestly, if I had to guess which squad will pull that off, it would have to be Kansas City. Because their Divisional Round game last week showed everyone just how badly they want to build a dynasty out west and that drive, along with Mahomes’ magic arm, will likely carry the Kansas City Chiefs to their second AFC title and a chance to win a second championship, in Super Bowl LV.