NFL Duress List - Conference Championships

It's the Conference Championships—AFC and NFC Championship Games are set, and just four teams remain. Only two will punch their tickets to the biggest spectacle in American team sports: the Super Bowl.

At this stage of the NFL playoffs, the pressure is at its peak. With just one game separating teams from immortality, every play, every decision, and every moment is under the microscope. Let’s dive in and assess the pressure levels for the final four contenders heading into these high-stakes matchups. Each team is ranked on a "pressure meter" scale from 1 to 10, with 10 representing immense duress and 1 signifying minimal pressure.

Buffalo Bills?

Let’s start with the visitors, the Buffalo Bills. For them, this match is all about redemption against the Kansas City Chiefs. Last season, the Chiefs ended the Bills’ play-off hopes in Buffalo, and this year, the Bills will be looking to turn the tables. Josh Allen’s post-season record against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs is far from ideal—three games, three defeats. However, Allen has fared much better in the regular season, winning four out of five matchups against Mahomes.

The task for Allen is clear: he must prove he can rise to the occasion when it matters most. He has already beaten Mahomes once this season and comes into this game fresh from a divisional-round triumph over soon-to-be MVP Lamar Jackson. Can Allen finally overcome the man who has consistently blocked his path to glory?

The stakes are even higher for the Bills as a team. Buffalo is a city starved of Championship success, having reached the Super Bowl four times in a row from 1990-1993? and losing on every occasion. The Bills are desperate to rewrite their story, but first, they must overcome a Kansas City side that has dominated this rivalry when it truly matters.

Pressure Meter - 10

Kansas City Chiefs

For Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, this game marks yet another chapter in their extraordinary run of dominance. It is their seventh consecutive AFC Championship Game appearance—a feat achieved by only a select few teams—and they are eyeing their fifth Super Bowl appearance in six seasons.

A victory here would bring the Chiefs one step closer to a historic Super Bowl three-peat and further solidify Mahomes’ legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. However, facing Josh Allen and the Bills is never an easy task for the reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champions.

Arrowhead Stadium will undoubtedly be a fortress for the Chiefs, with the home crowd roaring them on. Adding further motivation, it was the Bills who ended Kansas City’s bid for an unbeaten season earlier this year, handing them their first defeat after a stunning 9-0 start. For Mahomes and the Chiefs, this game isn’t just about reaching another Super Bowl—it’s about cementing their dynasty and keeping their historic three-peat dream alive.

The stage is set. Will Mahomes and the Chiefs maintain their reign, or will Allen and the Bills finally rewrite history? One thing is certain: this AFC Championship promises to be a classic. Let’s go!

Pressure Meter - 8

AFC Championship Game: Kansas City Chiefs v Buffalo Bills @ Arrowhead

Philadelphia Eagles

For the Eagles, this season has been about capitalising on opportunities, and their path to the NFC Championship Game reflects that narrative. Many had expected a road showdown with the top-seeded Detroit Lions at this stage, but Washington’s stunning upset reshaped the picture, granting Philadelphia home-field advantage at Lincoln Financial Field.

Philly enters this matchup with the most formidable defensive front remaining in the postseason. Ranked first in the NFL in yards allowed during the regular season, the Eagles’ defense has been the driving force behind their playoff success. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter has been a revelation, delivering a career-defining performance in the Divisional Round, highlighted by two sacks and a pivotal forced fumble.?

Complementing their defense is a bruising run game centered around Saquon Barkley. Barkley’s ability to find open lanes, control the clock, and physically wear down opponents has been integral to the Eagles’ game plan. He has been virtually unstoppable, amassing 296 rushing yards across two regular-season meetings with Washington.

Despite their strengths, concerns linger about quarterback Jalen Hurts’ performance in the playoffs. He threw for just 131 yards against both the Packers and the Rams, raising questions about his ability to lead the Eagles' offense through the air if their dominant run game falters.?

Heading into this NFC Championship Game, the Eagles are considered heavy favourites and the challenge lies in ensuring they don’t fall victim to complacency or underestimate rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, whose remarkable postseason run has defied expectations. Still, it would be a significant shock if the Eagles, with all their advantages, allowed a first-year quarterback to outshine them on their home turf.

Pressure Meter - 9

Washington Commanders

For Washington, this season has been nothing short of a dream come true. Entering 2024 with a rookie quarterback in Jayden Daniels and preseason win totals set at just 6.5, few believed they could make a significant impact. However, Daniels has defied all expectations during this play-off run, averaging 283 passing yards per game, with four touchdowns, no interceptions, and an impressive 70% pass completion rate.

Now in the playoffs, Washington is arguably the most impressive team of the postseason. They stunned the league by defeating Tampa Bay on the road and then shocking the number-one seed Detroit Lions in the Motor City, scoring a staggering 45 points. Their fearless mentality on fourth downs has been a major factor in their success, converting 3-of-5 attempts against Tampa and 3-of-4 against Detroit. This aggressive approach reflects their belief that field goals won’t suffice—touchdowns are essential if they are to keep their Super Bowl dreams alive.

Next up for Washington is a daunting task against a Philadelphia side boasting a world-class defence. For the Commanders to advance to their first Super Bowl since 1992—the year they last won the championship—they’ll need to bring their best. The Eagles’ Saquon Barkley has tormented them this season, rushing for at least 146 yards in both regular-season matchups. Limiting Barkley’s impact will be crucial if Washington hopes to continue their fairytale run.

The Commanders have already defied expectations and rewritten the narrative of their season. Whether they can cap it off with a championship remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: they’ve proven that nothing is impossible.

Pressure Meter - 5

NFC Championship Game: Philadelphia Eagles v Washington Commanders @ Lincoln Financial Field