Super Bowl LIX is right around the corner, and as conference championship Sunday approaches, we’re about to meet our contenders.
In one corner is another chapter in the growing rivalry between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. In another game, the upstart Washington Commanders faced off against the division rival Philadelphia Eagles for the third time this season.
Which teams will advance to the Super Bowl? Which players will play a key role in helping them achieve that goal? Let’s take a look at one player from each team who could be a hero on Sunday.
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Matt Marchese and Donnovan Bennett discuss the latest NFL news and break down the most important games all season long on the road to the Super Bowl. Don’t miss The FAN Checkdown Monday through Friday on the Sportsnet broadcast network.
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Washington Commander @ Philadelphia Eagles | Sunday 3pm ET
Trent Scott, OL, Washington Commander
Washington’s offensive line has performed better than expected this month, keeping quarterback Jayden Daniels’ jersey clean. The rookie quarterback now has more wins (two) than negative games (sack, fumble or interception: one) in the playoffs. Unfortunately, one of his best protectors, Sam Cosmi, would retire this year after suffering a torn ACL in a divisional round win over the Lions.
While the final plans for the interior offensive line will be kept secret until Sunday, head coach Dan Quinn acknowledged that Trent Scott, who took most of the snaps last weekend after Cosmi exited, will play a big role moving forward.
Scott has started just 23 games in seven years as a pro, including one earlier this season (Week 10 against the Steelers). With Cosmi sidelined, GMs will likely run some plays for Daniels to escape the Eagles’ intense pass rush, but if Daniels wants to carry his Cinderella run all the way into the game, St. Kurt still needs to be at the top of his game. Super Bowl.
Jaylen Carter, DL, Philadelphia Eagles
On the other hand, we have Jalen Carter, who could end the Rams’ season on a snowy Sunday night in Philadelphia. Carter broke through the Rams’ protection on both third and fourth downs to end the game, notching a sack on back-to-back possessions and forcing a Matthew Stafford fumble. Complete the game.
Carter finished the game with five tackles, two sacks and two tackles for a loss — dominating the game from start to finish. Along with fellow backs Zack Baun, Nolan Smith Jr. and Josh Sweat (just to name a few), Carter will now face Washington’s Offensive line, the team’s offensive line had 47 sacks (sixth most in the regular season) and will lose its offensive ability. The most consistent offensive lineman.
Buffalo Bills @Kansas City Chiefs | Sunday 6:30 PM ET
Tyler Bass, K, Buffalo Bills
The life of an NFL kicker isn’t easy. You don’t get much credit for making a shot, and you take most of the blame if you miss it. Tough gig.
Many will remember Tyler Bass’ high-profile fumble against these Chiefs last January, when he missed a 44-yard field goal attempt to tie the game late in the fourth quarter of the divisional round. It may not be the worst mistake in franchise history, but it’s still heart-wrenching.
But Bass was on the rise, having a solid season and warming up late in games. He hasn’t missed a field goal since Week 15, including two last weekend against the Ravens (he also made all three extra-point attempts). He hit a 51-yard field goal in the fourth quarter against Baltimore — Buffalo’s second 50-yard field goal of the postseason.
As we’ve seen countless times, a lot of kicking comes down to confidence. Bass is almost certain to play in a big moment for Kansas City on Sunday — and given his recent success, he must be feeling good right now.
Kareem Hunt, running back, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs running game has had some ups and downs this year. After starter Isiah Pacheco suffered a broken fibula in Week 2 and a brief dalliance with rookie Carson Steele, head coach Andy Reid turned to former Chief Kareem Hunt. Free agent after five years with the Browns.
The move paid immediate dividends. From Week 4 to Week 12, when Pacheco returned from injured reserve, Hunter touched the ball a whopping 172 times, totaling 712 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns. Even after starting to split the ball with Pacheco, Hunter still had four more touchdowns than Pacheco’s zero touchdowns.
The Chiefs offense has looked sluggish at times this season despite having three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. Their win over the Texans last weekend again lacked explosiveness. With Hunter, the offense can move the ball more easily in short-yardage situations. Since entering the lineup, Hunter has completed 16 of 19 attempts on third or fourth down.
Hunter has scored in double digits in just two of Kansas City’s past six games. In the 10 games he participated in this year have Hunter finished with more than 10 carries, averaging 3.5 yards per carry. Well, the math is simple: If the Chiefs give Hunter the ball more — even more than a healthy Pacheco — they’re not only more likely to keep the ball moving, but also not fall into the hands of Josh Allen in hand.
