There are only two games left before the Super Bowl in a season that has been shrouded in doubt since the beginning. The NFL had positive COVID-19 tests and was forced to reschedule many games, hitting schedule BINGO with a game on every day of the week along the way. The Ravens had to play basically their entire practice squad in a huge game against the Steelers; the Broncos had to start a WR at QB and league-wide key players missed a game or two. But all in all, COVID protocols were followed as best as could be expected and here we are, NFL Championship Sunday is upon us.

On this sacred Sunday we have some of the most unique and interesting matchups in our life time, and I truly believe that is not an exaggeration. In the NFC, we’re going to have a showdown in the snow between two of the greatest QB’s of our generation, both on the back end of their careers looking to go out with a bang as Tom Brady and the Buccaneers head to Lambeau to take on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Obviously, Tom Brady doesn’t need to win this game. His legacy as the GOAT is already cemented, especially with the fact that he has made it this far as a 43 year old in his first year on a new team. But man oh man would he love to stick it to Belichick and the Patriots and go on to a FREAKING 10TH SUPER BOWL! Rodgers, however, could really use a win in this game for his legacy. Despite being arguably the most talented passer of this generation, he has only made one Super Bowl. And granted he won that one Super Bowl, but that still feels like a bit of an underachievement compared to his talent.

In the AFC, its quite the opposite, as two of the games young guns face off with Patrick Mahomes and the defending champion Chiefs welcome in Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Patrick Mahomes is a bonafide stud already and Allen has had a breakout year, with the help of the acquisition of the season, Stefon Diggs. Allen has shown playmaking ability through both the air and the ground, the true definition of a dual threat QB. And his deep ball, which was much criticized prior to this season, has shown vast improvements in the accuracy department, again aided by the incorporation of Diggs in the offense.

With that said, here’s what us at Townhouse Takes think will happen with today’s games and who we feel will be going on to (or staying in) Tampa for Super Bowl LIV.

#5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. #1 Green Bay Packers (3:05 p.m. EST on FOX)

Justin:

In the NFC game, my heart and focus is only on one storyline: Tom Brady making it happen and going to his 10th Super Bowl. I like the Buccaneers to get the running game going early with a mixed dosage of both Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones. This will open up the play action game, that Brady is absolutely lethal with, especially in the postseason. Particularly in this game with Antonio Brown out, I look for Scotty Miller to see an uptick in snaps and make a huge impact with a handful of big plays because of that. Miller and Brady have shown a great rapport this season, but with Brown usually in Miller has seen less playing time recently. For the Packers, I think Aaron Rodgers will feed another monster game to Davante Adams through the year and be in it until the very end, but the Packers running defense will not be able to keep the Bucs off the field at the end of the game and Tom Brady outlasts Aaron Rodgers by making more plays with the money on the table. Final Score: 27-24 Buccaneers.

Cam:

As Tom Brady prepares for his 14th conference championship game, and first in the NFC, practically all eyes are on the GOAT to lead the Buccaneers into his 10th Super Bowl appearance and further solidify his legacy by winning a seventh Super Bowl for his new team in his first year at their own stadium. Brady has a significantly better receiving core than he did last season and, as Justin said, the backfield duo of Fournette and Jones gives the Bucs plenty of offensive weapons and the team has looked sharp throughout the playoffs. However, even though they handled the Packers easily in Week 6 with a 38-10 win, this Green Bay team is a different beast and has been heating up at the right time as they sit on a seven game win streak, one where they haven’t given up more than 25 and have scored under 30 only once as Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams have had an incredibly strong connection backed up by a core of several other reliable receivers and of course Aaron Jones in the backfield who continues to be a force to be reckoned with.

As much pressure as Brady has to succeed for his legacy, the same can be said for Rodgers, who could help dispel his image of a playoff choker by bringing the Packers to a second Super Bowl and even further by winning it, surpassing his predecessor Brett Favre’s one Super Bowl title and giving him more leverage in the debate of all time greats. This is going to be a hard fought battle, but I have to give the slight edge to the Buccaneers for playoff experience. Final Score: 34-31 Buccaneers.

Josh:

Is this the year that Aaron Rodgers backs up his only Super Bowl? Probably not.

See: Brady, Thomas E with a chance for a home Bowl game. Not much more to say.

Cry about it Bach. Final Score: 31-24 Buccaneers.

#2 Buffalo Bills vs #1 Kansas City Chiefs (6:40 p.m. EST on CBS)

Justin:

In the AFC, as much as I would love to see the Bills march into Arrowhead and pull off an upset, I can’t bring myself to the pick them. I think Josh Allen will show out with some big plays in the air and with his legs all evening long, but on the road I’m not sure the Bills defense is ready. But trying to contain Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce for 60 minutes is hard enough. Nevermind that at any given time if you focus on Hill and Kelce too much; Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson or one of the RBs out of the backfield can gash you for a long TD. This is the type of game that you wish there were fans for. Like them or not, the Arrowhead faithful always bring the energy. Even without them there, I think the Chiefs hold on in a barn burner. Final score: 35-31 Chiefs.

Cam:

The Kansas City Chiefs are perhaps the strongest team on paper in the league right now, with Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce arguably (if not certainly) the best at their respective positions and Andy Reid and his coaching staff have shined, while their defense has been overall solid. The defending champions are hosting their third straight AFC Championship at Arrowhead and for sure they have all the tools to be the NFL’s next great dynasty. However, even the mightiest teams can fall, and as great as they’ve been, the Chiefs have looked beatable numerous times, including their near loss to the Browns last week.

With Mahomes cleared to play, and determined to win, the Chiefs should be in a better position, but the Buffalo Bills, who are riding an eight game win streak, are no pushovers and are themselves looking to establish themselves as an elite AFC team this decade, backed by Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Devin Singleterry and a strong defense that held the Ravens to just a field goal last week. I’m going to break with Justin though on this and say the Bills, will get the best of the Chiefs, most likely in an overtime scenario similar to the 2018 AFC Championship, where the advantage goes to the winner of the toss. Final Score: Bills 38-31 OT.

Josh:

Sean McDermott and company roll into Arrowhead this weekend looking for legitimacy. With Patrick Mahomes banged up (turf toe) and a more neutral stadium than ever, Tre White and Co. know it’s their time to shine and the opportunity seems brighter than ever. After signing his monster contract, Patrick Mahomes has been a stud, no doubt about it. But that superstar magic seems a bit limited compared to previous years in a pool of enhanced and unexpected talent. Additionally, habitual slow playoff starts pose a worrisome task against such a well coached defense.

In a ‘what have you done for me lately?’ league, Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs will step up to the plate and claw themselves into a Super Bowl for the first time since 1994, validating a new era in Buffalo, and the AFC East. Final Score: 34-31 Bills

Additionally, here’s what those who responded to our Twitter polls think: