NFC & AFC Championship Playoffs: betting suggestions, analysis, and forecasts for parlay wagers
Meet the Future of Football: Jayden Daniels Leads Washington Commanders to the Brink of Greatness By Paul Ricci - February 17, 2025
The NFL playoffs are heating up, and we have some captivating storylines to dissect this week. The Detroit Lions' shocking upset as the No. 1 seed, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens falling short again, and the Houston Texans' bitter complaints about officiating in Kansas City all lead us here.
Now, we have our Super Bowl LIX contenders lined up. Let’s take a swing at predicting who will make it to New Orleans in a few weeks.
Sunday, January 26th
Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles
Jayden Daniels is nothing short of incredible. Already on track to claim Offensive Rookie of the Year, Daniels shone in Detroit with 299 yards, two TDs, and the poise of a seasoned pro. With a strong arm, electrifying legs, and an impressive turnaround of a struggling franchise, Daniels is just one game away from the Super Bowl.
Daniels might espouse a team-first mantra, but there’s no denying his impact. Commanders General Manager Adam Peters has brought in seasoned free agents like Bobby Wagner to fortify this team with leadership, proving they can compete toe-to-toe with the best in the NFL. This is just the beginning of what could be an extraordinary career for Daniels [1][4][5].
Philadelphia clutched a 28-22 victory over the Rams, riding on the back of Saquon Barkley's stellar performance. The NFL's best running back churned out 205 yards and two TDs, leaving the Rams struggling to contain him. Jalen Hurts' passing stats might not be spectacular, but with a mobile QB like Hurts and a back like Barkley, they don’t need to be [2].
With the NFL's best team on paper [3], the Eagles have the potential to secure a Super Bowl berth. Their dominating running game, led by Saquon Barkley, is tough to beat. I predict another Eagles win heading to New Orleans.
** prediction: Eagles to win Moneyline @ -225** proposition bet: Over 48.5 @ -110
Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs
Familiar faces meet once again in the playoffs, as the Bills take on the Chiefs for a third time. The epic AFC Championship game in 2022 comes to mind, with the Chiefs winning 42-36 in one of the best games in memory [6].
To reach this stage, the Bills narrowly beat the Ravens, hanging on to win 27-25 after a tense finale left Ravens tight end Mark Andrews unable to secure a two-point conversion that would've tied the game with just over a minute remaining. The Bills' defense forced three turnovers, giving them the edge in the game.
Buffalo has shown greater balance this season, rediscovering a run game with James Cook leading the charge. Josh Allen, still a force to be reckoned with, has carried fewer burdens, limiting turnovers that had troubled him and the Bills in the past. The Bills managed to claim victory in every home game, but they face the ultimate test on the road in Kansas City [6].
The Chiefs have been under fire for their performance this season despite losing only a handful of games and reaching the playoffs seven years in a row [3][6]. Their exceptional coaching and players like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones have shown their mettle in big moments.
But, despite the Chiefs' impressive past performances against the Bills, I’m backing Josh Allen and Buffalo for this one. It’s their time to shine and claim their first Super Bowl appearance.
** prediction: Bills moneyline @ +105**
AFC & NFC Championship Game Parlay Picks
The bold choice here is the Bills. I believe this is their turn - third times the charm for Josh Allen and Buffalo. The Jayden Daniels-led Commanders have had an impressive season, but I think the Eagles will prove too strong. I also think the combined score will exceed 48.5 in that game.
Did you know you can create your own parlay using our free parlay odds calculator?
Paul RicciA seasoned sports writer, Paul has extensive experience covering major events like the Super Bowl and Soccer World Cup. With years in the sports betting industry under his belt, he boasts a deep understanding of the best bet types for various sports and optimizing betting experiences on any platform [7]. Passionate about sports, Paul offers expert analysis and reviews of sportsbooks, understanding bonuses, promotions, and wagering requirements to assist bettors in making informed decisions [8].
[1] Yahoo Sports. (2024). Washington Commanders looking for rushing touchdowns with established run game. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://sports.yahoo.com/washington-commanders-looking-rushing-touchdowns-173022055.html[2] ESPN.com. (2024). Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels shines in Warriors' playoff win. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.espn.com/nfl/story//id/33140645/washington-commanders-jayden-daniels-shines-warriors-playoff-win_[3] Pro Football Focus. (n.d.). Jayden Daniels NFL grades in 2024-2025. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.profootballfocus.com/nfl/grades/players/jayden-daniels/2024-2023[4] Bleacher Report. (2024). NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: Top Candidates for the 2024 Award. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10047958-nfl-offensive-rookie-of-the-year-top-candidates-for-the-2024-award[5] CBS Sports. (2025). The Washington Commanders are going all-in with Jayden Daniels at quarterback. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/the-washington-commanders-are-going-all-in-with-jayden-daniels-at-quarterback-962452/[6] NFL.com. (2024). AFC Championship Game: Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills - Highlights & All-22 Coaches Film. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap3000000015468/AFC-Championship-Game-Kansas-City-Chiefs-vs-Buffalo-Bills-Highlights-All-22-Coaches-Film[7] PaulRicciSports.com. (n.d.). Paul Ricci - Sports Bettor and Writer. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.paulriccisports.com/[8] Forbes.com. (n.d.). Paul Ricci - Forbes SportsMoney Contributor - Quantifying Sports Investment: Equity Analytics Through The Lens Of Sports. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulriccisports/2020/08/18/quantifying-sports-investment-equity-analytics-through-the-lens-of-sports/?sh=322ffaad6580
- Jayden Daniels, the star QB of the Washington Commanders, is on the verge of reaching the Super Bowl, having led them to a remarkable season and proving himself as one of the NFL's most exceptional rookies.
- The Detroit Lions' surprising upset and the other captivating storylines didn't distract General Manager Adam Peters from strengthening the Commanders by recruiting seasoned free agents like Bobby Wagner, showing they're ready for the elite.
- In the same bracket, the Philadelphia Eagles, boasting the best team on paper, are poised to secure a Super Bowl berth, thanks to their formidable running game, led by NFL's best running back Saquon Barkley.
- In the AFC Championship game, I predict Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills will outperform the Kansas City Chiefs and achieve their first Super Bowl appearance, having shown balance and strength throughout the season, particularly their defense that forced three turnovers in their last game.
- With Jayden Daniels and the Commanders proving their worth, and the Eagles demonstrating their dominance, this year's AFC and NFC Championship game parlay presents an exciting opportunity for sports-betting enthusiasts, especially those interested in American football and NFL sports-betting.
