The Shenoa Report
January 26, 2025
Championship Sunday
We’ve made it to Championship Sunday. There are only four teams left, two of which are from the NFC East. I’m not happy with the matchups but as long as the Bills win today it’ll be ok. I went 2-2 on my picks last week. Before we get to the Championship games, let’s jump into the recap.
Divisional Weekend Recap
Texans @ Chiefs 14-23
The Texans started the game with a stingy defense by holding the Chiefs to a couple of field goals early, but their defense was unable to keep up the intensity and allowed Kareem Hunt to score a rushing touchdown late in the second quarter. The Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn managed a 48-yard field goal to make it a one-possession game at the half giving the Texans some hope. But that hope was short-lived in the second half. Fairbairn missed a 55-yard field goal attempt and a PAT try, and had another field-goal attempt blocked with 1:46 left in the game. The Texans never got another chance. Of course there were some questionable calls from the refs that helped Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Mahomes has become the next Tom Brady when it comes to “protecting the quarterback” type of calls. Welp, the Chiefs will host the Bills in the Championship game for the AFC.
Commanders @ Lions 45-31
The Commanders came into this game the sixth-seed and were nearly double-digit underdogs against the Super Bowl-favorite Lions. Jayden Daniels, the rookie quarterback, sure didn’t play like a novice. Daniels finished with 2 passing touchdowns, 299 passing yards, and 51 yards rushing, and most importantly, didn't turn the ball over. Lions quarterback, Jared Goff, threw three picks and lost a fumble, turning it over three times in the first half alone. He did have a passing touchdown but that was definitely not enough in this heavily lopsided game. I’m bummed for all the Detroit fans. I really wanted to see the Lions in the Super Bowl. I guess now I have to root for the Commanders, because I’m sure as hell not rooting for the Eagles. Speaking of which, the Commanders will travel to Philly for the Championship NFC game.
Rams @ Eagles 22-28
I was equally bummed about the Rams loss to the Eagles. The Rams hung around but ultimately between the snow and Saquon Barkley the Eagles took the win. Barkley had two rushing touchdowns and over 200 rushing yards. The Rams turned the ball over way too much in the fourth quarter and because of that, lost the game. Like I said previously, the Eagles will now host the Commanders in the Championship game.
Ravens @ Bills 25-27
This game was bananas. GO BILLS! If you just look at the numbers you’d think that the Ravens would have won the game. Buffalo finished with a modest 273 yards of offense. Their defense allowed 176 yards rushing and 416 overall to the Ravens, but compensated by forcing three turnovers. It was the turnovers that won Buffalo the game. The Bills just made fewer mistakes. While Josh Allen rushed for 2 touchdowns, and threw for only 127 yards and rushed for 20 yards he didn’t turn the ball over. Mark Andrews, Baltimore’s tight end, did not have a mistake free day. The last time Andrews had fumbled the ball was back in 2019. This game he lost a fumble and dropped a two point conversion pass. The two point conversion would have tied the game and most likely have sent it to overtime. It was a big drop and Ravens fans were devastated. The drop gave the Bills the win. Ravens fans expressed their anger by flooding Andrews' Instagram account with resentful comments. Andrews last post was for National Diabetes Awareness Month in November, where Andrews discussed the continuous glucose monitoring system he uses to treat his Type 1 diabetes. People called for his contract to be canceled in the comment section, with some calling him a "disappointment" and others implying they'd physically assault Andrews if they saw him. A GoFundMe campaign was started by a Bills fanpage to raise at least $5,000 for a Type 1 diabetes charity in Andrews' name. "We want Bills Mafia to donate to Mark's charity for juveniles with diabetes. Let’s reach a goal of at least 5k." That goal was surpassed within hours, and as of Thursday evening, the GoFundMe page has raised more than $100,000. The Bills fans are the best fans in the NFL. Very classy. Now the Bills will travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs in the Championship game.
Championship Sunday, January 26th
Commanders (12-5) @ Eagles (14-3) (3pm FOX)
The NFC East is going at it to see who is going to the Super Bowl. I’ll be rooting for the Commanders. The Commanders are the underdogs but they’ve been such the entire season and continue to win. In fact, the last time these two teams met in the regular season Jayden Daniels threw for five touchdown passes as the Commanders beat the Eagles 36-33 on Dec. 22 at Washington to end Philadelphia’s winning streak of 10 games. They’ve done it before and they can do it again. I don’t care if I get this pick wrong, I’m picking the Commanders to win this game and punch their ticket to the Super Bowl.
Bills (13-4) @ Chiefs (15-2) (6:30pm CBS/Paramount+)
Since the AFC title game on Jan. 24, 2021, the Bills and Chiefs have met seven times, with Buffalo winning all four regular-season matchups and Kansas City winning each of the three playoff games. That includes a 38-24 win that sent the Chiefs to the Super Bowl, a 42-36 overtime win in the divisional round the following year, and a 27-24 divisional win in Buffalo last year. Buffalo doesn’t like the Chiefs. Our local brewery even has a sandwich named “Anybody But the Chiefs Steak.” We live in Bills county. We are rooting for the Bills. The last time the Bills played the Chiefs they beat KC 30-21 on Nov. 17 in Buffalo. It’s time Buffalo beats the Chiefs in the postseason. Let’s go Bills! I’m picking the Bills to win this game and head to the Super Bowl!
GO BILLS! WE BILL-IEVE!
Thanks for the edit Eric!
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