Who to Root for in the NFL Conference Championships

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Sanjay Palta-Hill

As we head into late January, the NFL Playoffs enters its final stages. There are currently four teams remaining: the Kansas City Chiefs, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the San Francisco 49ers. This year, the Green Bay Packers won’t be contending for the title. After making the playoffs in 11 of the last 13 seasons, the Packers are leaving their fans in unfamiliar territory. Rest assured, there are plenty of other teams to cheer on this month. 

 

If you’re looking for a team that has a good chance of winning it all, then look no further than the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City has hosted the AFC Championship Game in each of the last five seasons, an NFL record. The Chiefs have it all: a superstar quarterback, elite receivers, and an adaptable coach. When Kansas City is on offense, it’s hard to look away from the TV screen. 

 

If you dislike the Chiefs’ dynasty, then consider rooting for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals were nothing more than mediocre a few years ago. But Cincinnati has become a force to be reckoned with under the leadership of young quarterback Joe Burrow. Last season, Burrow led the Bengals to the Super Bowl but lost to the Los Angeles Rams by just three points. The Bengals have returned to the AFC Conference Championship for the second straight year, eager for another shot to win the title.

 

The Philadelphia Eagles are easy to like as long as you can put up with their eccentric fans. Eagles fans are known to be some of the rowdiest in the NFL, but their team has had incredible success this year. After defeating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the 2018 Super Bowl, the Eagles started from scratch. In the past few years, Philadelphia has put together a formidable young team with a dominant defense and explosive offense. If you’re looking for an all-around solid, hard-nosed team, this may be the choice for you.

 

If you like to root for the underdog, then there’s no doubt that you should root for the San Francisco 49ers. After losing their first and second-string quarterbacks to injury, the 49ers had to turn to their 3rd string quarterback, who carries the title “Mr. Irrelevant” after being selected last in the NFL draft last year. Not only did the rookie lead San Francisco to the playoffs, but he has taken them to the NFC Championship game with a chance to go to the Super Bowl.