MSN Slideshow Winners and Losers From the NFL Conference Championship Round By Pro Football Network FacebookTwitterReddItFlipLinkedinEmail January 27, 2025 | 12:00 PM EST Share FacebookTwitterReddItFlipLinkedinEmail 1 of 8 Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts on stage after the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesPatrick Mahomes may be the most talented quarterback in NFL history, but to be the GOAT, he needs the accolades. Seven consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances and five Super Bowl appearances in seven seasons as starter. It’s crazy to say it but Mahomes is ahead of Tom Brady’s pace. Securing a threepeat would be one thing he has that Brady doesn’t. Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Recording artist Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) react after the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesTaylor Swift was surely not a huge football fan before dating Travis Kelce. Through two seasons, she probably doesn’t understand that teams aren’t supposed to win this much. With the Chiefs in the Super Bowl for the third consecutive year, all the Swifties who have been watching the Chiefs because of their relationship will now have their eyes fixed to their television screens on February 9. Saquon Barkley is not the MVP. No running back is. We know this because we saw what Barkley looks like on a bad team. His numbers weren’t all that impressive and the Giants were one of the worst teams in football. But let’s not pretend like Barkley doesn’t matter. He is a game changer and makes plays very few other backs can. His performance this season is going to get his peers larger contracts and the 2025 rookie class drafted higher. The Commanders looked completely outmatched for the first time this postseason, getting blown out in the conference championship. Yet, the moment never felt like it was too big for Jayden Daniels. For him to show this much poise as a rookie paints a very optimistic picture for the future. The Commanders should be a playoff team and Super Bowl contender for years to come. The majority of NFL fans wanted to see the Bills vs. the Commanders. Instead, we got the complete opposite. It will surely be a great game, just as the last one was. But, of course, we’ve already seen this one, and the main cores of the Chiefs and Eagles are largely the same. The perception is that Tom Brady mostly got the better of Peyton Manning. In reality, Brady beat Manning in their first two playoff meetings. After that, Peyton won the next three. Josh Allen may outstat Mahomes in the regular season, just as Peyton always outstatted Brady. But, eventually, Peyton got Brady in the playoffs. Allen is now 0-4 against Mahomes when it matters most. There were several key moments in the AFC Championship Game where the Bills really could have used an alpha WR1 — a go to guy. Unfortunately, that guy isn’t on the roster. Next season, Buffalo needs to get a true WR1. Tee Higgins would fit in mighty well on this team. More Slideshows Ranking the 10 Best NFL Playoff Rivalries 10 Players With the Most Pro Bowl Selections In Chicago Bears History Ranking the 10 Best Prospects to Watch For at the East-West Shrine Bowl 7 Players With the Most Pro Bowl Selections In Carolina Panthers History 10 Players With the Most Pro Bowl Selections In Baltimore Ravens History 11 Players With The Most Pro Bowl Selections in Seattle Seahawks History