Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. In today's installment, he assesses the offensive and defensive hierarchies among the last four teams standing ...
Championship Sunday offers an enticing double-header:
- 3 p.m. ET on FOX: Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles
- 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
All four teams are clearly accomplished. That said, each one has shortcomings, as my colleague Jeffri Chadiha spotlighted earlier this week. But how do they stack up against each other on each side of the football? Who has the best offense? The top D? That's what I'm here to explore today, as we wait to see who'll punch their tickets to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
Here's how I rank the four offenses and four defenses -- with one team topping both lists!
OFFENSE
The offensive talent assembled by general manager Howie Roseman has given Nick Sirianni and Kellen Moore a high-powered unit that can punish opponents utilizing force or finesse. The combination of Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley executing power reads and various gap schemes behind the best offensive line in football leaves defenders dazed, confused and demoralized by the league's second-ranked rushing offense (179.3 yards per game during the regular season). After joining the 2,000-yard club in the regular season, Barkley has continued to run wild in the playoffs, totaling 324 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Philadelphia's two postseason wins.
While questions persist with Hurts and the Eagles' passing game, the presence of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert expands the strike zone for the fifth-year quarterback. The trio of pass catchers can win against any coverage combination, with each exhibiting the precision and polish as a route runner to create open windows against man or zone. With Moore crafting a call sheet featuring QB-friendly schemes that make it easy for Hurts to play like a point guard from the pocket, Philly can attack in a number of ways.
Now, Hurts entered this week with concerns about his left knee following a taxing tackle in the Eagles' Divisional Round win over the Rams. Philadelphia's signal-caller was off the injury report on Friday, though he anticipates wearing a knee brace against the Commanders, so we'll have to see if that affects his performance.
The Josh Allen show has earned rave reviews throughout the 2024 campaign due to the spectacular playmaking feats of the MVP finalist. Allen became the first player to notch 40 total touchdowns in five straight regular seasons. He's also now the only player in league history to boast multiple seasons with at least 25 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing scores.
Directing Buffalo's efficient and explosive offense, Allen can light up the scoreboard as a gunslinger while simultaneously avoiding the critical mistakes that lead to turnovers. With the seventh-year quarterback leading a group that has surrendered just eight turnovers and 17 sacks in 19 games (including the playoffs), the Bills' ability to dodge negative plays has helped the unit become a chain-moving machine with an unheralded cast of playmakers on the perimeter.
Despite the lack of an established WR1, Buffalo's collection of pass catchers perfectly complement RB James Cook's heroics as a back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher. With Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox taking turns in the spotlight, the Bills can overwhelm opponents with a blue-collar approach that has produced great results for a team that many expected to take a step back this season.
Jayden Daniels is an extraordinarily rare talent as a dual threat with polished passing skills and electric running ability. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has unleashed the rookie by featuring a creative scheme that mixes traditional pro-style concepts with the kind of uniquely designed QB runs and RPOs that are staples on the collegiate level. With the expanded playbook enhancing Daniels' skills as a playmaker inside and outside the pocket, Washington forces opponents to defend a "plus-one" running game and a vertical aerial attack.
Kingsbury's offense also has enabled WR Terry McLaurin and TE Zach Ertz to showcase their skills as the Nos. 1 and 2 options in the passing game. Meanwhile, Olamide Zaccheaus, Dyami Brown and Austin Ekeler provide key contributions -- and plenty of splash plays -- as valuable role players. With Brian Robinson and Jeremy McNichols steadying the ground game as between-the-tackles specialists, the Commanders' balanced approach has flourished with Daniels as the centerpiece.
Unfortunately, Washington lost a big piece on the offensive line in last week's upset win at Detroit, as right guard Sam Cosmi tore his ACL. Definitely not ideal, with Eagles DT Jalen Carter on tap this week.
The Chiefs' offense is no longer a high-flying circus that scores points in bunches, but few opponents have been able to stop the two-man game between Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, especially in the postseason. Operating like an NBA point guard and power forward executing give-and-go and pick-and-roll concepts, this future gold jacket duo befuddles defenders with an onslaught of sandlot plays that produce first downs and touchdowns.
While it is hard to sustain an offense that relies on extensive improvisation, Andy Reid routinely scripts a few winners to wide receiver Xavier Worthy, forcing defensive coordinators to tweak their coverage to account for the rookie's blazing speed and big-play potential. With more space on the perimeter for DeAndre Hopkins and JuJu Smith-Schuster to roam, the Chiefs can string together enough gains to score what is needed to win. And they're still working in Hollywood Brown, who missed most of the regular season with a shoulder injury.
If Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt can ignite the Chiefs' rushing attack, the reigning back-to-back champs could muster enough offense to finish off the three-peat.
DEFENSE
The newbies have sparked the Eagles' defensive resurgence this season, with Vic Fangio transforming the unit into an elite squad in his first season as Philadelphia's DC. The grizzled defensive architect has put the puzzle pieces together brilliantly, mixing youngsters and newcomers into the lineup to fill key roles.
Whether it is second-year pros Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith emerging as massive difference makers up front or rookie DBs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean locking down the perimeter, Philadelphia's baby-faced stars have sparked the defense's stellar play. With key free-agent signees Zack Baun and C.J. Gardner-Johnson adding leadership and playmaking to the mix, the Eagles have become the "shut ‘em down" squad that many envisioned when Roseman filled the cupboard with blue-chip talents.
With most opponents lacking the depth and firepower to threaten the Eagles' talented defensive rotation, this unit could be the trump card in a championship run.
Few opponents can withstand the relentless pressure thrown at them by Steve Spagnuolo. The fearless defensive play-caller turns up the pressure in crucial moments to create big-play chances for a collection of turnover-obsessed ballers with superb instincts and awareness.
Having just earned first-team All-Pro honors for the third straight season, Chris Jones leads the charge as a disruptive force with the athleticism and versatility to attack from anywhere on the front line. He's joined by a relentless playmaker in DE George Karlaftis, who flashes the first-step quickness and closing burst to chase down quarterbacks and running backs.
With a crew of playmaking linebackers (Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill and Leo Chenal), Spagnuolo will turn up the heat to create favorable one-on-one matchups for the team's big-play specialists. Though the high-risk, high-reward approach leaves Kansas City's defensive backs on an island, Trent McDuffie is one of the league's best cover men, possessing inside/outside ability.
Given the defense's timely playmaking and clutch performance in one-score games, Spags' bunch deserves a shoutout as one of the league's best units.
Credit Sean McDermott for building a blue-collar unit that excels at playing team defense. Despite lacking many household names or established stars, the Bills routinely stymie opposing offenses with a hustle-hard approach that prioritizes fundamentals, effort and execution.
Buffalo's chemistry, connectivity and focus enable this defense to win with a collection of hard hats rallying to the football with bad intentions. Whether it's Ed Oliver, Von Miller, Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa harassing quarterbacks or Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams and Damar Hamlin chasing backs and receivers from sideline to sideline, the Bills consistently outwork their opponents over 60 minutes.
With few offenses possessing the discipline and attention to detail to withstand Buffalo's admirable relentlessness and execution, it is not surprising to see McDermott's team reach the championship round. The Bills play high-level complementary football.
Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. have helped the Commanders reach the final four by utilizing smoke and mirrors on defense to keep opposing offenses guessing at crucial moments. The duo's clever schematics and unorthodox approach have helped Washington neutralize more-talented squads while showcasing the savvy and instincts of a squad featuring some key veterans.
Future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner leads the charge as the traffic cop in the middle, directing defenders to the playmaking spots on the field. The one-time Super Bowl champion's keen anticipation and diagnostic skills have the Commanders playing at a breakneck pace, chasing runners and receivers all over the field. Frankie Luvu and Jeremy Chinn operate on a string to ensure the ball never hits the perimeter against a unit committed to eliminating explosive plays. The Commanders' secondary features a former shutdown corner who still has big-play ability (Marshon Lattimore) and a crew of youngsters (led by rookie Mike Sainristil and Quan Martin) with big-game moxie.
As Quinn and Whitt put more on the defense's shoulders to handle the high-powered offenses in the postseason tournament, the unit has responded in inspiring fashion, with a collection of youngsters, veterans and vagabonds playing together from snap to whistle.
