The Chiefs are Inevitable

Good morning. This is the Opening Drive, the weekly newsletter that brings you the best of the NFL so you’re always the smartest one at the water cooler.

The Chiefs are headed to their fourth Super Bowl in five years, the Saints are the only team still without a head coach, the NFL could be going to an 18-game regular season sooner than expected, and Dan Snyder, yes that Dan Snyder, is big mad.

Let’s dive in.

QUICK HITS

• Chiefs advance to Super Bowl LIX with a 32-29 win over Bills with a chance for a three-peat (PFT)

• Eagles heading back to Super Bowl after scoring most points ever in a conference title game vs. Commanders (Yahoo Sports)

• Allen and the Bills fall heartbreakingly short to the Chiefs once again (SI.com)

• Commanders lament four-turnover collapse in loss to Eagles: 'Can't give those guys extra possessions' (NFL.com)

• 18 games could be coming sooner than expected (PFT)

• Bills fans raised more than $100K for juvenile diabetes in Ravens TE Mark Andrews’ name after Divisional Round drop (NBC News)

• Texans firing OC Bobby Slowik after two seasons (NFL.com)

• Jets hire Broncos assistant GM Darren Mougey as new general manager (Yahoo Sports)

• Raiders announce the hiring of John Spytek as new GM (PFT)

• Raiders hiring former Seahawks HC Pete Carroll as next head coach (NFL.com)

• Cowboys announce Brian Schottenheimer as the 10th head coach in team history (PFT)

• Jaguars hire Buccaneers OC Liam Coen as head coach (ESPN)

• Ben Johnson introduced as Bears HC, says Caleb Williams 'played a large component' into decision (NFL.com)

• Jets hire Aaron Glenn to end coaching search (NY Post)

• Ex-Jets head coach Robert Saleh returning to 49ers as defensive coordinator (ESPN)

• Bengals, Hamilton County resume lease negotiations amid “tumult” and “tension” (PFT)

• Calvin Jones, star Nebraska RB who won Super Bowl with Packers, dies at 54 (AP)

• Jury finds Jabrill Peppers not guilty of assault (PFT)

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WHO’S UP?

Kansas City Chiefs. The Kansas City Chiefs continued their remarkable dynasty, defeating the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game to advance to their fourth Super Bowl in five years. The victory marks their fourth consecutive playoff win over Buffalo, further cementing the Chiefs' dominance over their conference rival.

Patrick Mahomes showcased his playoff prowess once again, completing 18 of 26 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown while adding two rushing touchdowns. The Chiefs' defense made crucial stops when it mattered most, particularly on two pivotal fourth-down attempts by Buffalo in the fourth quarter.

The game-changing moment came when Nick Bolton stopped Josh Allen on fourth-and-1 at the Kansas City 41-yard line with the Bills leading 22-21. The Chiefs capitalized on the short field, scoring a touchdown on the ensuing drive. Though Buffalo would tie the game, Harrison Butker's 35-yard field goal with 3:33 remaining proved to be the difference-maker.

Despite outgaining Kansas City 374-368 in total yards, the Bills couldn't overcome the Chiefs' clutch defensive stands. Allen finished with 237 passing yards and two touchdowns, while James Cook contributed 85 rushing yards and two scores in the losing effort.

The Chiefs sealed their victory when Samaje Perine converted a crucial third-and-9 with 1:35 left, allowing Kansas City to run out the clock. They now advance to Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, where they'll attempt to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.

WHO’S DOWN?

Dan Snyder. Snyder, the former Washington Commanders owner, is reportedly seething over his former team's remarkable playoff run. Sources close to Snyder reveal he "f---ing hates it" as the Commanders prepared to play in their first NFC Championship appearance since 1991.

The dramatic details of Snyder's final days as owner have emerged, including an eleventh-hour attempt to derail the $6.05 billion sale to Josh Harris in July 2023. Sources say Snyder had to be talked down by confidants, including Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, before finally relenting at 2 a.m. on the day of the sale.

Now living primarily in London, Snyder has largely ghosted his NFL connections, including former ally Jerry Jones. The man who bought the team for $800 million in 1999 is described as "in denial" about the circumstances that led to his forced exit, with former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue recently calling him "the worst owner in the history of the National Football League."

Under new ownership and leadership, including GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn, the Commanders have transformed from a 4-13 team to a 12-5 playoff juggernaut. The franchise's resurgence has energized the D.C. fanbase and validated the long-held belief that Snyder's presence was the primary obstacle to the team's success.

Although they were eliminated from the playoffs yesterday, Commanders fans have to feel good about the future of the team under new owner Josh Harris. Their former owner on the other hand, will watch from afar, a bitter spectator to the success that eluded him for nearly a quarter century.

BEST LOOK 🔥 

The NFC Championship uni matchup we all wanted 🙁 

⚪️⚪️⚪️❄️ 

The Linc looking gorgeous

STAT OF THE WEEK

Eagles RB Saquon Barkley continues to add to a stellar 2024 regular season and has already cemented his legacy among the Philly faithful.

🏈 Barkley is first player in NFL history to have three 60+ yard offensive TDs in a single season.
🏈 Barkley became the 9th player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in the regular season.
🏈 Barkley’s 7 rushing TDs of 60+ yards in the regular and postseason combined is the most in NFL history.
🏈 In his first TD on Sunday, Barkley reached a top speed of 19.55 MPH AT the line of scrimmage. It was the 7th fastest speed at the line of scrimmage by a running back on a play this season.
🏈 Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley are the first teammates with 3+ rushing TDs each in a playoff game in NFL history.

MEMES OF THE WEEK

Some things cannot be unseen

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