With only three weeks left until the conclusion of the NFL season, only four teams remain in contention for the Lombardi Trophy: the Philadelphia Eagles at 14-3, the San Francisco 49ers at 13-4, the Kansas City Chiefs at 14-3 and the Cincinnati Bengals at 12-4. The Bengals remained down one game due to the cancellation of a match against the Buffalo Bills after Damar Hamlin’s game-ending injury. Both conference championship games will take place on January 29 where the winners will face off in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, Arizona. All four teams have come a long way, but only two can advance and one can win it all.  

The NFC championship

The first game will be the 49ers at the Eagles. Jalen Hurts played incredibly this season, as he passed for 3701 yards with 22 touchdowns to only 6 interceptions. Furthermore, Hurts rushed for 760 yards and another 13 scores. He achieved all this despite missing two games due to a shoulder injury. On 49ers side, we have Brock Purdy. Purdy was the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he was the third-string quarterback until week two, when he became the starter after the season-ending injury to starter Trey Lance. He eventually became the starter after another quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo fell due to injury. Since taking the helm, Purdy passed for 1374 yards with 13 scores and 4 picks.  He amassed these stats in just 9 games, including the playoffs. Both teams have strong defenses lead by Nick Bosa for the 49ers and Fletcher Cox for the Eagles.  

My prediction: The Eagles will win the NFC championship with a final score of 38-32 

After a tough decision, I think that the winner of the NFC championship and the winner of the George Halas Trophy will be the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have a well-rounded offense with the best offensive line in the league. They have two elite receivers: AJ Brown and Devonta Smith. Also, they have a great secondary lead by Darius Slay and James Bradberry. They will be able to shut down their star wide receiver and tight end Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, and their defensive line will shut down newly traded all-pro running back Christian McCaffrey.

The AFC championship

The AFC Championship is much easier to determine as the Cincinnati Bengals will come into Kansas City to play for a trip to the Super Bowl. Kansas City dominated the past 5 seasons, including one where they won a Super Bowl in the process. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for 5250 yards throwing 41 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Cincinnati, however, was terrible as they went 12-35-1 between 2018 and 2020 and only won their first playoff game in 2021 since 1990, when they reunited Louisiana State University teammates Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. The team made it to the Super Bowl last season but came up short to the Los Angeles Rams. Burrow threw for 4475 throwing 35 scores and 12 picks. 

My prediction: The Bengals will win the AFC championship with a final score of 24-21 

Though the Chiefs rampaged through the NFL by winning the AFC championship for the past 5 years, they are 0-3 against the Bengals since 2021. The Bengals are a young talented team. They are also on a hot streak, after defeating the Bills, Buccaneers, Dolphins and Ravens. Therefore, my pick for the AFC Champion and the team that will hoist the Lamar Hunt Trophy will be the Cincinnati Bengals.

Super Bowl LVII

The Eagles will host the Bengals in Super Bowl LVII. Will the Eagles win their second title in franchise history or will the Bengals win their first? Both teams are stacked with stars on both side of the ball. Both teams have young quarterbacks and can put on a show. However, there can only be one winner. Will it be the Cincinnati Bengals or will it be the Philadelphia Eagles? 

My prediction: The Eagles will win Super Bowl LVII with a final score of 34-28. 

The winner of the 2022-2023 Super Bowl will be the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bengals will put up a good fight, but it all comes down to stopping Jalen Hurts. I think the Eagles will raise the Lombardi Trophy on February 12 as World Champions.