The Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills are heading into pivotal playoff matchups with significant challenges ahead. Washington will be without defensive tackle Daron Payne for their NFC Championship game against the Eagles, while the Bills are missing key defensive players, including Taylor Rapp, as they prepare for a showdown with the Chiefs.
Washington’s run defense has struggled this season, finishing No. 30 in the regular season and allowing 302 rushing yards in two playoff games. With Daron Payne, their most reliable defensive tackle, ruled out for the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Commanders face a daunting task.
Washington will rely on Jonathan Allen, Jer'Zhan Newton, Sheldon Day, Jalyn Holmes, and Carl Davis to contain MVP candidate Saquon Barkley. In two games this season, Barkley rushed for a combined 296 yards and four touchdowns — with Payne on the field.
Despite Payne’s contract and his relatively low pass-rushing stats, he’s been crucial in run defense. His absence will be felt deeply, as this will be just the second game he’s missed since being drafted in 2018.
On the other side, the Buffalo Bills are facing their own injury concerns as they prepare to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Safety Taylor Rapp, who played a key role in the Bills’ defense, is sidelined with a hip injury.
Rapp’s absence raises questions about how rookie Cole Bishop will fare in a high-stakes game against a team like the Chiefs.
To add to the concern, cornerback Christian Benford is listed as questionable after suffering a concussion in last week’s game against the Ravens. Linebacker Baylon Spector, dealing with a calf injury, has been a full participant in practice but is also questionable for Sunday’s game.
For Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen, the timing couldn’t be worse as he looks to secure a Super Bowl appearance. But with key defensive players out, the pressure is mounting. On the opposite side, Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes, who has a 3-0 playoff record against Allen, will be looking to lead his team to a historic three-peat, adding more intensity to this already high-pressure matchup.
Both games will be played later today. The NFC Championship Game Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles will kick off at 3:00 p.m. ET from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The AFC Championship Game Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
By the end of Championship Sunday, the road to Super Bowl 59 will be set.
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