SPORTS WRAP
BY WILLIAM HATHAWAY, JR.
There is only one more game left in the National Football League season. Let’s do a quick recap of the conference title winners. First.
First, the Philadelphia Eagles won the NFC Championship game in convincing fashion, drubbing the San Francisco 49ers at home 31-7. San Fran couldn’t catch a break, with quarterback Brock Purdy leaving the game early on. He was already the team; s third string QB, and after his replacement Josh Johnson also suffered an injury, running back Christian McCaffrey ended up behind center. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts got help from RB Miles Sanders, receiver Devonta Smith and others to help the franchise reach their second Super Bowl in the past five years.
While the NFC title game was a laugher, the AFC Championship was a classic. For the third time in four years, the Kansas City Chiefs are on their way to the big game after a 23-20 nail biting home win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite an injured ankle, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes had a key run late that forced a personal foul to give kicker Harrison Butker an opportunity for the game winning field goal with just seconds left. KC got over its losses to Bengals QB Joe Burrow, who had owned the Chiefs since last season’s AFC title game.
Finally, Tom Brady has announced that he is retiring for good this time. Brady leads the NFL in virtually all passing categories. Also, the Denver Broncos have provided compensation to New Orleans to install former Saints head coach Sean Payton as their own. Meanwhile, San Francisco defensive coordinator Demeco Ryans has been named the Houston Texans new head coach on a six year deal, though the Texans have been prone to discarding black coaches like they’re nothing.
