Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The road to Super Bowl LIX is complete, with the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles and AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs set to battle for the NFL’s ultimate prize in New Orleans on Sunday, Feb. 9th. For Virginia Tech fans, there’s an extra reason to tune in—one NFL Hokie is still in the chase for a ring, giving Hokie Nation a rooting interest as the 2024-25 season reaches its grand finale. Before the confetti falls, let’s break down the top performances from the Conference Championships and preview the matchup that will decide this year’s Super Bowl LIX champion in this edition of NFL Hokies, presented by Coca-Cola.
Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Washington Commanders’ impressive season came to a crushing end in the NFC Championship Game, as they fell 55-23 to the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia wasted no time setting the tone, with running back Saquon Barkley sprinting 60 yards for a touchdown on the Eagles’ first play from scrimmage. Barkley finished the night with 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Jalen Hurts added three rushing scores of his own to punch the Eagles’ ticket to Super Bowl LIX.
Philadelphia’s 55 points set a new conference championship record for the Super Bowl era, the most scored by any team in an NFC or AFC title game since the 1970 merger. Hurts also delivered through the air, throwing for 246 yards and a touchdown. A.J. Brown led the receiving corps with six catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, helping the Eagles light up the scoreboard at Lincoln Financial Field.
On the other side, Commanders’ rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels fought to keep Washington in the game, throwing for 255 yards with a touchdown and an interception. However, his bid to become the first rookie quarterback to lead his team to the Super Bowl fell short, as turnovers proved costly. Washington gave the ball away four times, including a critical third-quarter fumble by running back Austin Ekeler with the Commanders trailing 34-23, halting any hopes of a comeback.
Despite the loss, Virginia Tech ties remain strong within the Commanders’ organization. Defensive line coach Darryl Tapp played a key role in shaping Washington’s season. Tapp’s defensive front continued to battle, with rookie defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton earning the team’s highest Pro Football Focus defensive grade at 71.8 against the Eagles.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills
The Kansas City Chiefs’ pursuit of an unprecedented Super Bowl three-peat is still alive. With the game on the line, the defense delivered in the final minutes, securing a thrilling 32-29 victory over the Buffalo Bills. A crucial fourth-down blitz forced quarterback Josh Allen into an errant throw intended for tight end Dalton Kincaid, sealing the win and sending Kansas City to yet another AFC Championship triumph.
Allen finished the game with 237 passing yards and two touchdowns—one each to Mack Hollins and Curtis Samuel—while running back James Cook contributed 85 rushing yards and a touchdown. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome a masterful performance by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who once again proved why he thrives in high-pressure moments. Mahomes totaled 245 passing yards and a touchdown while adding two more scores with his legs, guiding Kansas City to its fourth playoff victory over Buffalo since 2021. Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy played a key role in the Chiefs’ offensive attack, racking up 85 receiving yards, including a touchdown, and adding 16 rushing yards. Running back Kareem Hunt also provided a spark on the ground with 64 rushing yards and a touchdown.
On the defensive side, Virginia Tech’s own Chamarri Conner is headed to his second Super Bowl in as many seasons. The former Hokie delivered a standout performance, tying linebacker Drue Tranquill for a team-high nine tackles while adding two tackles for loss and a crucial forced fumble. As a key contributor in Kansas City’s secondary, Conner continues to be a playmaker on the NFL’s biggest stage.