The <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-return-to-buccaneers-and-four-other-options-for-tom-brady-20230118-SPD-3332.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NFL divisional playoffs</a> ended many debates over who the top teams were. The league’s four finest clubs will square off in the conference finals. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New York Giants by a large margin, proving once again that they are a top-tier NFL club and a legitimate title contender. 



The NFC Championship Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers will be played on January 21 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The 49ers advanced by defeating the Dallas Cowboys, setting up the conference’s top-two seeds against each other.



This year’s AFC Championship Game features a rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals, two of the greatest teams in the league. Although Patrick Mahomes played through a high ankle injury to help the Chiefs beat the Jaguars, Joe Burrow led the Bengals to a dominating win against the Bills in Buffalo’s snow.



<h2>AFC Championship – Kansas City Chiefs</h2>



Already, the anticipated rematch between the Chiefs and Bengals from last year’s AFC championship game is exciting. When you add in <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/top-3-kickers-in-nfl-history-20221228-SPD-3287.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Patrick Mahomes</a> and Joe Burrow and consider that Mahomes is playing with a high-ankle sprain, you have a recipe for another classic in the NFL.



Mahomes is 0-3 against Burrow in the previous two years, including a 27-24 overtime loss in last year’s AFC Championship Game that Kansas City squandered after leading 21-10 in the second quarter. The average margin of victory in those games has been three points, with Cincinnati outscoring Kansas City 26-6 in the last frame and overtime.



Since they had a winning record at Arrowhead Stadium during the regular season, they have a solid shot of beating the Bengals there. Though the Chiefs eventually prevailed 27-20 against the Jaguars in the Divisional Round, the Chiefs’ offensive line had been the league’s deadliest throughout the regular season.



<h2>NFC Championship – San Francisco 49ers</h2>



Unfortunately for fans of both teams, the 49ers and Eagles have only ever met once in the playoffs (the 49ers won 14-0 in the 1996 NFC Wild Card round). Both of today’s starting quarterbacks, Jalen Hurts and Brock Purdy, weren’t even conceived then. This will be the youngest NFC Championship Game ever, with Hurts (24 years, 175 days) facing off against Purdy (23 years, 33 days).



In his first year as a starter, Purdy became just the fourth quarterback to win a conference title after being taken in the sixth round or later (or going undrafted). It marks the 49ers’ 18th trip to the NFL’s conference championship game (and third in the last four years). As far as we can tell, they are the only NFC club that has never been to Philadelphia for a playoff game.



Kyle Shanahan has played in an NFC Conference Championship game before, in 2021 when his team fell 20-17 to the Los Angeles Rams. Hopes have been raised, their performance has improved, and Purdy seems to be the frontrunner to start next season.

NFL: The 2 heavy favorites to take home 2023 Conference Championship title - thesportsdrops NEWS

NFL: The 2 heavy favorites to take home 2023 Conference Championship title

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After a miserable 31-14 defeat to the Cowboys on Monday night, <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-news-tom-brady-could-retire-for-good-in-2023-if-bucaneers-win-super-bowl-2204-20220714-SPD-2204.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tom Brady</a> and the Buccaneers’ playoff hopes for this year are officially over. This was just Brady’s fourth one-and-done performance in his 23 seasons as an NFL starting quarterback, and the loss was the second most lopsided of his career. 



The 45-year-old told reporters he would ‘take it one day at a time’ in the wake of Monday’s defeat, being characteristically evasive. Being a free agent, this season marked Brady’s third season with the Bucs, and it very well may have been his last, either by the team’s or his own decision.



It’s possible that Brady may revisit his old stomping grounds in Tampa. It’s possible he’ll look for a new team to play for. He even could decide to call it quits at some point once again. In any case, what choices does he have? Let’s find out.



<h2>Return to Buccaneers</h2>



It’s no secret that Brady gets along well with the team’s higher-ups, especially the Glazer family, who own the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/tom-brady-takes-leave-from-buccaneers-until-august-20-for-personal-matters-2506-20220811-SPD-2506.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buccaneers</a> and helped lure Brady away from the Patriots in 2020. Compared to other NFL locales, Tampa, Florida, must be a lot more pleasant now that he’s reached the end of his career. And he leaves behind a short but significant legacy as a Buccaneer, ending a decade of club irrelevance with an MVP-caliber championship run.



<h2>Join Jets</h2>



Currently, the Jets’ sole evident need is for a veteran quarterback. Meanwhile, Brady’s arrival would instantly restore respectability to a locker room that cheered Zach Wilson’s demotion that year. For the most part, what’s holding things up is whether or not the Jets would rather have a somewhat longer-term potential.



<h2>Go back to Patriots</h2>



Despite the general public’s disapproval, here is where Brady made his mark, and he is still respected among his peers. The Patriots’ offense may be revamped without a financial problem. Mac Jones has to move over here and regain his bearings. It would also serve as a logical stepping stone for Brady’s eventual transition into full retirement.



<h2>Join Titans</h2>



Prior to re-signing Ryan Tannehill, the Titans explored a free-agent deal with Brady in 2020. The departure of general manager Jon Robinson and the hiring of coach Mike Vrabel gives the quarterback a chance to return to his roots as a quarterback.



<h2>Join 49ers</h2>



On paper, this seems like a match made in heaven: Brady grew up in the Bay Area and has always had a soft spot for the 49ers, and his ability to make split-second decisions and read the field effectively makes him a great fit for a system designed to get the ball to its playmakers as quickly as possible. However, the team may not be able to afford to change a winning recipe only to bring together a renowned name and a legendary team.

NFL: Return to Buccaneers and four other options for Tom Brady - thesportsdrops NEWS

NFL: Return to Buccaneers and four other options for Tom Brady

The San Francisco 49ers took down the reigning Super Bowl champions on Monday night to get back to winning ways. The Niners pulled off a 24-9 home win to make their record 2-2.



It’s not like the hosts needed extra motivation to get the win, given that they were on a losing record prior to the game. However, <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/49ers-planned-to-trade-jimmy-garoppolo-to-commanders-2814-20220922-SPD-2814.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jimmy Garoppolo</a> and George Kittle revealed that <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-news-49ers-coach-kyle-shanahan-says-deebo-samuel-inspires-him-2423-20220801-SPD-2423.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyle Shanahan</a> found a way to lit a fire beneath them.



The 49ers head coach made the team rewatch last season’s NFC Championship game, in which they lost to the Rams. According to Garoppolo and Kittle, that worked.



<h2>Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle reveal Kyle Shanahan’s way to give them extra motivation vs. Rams</h2>



“Just watching that film, you feel the emotions … Just watching the film, it’s silent, but you can take yourself back to that spot and put yourself in that emotional state you were in. I think that’s good for competitors; I really do. After last week, too, it gave us a little motivation,” Garoppolo said, via 49ers Webzone.



“Just rewatching it this week definitely adds a little fuel to the fire. They’re out there talking a little bit of smack about it, and you’re like, ‘Last year is last year. We’re just going to do our best to give it to you this year,” Kittle said.

How Kyle Shanahan inspired Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle for 49ers' MNF win over Rams - thesportsdrops NEWS

How Kyle Shanahan inspired Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle for 49ers' MNF win over Rams

After a chaotic summer of attempting to move him, the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-news-frank-reich-doesnt-blame-matt-ryan-for-colts-early-struggles-2806-20220921-SPD-2806.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">San Francisco 49ers</a> got lucky when <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/there-was-no-respect-there-ryan-fitzpatrick-reveals-why-tom-brady-annoys-him-2769-20220916-SPD-2769.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jimmy Garoppolo</a> stayed on the team. Trey Lance was designated the 49ers’ starting quarterback after San Francisco dealt away Jimmy Garoppolo in hopes of relieving the burden on Lance.



However, the 49ers decided to modify Garoppolo’s contract so that he could serve as Lance’s backup when he had shoulder surgery over the summer, reducing the likelihood that he would be traded. After just two games, Lance went down with an ankle injury that ended the season, and Garoppolo returned to the starting position he had held for the previous five years, where he had excelled.



In the offseason, the 49ers believed they had a buyer for Garoppolo, which would have drastically changed their 2022 campaign. According to ESPN, before Garoppolo underwent shoulder surgery, the 49ers thought they had a contract with the Washington Commanders. 



<h2>Jimmy Garoppolo was expected to complete move to Commanders</h2>



Washington moved on and completed the trade for Carson Wentz after Garoppolo elected to undergo surgery on his shoulder because it wasn’t recovering as quickly as expected. The 49ers chose to restructure Garoppolo’s deal after they couldn’t locate a trade partner for him during training camp. 



No trade or franchise tag provisions are included in Garoppolo’s new agreement, but he will get a fully guaranteed base salary of $6.5 million. In 2023, Garoppolo will be a free agent and may choose his next club.

49ers planned to trade Jimmy Garoppolo to Commanders - thesportsdrops NEWS

49ers planned to trade Jimmy Garoppolo to Commanders

The months-long saga came to an end on Sunday when the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/super-bowl-champions-list-of-all-time-winners-215-20220503-SPD-215.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">San Francisco 49ers</a> struck a three-year, $71.55 million deal with star wide receiver Deebo Samuel. For months, his future looked up in the air.



Samuel was reportedly willing to leave earlier this offseason, but fortunately, the Niners were able to turn this situation around. Everyone in San Francisco seems to be happy to have him for the next few years, especially Kyle Shanahan.



The 49ers head coach talked to reporters on Monday and he didn’t hide his feelings towards the wideout. In fact, Shanahan suggested Samuel is the most inspiring player he’s ever seen.



<h2>Kyle Shanahan says Deebo Samuel inspires him more than any other player</h2>



“My favorite thing about Deebo is how much he inspires people,” Shanahan said, via Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports. “He inspires me more than almost any player I’ve watched on a field. The way he runs the ball, whether you’re handing it to him, whether you’re throwing it to him, whether he’s catching it on a kick. 



“And these aren’t things that you have to talk him into doing and stuff. He usually talks you into doing, because Deebo loves playing football and he loves helping us win and I think that’s what everybody sees on Sunday when you guys watch him on TV, and I think that’s why this country really likes Deebo.”

San Francisco 49ers

NFL: The 2 heavy favorites to take home 2023 Conference Championship title

NFL: Return to Buccaneers and four other options for Tom Brady

How Kyle Shanahan inspired Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle for 49ers' MNF win over Rams

49ers planned to trade Jimmy Garoppolo to Commanders

NFL News: 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan says Deebo Samuel 'inspires' him

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