NFL play-offs: Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes renew rivalry as Kansas City Chiefs chase ‘three-peat’

Detroit were the NFC’s number one seed but were upset by the sixth seed Washington last week, losing 45-31 at home.

That handed Philadelphia home-field advantage for the NFC Championship game and means the Eagles have replaced the Lions as favourites to win the Super Bowl.

Philly had a 14-3 record, with only Baltimore rushing for more yards and Saquon Barkley being the individual rushing leader with 2,005 yards.

He got 205 more in last week’s win over the Los Angeles Rams, plus two touchdowns, but Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts picked up a knee injury so has been limited in practice this week.

“Saquon is a once-in-a-lifetime running back, so we’ve got to get rid of their running game and make them throw the ball,” said Obada, who is currently on Washington’s practice squad.

As divisional rivals, Philadelphia and Washington faced each other twice in the regular season, winning one apiece.

After being selected second in last year’s draft, quarterback Jayden Daniels and new head coach Dan Quinn have helped transform the Commanders’ record from 4-13 last season to 12-5. It is the first time Washington have gone so deep into the play-offs since winning the Super Bowl in 1991.

Daniels, 24, is firm favourite for rookie of the year having set rookie records for rushing yards (891) and pass completion (69%). He is only the sixth rookie quarterback to make it this far and aims to be the first to reach the Super Bowl.

And like the Chiefs, Washington have developed a knack for winning tight games. They are on a seven-game winning streak, with five of them won on the game’s last play, including their first play-off win in 19 years.

“We’re just going to ride on that momentum,” Obada added. “Momentum is huge in games like this. We’re still seen as the underdog but that generally works in our favour.”