Last Sunday, snow was an issue for both of the divisional round playoff games. This Sunday, the weather for the conference championship games will be as good as it could be for an open-air contest in January.
In the early game in Philadelphia, the current forecast has the kickoff temperature in the mid-30s, with no precipitation. The wind will be in the range of 5-10 mph, with gusts into the low 20s for Commanders-Eagles.
For the night game in Kansas City, Bills-Chiefs kickoff temperature will be in the high 20s or low 30s, also with no precipitation. Winds will be at 5 mph or less, with not much more when it gusts.
As fun as it is to watch a game in the elements, the best way to see the best team win is to have no rain or snow or sleet or fog or high winds. For both of the conference championships, the only screwy external factors will relate to the crazy bouncing of an oblong ball and the ever-present possibility of a bad call for one team, which necessarily ends up being a good call for the other.
Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner shared his thoughts on what the team has to do to limit Eagles running back Saquon Barkley earlier this week and the team confirmed he’ll be part of those plans on Friday.
Wagner missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle injury, but he has no injury designation for Sunday after returning for a limited session. Wagner will be bidding to make it to the Super Bowl for the third time in his career after making it twice during his time in Seattle.
The Commanders did not get defensive lineman Daron Payne back at practice, but they haven’t ruled him out. He’s questionable due to play because of knee and finger injuries.
Quarterback Jeff Driskel (illness) and defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste (shoulder) are also listed as questionable. Right guard Sam Cosmi will miss the game with a torn ACL.
The Eagles got center Cam Jurgens back on the practice field on Friday, but they aren’t ready to say that he’ll play against the Commanders on Sunday.
Jurgens missed two days of practice with a back injury before returning for a limited session. He’s been listed as questionable to play.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts (knee), cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (shoulder), and tight end Dallas Goedert (ankle) are all good to go after avoiding injury designations. Hurts plans to wear a brace on his left knee during the NFC Championship Game.
The Eagles ruled defensive tackle Byron Young out with a hamstring injury and they will not activate wide receiver Britain Covey (neck) from injured reserve.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts says the knee injury he suffered in the divisional round against the Rams is getting better, but may force him to wear a brace in the NFC Championship Game against the Commanders.
Hurts echoed Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, who said that Hurts was making progress in his recovery.
“It’s been progressing,” Hurts said.
Asked if he’ll wear a brace on the knee on Sunday, Hurts answered, “I anticipate so.”
Hurts finished the game against the Rams after suffering the injury, but he appeared to be affected by it. He may not be 100 percent against the Commanders, but he’ll be close enough that he sounds unworried about his ability to get the job done on Sunday.
Tight end Dallas Goedert plans to be on the field as the Eagles try to advance to their second Super Bowl in the last three years.
Goedert missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday because of an ankle injury, but reporters at the open portion of Friday’s practice said that he was back on the field. After practice, Goedert told those reporters that he will be playing against the Commanders in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.
Goedert had eight catches for 103 yards and a touchdown in the playoff wins over the Packers and Rams.
Center Cam Jurgens (back) also missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday before being spotted on the field Friday. The official status of both players will be revealed when the team releases its final injury report of the week.
