Marshall Newhouse of the Pregame PowerUp joined Monday’s edition of GoJo and Golic to reflect on some standout performances from NFL Conference Championship weekend.
While the matchup results may not have been what some fans wanted, Newhouse stressed that the Chiefs and Eagles have been the best two teams all season. He reckoned that despite the Bills-Chiefs game being a toss-up, it was not surprising that the Chiefs came out victorious. The Bills are now 0-4 against the Chiefs in playoffs, and some wonder if the Chiefs are a mental hurdle for the Bills. Newhouse shared that he wouldn’t call it a full-blown mental hurdle, but he acknowledged that until a team breaks through, there’s always doubt about whether they can.
While many Bills players have lived through these tough playoff losses, every year brings new faces who haven’t yet experienced what it takes to win at this level. He pointed to the Bills’ final offensive play as an example. Under pressure, Josh Allen still managed to give his team a chance by throwing a ball that could have been caught, but Dalton Kincaid couldn’t come down with it. That moment instantly reminded him of Julian Edelman’s iconic Super Bowl catch, a nearly impossible grab he somehow made. Plays like that require an insane level of awareness and experience, which Buffalo may still lack in big moments.
On the other side, Newhouse highlighted the Chiefs’ efficiency, noting that they consistently make the smart play from top to bottom. Whether Patrick Mahomes executes flawlessly, role players make situationally aware decisions, or Andy Reid crafts the right game plan, they rarely make mistakes. From managing the clock to adapting their schemes, they stay disciplined and composed — something most teams fail to do in big moments. It’s a formula that mirrors the Patriots’ dynasty: when the pressure’s on, they execute while others crumble.
The question many Bills fans want to know is what is going to get them over the hump in the playoffs against the Chiefs. Newhouse expressed that the bills are close and suggested they don’t need a massive overhaul but need more competent execution in key moments. He thought adding a reliable playmaker like Amari Cooper or leaning more on James Cook could have made a difference. Still, Buffalo has to find ways to capitalize when it matters most. He pointed to their crucial fourth-down decision as an example. Given their mixed success with the Tush Push, he wouldn’t have left it in the refs’ hands. Instead, he suggested a safer, more controlled play—maybe a standard run or a designed option for Josh Allen to use his legs. In tight games like this, the difference between winning and losing often comes down to those split-second decisions. The Bills were tied 29-29 with a shot at the Super Bowl that’s when they had to find a way to break through.
The Eagles’ path to the Super Bowl was much smoother than the Chiefs. They did not try to reinvent the wheel but leaned heavily on their ground game. The Eagles, thanks to Howie Roseman’s roster-building, have a loaded team, and over four quarters, that talent was bound to take over, according to Newhouse. The Commanders made a valiant effort for two and a half quarters, but ultimately, the Eagles had too much firepower. Injuries made things even more challenging for the Commanders, especially at center, where they were forced to shuffle players due to back spasms and other setbacks. Jalen Hurts also stepped up, delivering one of his best performances of the season when it mattered most. In the end, Washington’s Cinderella run couldn’t hold up against a deeper, more talented Eagles squad.
Getting an early look at the Super Bowl, Newhouse believes the matchup between Chiefs and Eagles is a true toss-up, with the spread reflecting how evenly matched these teams are. The Chiefs have -130 odds to win, while the Eagles are at +110 at DraftKings Sportsbook. One key difference from the last Super Bowl meeting between these two teams that Newhouse mentioned is the presence of Saquon Barkley, which could have a significant impact. He’s also intrigued by the chess match between Vic Fangio and Kansas City’s offense, noting how Fangio schemes against Mahomes will be a major storyline. Since this is a rematch, the previous game film won’t be all that useful Newhouse shared, making in-game adjustments even more critical. He also pointed to the coaching battle between Andy Reid and the opposing defensive staff as another factor that could shape the outcome. No matter how it plays out, he expects an exciting game.
Watch or listen to the full show below and tune into GoJo and Golic weekday mornings from 8-10 a.m. ET on DraftKings Network! See more about how to watch DraftKings Network here.
SHOW BREAKDOWN
Hour 1: Championship Sunday Recap — The Chiefs Make History & The Eagles Run Back To The Super Bowl
Hour 2: Marshall Newhouse on Mahomes, Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts’ Performances + Looking At Sunday’s Losers
VIDEO
Watch GoJo and Golic every weekday on Samsung TV Plus, Roku, Xumo Play, Google TV and DraftKingsNetwork.com from 8 to 10 a.m. ET. The show is also available via audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow Mike Golic Sr. on X at @golic and Mike Golic Jr. on X at @mikegolicjr.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information
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