“I have the best of both worlds.” Charissa Thompson really isn’t kidding when she says that. She’s not just talking about the NFL; she’s living it. From FOX Sports to Amazon Prime, she’s been everywhere, bringing the kind of energy that makes you feel like you’re right there in the action. Now, before the Big Conference Championship games she posted an Instagram story highlighting her passion for the game with just four words. Simple, right?

Whether she’s calling plays for Amazon’s Thursday Night Football or hosting FOX’s NFL coverage, she’s been the real MVP for sports broadcasting. Her journey began in 2008 when she first reported as a sideline reporter for the NFL on FOX.  Since then, she’s flipped the playbook from ESPN’s SportsNation to Extra, and now, with FOX NFL Kickoff on Sundays and Amazon’s Thursday Night Football, Charissa’s reign continues. “I love my job” might sound like a tagline, but for Charissa, it’s a motto.

“I was obsessed with my dad, and my dad would refuse to go to church with us on Sundays because football was on. So I thought to myself, how could I spend more time with my dad? I started watching football with him every Sunday, and it was just something I fell in love with”. It’s that love for the game—and the game of broadcasting—that drives her forward, giving NFL fans the insider access they crave and making sure her viewers never miss a beat.

Thompson’s career is packed with big plays and bold moves. In 2018, she took over NFL Films Presents from Katie Nolan, proving she could break down a quarterback controversy as effortlessly as a sideline reporter handles a rogue Gatorade shower. But Charissa’s game doesn’t stop at sports—she co-hosted Extra from 2014 to 2017, flawlessly transitioning from NFL trades to red carpet takes, and even took on Netflix’s “Ultimate Beastmaster”, blending NFL Combine grit with American Ninja Warrior chaos. As Charissa puts it, “I can talk about Taylor Swift during the day, and at night I can sit in front of the TV and watch Thursday night football. At some point, if the two converge and it becomes one job where I can still talk about both, that would be amazing.” and with a playbook like hers, who wouldn’t?

As she gears up for another Conference Championship weekend, let’s remember: Charissa Thompson isn’t just reporting on NFL action. She is part of the action. And those four words? They say everything about how she feels about the ride.

Big Conference games on the horizon

The stakes are high, folks. The NFL Conference Championship games have arrived, which means fans will witness monumental showdowns. The opening game of the NFC Championship features the Washington Commanders facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles. With a 16-3 record, the Philadelphia Eagles earned their brutal champion status in the NFC East.

So, under Jayden Daniels, the Commanders aim to demonstrate that underdogs always find ways to strike back. Their impressive 14-5 performance and unexpected victory against the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round positions them to create history. Jayden Daniels would make history as the first rookie quarterback to lead Washington to the Super Bowl if he guides them to this championship game. This is shaping up to be the most remarkable Cinderella tale in NFL history.

Philadelphia will experience chilly 2°C temperatures with mostly cloudy skies, creating ideal conditions for tough football. These challenging weather conditions create tough playing fields, which lead to unforgettable performances.

The AFC Championship matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs is up next. Mahomes and Allen stand as the AFC’s elite quarterbacks while the Chiefs achieved another formidable 16-2 season. The Bills who stand at 15-4 want to end their Super Bowl drought which began in the early ‘90s. The Bills have defeated Mahomes’ Chiefs four consecutive times during regular season matches, which makes this matchup an even more exciting game to watch.

The Chiefs have maintained their position as the AFC’s top team for several years, but the Bills aim for the championship with Allen’s strong arm and ability to outrun defenders. The Kansas City temperature stands at -5.6°C, causing both teams to prepare for game conditions comparable to a Super Bowl.

Folks, we have before us two monumental games featuring legendary rivalries with stakes surpassing Mahomes’ QB rating. Who’s going to the Super Bowl? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: The outcome remains undecided yet certain is that this weekend will stand out in history.