Cupcakes and superstitions: How Commanders fans are preparing for the NFC Championship
Jan 21, 2025
WOODBRIDGE, Va. (DC News Now) -- The Washington Commanders are the hottest team in football - their star quarterback was named PFWA Rookie of the Year and they are just one win away from the Super Bowl.
Fans are pumped and, in turn, that means a potential boon for local businesses.
At Angel's Bake Shop in Woodbridge, Va., Claudia Salinas spent all day Tuesday making batches of Commanders-themed cupcakes and cake pops. They include sweets with the team's logo and outlines of Jayden Daniels and 'Scary' Terry McLaurin.
"We are all happy to be sharing this moment together," Salinas said.
Salinas and her husband have been Washington football fans for a while, and are hoping the only thing bigger than their sales leading up to the NFC Championship against Philadelphia is the win.
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"Maybe we'll have [the cupcakes] for the next two weeks," she said with a smile. "I'm just saying. One can be hopeful."
Salinas described the playoff run as "exciting, but nervewracking." She's not alone in those feelings.
Playoff football also means superstitions for many fans. Die-hard fan Chantel Clayborn said her superstition is not watching the games.
The longtime Washington football fan says her son and husband - who are both also die-hards - claim she is bad luck.
She did not watch the Buccaneers or Lions games live, so she will continue that trend.
"If I hear [my son] scream, I know something's going on," she said. "I'll turn the game on really, really quick to see what the play was, and then turn it back off again."
Clayborn is hoping she'll watch her recording of the NFC Championship knowing her team is one step closer to its fourth Super Bowl title.
The Commanders play the Eagles on Sunday at 3 p.m. The winner will play the winner of Buffalo @ Kansas City in the Super Bowl.