The anchor must wear the temporary tat on the back of his neck after the Birds pummeled the Commanders on Sunday to advance to the Super Bowl.

“I was like, ‘Are they forcing you out?’ She’s like, ‘No Craig, I’m OK. I’m leaving,’” he recalled. “I was legit stunned, so much so that after she left, I went back to her dressing room, and I was like, ‘Are you sure you’re OK?’ It takes a certain kind of courage to leave anything when you’re at the height of your game.”

Today's new co-anchor Craig Melvin opens up in this week's PEOPLE cover story about the new hobby that he can't stop gushing about.

Dressed in a navy suit and yellow tie that his wife and kids picked out for the occasion, Craig stands at the TODAY desk reading over copy when music begins playing. He looks up, surprised, as the first verse of Hootie & the Blowfish’s “Let Her Cry” comes through the studio speakers.

Savannah and Craig made an NFL playoff bet. What should loser have to do? Help decide! Savannah Guthrie’s beloved Philadelphia Eagles and Craig Melvin’s Washington Commanders will face off Sunday night in the NFC Championship game. Ahead of the match-up, Savannah and Craig have made a bet — and now, TODAY viewers can vote to help decide the stakes!

Craig Melvin isn't even a week into his tenure as co-anchor of the 'Today' show and already his co-anchor has left him. Melvin, 45, joked about Savannah Guthrie's absence at the top of the Thursday, Jan.

Melvin had bet on the Commanders winning against the Eagles. Unfortunately for him, their loss meant he had to get a temporary tattoo of Guthrie’s face and the Eagles logo on his neck. “This is why we don’t gamble, kids!” Melvin warned viewers.

Craig Melvin got a temporary tattoo of his 'Today' coanchor Savannah Guthrie after losing a bet over the winner of the NFC Championship game

Melvin was already a co-host of the third hour of Today, but he only began hosting the 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. hours on Jan. 13. Guthrie kicked off Melvin’s first show by having the show announcer chant Melvin's name multiple times to mark the occasion.

Will Ferrell was surprised with the viral animatronic Buddy the Elf during an appearance on the TODAY show on Jan. 28.

Exploring the best in funk and soul from the roots of black music through to the current club sounds, featuring classic tracks, new releases, sessions and interviews.