AFC, NFC Championship Games 2022: Odds, Predictions for Bengals vs. Chiefs, 49ers vs. Rams
The AFC and NFC championship games are ready for action! While the news of Tom Brady’s retirement swept the internet into a frenzy on Saturday, we still have a championship to decide. The NFL’s version of the final four should bring many exciting moments this Sunday as the road to Super Bowl 56 continues. Can the Niners and Bengals continue their incredible run? Or will the home team favorites march on?
AFC Championship surprise?
Without a doubt, the Cincinnati Bengals are the surprise of the postseason. QB Joe Burrow has shown that he was no fluke in college as the former LSU star has had great success in his young NFL career.
Following a win over the Raiders, the Bengals pulled off the upset last weekend at No. 1 Tennessee and now they are one win away from a Super Bowl berth. Now comes the biggest challenge of all, a game on the road vs. the two-time defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs.
The Bengals beat the Chiefs back on Jan. 2 in Cincinnati in a crazy battle that came down to an Evan McPherson GW 20-yard field goal as time expired. Joe Burrow threw for 446 yards and four touchdowns, most of it going to wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, while KC quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 259 yards and two scores.
Look for the same craziness on Sunday when these two teams meet in terms of yards and points – but the final results will be different. The Chiefs smell blood, have the experience and want another trip to the big game.
Revenge for 3 weeks ago comes this Sunday as KC once again punches their ticket to the Super Bowl.
Pick – Kansas City -7
Niners magic continues?
This is it for the Rams. Make no mistake here, all the pressure is on them. They spent big bucks on swinging a deal for Matt Stafford, picked up Von Miller and OBJ – AND they are hosting the Super Bowl in two weeks!
The NFL has never had a host city’s team play in the Super Bowl until last season when the Buccaneers pulled off the feat. Can it actually happen two years in a row? It can if the Rams beat the 49ers, however recent history shows that isn’t going to be easy.
San Francisco had a 3-5 record and they were seemingly going nowhere when they routed Los Angeles in mid-November, kicking off their current 9-2 surge. Add to that they have won six straight against the Rams and 7 out of 10 head-to-head in the Shanahan vs. McVay era.
Like him or not, Jimmy G has been money as a dig this year, and we are staying on that trend!
Both teams are loaded with talent, this we know, but something crazy is going on in Frisco. The last team in the postseason – literally – San Fran is playing with house money. It will be a barnburner, but more than a field goal is the way we are leaning.
Gimme those points!
Picks – San Francisco +3.5
