The NFL Conference Championship games are here. The slate has never looked better, and I couldn’t be more excited. For the first game of the evening, we have the 49ers facing off against the Eagles in Philly, at 3pm EST. Next, we have the Bengals going into Arrowhead to face off against the Chiefs, starting at 6:30pm EST. So order some wings, grab some brews, and get ready to lock in for seven hours of football (commercials included) for the last time this year.
I am going to walk through the two matchups, giving my predictions, insights, and picks. The blog is currently 2-2 all time, so it’s time to win big to go +.500. Now lets get into the action!
Game One: 49ers @ Eagles, 3pm EST, PHI -3.0, O/U 45
Philly is one of, if not the hardest stadium to go into and win, especially for rookies. That being said, Brock Purdy has been looking like an animal and far more poised than any rookie QB I’ve ever seen. On the other side of the field, Fred Warner is captaining what looks like the best defense remaining, boasting a 39.29% third down conversion rate and only 17.5 points allowed per game this postseason.
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles looked great last week as well, making the Giants look like fools in prime time. There were worries that Hurts was still injured, but he silenced those murmurs by throwing for two touchdowns, and running a third in. The Eagles D looked just as dominant, holding the G-Men to only seven points, tallying five sacks, and forcing a 38.46% conversion rate on third downs.
If both teams play up to their recent standards, this is going to be a heavyweight battle of the century. I have a feeling that the game is either going to be a shootout, or the stellar defenses will hold each team to not a lot of points. Because of this, the O/U is terrifying to me. What doesn’t scare me is the line. I think that giving the Niners three points is generous to say the least. I believe that if San Fran is going to lose, it won’t be by more than a field goal, but I just don’t think they’ll lose in the first place.
My pick: SF +3.0 (official), SF Money line (If You’re Brave)
Game Two: Bengals @ Chiefs, 6:30pm EST, KC -2.0, O/U 47.5
Not often can you hear a pin drop mid game in Arrowhead Stadium, but that was the case this past Saturday when Patrick Mahomes was injured. Since that game, Chiefs fans everywhere have been holding their breath whilst constantly refreshing Twitter in hopes of good news. And good news is what they’ve gotten. Mahomes looks unbelievably healthy, and Vegas has shifted the line drastically because of it. At one point, the Bengals were one and a half point favorites, but now the Chiefs are favored by two.
This game will be must watch TV. Both teams look invincible, but it’s not a situation of an unstoppable force versus an immovable object. It’s more like two unstoppable forces about to collide head on, and only one can make it out on top. Because of this, I think that the over is a good bet.
Now I know what you’re thinking: “But Aidan, the under hit in every single divisional round game last week! What makes you think that this game will change the trend?” Good question. My reasoning is that the subtext of this game is a battle for who’s the best quarterback in the NFL, and neither Mahomes nor Burrow is going to let the other outperform them. Also, have you seen these offenses? Do you really think Zac Taylor and Andy Reid don’t have more tricks up their sleeves and will take their feet of the gas?
Sure, the defenses for both teams have looked great, and that is especially true for Cincy. Because of this, I am making two picks for this game!
My picks: CIN +2.0, Over 47.5