NFL Championship Weekend is right here, and three of the 4 collaborating groups are returning guests with the objective of constructing it to Tremendous Bowl 57 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on February 12.
San Francisco meets Philadelphia within the NFC Championship recreation within the early recreation at 3 p.m. on Fox.
The Eagles defeated the New York Giants 38-7 within the NFC Divisional Playoffs. Philadelphia is making its eighth NFC Championship look. It is the primary below second-year head coach Nick Siriani. Jalen Hurts threw a pair of TDs and added one other scramble regardless of enjoying via a shoulder harm.
The 49ers beat the Cowboys 19-12 within the NFC Championship and seem 18 within the NFC Championship Recreation. That is Kyle Shanahan’s third NFC title recreation in 4 years, and it has been a formidable run with rookie quarterback Brock Purdy and a protection led by Nick Bosa.
Extra NFL video games: AFC and NFC bracket | TV schedule
Kansas Metropolis hosts Cincinnati within the AFC Championship recreation at 6:30 p.m. on CBS in a rematch of final yr’s 27-24 rematch at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs reached the AFC Championship Recreation for the fifth consecutive season with the inclusion of head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes II after defeating Jacksonville 27-20 within the Division I playoffs. Mahomes suffered a sprained ankle within the victory, and that may be among the many most talked about occasions main as much as the showdown in opposition to the Bengals. Travis Kelce places in a monster effort with 14 catches for 98 yards and a pair of TDs.
Cincinnati is searching for back-to-back AFC championships below Zack Taylor. The Bengals pulled off a formidable 27-10 win in Buffalo. Joe Burrow is now 5-1 within the postseason, and the protection has been a difference-maker with a 10-game profitable streak. Moreover, Cincinnati has crushed Kansas Metropolis thrice prior to now two seasons.
This is a have a look at our observe report this season:
- Playoffs: 9-1
- final week: 4-0
- Common class: 2 – 174-96
Listed below are Sporting Information’ picks for the AFC and NFC Championship video games (Odds courtesy BetMGM):
Power scores: 3 reasons the Chiefs, 49ers, Eagles, and Bengals will (or won’t) win Super Bowl 57
NFL picks and predictions for championship video games
- San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5)
Sunday, 3 p.m., Fox
Regardless of the wealthy matchup historical past on either side, these groups have by no means met in an NFC Championship recreation. The Eagles and the 49ers met in Week 2 of the 2021 season, a recreation that San Francisco received 17-11. It was Hurts second begin.
How will the Eagles 49ers get via the working recreation — and the way a lot ache might be an element? That is a giant key to profitable understanding that the 49ers have allowed over 100 speeding yards in simply 5 video games, together with the playoffs. Hurts has acquired 38 sacks this season, and he is going through robust passing tackles led by Bosa – who’s had 18.5 sacks this season. Bossa is nice sufficient to trace runs, too. Miles Sanders and Boston Scott ought to be a consider getting ready Hurts for the working recreation.
The 49ers’ working recreation is simply as essential on this recreation with Christian McCaffrey and Eli Mitchell – particularly with rookie quarterback Purdy taking two sacks in opposition to Dallas’ aggressive move rush. The Eagles had a report 70 sacks within the common season, Hasson Reddick had 16 sacks within the common season and 1.5 sacks in opposition to the Giants.
Do not promote both group’s passing assault. Hurts has three favourite targets in AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goeddert. The Pains have been distinctive at residence with that group with 14 TDs, 4 interceptions and a 103.9 quarterback score. The match between Goeddert and 49ers linebacker Fred Warner might be notably telling. Warner is without doubt one of the greatest linebackers within the recreation.
Purdy has Debo Samuel, Brandon Ayuk, and George Keitel. Security CJ Gardner-Johnson is the X issue on the again finish. He has had six interceptions this season. Indisputably Kettle is Birdie’s favourite goal. Can the vultures take him away? Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans are auditioning for head teaching jobs, and which group could make a recreation changer?
Our guess is that the 49ers – who’ve that latest expertise – discover a method into an prompt traditional that comes all the way down to a game-winning subject objective by Robbie Gould.
pluck or pluck: 49ers 27, Eagles 24
- Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (-1.5)
Sunday, 6:30 p.m., CBS
An MRI confirmed a excessive ankle sprain for Mahomes, however anticipate him to play in opposition to the Bengals with the prospect of his third Tremendous Bowl look on the road. Cincinnati’s protection has carried out a strong job containing Mahomes in these earlier three video games. He averaged 252.3 yards with six TDs and two interceptions in these losses.
Kelsey may have his share of victories in the course of the sphere, however the Chiefs will have to be greater than that in opposition to a strong protection led by defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Will Kansas Metropolis vast receivers Jojo Smith-Schuster and Marques Valdes-Scantling exterior play? Will the Chiefs be affected person with the working recreation averaging 6.0 yards per carry in these three losses? Isaiah Pacheco and Jerrick McKinnon can handle to take the strain off Mahomes, however Reid cannot let go — even when DJ Reader slows it down within the first half.
Cincinnati has no purpose to not take an aggressive stance from the beginning; As a result of the Chiefs have not confirmed they’ll cease Burrow — who accomplished 72.2% of his passes for a median of 327.3 ypg. With eight TDs and one interception in these wins. For Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, which means getting strain from Chris Jones and Frank Clark in opposition to a Bengals offensive line that has been reworked as a consequence of accidents. Nonetheless, that strain should subside, or Burrow may have his selection of fielding between Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Hayden Hurst. If Joe Mixon averages 5.0 yards per carry above that once more, the Bengals might be in enterprise.
These ultimate three video games have been determined by three factors every, and the Bengals outscored the Chiefs 47-24 within the second half in these video games. Anarumu’s second half changes at the moment are on the purpose once more. It is laborious to decide on with out seeing how effectively Mahomes can transfer inside assault, however the most secure guess is to proceed to belief Burrow – who continues to point out fearlessness in matches on the highway. A late TD run by Samaje Perine seals a second straight Tremendous Bowl journey.
pluck or pluck: 29 Bengals, 28 Chiefs
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