AFC and NFC Championship Games Picks

It is one of the best weekends in the NFL schedule. The Conference Championship games. I don't know why but this has always been my favorite weekend on the NFL calendar. I don't know but I look forward to this weekend the most.

Now this year it's even better because we have the four best teams in the league, going at it. As much as I hate to admit it, as a Giants fan that the Eagles are good, but look at what's done this season. If you can't call the Eagles good, you're just blind with hate. Which I respect you for. However with how great these games are going to be let's preview these games.

49ers @ Eagles (-2.5) (Over/Under 45.5)

Pick: 49ers +2.5

I mean it's felt like these two have been on a collision course ever since Brock Prudy took over as Niners QB back in Week 13 when Grappolo broke his foot. Since then this Niners offense has been completely different. It has been arguably the best offense in the league. The only offense that has been better has been this Philadelphia Eagles offense.

This Eagles offense is currently averaging 389.1 yards per game. 147.6 of those yards have come because of their rushing attack, and 241.5 yards through the air. Not to mention the fact that they're scoring 28 points per game. Like this Eagles, the offense seems unstoppable. Not to mention that the offensive line is one of the best groups in football.

However, despite this great offense that the Eagles have, the 49ers' defense is really good too. They are currently allowing the least amount of yards of any NFL team. That front four is going to make that offensive line, plus Jalen Hurts and Miles Sanders life hell. They are going to stop the Eagles' run attack. That is going to make this game a close-tight affair and take what the Eagles do best out of the game.

The only thing that makes me worry is Brock Purdy. Rookie QBs have never faired well in Conference Championship games. They are currently 0-4. Plus going into the hostile environment that the Link is in, there is cause for concern. But if Purdy has taught us anything is not to bet against him. While Purdy has been under center the Niners are 6-1 against the spread. Has Purdy dominated every single game, no, but he doesn't have to. He just can't make big-time mistakes.

I feel like this game is going to have a lot of similarities to the Cowboys-49ers game of last week. It's going to be tight all game, but late in the 4th the 49ers are going to take the lead, and the Eagles are going to come up just short.

49ers +2.5 is the play.

Bengals @ Chiefs (-1.5) (Over/Under 48.5)

Pick: Bengals +1.5

It's the new Manning vs Brady rivalry. Burrow vs Mahomes. Like the similarities between these two rivalries are crazy. We have two of the more dominant teams in the AFC. Ok, check. Before last week I would've put the Bills ahead of the Bengals, but I just can't trust them anymore. One side of the rivalry is dominating the over. Also, check. Just like how Brady used to dominate Manning at the beginning, Burrow has dominated Mahomes. That domination continues going into this game.

Two big factors here. One is the health of Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes suffered a high ankle sprain against the Jaguars last week. Now it's not like Mahomes isn't going to play, it's the AFC Championship game, and the only way Mahomes doesn't play is if his leg is amputated. Even then it's 50/50. But even though the Chiefs aren't concerned, I'm pretty concerned. A high ankle sprain is a tough injury. Normally it's a six-week recovery period. Even if he thinks it won't affect him, it's going to. Is Mahomes going to be able to avoid pressure as he has in the past week? That stuff scares me.

Also, I'm done betting against Burrow in a big game. I don't know what it is but Burrow just has it. When the lights are the brightest, he plays his best. Whether it was his performance in the 2019 CFP. Or the playoffs last year. He just has that factor that not many QBs have. I know it's not a great reason behind it. Burrow reminds me some much of Brady. Not the most athletic QB, but he just does everything to give his player a chance to win. Not this big, in-depth reason as I had for the 49ers-Eagles game, but sometimes you just have to roll with your gut. Here's a parlay hopefully it will make you feel better.

The Screw it Parlay

Bengals (mL)

Kelce Anytime Touchdown

Chase Anytime Touchdown

Joe Mixon Over 58.5 Yards

Odds on Fanduel: +1062