With simply two video games left earlier than the Tremendous Bowl, which means it’s time for 2024 AFC Championship Sport predictions and 2024 NFC Championship Sport predictions. The kickoff instances for this weekend’s playoff video games have been set and we have now two nice matchups on faucet.
NFL Convention Championship Sport Predictions
Via the primary 10 playoff video games, simply two street groups have gained. Meaning there haven’t been that many surprises regardless of some compelling video games. It additionally signifies that one of the best groups have made it to the convention championship video games.
The highest two seeds within the NFC are nonetheless alive whereas the no. 1 and no. 3 seeds are set to play on the AFC aspect. Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at every matchup.
NFC Championship Sport: Lions vs 49ers
It’s definitely no shock to see the 49ers within the NFC Championship Sport for the third straight yr and the fourth time within the final 5 seasons. Gamers like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner can already be thought of among the many best defensive players of all time at their place, giving San Francisco top-of-the-line defenses within the NFL as soon as once more. In the meantime, Christian McCaffrey offers the 49ers arguably one of the best offensive ability place participant within the recreation proper now.
Then again, Brock Purdy left lots to be desired in the course of the win over the Packers regardless of main a late comeback. Deebo Samuel can also be questionable to play within the NFC Championship Sport. His absence might change the whole outlook of the San Francisco offense. It’s additionally value mentioning that the 49ers are simply 2-4 in opposition to the unfold of their final 4 video games and a modest 5-5-1 in opposition to the unfold this season when favored by seven factors or extra.
On the similar time, it’s laborious to disregard the momentum and confidence the Lions have heading into the group’s first journey to the NFC Championship Sport since 1991. They’re additionally 6-2 in opposition to the unfold of their final eight video games and 7-2 in opposition to the unfold on the street this season. Underneath Dan Campbell, there isn’t a query Detroit might be embracing the underdog label on this recreation.
In equity, Detroit’s protection is definitely the worst of the 4 groups remaining. Nonetheless, Jared Goff is arguably a extra dependable quarterback than Purdy proper now. Additionally, with the best way rookies Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta have contributed alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and David Montgomery, Detroit’s offensive ability gamers aren’t any much less harmful than San Francisco’s playmakers. Behind Goff, search for the Lions to make this an in depth recreation and beat the unfold, probably pulling off the upset.
Decide: Lions +7
AFC Championship Sport: Chiefs vs Ravens
Nicely, this hasn’t been essentially the most spectacular season for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Nonetheless, they’re within the AFC Championship Sport for the sixth consecutive season. Throughout Kansas Metropolis’s Wild Card win over the Dolphins and street win over the Payments, the Chiefs have performed a few of their greatest soccer of the season.
Since their Christmas Day catastrophe in opposition to the Raiders, the Chiefs are 4-0 and 4-0 in opposition to the unfold, together with a pair of wins as a street underdogs. Along with the superhuman Mahomes, they’ve one of many greatest tight ends in NFL history in Travis Kelce and a operating again in Isiah Pacheco who has been excellent in the course of the playoffs. There may be additionally the Kansas Metropolis protection, which continues to be stout, particularly within the second half of video games.
On the opposite aspect, the Ravens have Lamar Jackson, who’s the presumptive MVP. Regardless of a shaky playoff historical past, Jackson was in full management of final week’s win over the Texans. If we forgive Baltimore’s Week 18 loss when Jackson and different key starters have been rested, the Ravens have gained seven in a row, going 6-1 in opposition to the unfold in these video games.
Needless to say Jackson has the highest protection within the NFL backing him up. The Ravens conceded simply 16.5 factors per recreation in the course of the common season and simply 14.4 factors per recreation of their final 5 video games. Take into account they’ve performed the Jaguars, 49ers, Dolphins, and Texans throughout that stretch, in order that they’ve confronted high quality offensive groups and stifled them. That may very well be the distinction on this recreation, permitting the Ravens to knock off the reigning champs and canopy the three-point unfold.
Decide: Ravens -3
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