San Francisco 49ers (2) at Philadelphia Eagles (1)
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. ET
The first team to reach the Super Bowl will be decided in a showdown that will highlighted by the battle between quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Brock Purdy. The respective QBs look to lead their offenses against the NFL's two most dominant defenses in what is expected to be a closely contested game. However, Eagles fans hope Hurts' shoulder doesn't give him trouble, and the 49ers faithful look for Purdy to continue to evade rookie mistakes.
Brock Purdy has become one of the stories of this season, going in just a few months from being Mr. Irrelevant to having just one game to win to become the first rookie to play in a Super Bowl. The key to Purdy and the 49ers’ success lies with Coach Kyle Shanahan and the experience of the elite offensive weapons that surround the rookie QB. Running back Christian McCaffrey has been key since his arrival from Carolina, recording eight consecutive games with a touchdown. Tight end George Kittle, receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, and offensive tackle Tret Williams will also play a significant role. What many consider to be the NFL's best offensive line will be a major factor this Sunday against a Philadelphia Eagles defense that leads the NFL in sacks, with 70 during the regular season and an extra five in their lone playoff game against the New York Giants.
Another key matchup of this game will be that between the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line and the San Francisco 49ers’ front seven. Lane Johson and Jason Kelce lead an offensive line that has shown no cracks all season long, proving dominant in both the passing and running game. The 49ers defense, led by Nick Bosa and coached by former Texans and Eagles linebacker DeMeco Ryans, has proven to be the most solid defense in the NFL, leading the league in points allowed, opponents’ passing yards per game and touchdowns conceded.
The differentiating factor on the Eagles' side will be the mobility of quarterback Jalen Hurts. If Hurts' bad shoulder allows him to make carries during the game, he could be a dual threat that the San Francisco 49ers defense has yet to face this season.
On paper, is the highest-level matchup of these conference finals.The two best defenses in the league will put two high level offenses to the test. Likely, the game will come down to which team can make big plays and create turnovers.
Line: Philadelphia Eagles +6
Cincinnati Bengals (3) at Kansas City Chiefs (1)
Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET.
The Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs, led by star quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow, will meet in the AFC Championship for the second consecutive year. As were the last few matchups between these two teams, a high-scoring, high-scoring, evenly matched duel is expected.
Joe Burrow has once again vindicated himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this postseason, proving once again that the Bengals’ offense is a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs . Mahomes, on the other hand, is hampered by his ankle sprain from the previous round, which may affect his mobility out of the pocket.
The Bengals defense will need to focus on stopping Travis Kelce, who just set a playoff record for receptions by a tight end in a game against Jacksonville. He shouldered the weight of the offense when Mahomes was not on the field. If Mahomes and Kelce connect for at least one touchdown in this game, they will equal Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski's mark for most postseason touchdowns between two players (15). In the ground game, Isiah Pacheco is Kansas City's main weapon, which will prove to be of great importance against a Bengals defense that has had difficulty stopping the run in these playoffs.
Joe Burrow has been one of the few quarterbacks in the league to have consistent success against the Chiefs. Burrow just dished out an offensive lesson against Buffalo and has a litany of offensive weapons at his disposal. Young receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins can do a lot of damage to a Kansas City defense that has allowed 220 yards passing per game. Veteran running back Joe Mixon is coming off a 105-yard performance against the Bills, including a touchdown.
Make no mistake about it, unlike the other conference championship game, the outcome of this matchup will be completely determined by the quarterbacks. If Mahomes' ankle, does not affect his game, it will prove very difficult for Cincinnati to emerge victorious on the road for the second consecutive year.
Line: Kansas City + 3
