This Sunday, the AFC and NFC Championships will take place, with the Baltimore Ravens facing the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers hosting the Detroit Lions. With an opportunity to play in the Super Bowl on the line, here is a preview of what to expect:
Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs
3 p.m. ET | CBS | Spread: BAL -3.5 (44.5)
The Baltimore Ravens are playing like the best team in the NFL. They have been a dominant force, averaging 28.4 points per game on offense and allowing just 16.5 points per game on defense. In their playoff matchup against Houston, they did nothing to disprove that notion, defeating the Texans 34-10. Lamar Jackson put on a show, throwing for 152 yards and two passing touchdowns while rushing for 100 yards and two additional touchdowns on the ground at an impressive 9.1 YPC. For Lamar Jackson, this game is crucial to his legacy, as he faces the defending champions and the best quarterback in the NFL for the last five years, aiming for his first Super Bowl appearance. The Chiefs, for their part, were able to defeat a red-hot Bills team that had looked like one of the best in the league over the past couple of weeks. Not only is Mahomes extremely dangerous in the playoffs, but the Chiefs also have one of the best defenses in the NFL, allowing just over 17 points per game. The Chiefs have championship experience and will not be intimidated by Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. However, with Jackson being unstoppable, I expect the Ravens to come out on top at home in a comfortable fashion.
Ravens 30, Chiefs 21
San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions
6:30 p.m. ET | Fox | Spread: SF -7 (50.5)
The 49ers boast a team scoring 28.9 points per game while allowing only 17.5 points per game defensively. They won 12 games this year, and Brock Purdy had a Pro Bowl-type year. Christian McCaffrey rushed for 98 yards with two touchdowns against the Packers as San Francisco survived 24-21. The Niners, who were without Deebo Samuel due to an injury, were not able to pull away and dominate the Packers. Purdy, for his part, was more of a game manager and did just enough, in my eyes, to win the game. The Lions, on the other hand, also won 12 games this season and proved they belonged by defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, achieving their first playoff win since January 5th, 1992. Dan Campbell has done a fantastic job turning around the culture in Detroit, and the Lions believe they are good enough to win the game. The Lions are a physical team, taking on the personality of their head coach, and they have a two-headed rushing monster in Jamar Gibbs and David Montgomery that will be tough to stop. With Deebo Samuel possibly compromised, I think the Lions keep it close like the Packers did last week and end up with the upset victory, making the Super Bowl for the first time in their history.
Lions 28, 49ers 24
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