My apologies to everyone for missing the Wild Card predictions last week. Just a combination of lack of motivation + life/work catching up to me. I do enjoy the current times we are going through with sports, but I can’t lie and say that I’ve had so much motivation to be writing recently. Whenever it gets super cold out and the sun goes down at like 4:30, I definitely start to become less motivated with other tasks. However, we are here now. It’s time to talk about the Championship game weekend. Let’s get into it.
Philadelphia Eagles vs San Francisco 49ers (3 pm EST, FOX)
Before I start talking about this game, I just want to say that I am 8-2 for predictions in this years playoffs. I had the Buccaneers beating the Cowboys and the Giants beating the Eagles. So I’ll hold those two L’s, but I’m very proud of the other eight victories.
Rookie quarterback Brock Purdy, who was listed as a ROY finalist, will be handed his hardest test yet. A road playoff game at the Linc. Against an Eagles front that lead the league in sacks this year with 70, 15 more than any other team. The last time the Eagles hosted a NFC Championship game was against Case Keenum and the Vikings. They won 38-7 while forcing two interceptions from the Vikings signal-caller. They have an elite offense lead by Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown. Both sides of the trenches are well accounted for and their defensive back unit is arguably the strongest in the league. While I give this Eagles team praise, this does not mean it will be a walk in the park against the Niners.
The Niners have the leagues best defense and a quarterback that has not lost a single start. With an explosive offense consisting of Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle, anything is possible. The Niners defense has forced four turnovers in their two playoff games alone. The team is fully healthy and ready for this test in Philly.
Each team has had a different road to get here. The Eagles finished the year with a 14-3 record, earning the #1 seed in the NFC. They then obliterated the Giants at home in their first and only playoff game so far by a score of 38-7. The Niners on the other hand are on their third-string quarterback, who happens to be this past year’s Mr. Irrelevant. They’ve had two playoff games so far, but both at home.
As for this game, this will be a battle to the end. I think it will be a one possession game and it’ll come down to which coach makes the better judgement call when it matters. Both teams are loaded at all positions, all eyes will be on what game-plan is used best. I can’t wait to watch this battle.
Prediction: San Francisco 49ers 28, Philadelphia Eagles 24
Kansas City Chiefs vs Cincinnati Bengals (6:30 pm, CBS)
A rematch of last year’s AFC Championship is what we are looking forward to this Sunday night. Joe Burrow and the Bengals look to continue their revenge tour against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. This years game will once again be held at Arrowhead, with the notoriously loud Chiefs fanbase. Mahomes comes into this game banged up from last week’s injury he suffered against the Jaguars, but it looks like he’s almost back to 100%.
Joe Burrow has never lost a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. In three games against the AFC West Champions, Burrow has thrown eight touchdowns and only one interception. In two postseason games this year Burrow has yet to turnover the football, throwing three touchdowns for a total of 451 yards. The key to a Bengals victory will be a hot start. Just like they showcased last week in Buffalo, in order to win road playoff games you have to get a lead early in the game. It takes out the crowd and just sets the tone for the rest of the game. And then on the defensive side, don’t let Patrick Mahomes extend any plays. He obviously has his ankle injury hampering him, but with a whole weeks rest no one is doubting his ability to come back to himself.
The key matchup will be the Bengals secondary against Travis Kelce. Kelce had a monster game against Jacksonville last week, snagging 14 passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. You can’t let him get the ball in open space because he just becomes a truck. Kadarius Toney has also shown to be a weapon in these last few weeks for Andy Reid’s offense but the main focus will have to be Mahomes & Kelce.
This is a HUGE game for both teams but especially for both quarterbacks. For Burrow, it will be another chance to reach a Super Bowl to avenge last years’ loss. For Mahomes, this is his fifth straight AFC Championship. However, if he loses he will only have had two Super Bowl appearances out of the five. I can’t wait to watch these two football juggernauts battle it out on Sunday Night.
Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals 33, Kansas City Chiefs 23
Thank you all for tuning in. I promise I won’t miss another NFL article for the rest of the year. Well there’s only one more after this and I’m FOR SURE not missing the Super Bowl article. This is YSN, until next time, signing out.
