NFL Conference Championships Preview
Only four teams remain in the NFL playoffs. I will preview both games by reviewing the injury reports and analyzing NFL Conference Championships betting trends that can help bettors find winners.
Ensure you monitor the injury reports throughout the week, as injuries can impact the odds.
The Ravens were without TE Mark Andrews, DB Marlon Humphrey, and LB Del’Shawn Phillips in the Divisional Round. Having Andrews and Humphrey would definitely help against the Chiefs.
Kansas City was already dealing with injuries and had several more on the weekend. This week, we’ll need to keep an eye on the status of DT Derrick Nnadi, OT Wanya Morris, S Mike Edwards, OG Joe Thuney, and LB Willie Gay Jr. The offensive line and defense will be weakened if these guys can’t suit up.
The Lions and 49ers are relatively healthy for the NFC Conference Championship Game.
The Lions are likely to be without OG Jonah Jackson after he injured his knee last weekend. However, they might get back LB James Houston. WR Kalif Raymond is questionable. TE Brock Wright suffered a broken forearm against the Buccaneers, but the Lions signed TE Zach Ertz on Monday morning.
San Francisco will be without DE Clelin Ferrell, and WR Deebo Samuel is currently 50/50 to play.
On Conference Championships
NFL Conference Championships Betting Trends
The Chiefs and Ravens are both surging. The Chiefs are on a 4-0 (4-0 ATS) run, and the Ravens are on a 7-1 (6-2 ATS) run. Baltimore’s lone loss was in Week 18, with most starters sitting out.
This is the Raven’s first appearance in the AFC Championship Game since winning the Super Bowl back in 2013. Since winning Super Bowl XLVII, Baltimore is 3-5 in the NFL playoffs. This will be the Chiefs’ sixth consecutive appearance in the AFC Championship; they’re 3-2 in those games.
Kansas City was home in the last five AFC Championships but will be on the road this weekend.
Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes have gone head-to-head four times. In those games, the Chiefs are 3-1 (2-2 ATS), and the over/under record is 3-1. Baltimore won the last H2H game in September 2021.
Mahomes is 8-3 (9-1-1 ATS) as an underdog in his career. Since 2003, teams coming off a 20+ point win before the Conference Championship are just 5-6 ATS. Will the Ravens make it 6-6 ATS by covering?
The Lions will look to make their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.
San Francisco has played in the last two NFC Championships, but it has lost both. The 49ers haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1995. They’ve played in the Super Bowl twice since then, but they’ve lost both times.
Detroit is on a 5-1 (5-1 ATS) run. The 49ers have won eight of their last ten games, but they’ve gone 5-5 ATS in those games. The 49ers have struggled to cover big-point spreads. Brock Purdy is 7-8 ATS when the Niners are favored by four or more points. Another concern with the 49ers is that they’re 1-3 (0-4 ATS) at home since December, but the 49ers have historically dominated the Lions.
Jared Goff will be in the spotlight, as he has often struggled playing outdoors. Goff is 26-9 ATS with the Lions when playing indoors. When playing outdoors in December and January, Goff is 9-15-1 ATS.
Best Pick ATS
The Detroit Lions visit the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, and this is a matchup of two very different teams. Detroit has been a great story to follow all season long, but they haven’t had to face great teams in the postseason.
This San Francisco team is loaded with great players on both sides of the football, and at some point, they are going to take over this game completely. It’s been a great season for Detroit, but getting the 49ers at -7.0 is one of the top conference championship NFL picks to make.
Best Moneyline Pick
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are back in the AFC Championship Game for the sixth straight year. This will be the first time that the Chiefs are on the road in this game, but they just picked up a massive win over the Buffalo Bills.
The Baltimore Ravens will host this game, and they have been the most complete team in football all season long. For as good as Baltimore has been, Mahomes and the Chiefs will find a way to take over in this game.
Best Total Pick
Sticking in Baltimore, there is another of the top conference championship NFL picks to make when looking at the over/under lines. This betting line is set at 44.5 total points, and that is a number that feels too high at first glance.
These are two of the best defensive teams in the NFL this season, and neither team will be giving up any big plays. Getting to 24 points might be enough to win this game, and taking the under 44.5 is the top bet to make.
Best Player Prop
There are many player props that can be made during the conference championship games, but betting on a player to score a touchdown is always a good option. The 49ers will score some touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game.
San Francisco wants to establish the run, and they have one of the best running backs in the league to get that done. Christian McCaffrey is having a huge season for the Niners, and he will find the end zone on Sunday.
Best Team Prop
Betting on team props is never easy, but many different ways exist. The Detroit Lions are scoring over 27 points per game so far in the playoffs, but they will struggle to find the end zone against San Francisco.
Detroit wants to throw the football to move down the field, but they don’t have enough talent to find the end zone against a great San Francisco team. Take the under 20.5 total points for the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game.
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FAQ: NFL Conference Championships
What are the NFL Conference Championships?
The NFL Conference Championships are two annual playoff games that determine the champions of the National Football League’s (NFL) two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The winners of these games advance to the Super Bowl.
When do the Conference Championships take place?
The NFL Conference Championships are typically held on the penultimate Sunday in January.
How are teams selected for the Conference Championships?
Teams are selected through the NFL playoffs, which involve the top teams from the AFC and NFC. The playoffs’ divisional round determines which teams advance to the Conference Championships.
Where are the Conference Championships played?
The games are played at the home stadiums of the highest-seeded teams remaining in the playoff bracket.
Where can I find analysis and predictions for the Conference Championships?
SportsHub and other sports news outlets provide in-depth analysis, predictions, and coverage leading up to and during the Conference Championships.