Forecaster Frank's Picks Championship Weekend
Last weekend may have been the greatest Divisional Playoff in NFL history, as every game ended with a walk-off score. Sadly I went 1-3, and I sit at 140-141-1 .498 on the season.
AFC Championship Game
KC -7.5 (54.5)
Chiefs 38 Bengals 16
The true AFC Championship Game was played last week, with the Chiefs instant classic win over the Bills. In December, the Bengals beat the Chiefs, but that game was at home; winning at Arrowhead will be much more difficult. The Bengals had not won a postseason game since 1990; now, they are one win from the Super Bowl. With a second-year quarterback in Joe Burrow, the Bengals have maximized their 2021 season. Burrow was sacked nine times in Tennessee and needed a big defensive effort, and Ryan Tannehill threw three interceptions. That will not happen with the Chiefs. Kansas City is poised to become the fourth team to go to three straight Super Bowls. Patrick Mahomes can taste it and will not be denied as the Chiefs win going away.
NFC Championship Game
SF +3.5 (o/u 46)
49ers 20 Rams 17
Once in a while, there is another team with another team's number. It appears that is the case with the 49ers when they play the Los Angeles Rams. The Niners swept the Rams in 2021, with both wins saving their season. The Niners were 3-5 when they beat the Rams 31-10 at Levis Stadium. In the season's final game at SoFi Stadium, the Niners overcame a 17-0 deficit to beat the Rams 27-24 in overtime. San Francisco needed to win that game to get into the playoffs, as they won their sixth straight game against the Rams. The Rams are home, but the crowd could be as natural as the Super Bowl as they have tried to block fans outside of Los Angeles from getting tickets after Niners fans filled the stadium and drowned out Rams fans in Week 17. Expect a big game from Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel as the 49ers earn a rematch with the Chiefs.