Picks and predictions for AFC, NFC Championship Games
It’s time to make our NFL picks and predictions for the AFC and NFC Championship Games, with the winners moving on to Super Bowl LVII.
PHI -2.5. 3 p.m. ET. 13-4. 42. FOX. Sunday, Jan. 29. 14-3. 54
This is the best Championship Sunday we’ve had in a long time. The four best teams are playing, and the opening act features the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers at The Linc. Doesn’t get much better than that.
The big question for San Francisco is whether rookie quarterback Brock Purdy can hang in a very tough environment. Philadelphia’s defense led the league in sacks with 68 during the regular season, including four players in double digits.
If the Eagles get home, they’ll win. Purdy hasn’t been good under pressure, and Philadelphia is excellent at forcing turnovers. Additionally, the Eagles have been great in the red zone and on third own this year, bettering San Francisco in each category.
The Niners are great. The Eagles are better.
Pick: Philadelphia 24, San Francisco 20
CIN -1. 6:40 p.m. ET. 56. 14-3. CBS. Sunday, Jan. 29. 124. 12-4
The Bengals have to be feeling good. Patrick Mahomes is compromised, and Cincinnati beats the Chiefs every time they see them, regardless of venue. Joe Burrow is 3-0 in his career against Mahomes, including winning 27-24 in overtime last year in this same spot.
If Mahomes is 100 percent, this game is a coin flip talent-wise. Kansas City has home-field advantage, but it’s only 2-2 in AFC title bouts over the past four years at Arrowhead.
The Bengals are the right play here, but of the two games, this is the tougher call.
Pick: Cincinnati 27, Kansas City 23