This article covers two predicted NFL Conference Championship playoff games to be played on 1/30/22. Two games are kicking off on 1/30/22 and that means the NFL Conference Championships are officially starting. Time to continue with a weekly cadence of highlighting the best games to watch. Also determining the potential upsets lurking below the radar. Hard part about doing this exercise in 2021, is trying to determine if any of the 2020 trends will continue. 2020 was the season of Covid-19 impacts, no fans in the stands and a surprising post season.
2021-2022 Playoff Picks Recap
Divisional Round – 1/4 correct thanks to the Los Angeles Rams
2021 All Picks Recap
Top 5 games to watch – 55/90 correct
Top 5 upsets that could happen -37/90 correct
Wildcard Round – 5/6 correct
Divisional Round – 1/4 correct
Overall picks – 98/190 correct which is right at the mean
AFC Conference Championship Cincinnati vs. Kansas City
How Both Teams Got Here
Late afternoon game (3:00 PM EST) from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO on 1/30/22. Bengals advanced to this game after beating the Titans in the AFC Divisional round (19-16). Cincinnati has won five out of their last six games. Chiefs advanced to this game after beating the Bills in OT in the AFC Divisional round (42-36). Kansas City has won eleven of their last twelve games. Rematch of the Week 17 game that Cincinnati won 34-31. Teams haven’t faced each other in the playoffs until this matchup.
Matchup Details
Bengals went 4-2 against teams that made the playoffs in 2021. QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase gashed the Kansas City secondary in the Week 17 game and will be licking their chops at kickoff. RB Joe Mixon will have to carry the running game load to convert critical third downs and trying to keep the Chiefs offense off the field.
Kansas City went to another level on offense last weekend to beat the Bills and they could be due for a hangover. Hard to believe that they are hosting the AFC Championship game for the fourth consecutive season. QB Patrick Mahomes will continue to throw a ton of passes to his dynamic duo (WR Tyreek Hill, TE Travis Kelce). If OC Eric Bieniemy makes aggressive play calls on offense and the Chiefs defense bends but doesn’t break, this game will be close. If the Bengals get up early, both teams mental toughness will be tested.
Prediction: Chiefs are a 7.0 point home favorite and will win by 4 points
NFC Conference Championship San Francisco vs. Los Angeles Rams
How Both Teams Got Here
Primetime game (6:30 PM EST) from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA on 1/30/22. 49ers advanced to this game after beating the Packers in the NFC Divisional round (13-10). San Francisco is currently on a four game winning streak. Rams advanced to this game after beating the Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional round (30-27). Los Angeles Rams have won seven of their last eight games. San Francisco won both NFC West games this season (31-10 in Week 10 and 27-24 in Week 18). Second time these teams have met in the playoffs, with the 49ers winning the 1989 NFC Championship Game (30-3).
Matchup Details
49ers have six straight wins against the Rams dating back to the 2019 season. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan has found the kryptonite formula to out scheme and out coach Rams head coach Sean McVay. Helps that the 49ers are playing solid defense, outstanding special teams and WR Deebo Samuel is a unique player coming out of the backfield, no matter what down and distance.
Rams led the NFL for midseason trades that took some time to payoff. This is the game where the entire squad contributes to finally break the six game losing streak. QB Sam Bradford and RB Sony Michel make just enough plays to stay one step ahead of the 49ers. An offensive track meet will then happen in Super Bowl 56. More in-depth details about that game in the next NFL playoffs posting.
Prediction: Rams are 3.5 point home favorites and will win by 7 points
Same bat time, same bat channel in two weeks. I’ll review the results of the NFL Conference Championship games and try again for Super Bowl 56.
Never walk away from the table when you’re on a heater in Vegas! Hope you enjoyed the predictions for the Conference Championship round of the NFL playoffs.
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