Will the Championship Weekend games top last weekend’s Divisional contests? Probably not. But at least we get more football.
Divisional Weekend was arguably the greatest weekend of NFL football ever. We saw three out of the four road teams punch their tickets to the conference championship game, and all four games came down to the wire. The Bengals, Chiefs, Rams, and the 49ers now set their sights on the opportunity to advance to the Super Bowl.
AFC Championship
#2 Chiefs Vs. #4 Bengals
The Kansas City Chiefs are hosting their 4th straight AFC Championship, a record. This time they will host Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. The teams met back in Week 17 in Cincinnati, and let’s just say the game was a thriller. The Bengals won 34-31, clinched the AFC North title, and snapped the Chiefs’ eight-game winning streak. With all of that said, the Bengals are walking into the loudest stadium in the NFL, and they are playing the playoff version of the Chiefs–the team we saw last Sunday v. the Bills. If the Bengals prevail, they’ll advance to the third SB in franchise history. Fo the Chiefs, history is being made: a win will catapult them into their 3rd straight Super Bowl.
Strengths
Chiefs – Kansas City’s strength is Patrick Mahomes and the offense he oversees. Mahomes showed that he and Chiefs can play any style and still get the job done. The Bengals’ defense will have their hands full with Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Jerrick McKinnon.
Bengals – Cincinnati’s strength is the Burrow-to-Chase connection. To win, the duo will need to be at their best.
Weakness
Chiefs – It’s nobody’s secret that the answer is the secondary. Josh Allen and Gabriel Davis torched the Chiefs last week. If Burrow and Chase can replicate that outcome, it could be a long day for KC.
Bengals – It’s the Bengals’ offensive line, which yielded a postseason franchise-record nine–that’s right–nine sacks last week v. the Titans. Burrow survived the onslaught and kept answering the bell. But it’s unlikely that Cincy will win on Sunday if KC is able to do what the Titans did last week.
Key Players
Chiefs Secondary – KC will be in better shape now that Tyrann Mathieu and Rashad Fenton are returning to action. Those two need to help out Mahomes and the offense.
Bengals O-Line – Nobody expects weakness to become strength (not in one week, anyway), but the O-line has to give Burrow a shot at winning this game.
X-Factors
Noah Gray – I’d like to see the Chiefs use schemes that enable Gray and Kelce to be on the field at the same time.
Evan McPherson – If it comes down to a field goal, this rookie will get the job done.
Prediction – Chiefs 45, Bengals 35
NFC Championship
#4 Rams Vs. #6 49ers
Round 3 is here, and the Rams are limiting the number of tickets that Niner fans can purchase. Boo! But you can’t blame LAR. The Niners have beaten the Rams six consecutive times, including two meetings this year. In the second meeting (Week 18), the Rams blew a 14-point lead in a game San Fran needed to win to get into the playoffs. Now, here these two are again.
Strengths
Rams – The Rams D-line is something special, led by Aaron Donald and with Von Miller in the mix. These two wrecked the Bucs’ line and made life tough on Tom Brady.
49ers – The 49er’s defensive line is also something special. They rushed Aaron Rodgers last week and made his life miserable.
Weakness
Rams – The secondary needs to tighten up, but they get Jimmy G this week, not TB12.
49ers – Along that line, Jimmy G is the weakness. He hasn’t thrown a single TD in these playoffs, yet here he is. The odds are long that the 49ers will advance if that no-TD streak continues,
Key Players
Matthew Stafford – Stafford is in a new position for him–being able to advance to a Super Bowl, He’s ready to take that step.
Trent Williams – Williams appears to be dealing with an ankle injury. It’s a big deal, too, perhaps a game-changer. If Williams can’t go, Jimmy G will lose this game for the Niners. But if Williams plays, I think he’ll have a lot to do with the Niners getting to the Super Bowl.
X-Factors
Jalen Ramsey – Ramsey will pick off Jimmy G and take it to the house at a pivotal moment of the game. That’s why he’s the X-Factor.
Brandon Aiyuk – Aiyuk is going to be special in this one, too. I have a feeling he’s going to make a big play when it matters. Maybe it’ll be the go-ahead TD for the win.
Prediction – 49ers 23, Rams 20
