Holaaaaaaaa chicos and chicas, conference championship weekend is here and I’m like a kid in a sweet shop. Two fickle matches to try and predict, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. AFC is up first, and it sees the week 17 rematch of the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs. The late game sees the San Francisco 49ers take on their bitter NFC West rivals, LA Rams. Let’s get stuck in.

Playoff ATS: 8-2.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs win but Bengals cover the 7.5.

Bengals:

• End of Season Record: 10-7 (5-3 away)
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 361.5 (13th) // Passing – 259.0 (7th) // Rushing – 102.5 (23rd).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 350.8 (18th) // Passing – 248.4 (26th) // Rushing – 102.5 (5th)
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 27.1 (7th) // PPG Allowed – 22.1 (17th).
• Turnover Differential: 0 (16th).

Post Season (After Div. Round – Inclusive of all Playoff Teams):

• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 326.5 (8th) // Passing – 252.5 (6th) // Rushing – 74.0 (11th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 369.0 (9th) // Passing – 247.5 (8th) // Rushing – 121.5 (10th).
• Wild Card Score: 26-19.
• Divisional Round Score: 19-16.

• Injury Report (Out): Cam Sample – DE (Doubtful).
• Against the Spread: 12-7-0.

Chiefs:

• End of Season Record: 12-5 (7-2 home)
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 396.8 (3rd) // Passing – 281.8 (4th) // Rushing – 115.0 (16th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 368.9 (27th) // Passing – 251.4 (27th) // Rushing – 117.6 (21st)
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 28.2 (4th) // PPG Allowed – 21.4 (8th).
• Turnover Differential: +4 (11th).

Post Season (After Div. Round – Inclusive of all Playoff Teams):

• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 515.0 (1st) // Passing – 371.0 (2nd) // Rushing – 144.0 (1st).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 339.5 (5th) // Passing – 257.0 (9th) // Rushing – 82.5 (4th).
• Wild Card Score: 42-21.
• Divisional Round Score: 42-36 OT.

• Injury Report (Out): Tyrann Mathieu questionable.
• Against the Spread: 10-9-0.
• Weather Report (YR Weather): 7*C and calm.

Oh baby, do we have an electric one on our hands with the 8pm Sunday game. The AFC Championship game sees the Fearless Cincinnati Bengals take on the Powerhouse Kansas City Chiefs. The Bengals are in their first conference championship game since 1988, while the Chiefs are in their fourth straight conference championship, with all four being played in Arrowhead. This is also a rematch of their week 17 game, which the Bengals took 34-31, in dramatic fashion.

Starting with the away team, the Bengals dug deep to hold on against the Titans last week in the divisional round. At one point, the Bengals were up 16-6 in third, but let Tannehill & Co. slip there way back into it. Tannehill had a bad outing all in all, with three INTs, but could have brought them to the championship game, had it not been for a late INT, that set up Ice-Cold Evan McPherson’s game winning field goal. McPherson is taking the football world by storm, following his outstanding season, which included last week’s 52-yard walk off winner. The absolute sicko even said ‘looks like we are going to the AFC Championship game’ to the back-up QB, before he kicked it. McPherson is a guy the Bengals can rely on, if it comes down to it against the Chiefs.

Oozing with confidence and being as cool as ice must be a new cultural thing in Cincinnati, and there is one man who is driving it. Joe Burrrrrrrrow (sorry) just can’t seem to be stopped. He was sacked nine times last week against the Titans, and still got the W. He is fearless, relentless, remorseless, and doesn’t care who or what is in front of him. In their week 17 matchup, Burrow destroyed the Chiefs with 446 yards and 4 TDs, landing him with a 148.0 passer rating. Ja’Marr Chase was on the receiving end of that performance, finishing the game with 11 receptions for 266 yards and 3TDs. The Chiefs had no answer for the pair, and Burrow/Chase should be feeling very good again, going into this game, as Josh Allen and Gabriel Davis destroyed the Chiefs in the divisional round. Davis finished the game last week with four TDs, which should be worrying the Chiefs. Can the Chiefs slow down Chase this time, and even if they do, can they slow down, Higgins, Uzomah, Boyd and Mixon as well?

The likely answer is no, but I don’t think Cincinnati will put up 34 like the last day. Burrow will deal, whether it’s to Chase or the supporting cast, but this game is in Arrowhead, which is a completely different kettle fish. To give Cincy credit, they have covered the spread in their last four road games. Anyway, last week against the Bills, Mahomes showed that he is still the best QB in the league, setting the world and Bills hopes on fire. Mahomes threw for 378 yards and three TDs, and lead the Chiefs to one of the most insane victories, marching them up the field in 10 seconds, to set up a game tying field goal in the last three seconds. then in OT, once again, marching them down the field, to seal it with another perfect pass to Kelce. Mahomes now has 8TDs and just one INT in the 2021 playoffs, and he’ll need to be at his best again this week.

As mentioned, the Bengals won the last match-up 34-31, but really shouldn’t have. The Chiefs were up 28-17 at the half, allowing Cincy back in to it by only scoring three points. KC went to sleep on both sides of the ball, which will not happen again here. They have too many leaders on the field to let it happen in the playoffs. This game will be another track meet, but KC have the proven track record to edge this one. I would also say that Andy Reid will outduel his counterpart, Zach Taylor.

The Chiefs win this, but the Bengals keep it within the ditches and cover the spread. Once you can get +7.5.

San Francisco 49ers @ LA Rams: 49ers ML.

49ers:

Regular Season:

• End of Season Record: 10-7 (6-3 away)
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 375.7 (7th) // Passing – 248.3 (12th) // Rushing – 127.4 (7th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 310.0 (3rd) // Passing – 206.5 (6th) // Rushing – 103.5 (7th)
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 25.1 (13th) // PPG Allowed – 21.5 (10th).
• Turnover Differential: -4 (23rd).

Post Season (After Div. Round – Inclusive of all Playoff Teams):

• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 276.5 (11th) // Passing – 139.0 (13th) // Rushing – 137.5 (4th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 285.0 (3rd) // Passing – 213.0 (3rd) // Rushing – 72.0 (3rd).
• Wild Card Score: 23-17.
• Divisional Round Score: 13-10.

• Injury Report (Out): N/A.
• Against the Spread: 11-8-0

Rams:

Regular Season:

• End of Season Record: 12-5 (5-3 home).
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 372.1 (9th) // Passing – 273.1 (5th) // Rushing – 99.0 (25th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 344.9 (17th) // Passing – 241.7 (22nd) // Rushing – 103.2 (6th).
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 27.1 (8th) // PPG Allowed – 21.9 (15th).
• Turnover Differential: +2 (13th).

Post Season (After Div. Round – Inclusive of all Playoff Teams):

• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 401.5 (3rd) // Passing – 295.0 (3rd) // Rushing – 106.5 (5th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 271.0 (2nd) // Passing – 215.0 (4th) // Rushing – 56.0 (1st).
• Wild Card Score: 34-11.
• Divisional Round Score: 30-27.

• Injury Report (Out): N/A.
• Against the Spread: 10-9-0.
• Weather Report (YR Weather): Indoor Stadium.

This is going to be such an interesting match. It will likely be a much more defensive minded matchup, compared to the early game, but the quality of players that will be on show and previous games results this year, makes this captivating viewing.

The 49ers did another job on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers last week, as they handed them a 13-10 loss in the frozen Lambeau Field. The 49ers have the Packers number, and the same could be said tonight. The 49ers have beaten Rams the last six times they have played, which obviously includes their two games in the 2021 regular season. While the Rams look like the better team on paper and should be riding high after sending the Goat packing last week, it can’t be understated how much the 49ers are in the Rams head.

The QBs of these two teams are in very different places. Jimmy G is averaging the fewest yards per game of any QB in the playoffs (146), over the last 30 seasons, while Matt Stafford is on a heater. In his small sample size, Stafford is averaging the fifth most yards per game in playoff history (295.2). But does it really matter?

Both teams will have multiple X-Factors (alright Simon Cowell) on display tonight. Kupp, OBJ, Stafford, Donald, Ramsey, Von Millar will look to power the home team to victory, while Deebo, Kittle, Aiyuk, Williams, Bosa will look to get it done for San Fran.

I can’t wait for this game, because it also going to be a battle of two of the leagues best coaches. Shanahan and McVay say they are friends, but there will be no love lost tonight between these two. Former colleagues on the Redskins, but divisional arch rivals tonight.

In terms of my prediction, I’m sticking with my 49ers. I’m loyal babeee. Look for Robbie Gould to snatch it late again with another last gasp field goal.

J.