FantasySP Fantasy Football Experts Game Predictions for Conference Championships
FantasySP writers give their predictions for the Conference Championship Games this weekend.
The NFL playoffs roll along with Conference Championship Game matchups this Sunday.
Everyone has their opinions on what’s going to happen, so some of the FantasySP writers (Morgan Rode, Brant Tedeschi, Daniel Hepner, Mark Morales-Smith) got together to give their predictions for both playoff games this week.
All lines and over/under marks are accurate as of 12:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Jan. 24.
Lions at 49ers (-7) O/U 51
Morgan: The Packers gave the 49ers a real scare last week, and I think the Lions are a more talented team top to bottom. I think the 49ers win this game, but I like the Lions to keep it close in a 28-24 final. In the end, San Francisco just has too much offensive firepower (even if they are without Deebo Samuel). The Lions excel at stopping the run, but Christian McCaffrey is a different animal, and I think he has a huge outing and carries the team to a win. I think the 49ers’ defense will slow the two-headed running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, which will force Jared Goff to pass, and I think he makes a mistake that holds Detroit back in the end.
Brant: The 49ers’ offense did not look great last week with Brock Purdy’s unreliable play against the Green Bay Packers. There were plenty of opportunities that they just failed to capitalize on, which kept the game extremely close. This game will come down to the play of the 49ers quarterback. Plus the injury to Samuel will hurt their big play ability. I expect to see another tough and resilient Lions’ team that brings this down to the wire. I am picking the 49ers, 24-20.
Daniel: 49ers 38-27. One matchup keeps standing out to me: San Francisco’s passing game against Detroit’s pass defense. The Lions allowed the third-most pass yards per attempt this season, and the 49ers averaged the most yards per pass attempt on offense. There is more to the game, but San Francisco is good on both sides of the ball. Last week wasn’t a great performance, but we’ve seen more good than bad from the 49ers. The Lions have been great, and I wouldn’t be totally shocked if they pulled off the upset. They don’t win by flukes. I have to favor the top seed in this case, though.
Mark: After watching last week’s games, it’s hard to not believe that the Lions have a real shot in this game. The Niners are loaded on both sides of the ball, but the offense does not play nearly as well when being without one of their key weapons which will likely be the case this week with Samuel. At the very least, I expect him to be very limited and a high-injury risk. This should be a great game. However, Jared Goff on the road against the Niners’ defense is the matchup that will be the Lions eventual undoing in this one. Both QBs scare me, but San Fran D is much scarier than Detroits’. 49ers win 27-17, with a late score to bring the game out of reach.
Chiefs at Ravens (-4) O/U 44.5
Morgan: Before the season, I predicted the Chiefs to repeat as Super Bowl champs, and I’m going to stick with that prediction. I like the Chiefs to win in possible sloppy conditions again by a final score of 24-23. Patrick Mahomes will make enough big plays when it matters to help Kansas City prevail once again, and the Chiefs’ defense will make enough stops to force several field goals. Lamar Jackson is a fantastic talent too, but he can’t do it all on his own, and I think that’s what holds the team back from reaching the Super Bowl. I think this might be the best game of the playoffs - yes, better than the Chiefs, Bills game last week and the upcoming Super Bowl.
Brant: Last week, Travis Kelce had two touchdowns and the Chiefs looked like the Chiefs of old. Fans have to wonder where they have been the past nine weeks of the season and if they can duplicate that one more time against an even tougher opponent. I expect the Ravens’ defense to take over this game and make the Chiefs’ offense look rather lost at times. I am picking the Ravens 24-17 and Jackson proving why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
Daniel: Ravens 21-17. Two of the best defenses in the league match up here, and I see it as a low-scoring affair. For Kansas City on offense, it will come down to Mahomes and/or an unheralded player coming up big, a la Kadarius Toney in the Super Bowl last season. I see it more likely that Baltimore is able to make the plays necessary to pull out a win. Jackson will struggle to throw the ball, but he has been making plays with his legs his whole career, and this is his chance to come through in the biggest spotlight. I see Jackson contributing three touchdowns through the air and with his legs and finally reaching the Super Bowl.
Mark: If you’ve watched these teams all year, the Ravens have clearly been the better team. Both their offense and defense have been significantly better. Their defense has looked like the best unit in the league and Jackson will be named the league MVP this season. They crushed every top team that was put in front of them on their way to the AFC Conference Championship. All logic points to the Ravens winning this game and probably the Super Bowl. However, the Chiefs have Mahomes and the Ravens don’t. Chiefs win 24-23.
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