Championship Sunday is one sleep away. Here’s how we see the conference title games.
Share your predictions in the comments and see you Sunday inside our Gameday Chat.
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TYLER DUNNE
Everything about this matchup tells us to pick Baltimore. This is the best defense in the league and Lamar Jackson is an evolved quarterback with new OC Todd Monken. Unfortunately, Karl Malone falls short to Michael Jordan. We are living in a Patrick Mahomes World. Chiefs 24, Ravens 23.
Dan Campbell has pulled off fake punts, thrown to offensive linemen on 2-point plays and — on fourth and goal last week — gave the ball to a third-string running back that hadn’t touched the ball since October. The Lions coach saves something funky for the NFC Championship Game, and that’s the difference. Lions 30, 49ers 27.
Playoff record: 9-1
BOB MCGINN
The Chiefs will be adversely affected by the absence of their left guard (Joe Thuney) just as the Lions will sorely miss theirs (Jonah Jackson). Moreover, the home team is 16-4 in the last 20 conference title games. The year of the Harbaughs rolls on at M&T Bank. Ravens 24, Chiefs 22.
The Lions have done away with many vestiges of their futile past but their 0-13 drought against the 49ers in the Bay Area (0-12 at Candlestick, 0-1 at Levi’s) will have to wait for another day. The Niners have one too many pass rushers, one too many cover guys and one too many playmakers. 49ers 38, Lions 33.
Playoff record: 8-2
JIM MONOS
Baltimore does not miss a chance to beat a Chiefs offense that ranks 17th in yards per completion and 18th in yards per attempt. Like Lamar Jackson said, you wanna be the champ you have to beat the champ. Ravens 27, Chiefs 20.
The Lions defense is not good. Hard to think a Niners offense that is 1st in points per play and yards per play will struggle again like they did against a below average Packers defense. 49ers 31, Lions 27.
Playoff record: 6-4
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