All articles tagged with #conference championship
A betting-focused preview of the NFL Conference Championship weekend with picks Patriots -4 at Broncos and Rams at Seahawks (-2), plus a survivor strategy backing both Broncos and Seahawks, and notes on the author’s long-term win/loss and ATS history.
A major winter storm could boost NFL conference championship ratings by keeping more fans at home to watch both games (AFC Championship: Patriots vs. Broncos at 3:00 p.m. ET; NFC Championship: 6:30 p.m. ET), though ice outages could complicate viewing. Last year’s games drew 44.2 million (Commanders-Eagles) and 57.4 million (Bills-Chiefs), so ratings are expected to be strong regardless.
In PFT’s Conference Championship picks, Florio and Simms disagree on both games: Patriots at Broncos (Florio: Broncos 27-23; Simms: Patriots 24-17) and Rams at Seahawks (Florio: Rams 34-30; Simms: Seahawks 28-20). The piece notes their season records and that one of them will be right as Super Bowl LX approaches.
The Miami Hurricanes finished the regular season ranked No. 12 in the College Football Playoff rankings and are on the outside looking in for the playoff, as they did not qualify for the ACC Championship and their hopes depend on other teams losing. The top-ranked teams and playoff structure are outlined, with the final rankings to be determined after conference championships.
As the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings stir debate, fans suggest SMU should opt out of the ACC Championship Game against Clemson to secure a playoff spot. With Alabama, Miami, Ole Miss, and South Carolina vying for the final playoff position, SMU's participation could risk their standing if they lose, potentially allowing Alabama to advance. The controversy highlights the complexities of the CFP system, where playing in a conference championship could disadvantage a team.
The Kansas Jayhawks are seeking a road win to stay in the conference championship race, but the Oklahoma Sooners are aiming to avenge their previous loss. With the potential return of Kevin McCullar for Kansas, his impact may be crucial, but the Sooners' home advantage, defensive prowess, and rebounding strength could lead them to victory. The recommended pick is Oklahoma on the moneyline.
The NFL Conference Championship saw standout performances from players like Travis Kelce and Nick Bosa, with Kelce catching all 11 targets and Bosa tallying eight quarterback pressures and two sacks. The PFF Team of the Week featured players from the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Ravens, with Kelce and Bosa earning Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively. Additionally, rookie tight end Sam LaPorta impressed for the Lions, and the San Francisco 49ers' offensive line was recognized for their strong performance.
The results of the Conference Championship games have impacted the Seattle Seahawks' head coach search, as the availability of coaching candidates Mike Macdonald and Ben Johnson has been influenced. With the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions both losing, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is now available for interview, while offensive coordinator Ben Johnson's season has ended. The Seahawks have already interviewed Johnson and intended to interview Macdonald once the Ravens' season ended. With only the Seahawks and Commanders having head coach vacancies, Seattle has the opportunity to hire at least one of these candidates, with Macdonald being a defensive specialist and Johnson showing promise on offense.
The San Francisco 49ers staged a thrilling comeback to set up a Super Bowl rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs in Las Vegas, with the 49ers winning 34-31 against the Detroit Lions. The Chiefs won the first Conference Championship game, beating the Baltimore Ravens 17-10. This sets up a repeat of Super Bowl 54, where the Chiefs emerged victorious. Both teams had to dig deep in the playoffs to secure their spots in the Super Bowl, with the 49ers coming from behind in both the divisional round and the Conference Championship, while the Chiefs displayed their championship quality by winning on the road.
Bettors are heavily involved in the NFL conference championship games, with significant bets being placed on the Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens matchups. Notable bets include six-figure wagers on the 49ers, prop bets on players like Jahmyr Gibbs and Lamar Jackson, and big moneyline bets on the Ravens. Insights from oddsmakers and predictions from experts like Nick Wright are also highlighted, showcasing the intense betting action surrounding these pivotal games.
The Baltimore Ravens will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Conference Championship game, with the winner advancing to the Super Bowl. The Ravens, led by likely league MVP Lamar Jackson, will rely on their strong defense to contain Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense. The key matchups include how Kansas City's offensive line holds up against Baltimore's pressure and how well the Ravens' offensive line can control the game. The prediction favors the Chiefs in a close 20-17 victory, despite the Ravens' home advantage and regular season performance.
With the NFL Conference Championship approaching, prop bets for the Chiefs vs. Ravens and Lions vs. 49ers games are analyzed. For the Chiefs vs. Ravens, the focus is on tackle props for the Chiefs, particularly Nick Bolton's over 9.5 tackles + assists at +110. As for the Lions vs. 49ers, attention is on Jahmyr Gibbs' over 21.5 receiving yards, as the Lions are expected to rely on their passing game to keep up with the 49ers.
The NFL playoffs continue with the conference championship games on Jan. 28. The Kansas City Chiefs face the Baltimore Ravens, while the San Francisco 49ers take on the Detroit Lions. The winners will advance to Super Bowl 58. The Chiefs and Ravens game kicks off at 3 p.m. ET, while the Lions and 49ers game starts at 6:30 p.m. ET. The 49ers are favored to win according to USA TODAY Sports staff predictions.
SportsLine expert Griffin Carroll shares his top three anytime touchdown prop picks for the 2024 NFL Conference Championship games, with potential for a +2210 payout if parlayed together. He advises betting at a lower unit size and considering straight bets on all parlay legs, emphasizing the importance of finding value in player volume and favorable matchups. Additionally, a first touchdown scorer pick with an 8-1 payout is also recommended, making it an exciting weekend for NFL prop betting enthusiasts.
The article discusses the upcoming NFL conference championship games and provides betting picks against the spread. The author expresses confidence in the Baltimore Ravens' ability to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs, citing the Ravens' strong defense and Lamar Jackson's performance. Additionally, the San Francisco 49ers are favored to win against the Detroit Lions due to their defensive capabilities and overall talent.