Kansas Metropolis Chiefs defensive finish Chris Jones (95) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) on Jan. 2 in Cincinnati. The Bengals received that recreation, 34-31, and the groups meet once more Sunday within the AFC championship recreation.
Baltimore Solar employees writers choose each recreation of the NFL season. Right here’s who they've profitable within the convention championship video games:
Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (Sunday, 3:05 p.m.)
Ryan McFadden (179-103 general, 2-2 final week): Chiefs 30, Bengals 20. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase turning the Bengals from a bottom-tier franchise to Tremendous Bowl contenders has been among the finest tales of the season. Nonetheless, the storybook season will come to an finish by the hands of the Chiefs, who shall be driving the momentum from final week’s victory over the Buffalo Payments.
Mike Preston (176-106 general, 0-4 final week): Chiefs 30, Bengals 23. The Bengals may need probably the most balanced group offensively and defensively of the 4 remaining golf equipment, however Kansas Metropolis is aware of what it takes to win within the playoffs, which the Chiefs confirmed final week towards Buffalo. You'll count on an emotional letdown after the epic recreation towards the Payments final week, however the Chiefs are at house. Cincinnati has had a great 12 months and a exceptional run, but it surely ends on the street in Kansas Metropolis.
Jonas Shaffer (180-102 general, 3-1 final week): Chiefs 30, Bengals 20. Joe Burrow is unflappable, however beating the Chiefs in Cincinnati, because the Bengals did in Week 17, and beating the Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium are two completely different beasts. Tyrann Mathieu’s return and Cincinnati’s go safety troubles can’t be neglected.
Childs Walker (180-102 general, 0-4 final week): Chiefs 34, Bengals 20. The Bengals have scraped by the previous couple of weeks, displaying little proof they will sustain with the offense that outlasted Josh Allen’s Payments in a traditional. Throw out the Week 17 end result; this one received’t be unsure for the Chiefs.
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 6:40 p.m.)
McFadden: Rams 28, 49ers 21. Matthew Stafford has performed at a excessive degree all through the postseason and I count on that to proceed regardless of the 49ers having the higher hand in earlier matchups. Baker Mayfield critics could have one thing to speak about when Rams receiver Odell Beckham Jr. goes to his first Tremendous Bowl.
Preston: Rams 28, 49ers 24. Los Angeles must get an early lead and in the event that they don’t, the Rams are in bother. The 49ers have the kind of energy working recreation that may put on the Rams down, particularly within the fourth quarter. In a quarterback-driven league, Los Angeles has a bonus with Matthew Stafford versus Jimmy Garoppolo.
Shaffer: 49ers 23, Rams 20. There’s no approach the 49ers can beat the Rams thrice in a single season, proper? Positive, there's, particularly since San Francisco’s received the previous six matchups general. Jimmy Garoppolo’s the much less reliable quarterback right here, however the 49ers can dictate how this recreation’s performed up entrance.
Walker: Rams 27, 49ers 23. Sure, the 49ers have owned the Rams. Sure, they’re powerful on the line of scrimmage. However their offense did nothing in Inexperienced Bay, they usually received’t be capable to depend on a particular groups bailout from the well-rounded Rams.