Two NFL contests this Sunday will decide who goes to the Super Bowl. The AFC and NFC Championship games feature the two No. 1 seeds in each conference facing two No. 3 teams.
The Baltimore Ravens will host the Kansas City Chiefs in the first game. It takes place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET on CBS.
The top team in the AFC handled the Houston Texans, while the Chiefs upset the Buffalo Bills.
The San Francisco 49ers squeaked by the Green Bay Packers. They are still seven-point favorites over the Detroit Lions, who have definitely been the surprise of the playoffs. The time for that game is 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
The staff at BetQL.com takes a look at the best bets for both games and gives their predictions below.
Chiefs Cover Against Ravens
I was on the Chiefs to repeat as champions before the season started and I’m going to stick with my pick. In six seasons as a starting quarterback, Patrick Mahomes has led his team to six AFC Championship Games and has guided the Chiefs to the final game in three of the past five seasons. He has won two Super Bowls in that span.
As I wrote before the season, “I don’t care about who his weapons are, I don’t care about free agents, I don’t care about the NFL Draft. I just care about the guy under center. As long as he and Andy Reid are together, I’m going to trust that they’ll be in the Big Game.”
Unlike last season, you can make the claim that KC’s defense is their best unit and Steve Spagnuolo has done an incredible job not only preparing his squad, but making in-game adjustments. Going up against Lamar Jackson will be a huge test, especially on the road. Like in the past with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, however, there’s no way I’m fading Mahomes and Reid in this spot. I love their moneyline and also am going to bet their alternate line up to -6.5 – Dan Karpuc.
Best Bet: Chiefs alternate line -6.5 (+280 at BetMGM)
Watch: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, CBS or fuboTV
Ravens Win Outright
As soon as Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass missed his kick against Kansas City, I went to the books, ready to absolutely hammer the Ravens at whatever their ML odds would be.
Everyone and their brother is going to be taking Mahomes as an underdog now that they have won two straight playoff games, and “playoff Lamar” is still circulating on social media. I found it to be extremely interesting that books opened it at 3.5, giving that hook to the Chiefs, almost like they were purposely trying to draw money on that side. As long as Baltimore doesn’t get greedy, plays to their strength in the running game and doesn’t turn the ball over, they should win easily. The sportsbooks agree as the moneyline has jumped up from -165 to -205 – Matt Horner.
Best Bet: Ravens moneyline (-205 at Caesars)
Watch: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, CBS or fuboTV
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Quarterback Key for Lions
At this stage of the season, games are won and lost with quarterback play. After what we’ve seen in these playoffs, who do you trust more: Jared Goff or Brock Purdy? My answer to that question is clearly Goff, and it isn’t particularly close.
Purdy got away with terrible reads and a number of bad throws against the Packers and was bailed out by his defense and the superstardom of Christian McCaffrey. Sure, it was a little rainy, but this Lions squad is hungry, is going to be a major test for the Niners on both sides of the ball, and will be playing with the freedom and looseness of an underdog. This Lions team feels a whole lot like a team of destiny. Superfan Tim Robinson might even equip them with new shirts from Dan Flashes if they win this game.
Throw on your Calico Cut Pants, don’t let your date eat all the fully loaded nachos and cut up some sloppy steaks with the boys, because the Lions are going to move on – Dan Karpuc.
Best Bet: Lions moneyline (+240 at BetRivers)
Watch: Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET, FOX or fuboTV
Lions Cover, Could Even Win
I adore the Lions to keep this playoff run rolling and potentially make it to the Super Bowl. But even if they don’t win this game, I have a lot of faith in them to keep this close and cover this spread. Because they didn’t come this far just to come this far. They have too many genius celebrities behind them to get all the way to the NFC Championship to blow it now. So, I think the Lions can keep pace with the 49ers and cover this spread – Lucy Burdge.
Best Bet: Lions +7 (-110 at BetRivers)
Watch: Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET, FOX or fuboTV
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