1 More: Championship Sunday Primer

01/27/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Keys to AFC (Chiefs-Bengals) & NFC (Eagles-49ers) Championship Games on Sunday

Here. We. Go. The NFL’s final four are ready for kickoff on Championship Sunday with tickets to Super Bowl LVII on the line. It’s two smash-mouth defenses going head-to-head first for the NFC title game, but both the Eagles and 49ers have potent offensive firepower, too. The AFC Championship is a rematch of a year ago, and Kansas City definitely has some unfinished business with Cincinnati. Here are the keys to each game on Championship Sunday.

 

NFC Championship: Eagles vs. 49ers

The 49ers (13-4) march into Philadelphia to face the Eagles (14-3) for the NFC title game on Sunday, and fans should expect an old-school bloodbath in the trenches. The 49ers defensive line against the Eagles offensive line should be the x-factor in this one. Both quarterbacks — Jalen Hurts (24) and Brock Purdy (23) — will make history as the youngest combined starting QBs in a conference title game in NFL history (47 years), but they’re both surrounded by exceptional offensive talent. The Eagles have the best ground game in football thanks to Hurts’ rushing attack and a three-headed backfield, but they still have WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith carving up secondaries. The Niners have playmakers galore, including weapons like RB Christian McCaffrey, RB/WR Deebo Samuel and TE George Kittle. It’s the league’s top defenses against young QBs. The Niners have won 12 straight, but Lincoln Financial Field in January gives the edge to the Eagles.

 

Eagles: OFF: Rank 2nd (28.6 ppg) | DEF: Rank 6th (19.5 ppg)

49ers: OFF: Rank 4th (26.8 ppg) | DEF: Rank 1st (16.4 ppg)

 

Game Time: Sun. 3:00 pm ET, FOX

Location: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)

Weather: 50 Degrees, Partly Cloudy

Spread: Eagles (-2.5 points)

Our Prediction: Eagles def. 49ers (20-17)

 

AFC Championship: Chiefs vs. Bengals

If the NFC showcases the top defenses, it’s no surprise the AFC features the top quarterback talent and high-flying offense with the Chiefs (14-3) hosting the Bengals (12-4). QB Joe Burrow and the Bengals have won 10 straight games, and they’ve unofficially dubbed Arrowhead Stadium with a new nickname — “Burrowhead.” Kansas City, however, has played host in the AFC title game for five straight seasons. A high-ankle sprain to Mahomes made the spread shift in Cincinnati’s favor early in the week, but all signs point to the likely MVP playing on Sunday. Mahomes has shown he’s still as dominant as ever, even without WR Tyreek Hill, but the Chiefs defense has holes that Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase can exploit. With Mahomes (27) and Burrow (26) entering their prime, this could just be the second meeting in a decade of the Chiefs-Bengals rivalry beginnings. A slightly different scoreline than the NFC game, expect a shootout and some monster quarterback numbers in Arrowhead despite the cold forecast. Burrow has been great, but Mahomes has a sour taste in his mouth from last year’s loss. Advantage, Chiefs.

 

Chiefs: OFF: Rank 1st (29.1 ppg) | DEF: Rank 15th (21.6 ppg)

Bengals: OFF: Rank 7th (26.1 ppg) | DEF: 5th (19.4 ppg)

 

Game Time: Sun. 6:30 pm ET, CBS

Weather: 20 degrees, Cloudy/Rainy

Location: Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)

Spread: Kansas City (-1 point)

Our Prediction: Chiefs def. Bengals (37-34)

 

Additional Storylines

FOX Sports: 49ers Front Prepared for Slugfest With Eagles O-Line

B/R: Impact of Conference Championship Win for Each Remaining Playoff Team

SI: Who’s Going to the Super Bowl? Conference Title Game Picks From MMQB Staff

NFL: NFL Championship Sunday Game Picks: Eagles-Bengals Advance to Super Bowl LVII

 

Photo: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images