AFC

#4 BENGALS VS. #2 CHIEFS

“KEEP GOING. WE’LL SEE YOU IN THE PLAYOFFS.”

After the Chiefs lost to the Bengals, Patrick Mahomes said to Ja’Marr Chase, “Keep going. We’ll see you in the playoffs.” Now they cross paths again after their epic Divisional games last week. Back in Week 17, the Chiefs had an early lead on the Bengals in the first half. The tide completely turned in the second half, and LSU teammates Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase went off on Kansas City’s defense for their stunning comeback win. This weekend could be similar to the last one, especially with both teams’ key defensive players riddled with injuries prior to this Sunday. Believe it or not, the two times that the Bengals played in the conference championship, they were in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs have gone to the Super Bowl two straight seasons already and are looking for their third since the Bills in the early ’90s. One possession drives will be vital in the fourth quarter. However, the Chiefs have this implanted. As much as the Bengals are difficult to stop offensively, the Chiefs are virtually unstoppable offensively.

MY PICK: CHIEFS

NFC

#6 49ERS VS. #4 RAMS

THE BATTLE OF L.A. BETWEEN NFC WEST RIVALS

Never would I ever expect the third meeting to be for the NFC championship and a Super Bowl appearance, but it isn’t the first time they’ve met for this situation. The last time they met was January 14, 1990 in Candlestick Park when the Rams were still in Los Angeles. The 49ers easily handled them with a 30-3 win to advance and win the Super Bowl. The 49ers are 2-4 in conference championship road games all-time. The Rams are 2-2 in home conference championship games all-time, but they won the last two since 1999. With both teams knowing each other, this game will come down to who’s more physical in the trenches and has better ball control throughout. The two meetings this season were won by the 49ers, but they fought their second meeting long into overtime to get a playoff berth. The Rams should win because they are at home and highly motivated to end their six-game losing streak against the 49ers. While San Fran has been resilient in their last three weeks of football, fatigue might finally catch up to them.

MY PICK: 49ERS (Because I’m all in as a long time fan)