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Previews, schedule and predictions for 2022 NFL Conference Championship games

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All four finalists are set, and it’s time for the NFL Conference Championship predictions 2022. With just two weeks left in the season, this is where legacies are made.

NFL Conference Championship predictions 2022

Always riding with the favorite hasn’t been a good ploy in this postseason. All underdogs (but the Kansas City Chiefs) cashed in last weekend in what might as well be the greatest Divisional Round weekend in the history of the league.

Hopefully, the two remaining games before the Super Bowl will be just as good, if not better. And, judging by the NFL Conference Championship schedule 2022, we have every reason to think that could be the case.

That’s why, without any further ado, let’s talk about the AFC Championship and NFC Championship odds and our picks and predictions for Sunday’s slate.

Bengals at Chiefs kick-off time, location & where to watch in US

  • Time and Date: Sunday, February 6, 2022, 3 p.m. ET
  • Where To Watch: CBS, Paramount+
  • Location: Arrowhead Stadium

49ers at Rams kick-off time, location & where to watch in US

  • Time and Date: Sunday, February 6, 2022, 6:30 p.m. ET
  • Where To Watch: FOX
  • Location: SoFi Stadium

AFC Championship game preview

Odds: Chiefs -7, o/u 53.5

       

The Kansas City Chiefs got to live another day thanks to a majestic drive by Patrick Mahomes with just 13 seconds left on the clock. They proved again that they’re the team to beat in the league, the most explosive offense in the world, and the biggest candidate for as long as Mahomes is healthy.

Steve Spagnuolo’s defense has improved during the second half of the season but Josh Allen still picked them apart with ease. Also, Tyrann Mathieu‘s status for this game is up in the air, which is mouth-watering for Joe Burrow‘s offense.

The Cincinnati Bengals already know what it takes to win at Arrowhead. Joe Burrow threw for a whopping 415 yards with 4 touchdowns en route to an epic 34-31 win late in the season. The Chiefs sacked him 4 times and their offensive line continues to rank among the worst in the league, but the former first-overall pick is just that special.

Ja’Marr Chase made a fool out of the Chiefs’ secondary and Daniel Sorensen all day long, hauling in 11 receptions on 12 targets for 266 yards and 3 scores. Spagnuolo should be wary of doubling him, as Cincy still has Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins as big-play threats anyway.

Also, Andy Reid‘s team needs to be more disciplined in this rematch, as they were penalized 10 times for 83 yards. That contributed to the fact that they blew a two-score lead more than once that day and even helped them set up that game-winning field goal as time expired.

The Chiefs, while solid on the money line, haven’t exactly been trustworthy against the spread, especially when we talk of a touchdown or more. They should get a Super Bowl ticket at home but the Bengals won’t cave in without a fight and this game should be closer than oddsmakers think. This will be another shootout between two of the league’s young superstars, with the Chiefs winning by 3 or 4 points.

       

Read more: How to watch 2022 NFL Playoffs in the UK

NFC Championship preview

Odds: Rams -3.5, o/u 46.5

Every logical sign could point towards the Los Angeles Rams rolling and making their way to the Super Bowl. Then again, Jimmy Garoppolo continues to defy logic year in and year out, handing off the football en route to unpredictable wins more often than not.

Moreover, Kyle Shanahan has beaten Sean McVay six times in a row, including a 31-10 blowout at Levi’s Stadium and a humiliating 27-24 loss in the season finale. The Rams were up 17-0 at one point and ended up blowing that lead with 31 seconds left in the game.

The Niners have the edge in total yards per game and have been better on the road than at home the entire season. Elijah Mitchell has been one of the best backs in the league when healthy, but it could all go down to whether Deebo Samuel can play or not.

On the other side of the field, we have an MVP candidate in Matthew Stafford, who threw for 4,886 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 17 picks. Cooper Kupp continues to be a factor despite Odell Beckham Jr’s resurgence, and he was the best wideout in the league by a big stretch this season.

The Rams’ defense also gives them a big edge in this matchup. Aaron Donald and Von Miller dominated the line of scrimmage against the Bucs, and you better believe Jalen Ramsey will be extra motivated after being burnt multiple times on Sunday. They picked Garoppolo twice and sacked him 3 times in their last meeting.

We all know Jimmy G will make a mistake, it’s just a matter of when. But McVay has failed to make adjustments late in games, and they just can’t afford to leave the door wide open for another back-door cover in this game. The Rams should get the win and the cover and this could be another high-scoring matchup.

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