NFL preview: NFC and AFC Conference Championships Take Centre Stage

The final NFL Playoff round before Super Bowl 58 has arrived as this week’s Conference Championships take place with four teams battling it out for their ticket to Las Vegas.

We’ve previewed the two key matchups below.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Baltimore Ravens

This Sunday, the AFC Championship game kicks off with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs hitting the road to face off against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in a high-profile showdown in Baltimore.

The top-seeded Ravens faced some early heat from the Houston Texans last week but managed to secure a commanding 34-10 victory with 24 unanswered points in the second half.

The reigning NFL champion Chiefs, on the other hand, earned their sixth consecutive AFC Championship appearance with a hard-fought 27-24 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Both squads boast elite defenses, but the real battle will unfold in the minds of defensive coordinators and their stars on the field, such as Roquan Smith for Baltimore and L’Jarius Sneed for the Chiefs.

However, Kansas City’s defense will face a significant challenge against Baltimore’s top-ranked rushing attack, led by the dynamic Lamar Jackson.

The Ravens’ improved wide receiver lineup, paired with Jackson’s running capabilities, may just be too much for the Chiefs to handle.

Yet, the pressure will be on the Ravens, and reigning NFL MVP Mahomes could thrive in the spotlight, especially with Andy Reid’s team carrying more experience in big-game situations.

Can this experience send them to a second straight Super Bowl appearance?

The Ravens are favoured at 1/2 on the Money Line, while the Chiefs stand as 7/4 underdogs.

The total points for this game are set at 44.5, with odds of 4/7 for both teams to score at least two touchdowns.

Detroit Lions @ San Francisco 49ers

Following a hard-fought victory at home in the Divisional round, the 49ers take on the Lions in the Bay Area for this year’s NFC Championship Game.

San Francisco steps into their 19th conference championship match – the most in NFL history – with an eighth Super Bowl appearance on their agenda.

Meanwhile, the Lions, basking in their first division title since 1993, are hungry for their maiden trip to the Super Bowl.

Both teams showcase dynamic offenses led by top play-callers and game-changing talent.

While the Niners hold a slight edge in skill positions, the uncertainty around Deebo Samuel evens the playing field.

Defensively, the spotlight is on the battle between the 49ers’ All-Star D-line and the Lions’ All-Star O-line.

To keep up with Kyle Shanahan and company, Lions’ RBs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery will need to run all over a surprisingly susceptible San Francisco rush defense.

However, Lions QB Jared Goff’s tendency to throw a few bad passes could play into the hands of the Niners’ opportunistic defense, known for forcing the fifth-most takeaways this year (28).

The NFC Championship game promises a spectacle of non-stop offensive fireworks, with the total points set at over 51.5 (10/11).

The 49ers are 20/69 favs on the Money Line, while the Lions are at 57/20, and EVS odds to cover the spread.

William Hill are also offering Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy and Jared Goff all to throw over 9 Passing Touchdowns combined at 3/1.