The divisional rounds saw both the 1 seed and 3 seeds win as now the four best teams will clash in the conference championship games. The defending champion Chiefs will attempt to take down the dominant Ravens squad in Baltimore. As the 49ers will try to finally win the NFC championship the third time around against Americas favorite team, the Lions. Who will represent the AFC and NFC in Superbowl 58? Read and find out!
AFC Championship:
(3) Chiefs vs (1) Ravens
The doubters have been all over the Chiefs all season long but Kansas City has still found a way to make it to their sixth straight AFC Championship. The only difference for this one is that they are not at home and are playing the best opponent in this six year stretch with the Ravens. Baltimore is coming off a steamroll victory over the Texans 34-10, as the defense looks to be a suffocating nightmare for teams. If the Chiefs are going to get their most impressive AFC title win in the Patrick Mahomes era, they need to stop the run. Last week in Buffalo the Bills were able to run for 182 yards against the Chiefs and that is not going to get the job done against the Ravens. Baltimore led the league in most rushing yards this season and diced up the Texans last week with 229 on the ground. This game should see Baltimore run successful against the Chiefs, which happens to be the bread and butter of the Ravens. Another key element in this is for the Ravens is to slow down the star tight end, Travis Kelce. Kelce was quiet for most of the 2023 season but he always rises to the occasion, including a 2 touchdown performance vs the Bills. Travis Kelce is the part of the engine that makes the Chiefs run as without Kelce there is nobody on this Kansas City receiving core that can consistently make an impact. The Ravens need Mahomes to look in other directions as in previous playoffs it’s clear that getting Travis Kelce the ball has led to much success for Kansas City. The Chiefs are experienced, well coached and have a quality defense that is built for battle in the postseason. Pat Mahomes will show up in this game and keep the Chiefs competitive against the Ravens. However this game will not be dictated on Mahomes’ ability to throw but on Lamar’s ability to run. Lamar Jackson rushed for over 100 yards in the divisional round and with a Chiefs defense that couldn’t stop the run last week, it’s hard to imagine them slowing down Baltimore. The Ravens will control the clock and make necessary stops when necessary to have the edge in this game. The Ravens elite running game and defense should give them a close win to knock off the defending Superbowl champions. The Ravens should find themselves hoisting the Lamar Hunt Trophy and representing the AFC in the Superbowl.
Prediction: Ravens win 27-21
NFC Championship:
(3) Lions vs (1) 49ers
The Lions have made it to their first NFC championship since 1991, now they have to take on a monstrous task in beating the 49ers who are in their third straight NFC title game. San Francisco lost the precious two NFC title appearances but this season is different. The Niners have a healthy Brock Purdy and a full season of the best running back in the NFL, Christian McCaffrey. The Lions are big underdogs in this game and in order to pull off the upset, they have to stop the run. Although the Lions have the third best run defense, they allowed more than 4.5 yards per carry vs the Bucs. The Niners are a much better run team than the Bucs and with Christian McCaffrey in the backfield it seems as San Francisco can run the ball effectively. The Lions must shape up that run defense and at the very least limit the best offensive player on the 49ers. The Lions have plenty of receiving weapons with Sam LaPorta and Amon- Ra St.Brown that has the ability to attack a Niners passing defense that was very average this season. However the Niners are a very talented team and to win this game they just need the offense to not turn the ball over. San Francisco has a solid quarterback in Brock Purdy that can turn to George Kittle, Brandon Ayiuk, or Deebo Samuel to torch a Detroit secondary that was bottom five in the league for total passing yards allowed. The Lions have enough fire power to match the Niners in offense to make this a high scoring affair. Detroit has arguably the best offensive line in the NFL and with the Niners recording zero sacks against the Packers, it’s very likely that Jared Goff will be untouched in the backfield. The question with the Lions isn’t if they can score the ball but how they can stop this juggernaut Niners team. Although the Lions have a good offense it doesn’t compare to the weapons that San Francisco has. The Niners have the best running back, one of the best tight ends and more threatening receivers. San Francisco is also more likely to get a clutch stop in this game as they have playmakers on the defensive end. The Lions will give everything on offense in this game but at the end of the day, the 49ers are just the better team. San Francisco has a more capable defense and an offense that is even more explosive that Detroit. The Niners should win the NFC championship and make their first Superbowl since 2019.
Prediction: 49ers win 38-30
