NFL Conference Championship Betting Recap
NFL Conference Championship Betting Recap
We’re now headed to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas with San Francisco facing Kansas City. How did we get here? Let’s go back and take a look at some of the factors that led to the 49ers and Chiefs winning their conference championship games.
(home team in caps)
Sunday, Jan. 28
Kansas City (+4.5/44.5) over BALTIMORE 17-10
Kansas City controlled this game from the first quarter and never relinquished the control even though game was tied at 7-all after one quarter. That’s because Patrick Mahomes (14-3 as the starting QB in postseason) had complete control against one of the league’s top defenses. When Baltimore held the Chiefs scoreless in the second half, KC’s defense took over, holding the Ravens to just a field goal. Baltimore hurt themselves with two fumbles and an interception from Lamar Jackson, who completed 20 of 37 for 272 yards with a TD and a pick. He added 54 rushing yards, but was sacked four times. Rookie WR Zay Flowers caught five passes for 115 yards and a TD, but also fumbled at the one going in for a score when L’Jarius Sneed snatched the ball away. Mahomes was spectacular in the first half and wound up completing 30 of 39 for 241 yards. Travis Kelce caught a TD pass and had 11 catches for 116 yards to set an NFL record for postseason receptions in a game and he broke Jerry Rice’s record for postseason receptions (he now has 156). Baltimore also committed eight penalties for 95 yards, while the Chiefs had three for 30.
Detroit (+7.5/53.5) over SAN FRANCISCO 31-34
Yes, the Lions covered but that doesn’t make it easier for even Detroit fans that bet their team. Detroit had a 24-7 lead at the half and allowed the 49ers to score 27 unanswered points before scoring a late TD with 56 seconds left for the cover. For the 49ers, it wasn’t the script they wanted, but they found a way as Christian McCaffrey ran for 90 yards and two TDs. Brock Purdy completed 20 for 31 for 267 yards with a TD and a pick. He could have another pick, but Brandon Aiyuk somehow caught a 51-yard reception in that third quarter that bounced off a Lions’ defender’s facemask. That was a huge part of the comeback and another factor that helped San Francisco was a Jahmyr Gibbs fumble when the Lions were up 24-17 and the Niners turned that into a McCaffrey one-yard TD plunge. Jared Goff completed 25 of 41 for 273 yards and a score and could have had a few more completions had the Lions’ receivers (Josh Reynolds) not dropped a few. Rookie TE Sam LaPorta led all Detroit receivers with nine catches for 97 yards. David Montgomery led the Lions with 93 yards rushing and a TD on 15 carries.