NFL Betting Preview: Championship Round
After a long season there are only four teams remaining who are vying for a chance to compete in this year’s Super Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs were always supposed to be here, but dealt with more bumps in the early season than we ever expected. Still, they found a way to right the ship and be in this position to return to their third Super Bowl in four years.
Kansas City will be taking on an upstart Cincinnati Bengals team, who is just a few years removed from flirting with a winless season, which ultimately resulted in drafting franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. Now they are a win away from one of the most improbable Super Bowl runs in years.
In the other conference, we have the team that has gone for broke all year in the Los Angeles Rams, adding superstars to fortify their Super Bowl hopeful roster. Meanwhile the San Francisco 49ers have gotten hot at the right time and are looking to return to the grand stage as a Cinderella Story.
For one of the last times this season, here is your weekly NFL betting preview for the Championship round of the playoffs.
*All odds and betting lines provided by WynnBet
Cincinnati Bengals (12-7) vs. Kanas City Chiefs (14-5)
Spread: KC (-7)
Money Line: CIN (+300) KC (-380)
Over/Under: 54.5 Points
Last week, Bills vs. Chiefs certainly felt like it could have decided the winner of the Super Bowl, as those two teams put on a show and appeared like the best we have in the sport. Buffalo could not contain Patrick Mahomes with 13 seconds left on the clock, as he miraculously willed his team into field goal range to send the game to overtime. Can we really expect Joe Burrow and the Bengals to pull off this massive upset?
The Bengals have an impressive defense, but the same could have been said about the Buffalo Bills and they still gave up 36 points in regulation. Burrow has been very impressive this season as well, but his offensive line does not do him any favors. If the Chiefs can get pressure with four on Burrow, it is going to be very hard for him to keep the Bengals in the game and close to Kansas City. Still, the touchdown spread does feel like a lot.
Best Bet:
Last week, I bet against Mahomes and the Chiefs and it did not work out for me. I won’t make the same mistake this week. Take the Chiefs to cover the spread and win by more than a touchdown on their way to the Super Bowl.
San Francisco 49ers (12-7) vs. Los Angeles Rams (14-5)
Spread: LAR (-3.5)
Money Line: SF (+152) LAR (-185)
Over/Under: 46 Points
The Los Angeles Rams came very close to missing out on their opportunity to play in this game last week, as they blew their lead to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Luckily, Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp had enough time left on the clock to get into field goal range and advance to the NFC Championship Game on a game-winning field goal.
While the Rams have proven to be the best team in the NFC all year, they are about to face a team that has been their kryptonite. The San Francisco 49ers won both of the head-to-head matchups between the Rams this year and have won six in a row against them. The NFC Championship game would be the perfect time to end that streak, but it is hard to have confidence in the Rams in this matchup.
Best Bet:
I actually believe the Rams will win this game and go to the Super Bowl, but I don’t believe taking them to cover is your best bet. This should be a hard-fought game that might only be separated by a field goal. If the Rams win by a field goal then they won’t cover that 3.5 point spread.
Take the Niners with the points, that way if they pull off the upset or at least keep the game close, you win.