NFL Playoffs Betting Preview for the AFC & NFC Conference Championship Games

There are now just four teams remaining in the NFL, and the Super Bowl picture is coming more and more into focus. While Cincinnati, Kansas City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco are the last quartet of squads remaining, many questions linger as we head into championship weekend.

Both games are priced pretty evenly, under a field goal, giving bettors a prime opportunity to make their plays. In addition, there is no real Cinderella team, as the remaining squads all won 12 or more regular season games. While somewhat young in age, only KC’s Andy Reid is over 43 years of age, the coaches still standing bring experience in big games.

Had Buffalo defeated the Bengals, we could have been looking at somewhat of an unprecedented situation, as the AFC title tilt would’ve been contested on neutral ground in Atlanta. However, since the Bengals won, both games will boast true home-field advantages: one contest in Kansas City and the other in sports-crazed Philadelphia. It’s time we take a look at the Conference Championship games and a betting preview so you can bet against the NFL Playoffs Odds.

Conference Championship Look Ahead | NFL Playoffs Odds

The Big Question

One question fans and bettors of the Chiefs will be asking themselves all week is the health and subsequent status of Chief all-world QB Patrick Mahomes. Despite sustaining a high-ankle sprain relatively early in the Jacksonville game, he continued to play. While adrenaline and intestinal fortitude were main factors in the MVP-caliber signal caller continuing, now, with a week to contemplate things and with his long-term future at stake, discussions, and decisions may become more rational.

With the spread currently set at – 1 in favor of the home team Kansas City, expect there to be some volatility in the market this week as news (both real and fake) continues to seep out into the public realm regarding his status. In our estimation, it is highly unlikely that anything definitive will be announced until game time, leaving it to bettors and experts to foresee the future.

Can Purdy’s Run Continue?

Heading into the season, even the most ardent 49er fan wasn’t aware of Brock Purdy and certainly didn’t expect to be in the midst of preparations for the NFC title tilt with the unheralded quarterback at the controls. Well, sports has a funny way of casting unlikely heroes, and Purdy, who has stepped in for the injured Jimmy Garoppolo, who stepped In for the injured Trey Lance, has been in the spotlight.

Purdy has benefitted from a plethora of weapons around him, including the recently-acquired Christian McCaffrey, and as long as he excels as a game manager, he shouldn’t be a huge liability to the Niners’ chances of advancing to Glendale.

Now, the Niners face a stern test on the road in a hostile environment at Lincoln Financial Field against the Eagles, who are 2.5-point favorites. The market is where we expected to see it, as the game is pretty much a toss-up and the Eagles are getting points since they are at home.

Obviously, both teams enter the matchup playing well and with momentum. San Francisco definitely has a coaching edge, at least in terms of experience, as Kyle Shanahan. While he has yet to hoist a Lombardi Trophy, the son of longtime NFL coach Mike Shanahan is 6-2 SU in playoff games and has won multiple postseason games three times in his career, an impressive feat.