Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is soon upon us! Of the 32 teams that started out in early September, we are now at the NFL's version of the Final Four. The Kansas City Chiefs will head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens for the American Football Conference's spot for the Super Bowl. The Detroit Lions will go to San Francisco for the National Football Conference's spot for the Super Bowl. These four teams will be reduced to two and will go on to play for the biggest prize: the Lombardi Trophy. In this post, I will do a preview of the Championship Sunday, the picks for the two games and the broadcast pairings for the games. Let's get to work!
Conference Championship Preview
Championship Sunday will get started in Baltimore, Maryland and finish up in Santa Clara, California. There will be two games played where four teams will compete in. CBS will have first dibs with the AFC Championship game and FOX will get the primetime slot for the NFC Championship game.
Conference Championship Picks
Note: All game times are in US Eastern. TW is me and CV is Cardinal Viking, my former roommate.
Kansas City @ Baltimore (CBS; 3:00 pm): TW: Ravens; CV: RavensThe Chiefs beat the Bills and the Ravens beat the Texans last week. First up on the Championship Sunday docket is a matchup between two good quarterbacks. Patrick Mahomes did good in his road playoff debut and didn't turn the ball over during that game against Buffalo. The Chiefs did have their problems with fumbles and not generating enough offense. I think the Chiefs offense will have to play their best game against the Ravens defense. No dropped passes and keeping Lamar Jackson off the field. With that, Isiah Pacheco will need to have to have another solid game in running the ball. Baltimore was able to handle the Texans. Houston was somewhat of an inexperienced team in getting to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Baltimore celebrating like they did last Saturday was a bit of a shocker. They danced like they won something. John Harbaugh needs to get his troops back in line and respect the Chiefs. The Ravens running game is sound, I'm not all sold on their passing attack. If the Ravens want to win they will need to ensure that Jackson is upright. The Ravens will also need to get their passing game going as if you go one-dimensional as an offense, it'll be a tough day to get it back. It seems like a toss up but I think the Ravens will take it by a field goal.
Detroit @ San Francisco (FOX; 6:30 pm): TW: Lions; CV: Lions
The Lions beat the Buccaneers and the 49ers beat the Packers last week. The 2nd game on the docket for the right to be the National Football Conference's champion in the Super Bowl. The Lions come into the game with big wins against the Rams and Buccaneers. Their offense has looked as good as it has been all season. They will have their best best of the season in taking on the vaunted 49ers defense. They do their best in rushing the passer, forcing the quarterback to throw into tough situations. Detroit's defense has some good pass rushers but the defense outside of that is a bit suspect. They are 29th in the NFL against the pass. Might be a tough call for the Lions faithful in having faith in their defense. If Brock Purdy can take charge and throw the ball to his pass catchers. There is somewhat of a problem. If Deebo Samuel is unable to play it will make things a bit tougher for the 49ers. What Deebo brings was a speedster that can catch passes and a versatile running back. Essentially the utility guy for the 49ers plan of attack. The 49ers should try to rattle Jared Goff early and often. Whether it be pressuring or hitting him. A rattled quarterback means mistakes for the offense and opportunities for the defense. I do think the 49ers are the better team on paper but I think the Lions feel like a team with momentum. I'll take the Lions to go to Las Vegas.
TV Broadcast Pairings
Note: Games in bold are being shown in my area, check local listings
Kansas City @ BaltimoreJim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson
Detroit @ San Francisco
Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olson, Erin Andrews
Records
Cardinal Viking:
2023:
Week 1: 10-6
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 8-8
Week 4: 13-3
Week 5: 6-8
Week 6: 9-6
Week 7: 4-9
Week 8: 10-6
Week 9: 8-6
Week 10: 6-8
Week 11: 7-7
Week 12: 9-7
Week 13: 9-4
Week 14: 5-10
Week 15: 10-6
Week 16: 10-6
Week 17: 7-9
Week 18: 6-10
Super Wild Card Weekend: 3-3
Divisional Playoff: 3-1
Total: 153-129
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
2021: 167-104-1
2022: 157-112-2
My record:
2023:
Week 1: 9-7
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 11-5
Week 4: 14-2
Week 5: 7-7
Week 6: 8-7
Week 7: 5-8
Week 8: 10-6
Week 9: 9-5
Week 10: 7-7
Week 11: 11-3
Week 12: 8-8
Week 13: 9-4
Week 14: 4-11
Week 15: 10-6
Week 16: 9-7
Week 17: 9-7
Week 18: 10-6
Super Wild Card Weekend: 4-2
Divisional Playoff: 2-2
Total: 167-115
2012: 164-90-2
2013: 162-92-1
2014: 172-83-1
2017: 164-92
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 161-94-1
2020: 167-88-1
2021: 173-98-1
2022: 166-103-2
See you all after the NFC Championship game for the Conference Championship Recap! Enjoy the games!
-Tom
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