2024 AFC, NFC championship recreation picks: Ravens maintain off Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs; 49ers get again to Tremendous Bowl – CBS Sports activities

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NFL Playoff Time!
We’re getting into the final NFL Sunday earlier than the Super Bowl. It is thrilling, but additionally unhappy in a means. Each of the No. 1 seeds  — Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers — have made it to Championship Sunday, and can face off towards the challengers — Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, each No. 3 seeds of their respective conferences. 
Patrick Mahomes was victorious in his first-ever street playoff begin in Buffalo, whereas the Lions have now gained three in a row, together with a victory over their former quarterback Matthew Stafford in Tremendous Wild Card Weekend.
The NFL script writers foretold in their color scheme that the 49ers and Ravens might be going through off in Super Bowl LVIII. Are they right? Let’s focus on who I am taking towards the unfold. As at all times, because of the CBS Sports activities Analysis Group for making me sound sensible. 
All NFL odds by way of SportsLine consensus odds.
Sunday, 3 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Right here we go. Lamar Jackson has gained every of his previous 4 begins by 14+ factors, whereas Mahomes has misplaced 4 begins by 14+ factors in his total profession. Everybody views this matchup as Lamar vs. Mahomes, however I actually have a look at it from the opposite facet. That is the Ravens protection vs. the Chiefs protection.
The Ravens have been the primary workforce ever to guide/co-lead the league in scoring protection, sacks and takeaways. The Ravens and Chiefs rank No. 1 and No. 2 in scoring protection, making this the primary convention championship recreation between the top-two scoring defenses since 2004.
I used to be dumb sufficient to doubt Mahomes towards the Buffalo Bills, however he, Isiah Pacheco and Travis Kelce ended up victorious. Mahomes is definitely the primary quarterback ever with zero sacks and 0 turnovers in three straight playoff begins. Baltimore’s protection supplies a a lot completely different check than the Buffalo protection, nonetheless, and the Ravens are statistically a greater offense. So sure, I’ll be dumb sufficient to select towards Mahomes once more.
The Chiefs protection is spectacular, however containing this Ravens offense is such a tricky process. Jackson is enjoying successfully as each a passer and runner, Justice Hill and Gus Edwards plus Dalvin Cook are fairly the operating again room, Zay Flowers is a enjoyable playmaker who could make defensive backs miss on the third degree after which Mark Andrews is returning to the lineup. I hate 3.5-point strains, however I am taking Baltimore. 
The Ravens are 6-0 SU and ATS this season towards groups that entered the matchup three or extra video games above .500. Their common win margin in these video games? A whopping 26.2 factors. Baltimore can be 10-3 ATS in its final 13 playoff video games. There are many developments that say to not guess towards Mahomes as an underdog, however I am ignoring these — possibly at my very own peril. 
Projected rating: Ravens 26-20 in OT
The decide: Ravens -3.5
Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
I have been painted as a Lions hater as a result of I had a operating column this 12 months making an attempt to type out contenders and pretenders all through the course of the common season. I noticed the Lions as a top-10 workforce within the NFL throughout the season, however does that make them a contender? I feel the offense is loaded, however the protection at all times anxious me. I watched their 38-6 loss to the Ravens, the 41-38 win over the Los Angeles Chargers and their losses to the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears carefully, and it had me questioning in the event that they have been in that very same tier with Baltimore or San Francisco. Now, they get an opportunity to show it.
The Lions had home-field benefit within the first two rounds of the playoffs, and so they made probably the most of it. The win over the Los Angeles Rams was spectacular, after which the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was in all probability anticipated. Now, they hit the street to play exterior for the primary time since Dec. 10! We aren’t anticipating rain in California like final week, however that is nonetheless a street recreation in just a bit bit cooler climate than Detroit’s dome supplies. The Lions have not gained a playoff recreation on the street since 1957. 
As for the 49ers, Deebo Samuel has no recreation designation together with his shoulder damage, and can play. That is large, as a result of the 49ers are 14-1 when Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and Samuel all play your complete recreation. The 49ers did not look very polished on both facet of the ball final week towards the Packers. I am assuming they may this week. The rationale I’ve the 49ers successful this recreation is as a result of Purdy’s passing assault works off timing routes/anticipation. The Lions secondary will be taken benefit of, particularly when you think about the quantity of playmakers San Francisco has. Will the 49ers key on George Kittle dominating on the second degree and depend on his YAC? Possibly the 49ers will characteristic Brandon Aiyuk towards Cam Sutton. Then there’s that McCaffrey man, who can do all the pieces. 
I might contemplate shopping for a full level simply to be secure. It is in all probability well worth the value, however both means I’ve the 49ers successful this matchup. Kyle Shanahan is 5-0 at residence within the playoffs. 
Projected rating: 49ers 35-24
The decide: 49ers -7.5
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