2024 NFL conference championship picks: Ravens down Chiefs, 49ers oust Lions to advance to Super Bowl LVIII

I’m always surprised about how quickly the NFL season goes by. While at times it can feel like a long year, more often than not I’ll be gearing up for a slate of preseason games, look up and we’re suddenly at Championship Sunday. It’s been a fun season so far and we still have three games left before we put the 2023 season in the books. Before we do, I’ll try to keep us on this wave that has been extremely profitable over the last month or so. 

I was able to go 4-0 ATS in my picks in the divisional round and, if you read last week’s column, I was spot on in my analysis of Bills vs. Chiefs, pinpointing the correct score and even highlighting my concerns about Buffalo kicker Tyler Bass. That has me boasting a 41-17 ATS record since Week 16, and I’ll look to keep that going as we look forward to the AFC and NFC championship games. 

2023 record

Playoffs
ATS:
9-1
ML:
8-2

Regular season
Locks of the Week ATS
: 45-45-1
ATS: 145-116-11
ML: 174-98

All NFL odds via SportsLine consensus odds.

The Chiefs offense has started to click over the last few weeks, which is an encouraging sign for the franchise overall, but I don’t believe it’s going to help propel them to another Super Bowl appearance. Why? Because they haven’t faced a defense like the Ravens to this point. Sure, they averaged 7.7 yards per play against the Bills in the divisional round, but that defensive unit has been decimated by injuries. Baltimore is a different caliber. The Ravens rank first in the league in points per game allowed (16.5), sacks (60) and takeaways (31). The Chiefs also moved the ball thanks largely to chunk plays, notching a season-high eight plays of 20 or more yards against Buffalo. This season, the Ravens have allowed the ninth-fewest 20-plus yard plays and the third-fewest 25-plus yard plays. 

One of the big X factors for this Chiefs offense this postseason has been Rashee Rice, who did seem hobbled during that win…


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Author : Tyler Sullivan

Publish date : 2024-01-27 20:16:49

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