Sport picks for AFC, NFC Championship video games
After an exhilarating weekend of divisional-round motion, we’re right down to the ultimate 4 groups — the Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
Whereas the Chicago Bears have missed the playoffs for the second straight 12 months, there’s nonetheless loads of causes to tune in to the postseason. That features a few nice matchups within the AFC and NFC Championship for the prospect to make it to Tremendous Bowl 57.
Our Bears Wire workers are sharing their sport picks for this weekend’s AFC and NFC Championship video games. Right here’s who we’re selecting to play in Tremendous Bowl 57:
49ers at Eagles (Solar. 1/29 at 2 p.m. CT)
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Alyssa Barbieri (7-3): 49ers 28, Eagles 27
The Eagles have appeared destined for a visit to Tremendous Bowl 57 because the halfway level of the season. Jalen Hurts has had an MVP-caliber 12 months with a stacked offense. To not point out, Philly’s protection has been top-of-the-line defenses within the NFL, notching an-NFL greatest 70 sacks within the common season. With that stated, I’m discovering it exhausting to select towards Brock Purdy and the 49ers. Even with Purdy enjoying his two worst video games since taking up as starter, San Francisco nonetheless managed to return away with wins in each postseason contests. The Eagles would be the 49ers’ hardest problem thus far – and it’s going to be a detailed one – however I’m using the Brock Purdy practice till the wheels fall off.
Brendan Sugrue (6-4): Eagles 23, 49ers 19
Is the luster lastly coming off Brock Purdy because the stakes maintain getting increased? The Cowboys did a very good job protecting the 49ers offense contained and now the Eagles can construct off that with much more playmakers. Couple that with the very fact Jimmy Garoppolo might be respiration down his neck and the strain may be an excessive amount of for the rookie. That is going to be a really entertaining matchup, however the Eagles are the extra explosive group they usually’re enjoying at house. Philadelphia goes to punch their ticket to their second Tremendous Bowl in 5 years.
Ryan Fedrau (6-4): 49ers 31, Eagles 24
The highest two seeds are going at it for the NFC Championship. We now have Brock Purdy vs. Jalen Hurts. The final time these two quarterbacks performed one another, Hurts beat Purdy, 42-41, in school. Purdy mounted a 20-point comeback however fell brief. This time round, Purdy will pull by means of. The stacked 49ers offense will discover a option to rebound from their poor exhibiting towards the Cowboys. They’ll bounce again by scoring 31 factors and symbolize the NFC within the Tremendous Bowl.
Bengals at Chiefs (Solar. 1/29 at 5:30 p.m. CT)
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Alyssa Barbieri (7-3): Bengals 31, Chiefs 23
Nobody’s shocked that Patrick Mahomes shall be suiting up on this sport. However irrespective of how a lot they attempt to persuade us that Mahomes is ok after struggling a excessive ankle sprain final Saturday, there’s no denying that his restricted mobility shall be an enormous issue on this sport. I nonetheless would’ve picked the Bengals to win on this sport, if Mahomes was wholesome, however I really feel much more assured given the circumstances. Joe Burrow and the Bengals have been enjoying lights out since November, the place they received eight straight to shut out the 12 months. As soon as once more, it appears like Cincinnati is sure for the Tremendous Bowl.
Brendan Sugrue (6-4): Bengals 31, Chiefs 20
Taking part in by means of a high-ankle sprain is hard shortly after the damage happens. Taking part in on it every week later after it swells up like a balloon is more durable. Patrick Mahomes goes to have a troublesome time towards this Bengals protection and he’s going to wish to attain factors to maintain up with their offense. Joe Burrow is enjoying with supreme confidence and may have all of his weapons out there on Sunday. Even with the road banged up, there’s no stopping Cincinnati.
Ryan Fedrau (6-4): Bengals 29, Chiefs 23
We’ve acquired a rematch of final 12 months’s AFC Championship. Joe Burrow has led his group on a run just like final seasons, whereas Patrick Mahomes has performed Mahomes-like soccer till his damage towards the Jaguars. Together with his excessive ankle sprain, Kansas Metropolis shall be at a drawback on offense, however I don’t assume issues shall be as lop-sided as some might imagine. It is going to be a one-score sport, with the Bengals going to back-to-back Tremendous Bowls.
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