2024 NFL playoffs: Conference championship, Super Bowl predictions ahead of Sunday games
There are just three games left in the 2024 NFL playoffs: the AFC and NFC conference championship games and Super Bowl LVIII. Four teams are still in the hunt for the title with the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC and the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers in the NFC.
The Ravens and Chiefs meet in the playoffs for the first time in Andy Reid's tenure as head coach in Kansas City. Ravens coach John Harbaugh worked under Reid with the Philadelphia Eagles for nine years before becoming Baltimore's coach in 2008. These two teams feature MVP-winning quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson (Ravens) and Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) and the best defenses in the league by points and yards allowed per game.
NFL championship game picks: Who among Chiefs, Ravens, 49ers and Lions reaches Super Bowl 58?
In the NFC, the 49ers will play their fourth conference title game in the last five years Sunday night but have only won once in their last three trips. Detroit's in the midst of its best success in decades under coach Dan Campbell with one of the top offenses in the league. San Francisco's offense is one of the few units better than Detroit's in points and yards per game. The NFC title could be an exciting matchup full of points and gaudy stats.
Each team has a great case to be their conference's champion and go on to win a Super Bowl title. Here's what experts predict will happen in the rest of the NFL playoffs:
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2024 NFL playoffs: AFC conference championship predictions
ESPN: Ravens 25, Chiefs 21
Adam Teicher predicts: "The Ravens and Chiefs will combine for at least 45 points. These were the top two teams in the regular season in scoring defense, with Baltimore leading the way at 16.5 points allowed per game and Kansas City right behind at 17.3. But Jackson and Mahomes will be too good to stop, and each team will top 20 points."
DraftKings: Ravens 27, Chiefs 24
Chet Gresham writes: "Mahomes is always the difference maker and I would not be surprised if he found a way to beat the red-hot Ravens, but with Kelce seeing a tougher matchup and the amount of reliable receivers behind Rashee Rice being nil, I’m leaning Ravens."
Bleacher Report: Ravens 31, Chiefs 27
Jake Rill predicts: "The AFC Championship Game won't be decided until the fourth quarter. At that point, it'll become clear who the stronger team is—and that will be the Ravens. Jackson will lead a late touchdown drive, Baltimore's defense will make a strong final stand and the Ravens will head to the Super Bowl for the third time in franchise history."
Sporting News: Ravens 27, Chiefs 24
Bill Bender says: "Mahomes just continues to find ways to get it done in the postseason. That said, the Ravens were our pick when the playoffs started. We'll stick with it knowing the Chiefs can blow that plan up."
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2024 NFL playoffs: NFC conference championship predictions
ESPN: 49ers 34, Lions 24
Nick Wagoner writes: "This game has all the makings of a heavyweight fight between two of the league's most physical teams. How the Niners' run defense -- which ranks 25th in rushing yards allowed (128.6) and 28th in yards per carry allowed (4.8) since Week 15 -- holds up against the Lions' two-headed rushing attack of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery will go a long way in determining whether Detroit can spring the upset."
DraftKings: 49ers 23, Lions 17
Chet Gresham writes: "I’ve had a tough time with this one. I like both teams to have a real chance this week, which would have me betting the Lions against the spread, but picking a winner is much tougher. The Lions have had two home games with their fans absolutely tearing the dome down with noise. They won’t have that this week."
Bleacher Report: 49ers 30, Lions 17
Jake Rill predicts: "The 49ers are the better team. Their defense will make things tough on the Detroit offense, and their offense should be powered by running back Christian McCaffrey, coming off a two-touchdown performance in San Francisco's divisional-round win over the Green Bay Packers. It'll be another impressive showing by the Niners, who will storm to the Super Bowl as NFC champions."
Sporting News: 49ers 31, Lions 28
Bill Bender says: "This should be a classic - and Samuel’s status is huge - but we’ll stick with the home team."
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2024 NFL playoffs: Super Bowl predictions
Arizona Republic: 49ers 24, Ravens 17
Jeremy Cluff writes: "The Ravens beat the 49ers on Christmas Day in Santa Clara, Calif., 33-19. The Ravens also beat the 49ers in the Super Bowl in 2013. Baltimore has impressed so far this postseason, but we think the 49ers could get revenge on the Ravens in this game, were it to be the matchup. San Francisco's defense could come up with some big plays and Brock Purdy could be efficient enough to lead the 49ers to their first Super Bowl title since 1995."
Sharp Football Analysis: Ravens win Super Bowl
Curtis Hirsch writes: "The Ravens still have longer odds than the 49ers thanks to their tougher competition in Championship Weekend, but those odds are sure to flip if both teams make the Super Bowl."
SportsBook Review: Ravens win Super Bowl
C Jackson Cowart says: "It feels like the market has been slow to react to the Ravens all season long, even as this team has proven itself as the best in the league time and time again. Baltimore blasted the Super Bowl favorite 49ers on Christmas Day, and it scored the only double-digit win of the Divisional Round with a 24-point victory over the upstart Houston Texans."
Covers: Ravens win Super Bowl
Jason Logan writes: "Baltimore has proven its mettle against the likes of San Francisco, Miami, Detroit and other playoff teams, boasting one of the top two-way teams in football. And when push comes to shove, Baltimore has the best player on the field in MVP-to-be Lamar Jackson."
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2024 NFL playoffs: Conference championship odds, spread, how to watch
AFC conference championship
The Ravens are favored to defeat the Chiefs in the AFC conference championship, according to the BetMGM odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering betting promos in 2024.
All odds as of Friday afternoon.
Spread: Baltimore (-3.5)
Moneyline: Baltimore (-200); Kansas City (+165)
Over/under: 44.5
When: Sunday, Jan. 28, 3:00 p.m. ET
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Channel: CBS
Streaming: Paramount+, NFL+, FuboTV
How to watch: Catch football action with a Fubo subscription
NFC conference championship
The 49ers are favored to defeat the Lions in the NFC conference championship, according to the BetMGM odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering betting promos in 2024.
All odds as of Friday afternoon.
Spread: San Francisco (-7)
Moneyline: San Francisco (-350); Detroit (+275)
Over/under: 51.5
When: Sunday, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m. ET
Where: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Channel: FOX
Streaming: Fox Sports app, NFL+, FuboTV
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL playoff predictions for 2024 Conference championship, Super Bowl
