Bengals @ Chiefs - 3:00 ET on CBS (Jim Nantz & Tony Romo)

49ers @ Rams - 6:30 ET on FOX (Joe Buck & Troy Aikman)

The best football day of the year in my opinion is approaching rapidly and we've got two great looking games to look forward to. In the AFC the Chiefs are remarkably hosting their fourth consecutive Championship game, and are looking to win their third in a row to head back to the Super Bowl again and erase the memory of LV. They're firm favourites for good reason with Mahomes and the Kansas City offence returning to their best at just the right time. Standing in their way are the plucky Bengals, who are essentially playing with house money at this point. The state of the Cincinnati offensive line has to be a major question mark after they allowed 9 sacks against the Titans, but Joe Burrow seems to just find a way to get it done in big games. 

In the NFC we have a contest between two teams very familiar with each other - one with a clear mental advantage. The 49ers have one the previous six games between these two, including the most recent to clinch their spot in the playoffs in Week 18. San Francisco know how to win games, they've beaten the Packers & Cowboys despite Jimmy Garoppolo not throwing a touchdown in either, while Matthew Stafford has put some of his playoff demons to bed with two strong performances to lead the Rams past the Buccaneers & Cardinals, highlighted by that iconic deep shot to Kupp to seal the win over Tampa. I have a feeling this game is going to come down to which HC handles the spot the best - both Shanahan and McVay will be desperate to get back to the Super Bowl having lost their first shot at a ring. 

DID YOU KNOW:

The last 18 Super Bowls have had either Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Big Ben or the 49ers in it.

pduh your teams the only hope to make it 19 years in a row.

For all the confidence I lacked last weekend, I’m not remotely concerned about this week so that’s where it’ll probably get me. The Bengals game was weird, with losing our two starting tackles, some bad ref calls, some crazy catches, that weirdness at the end with the Bengals draining the clock with 7 plays from inside the 11 yard line, etc. I just don’t see the Bengals duplicating it.

Don't know if this can work, but it'll be hilarious if it does.

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I'm surprised at how people are looking at this Chiefs/Bengals game. To me, any team with the passing threat that the Bengals carry can beat anyone on any given day. Sure, the Chiefs are the same. But those games are innately harder to predict because if both offenses bring it then it's a shoot-out and who knows what can happen.

Do I think the Bengals will win? Probably not but I wouldn't be surprised. No defense in the league will stand across from Chase and not feel sheer terror. They can take the game away from you. I think it'll be close.

The NFC game is a divisional game so another case of anything can happen despite what the regular season H2H shows. I'm going for the better team though - Rams.

I still can't believe the Bengals are in a conference championship game. Holy shit.

This game could go either way. Those who think KC are getting an easy win haven't been paying attention. I do think the Chiefs put an end to the fairytale season but it'll be damn close. I think we're getting another shootout: 35-31, KC wins.

Rams/Niners is equally difficult to predict. The Niners aren't going to make it easy but I think Stafford is going to be the x-factor here. Sure, the Rams are 0-3 against SF but more importantly - pduh is going to make us all look stupid if they win. Rams take it, 31-26.

My predictions:

Chiefs win 35-27
Rams win 27-23

Todd, The issue with Cincinnati is the offensive line. If they can't protect Joe, that's the game.

Head says Chiefs prevail 38-33 in another shootout while the Rams eek out a 21-17 victory with a late Jimmy G boner sealing the deal.

But my heart wants Bengals/49ers III with SF winning the Super Bowl by less than a touchdown to keep the pattern going.

Jan 29, 2022 23:09:52 GMT Ed said:

Todd, The issue with Cincinnati is the offensive line. If they can't protect Joe, that's the game.

No doubt man, you raise a great point. Chiefs personnel will definitely generate interior pressure too. There is a scenario here where the doors get blown off Cincinnati and I’m away with my tail between my legs. I do think the Chiefs will do it but I just don’t think you can take anything for granted against this passing attack.

I'm so grateful it's an away game today. The amount of traffic at work during just the Raiders game alone was unreal. Bought some shots for later to hopefully celebrate a win tonight. Either win or lose though this season was a massive success. Who Dey!?!?

LFG.

GAME TIME!

SMASH. Tyreek Hill first scorer.

Chiefs got away with a big PI on the second down play, which is not a good sign for Cinci.

The Bengals were NOT ready.

Jan 30, 2022 20:31:11 GMT mikec said:

Chiefs got away with a big PI on the second down play, which is not a good sign for Cinci.

Yeah, it was pretty damn obvious. Looking like it's gonna be a rough night for us so far.

This ref crew coming in was said to be one of the lower penalty calling groups we could get, feels very accurate from reading Bengals Twitter at this point.

Yep. This game is gonna be a slaughter.

TD KC! WOOOOOOOOO!

The beatdown is on.

You can start slow against the Raiders and win.

You can start slow against the Titans and win.

You can NOT start slow against the Chiefs.

Game over.

Chiefs are playing on easy mode right now. I am now even more grateful that I scored some bud today.

I'm hoping they at least fight back a little tonight and make this game somewhat interesting.

Boy, did the Bengals ever needed that.

Nothing like a gritty screen pass TD. Needed that much earlier in the game but I'll still take it. Now we need the D to step it the fuck up and play like they did a week ago.

If I were the Titans defense, I'd be asking my front office for a new QB. Ryan Tannehill struggled to score 3 TD's in the game. Wasted a 9 sack effort. TRASH.

See that, Buffalo? That's what you should've done last week.

Bengals really look like they don’t belong on the same field here. What a shame

ER should of taken FG if your Chiefs

WOW! The Bengals stopped them. Bad play call there.