Espn nfc championship game predictions

Late surge gives Russell Wilson, Seahawks possible glimpse into Why the Falcons should keep Matt Ryan for the season. Saints face decisions with salary cap, QB position, Michael Thomas. New York Giants expected to consider broader list of candidates in GM search. Cordarrelle Patterson sends message to Falcons' front office with custom cleats.

Atlanta Falcons. Why San Francisco 49ers tackle Trent Williams and his blocks went viral. San Francisco 49ers. Tannenbaum's final QB rankings: Who is in line to be a starter? Six betting tips for new bettors in New York. NFL betting market watch: Pro bettors divided on 49ers-Cowboys. Utah Utes. Detroit Lions.

Denver Broncos. Inside the chaos and weirdness of the Las Vegas Raiders season. That bonkers Chargers-Raiders ending, explained: Barnwell on the potential tie, a conspiracy and more. Los Angeles Chargers. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Will the Cowboys' big win translate to success in the playoffs?

Key matchup: 49ers' pass rush vs. That's the best nickel front in the NFL. Look for San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to scheme pass-rush matchups with his personnel out of multiple fronts and alignments. That allows the 49ers to bump Bosa and Ford inside, or use twist stunts to open up rush lanes. The pressure here is on the Packers' offensive line to protect Rodgers.

Read more. Betting nugget: Green Bay is the fourth team to win at least 13 games during the regular season and then be an underdog of at least seven points in its conference title game. Each of the previous three won the game outright. This is the fourth time Rodgers has been an underdog of at least seven points, and he is outright -- but ATS -- in the previous three games.

Officiating nugget: Referee John Hussey's regular-season crew threw an average of His crew called the second-fewest penalties for offensive holding 38 , one of the handful of fouls for which referees are responsible.

Nick Bosa's dominant rookie season not a surprise to the 49ers Former surfer Raheem Mostert riding the wave as 49ers' X factor Packers will take fine-tooth comb to loss vs. Davante Adams: Packers have 'a better way to attack' 49ers this time. What to watch for: Titans running back Derrick Henry isn't the only storyline in this game, but it sure seems like it after he ran for yards against the Chiefs in Week Doing much better this time is a big thing for the Chiefs, who are when allowing the opponent to rush for yards or fewer -- but when allowing more.

Bold prediction: All of the focus on stopping Henry will make the Chiefs' defense more vulnerable to the passing game. After totaling yards in the previous two games, Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill will capitalize on one-on-one coverage, throwing for yards and two touchdowns.

Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman both have six such plays, tied for the most among receivers in Key matchup: Titans' deep-ball play-action vs. Even if the Titans do control tempo with Henry, the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes will still get eight or nine possessions. So the Titans need points in this one, and explosive-play opportunities off play-action offer an opportunity. Look for Tennessee to dial up some shot play throws for Tannehill here. Bring in your big-boy personnel, sell the run and push the ball over the top to Kalif Raymond or A.

Betting nugget: Sunday will be the fifth time this season that Tennessee has been an underdog of at least four points. It won each of the first four outright, including beating Kansas City in Week Tennessee is also the fifth team to win its wild-card and divisional-round games as underdogs of at least four points.

But the previous four teams were outright and against the spread ATS in the conference title games. Officiating nugget: Referee Tony Corrente will get another shot after an eventful wild-card game in Houston, where he had to be talked out of awarding a fraudulent touchdown to the Bills. Corrente's regular-season crew threw an average of NFL execs predict Mahomes' potential payday Two very good teams and it should be a pretty nice offensive display.

But I think the Saints have more offensive talent. I also think Drew Brees can withstand the Minnesota pass rush and exploit some holes in the secondary. Perhaps more than anything, the home-field advantage is huge. If you want to see some other predictions, check out what our ESPN panel had to say.

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