In some people’s minds the week of the NFL Conference Championships are almost more entertaining than the game that follows it. Four quality teams, trying to get to the Super Bowl can provide far more excitement than the actual big game two weeks later.
The four top scoring offenses in the NFL have proven defense is an afterthought, quelling the old saying of defense wins championships. The two winners on this weekend will undoubtedly use offense as their ticket to the Super Bowl.
We look at both games and provide five bets we think gamblers should take a look at.
1. Los Angeles Rams +3 at New Orleans
In Week 9 the New Orleans Saints hosted the Los Angeles Rams and won easily, 45-35. Why should we think Sunday’s NFC Championship game should be any different? Especially with the Rams getting three points.
Well Rams coach Sean McVay believes it will be different because of two players that weren’t there the first time. C.J. Anderson has emerged as a legitimate second threat in the backfield and cornerback Aqib Talib is a difference maker in the secondary.
“It’s going to be a great challenge, especially just having to deal with that atmosphere and that environment with those fans going crazy,†McVay said during a media conference call on Monday.
The Rams know what to expect, and more importantly should have the weapons now to get past the Saints.
Take Los Angeles and give away the points.
2. New England +3 at Kansas City
Everyone said Kansas City was too young to handle the pressure of the playoffs. Then they went out and destroyed Indianapolis last week, 31-13. Now they face New England, who everyone said was to old and slow, and they made the Los Angeles Chargers look like the New York Jets, winning 41-28.
So what is going to give? Is Kansas City going to fold under the pressure, or is New England going to show their age? Neither probably. Remember the Chiefs lost to New England on the road early in the season, 43-40. Now they are playing hosts and giving away three points.
A lot Is being made of the Patriots being an underdog in the playoffs for the first time since 2015. The team is 2-3 under quarterback Tom Brady when underdogs in the postseason. This could be the year the dynasty finally falls short.
Take Kansas City and give away the points.
3. Over/Under 55.5 New England vs. Kansas City
All we heard about early in the week was an Arctic Blast that was going to make Arrowhead Stadium a miserable place to be. Game time temperatures were forecast to be anywhere from single digits to below zero.
Now the weathermen are backing off that initial prediction and said the temperature might actually be tolerable. Of course that is too late for the over/under, that opened at 58, then plummeted to 55.5 on the faulty forecast.
The 55.5 was a good number for the over with the way Kansas City likes to score at will. New England has proven they can put points on the board. With a heated field, no matter what the thermometer reads, it should affect the two offenses.
Take the over.
4. Over/Under 57 Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints
Last week predicting the over would hit with two potent offenses and a domed stadium doomed us, but we aren’t backing off the over this week.
The Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints have two of the highest scoring offenses in the NFL, and their first meeting in Week 9 produced 80 points.
The two teams won’t combine for 80, but they should hit 60 with relative ease. We stand by our love of the over in domed stadiums.
Take the over.
5. First Score not a Touchdown +180 Rams Saints Game
The Rams and the Saints have a strong offense, but the defenses are not bad either. Whoever wins the coin toss could very well drive down the field but stall before getting into a rhythm and have to settle for a field goal.
Besides with odds of +180 that is too good of a proposition bet to pass up. Might be worth dropping a little cash on for the potential payout.
Take the first score not to be a touchdown.