NFL Championship Sunday betting odds: Predictions and best bets for Chiefs vs. Ravens, Lions vs. 49ers

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With only three NFL games remaining this season, it’s important to savor every second of the AFC and NFC Championships. Get ready for the must-see action in Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers with our betting picks and predictions for championship weekend.

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Chiefs vs. Ravens odds and matchup preview: Ravens -3.5 (-115 or better)

It’s not often Patrick Mahomes is an underdog in the postseason, and the future Hall of Famer is entering his sixth-straight AFC Championship, but this will be his first on the road.

Mahomes’ performance will obviously be a major factor, but the most important matchup is Baltimore’s rushing attack vs. Kansas City’s defense. No team is more efficient on the ground than the Ravens, and the Chiefs were just trampled for 182 rushing yards and two touchdowns by the Buffalo Bills.

If KC defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo decides to load the box and force Lamar Jackson to win the game through the air, can Lamar get it done? He’ll benefit from the return of Mark Andrews, who was activated from IR on Friday.

Andrews missed the Ravens’ past eight games with an ankle injury and averaged 54 yards in the 10 games he suited up for. In his absence, other pass catchers like Zay Flowers and Isaiah Likely emerged as valuable weapons for Jackson.

Baltimore’s defense will have their hands full with Isiah Pacheco, who has 186 rushing yards and two touchdowns this postseason. Another productive day from Pacheco is sure to open throwing lanes for Mahomes to hit his top two targets, Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice.

Watch for Lamar and the Ravens’ ball carriers to overwhelm the Chiefs and limit KC’s offensive possessions, leading to a Baltimore victory and cover.

Lions vs. 49ers odds and matchup preview: Lions +7 (+100 or better)

Christian McCaffrey is the straw that stirs the drink for the 49ers’ offense. In games that CMC had over 75 rushing yards, San Francisco holds an 11-1 record. During McCaffrey’s mid-season slump, where he failed to surpass 60 yards in three straight games, San Francisco was winless.

Detroit has a few holes in the secondary, but the front seven have been outstanding against the rush. Detroit surrendered the second-fewest rushing yards per game in the regular season and has been equally successful in the playoffs.

The 49ers have countless blue-chip players on offense that can pick up the slack if McCaffrey is held in check, but another inspiring performance from Jared Goff can help the Lions match San Fran’s scoring. Goff has the best completion percentage this postseason, 564 passing yards, and boasts a 3:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones had a stellar performance last week vs. the 49ers, and David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are more than capable of replicating Jones’ success.

Scoring will come in bunches in the NFC Championship, and we expect the 49ers to win the game while the Lions cover the inflated spread.

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