NFL Conference Championship Parlay: High-scoring NFC teams, defense in vogue for AFC

Only three games remain in the season, and Sunday’s NFL conference championship games provide a contrast in styles, with the Rams and Seahawks ranking 1-2 in scoring offense and the Patriots and Broncos fielding elite defenses.

After analyzing both games, YouBet.com will recommend the following parlay, with lines courtesy of BetMGM, and times listed as Eastern Standard Time.

Conference Championship Parlay (+272): Broncos +4.5 – Over 47 (Rams-Seahawks)

Patriots at Broncos, Empower Field at Mile High, 2 p.m.

Line shifted dramatically with Bo Nix being sidelined, but these are defensive-oriented teams, good at forcing turnovers. In the divisional round, the Patriots had five takeaways vs. the Texans, and the Broncos forced the Bills into five turnovers. The difference in recent games has been giveaways: the Patriots have given the ball away five times, while Denver has given it away only once. Drake Maye has fumbled six times in two postseason games, losing the ball three times. And given Denver’s advantage up front on the defensive and offensive lines, ball protection will be key for Maye, who has taken 10 sacks for -69 yards in the playoffs. The Broncos figure to receive a boost from top running back J.K. Dobbins, who was sidelined in Week 10 but is expected back Sunday, and backup quarterbacks have had success when taking over for good teams late in the year. Projecting a close, defensive-oriented game that is settled by a field goal or less.

Pick: Broncos +4.5

Rams at Seahawks, Gillette Stadium, 6:30 p.m.

These teams met in Week 16, with the Seahawks edging the Rams in a 38-37 shootout, and more offensive theatrics predicted for the conference championship round. The Rams own the most prolific offense in the league, and after a disappointing second-half performance in the wildcard and divisional rounds, expect Sean McVay and Matt Stanford to be laser-focused with a game plan to attack the Seahawks. Unfortunately for Rams fans, their defense is on the downswing, allowing 27.6 points per game over the last six contests, and the Seahawks are poised to take advantage. The Rams are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games in Seattle, with the underdog covering seven of the last eight meetings, but we lack faith in their defense. Overappealing in an expected high-scoring affair.

Pick: Over 47