Scully’s NFL conference championships preview
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire)
January 17th, 2020
The Tennessee Titans will travel to Kansas City, and the Green Bay Packers will return to San Francisco for Sunday’s conference championship games. Both home teams are favored by at least a touchdown, and favorites covered in three of the four Divisional Round games last weekend.
I am excited to play both games. Enjoy the action!
I am excited to play both games. Enjoy the action!
Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, 3:05 p.m. ET (CBS)
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|
Tennessee Titans | +7 | +270 | Over 53 |
Kansas City Chiefs | -7 | -350 | Under 53 |
Derrick Henry has carried the Titans the last two weeks, with 377 rushing yards and 5.9 yards per carry against the top-ranked run defenses of New England and Baltimore. He is obviously key to their chances Sunday, and Henry ran through Kansas City’s defense (188 rushing yards and two touchdowns) when Tennessee defeated the Chiefs, 35-32, Nov. 10.
Kansas City’s defensive numbers are deceiving. The Chiefs performed poorly for a large part of the season, which resulted in a 26th-ranked run defense that allowed 126.2 rushing yards per game, but the stop unit found its footing down the stretch, as Kansas City got healthier and played with confidence. Over the last five games, Kansas City held opponents to 90.6 rushing yards per game, and no running back gained more than 57 yards. The Chiefs play aggressive and fast on both sides of the ball.
In last week’s blowout Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes recorded 321 passing yards, 53 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Tight end Travis Kelce caught 10 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns. Tyreek Hill could be more of a downfield factor, after he caught only three passes for 41 yards against Houston, and running back Damien Williams enters in good form.
Kansas City’s defensive numbers are deceiving. The Chiefs performed poorly for a large part of the season, which resulted in a 26th-ranked run defense that allowed 126.2 rushing yards per game, but the stop unit found its footing down the stretch, as Kansas City got healthier and played with confidence. Over the last five games, Kansas City held opponents to 90.6 rushing yards per game, and no running back gained more than 57 yards. The Chiefs play aggressive and fast on both sides of the ball.
In last week’s blowout Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes recorded 321 passing yards, 53 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Tight end Travis Kelce caught 10 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns. Tyreek Hill could be more of a downfield factor, after he caught only three passes for 41 yards against Houston, and running back Damien Williams enters in good form.
Mahomes out here skipping rocks....crazy #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/Saz1gu29bs
— Frank J. Dyevoich, Esq.⚖️🏈 (@Fantasy_Giant) January 13, 2020
Kansas City is on a mission and is motivated by a bitter home loss to New England in last year’s AFC Championship Game, in which the Chiefs never possessed the ball in overtime. Last week was a remarkable performance, as they climbed out of a 24-0 hole in the second quarter to take a 28-24 lead by halftime, and they outscored Houston 51-7 over the final 35 minutes. There will be no slowing down the track meet this week.
Mahomes is set to deliver another scintillating performance, and Kansas City will march into the Super Bowl off a resounding, double-digit win.
Mahomes is set to deliver another scintillating performance, and Kansas City will march into the Super Bowl off a resounding, double-digit win.
Pick: Kansas City -7
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, 6:40 p.m. ET (FOX)
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|
Tennessee Titans | +7 | +270 | Over 53 |
Kansas City Chiefs | -7 | -350 | Under 53 |
San Francisco would not have to worry about a letdown if these teams had not met during the regular season. Coaches can stress that circumstances will be different, but players must actually believe it. San Francisco’s players know Green Bay did not belong on the same field with them Nov. 24.
Green Bay was thrashed 37-8, and San Francisco’s defense pushed the Packers around all game. Green Bay went 1-for-15 on third downs, and Aaron Rodgers recorded a season-low 104 passing yards on 33 attempts. Green Bay also provided little defensive resistance. Jimmy Garoppolo completed 14 of his 20 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns, and the Niners averaged more than five yards per carry.
It hurt their pride, but the Green Bay still managed to earn the No. 2 seed with a 13-3 record.
The Niners got healthier late in the year, but the defense took a step back down the stretch. In the last four regular-season games, San Francisco surrendered 31.75 points and allowed 374.5 yards per game. Rodgers, running back Aaron Jones, and wide receiver Davante Adams can put up big numbers against a young San Francisco team that lacks much postseason experience.
Green Bay was thrashed 37-8, and San Francisco’s defense pushed the Packers around all game. Green Bay went 1-for-15 on third downs, and Aaron Rodgers recorded a season-low 104 passing yards on 33 attempts. Green Bay also provided little defensive resistance. Jimmy Garoppolo completed 14 of his 20 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns, and the Niners averaged more than five yards per carry.
It hurt their pride, but the Green Bay still managed to earn the No. 2 seed with a 13-3 record.
The Niners got healthier late in the year, but the defense took a step back down the stretch. In the last four regular-season games, San Francisco surrendered 31.75 points and allowed 374.5 yards per game. Rodgers, running back Aaron Jones, and wide receiver Davante Adams can put up big numbers against a young San Francisco team that lacks much postseason experience.
Jake Kumerow blocking Clowney, Marcedes eliminating K.J. Wright on @Showtyme_33's second TD run: pic.twitter.com/e0zqwrBE6t
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) January 13, 2020
San Francisco overwhelmed Minnesota in the Divisional Round last week, but the Vikings failed to show up following an emotional overtime win over New Orleans. That won’t be an issue for a veteran Green Bay squad, which will be motivated to give a good account of itself this time.
In the last four NFC Championship Game rematches between non-divisional opponents, the team that failed to cover the first time has gone 4-0 ATS in the second meeting. Rodgers is eligible to show up with his best, after he delivered one of the worst performances of his Hall of Fame career in the first meeting, and I expect a close game.
In the last four NFC Championship Game rematches between non-divisional opponents, the team that failed to cover the first time has gone 4-0 ATS in the second meeting. Rodgers is eligible to show up with his best, after he delivered one of the worst performances of his Hall of Fame career in the first meeting, and I expect a close game.
Pick: Green Bay +7.5
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