The NFL playoffs only have three games left, not including the non-consequential and incredibly boring Pro Bowl that only exist to siphon more money and time out of fans lives.
One round away from Super Bowl LIII, NFL fans have been spoiled again as the top seeds in each conference clash for a chance at the most coveted prize in all of sports-the Lombardi Trophy.
The Rams travel to New Orleans to play the Saints for the NFC title, while the Patriots leave the comfort of Foxborough to face off against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.
An all to familiar sight for Tom Brady and the Patriots, the AFC title game should feel like second home at this point. Eleven total appearances and eight consecutive in the Brady-Belichick era gives New England the veteran advantage. Saying they know how to win is an understatement.
Winning eight of the 11 total appearances, it would be foolish to bet against New England. In a down year, where Brady looked erratic and old, Gronkowski stumbled around the field like he forgot how to walk and the team finished below .500 on the road, New England is infallible.
The majority of fans and analysts took their chances and bet on the Chargers last week. FS1's Nick Wright made the boldest claim, but Undisputed's Shannon Sharpe, Skip Bayless and even ESPN's Stephan A. Smith jumped on the Los Angeles bandwagon.
A close game was expected, and statistics did point to Los Angeles leaving Foxborough with a win. The Patriots dominated the Chargers 41-28 and held Pro Bowl running back Melvin Gordon to 30 total yards.
New England flipped the switch and looked like the most complete team in the playoffs, other than the Rams. Putting up the most points by any team in the playoffs and strangling the Chargers offense through the first three quarters, New England proved the football world wrong.
The Patriots are unbeatable at home. In fact, New England went 9-0 at Foxborough including their playoff victory. This Sunday, New England will face their greatest weakness-playing on the road.
New England, this year, on the road, went 3-5, including three embarrassing losses to the Jaguars, Lions and Titans. New England is simply not a good road team. The Patriots offense scored 15 fewer touchdowns on the road than at home while seeing a decrease in over 500 yards despite an increased number of passing attempts. Taking into account New England's five below average road opponents, the Patriots look even worse.
New England's adversary on Sunday, is tied for the second-best home team in football and second-best winning percentage when an odds on favorite, according to teamrankings.com.
The Kansas City Chiefs are the number one offense in football and have ridden the most explosive offense with 76 passing plays over 20 yards deep into the postseason. Kansas City dismantled the Colts last week on both sides of the ball.
MVP favorite Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to a 17 point advantage into halftime against a Colts team coming off a victory of the AFC South champion Texans. Mahomes picked apart what had been one of the hottest defensive units into football. Rather than have a high numbers performance, Mahomes made smart plays showing he is more than just a big arm talent. Along with Mahomes, head coach Andy Reid eased the rookie quarterback into his first career playoff start by utilizing the run game.
Four separate players had rushing touchdowns-most noticeably Damien Williams, who finished the game with 154 total yards. Against a worse defense, Mahomes will have the green light just like he did back in week six.
The week six match-up may have ended in a Patriots victory but only by a margin of three. Mahomes threw for four touchdowns and over 350 yards and if not for a Patriots' fourth-quarter field goal, would have left Foxborough victorious.
Being honest, the Chiefs are the better team. Their defense ranks 31st in all of football but the way they were able to shut down many's Super Bowl sleeper pick, was a hopeful sign.
Holding the Colts to 13 points was nothing new though. The Chiefs held opponents to 18 points all year at home and have yet to allow 30 or more points at home in 34 consecutive games, according to the actionnetwork.com.
Kansas City is coming off their first playoff win in three years and has a new vibe headed into Sunday. Gone are the days of game manager Alex Smith. The Chiefs are now the premier offense in football due to Patrick Mahomes' record-breaking second year.
From sidearm throws to 70 yards bombs down the field, Mahomes is guaranteed to entertain and willing to risk it all to take down the foe that ended their run at an undefeated season.
The Chiefs have a point to prove, unlike New England. Halted by poor defenses, bad luck and the lack of clutch quarterback over the last six seasons, the odds are finally in Kansas City's favor.
Sunday's game will be played in sub 25-degree weather. Patrick Mahomes' arm elite arm strength can withstand harsh weather while Brady has had a tough time accurately throwing 30 yards in a perfect setting.
Unlike New England, the Chiefs have multiple options on offense. The fastest man in football, receiver Tyreek Hill can gash any defense whether on a slant or deep route proven by his 13 touchdowns. Tight End Travis Kelce can disturb any front seven with his ability to block and rack up yards. Kelce's 116 receptions, 10 touchdowns and 1,336 yards made way for election as a first-team All-Pro.
The Patriots continually prove their doubters wrong, but a weakened roster and lack of offensive star power put the game in the Chiefs favor. Kansas City may also struggle on defense at times, especially against the run, but their home and road splits are the reason the Chiefs are favored.
The Chiefs are literally a different team at home. The Chiefs defense does leave some cause for concern, but history also leans in their favor. The odds the Patriots score over 30 points is slim to none while the Chiefs have scored 30 or more points 12 times this season.
Do not be surprised if Belichick and Brady scheme their way to a victory, but the Chiefs have the makeup of a team able to knockoff the legendary duo.
FINAL SCORE: Chiefs 32, Patriots 27
Check out our NFC Conference Championship Game predictions here:
https://www.bushleaguesports.net/blog/nfc-championship-game-predictions
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*preview photo credited to Sporting News
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