The convention championship spherical (schedule) for the 2022 NFL season has two nice matchups. Our NFL Nation reporters ship the largest keys and daring predictions for every contest.
Moreover, ESPN Stats & Info affords a vital stat and betting nugget, and our Soccer Energy Index (FPI) goes contained in the numbers with a sport projection. Matt Bowen picks a matchup to observe in each video games and Kevin Seifert tells us what to know concerning the officiating. Lastly, Seth Walder and Eric Moody predict the ultimate rating and choose winners for every sport (additionally, see picks). Loads right here for what is predicted to be an thrilling weekend of playoff soccer.
Let’s study the convention championships, which options Jalen Hurts vs. Brock Purdy and Patrick Mahomes vs. Joe Burrow. Who will advance to Tremendous Bowl LVII?
Word: New for this season’s playoffs, every workforce will likely be assured a possession if a sport goes to additional time.
Soar to a matchup:SF-PHI | CIN-KC
3 p.m. ET | Fox | Unfold: PHI -2.5 (46)
What to observe for: This matchup options arguably the 2 greatest defenses within the NFL. Philadelphia led the league in cross protection (179.8 yards allowed per sport) and sacks (70) in the course of the common season, whereas the Niners led the way in which in interceptions (20) and had been second in rush protection (79.0 yards allowed per sport). However enter Niners operating again Christian McCaffrey (has scored a landing in eight straight video games) and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (332.5 passing yards per sport and 7 touchdowns in opposition to top-10 defenses this season). There are only a few holes on both roster. “That is what the NFC Championship Recreation needs to be,” Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni mentioned. “It will be good on good, and it will be tight.” — Tim McManus
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Daring prediction: The 49ers’ streak of 27 straight video games with out permitting a rusher to surpass 70 yards on the bottom (together with playoffs) will come to an finish due to Hurts. The Niners have struggled in opposition to cellular quarterbacks in previous seasons however did not see many this season, which is why they had been fifth within the NFL in yards allowed per rush to quarterbacks (3.4). Hurts presents a much bigger problem, rating fourth amongst quarterbacks in dashing yards (760) and first in dashing touchdowns (13). He ran for 82 yards and a rating in Week 2 final season in opposition to San Francisco, and with the Niners keying on slowing the deep-ball passing sport, he might provide the same efficiency on the bottom. — Nick Wagoner
Stat to know: San Francisco has closely relied on pre-snap movement to assist rookie quarterback Brock Purdy, utilizing it on 73% of his dropbacks, together with the playoffs. Purdy has excelled there, rating fourth in QBR (80.0) and first in yards per try (9.2) amongst passers with a minimum of 100 makes an attempt over the common and postseasons. However that method will likely be examined by the Eagles’ cross protection, which has allowed the league’s lowest QBR (33.2) and third-lowest yards per try (6.3) to opposing quarterbacks on performs with pre-snap movement.
Bowen’s game-plan key: Edge rusher Haason Reddick has 17.5 sacks in his first season with the Eagles, together with 1.5 in final week’s divisional-round win over the Giants. With Reddick’s first-step quickness and talent to bend and reduce the nook, Philadelphia can scheme extra one-on-ones whereas additionally utilizing stunts to wrap him inside. His 27.6% cross rush win price ranked second within the NFL to Dallas’ Micah Parsons this season. Learn extra at ESPN+.
Accidents: 49ers | Eagles
What to know for officiating: Referee John Hussey’s regular-season crew threw the third-fewest flags in 2022, together with two for roughing the passer and 24 for offensive holding, each the bottom within the NFL. That’s excellent news for each the 49ers and Eagles, who had been known as for the second- and third-most offensive holding penalties within the league, respectively, in the course of the common season. — Seifert
Betting nugget: Purdy is 6-1 in opposition to the unfold as a beginning quarterback, all as a favourite. It ties the fifth-longest favourite streak to start a profession by any quarterback because the 1970 merger (together with playoffs). And San Francisco has lined 5 straight playoff video games, the longest lively streak by any workforce. Learn extra at ESPN+.
Moody’s choose: Eagles 27, 49ers 24Walder’s choose: Eagles 24, 49ers 16FPI prediction: PHI, 65.3% (by a median of 4.5 factors)
Matchup must-reads: Contained in the commerce that despatched McCaffrey to the 49ers … How Johnson discovered his happiness after almost quitting the sport … Niners keen to let authorized course of play out with Omenihu … Brown says he is not a ‘diva,’ however he needs the ball … Has Purdy recalibrated the 49ers’ future quarterback plans? … Are the Eagles all the way in which again to their greatest?
6:30 p.m. ET | CBS | Unfold: KC -1.5 (47)
What to observe for: Throughout the common season, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes led the NFL in QBR (73.0) on throws from contained in the pocket. And that is the place he’ll possible should do most of his work in opposition to the Bengals contemplating a excessive ankle sprain he suffered within the divisional spherical and his efficiency in opposition to the Bengals in Week 13. In that almost all current matchup between these groups, Mahomes had one in all his greatest QBR outings (79.6) from contained in the pocket and one in all his worst QBR showings (14.0) from outdoors the pocket. The Bengals are on a 10-game win streak, and each groups are 11-0 when scoring first this season. — Adam Teicher
2022 NFL playoffs
• Information to 49ers-Eagles, Bengals-Chiefs »• Convention title sport keys to win »• Key questions for 4 NFL groups left »• Offseason information for eradicated groups »Full playoff bracket and schedule »
Daring prediction: The Bengals will rating extra pink zone touchdowns than the Chiefs. The Bengals ranked fifth in pink zone effectivity on offense and tied for ninth on protection in the course of the common season. Whereas the Kansas Metropolis offense scores loads of touchdowns from contained in the 20-yard line (second), its pink zone protection was one of many worst within the league (thirty first) in the course of the common season. The workforce that may finish drives with touchdowns could have the within monitor to successful the Lamar Hunt Trophy and advancing to the Tremendous Bowl. — Ben Child
Stat to know: Every protection might have its fingers full containing the fast passing sport. Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow (19) and Mahomes (18) rank first and second, respectively, in landing passes on throws beneath 2.5 seconds, together with the playoffs. And the Chiefs’ after-the-catch means has stood out, too, particularly on Mahomes’ fast throws. Kansas Metropolis has generated extra yards after the catch than any workforce this season (2,908) and has the third-highest per-catch common of any offense (6.3). General, yards after the catch have accounted for 53% of the Chiefs’ receiving yards, the second-highest price within the league. However Cincinnati’s protection ranks sixth in limiting after-the-catch manufacturing, protecting pass-catchers to only 4.7 yards after the catch per reception.
Bowen’s game-plan key: Cincinnati wants a devoted plan for Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce. Cornerback Tre Flowers is its typical tight finish matchup defender in dime seems to be, however he is working by a hamstring damage. We might see safeties Dax Hill or Vonn Bell in man protection, however defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo may also have a defender jam and reroute Kelce on the line of scrimmage in zone seems to be after which sink to depth. Learn extra at ESPN+.
Accidents: Bengals | Chiefs
What to know for officiating: Referee Ron Torbert’s regular-season crew averaged 12 flags per sport, fifth-fewest within the league. It threw 33 flags for defensive cross interference, unlawful contact and defensive holding, the NFL’s third-lowest complete. That needs to be of notice to the respective defenses as they attempt to gradual Mahomes and Burrow. — Seifert
Betting nugget: Kansas Metropolis is 7-11 in opposition to the unfold this season, and people 11 ATS losses are essentially the most by any workforce coming into the convention championship spherical within the Tremendous Bowl period. The Chiefs had been additionally 2-11 in opposition to the unfold in AFC video games this season and 0-4 ATS with greater than six days of relaxation. Cincinnati, in the meantime, is 21-5 in opposition to the unfold in its previous 26 video games, together with playoffs, and its 13-5 ATS document this season was second-best within the NFL. Learn extra at ESPN+.
Moody’s choose: Bengals 27, Chiefs 20Walder’s choose: Chiefs 31, Bengals 30FPI prediction: Ok.C., 65.5% (by a median of 4.6 factors)
Matchup must-reads: Bengals assured for title sport at ‘Burrowhead’ … Mahomes says he is ‘able to go’ for AFC title sport … Injured Bengals OLs Cappa, Williams do not follow … Kelce has cemented his legacy as one of many best TEs of all time … The QB battle that unlocked Mahomes
