The hometown and 7.5 point favorite San Francisco 49ers employ a pair of former Notre Dame stars in former top ten pick, offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey and former Irish defensive tackle, Sheldon Day.
To me there isn’t a better day of professional football all year than what today brings. AFC and NFC Championship Games, an all day affair of football between four usually very good teams.
If you’re like me and most of America, your favorite NFL squad was eliminated from Super Bowl contention long ago and you don’t have a dog in either of the fights this Sunday.
If you’re a Notre Dame fan looking for a team to get behind then the AFC game that kicks off just after 3:00 pm E.T. will be tough sledding as neither the Tennessee Titans or Kansas City Chiefs have any former Notre Dame players on their rosters.
Look into the NFC game however and you may get a little bit conflicted.
The hometown and 7.5 point favorite San Francisco 49ers employ a pair of former Notre Dame stars in former top ten pick, offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey and former Irish defensive tackle, Sheldon Day.
McGlinchey battled through a knee issue earlier this season that ultimately led to him getting a scope, missing four games but ultimately helping the 49ers to the third most rushing yards in the league this regular season.
Day played in all 16 games this regular season for the 49ers, recording 15 total tackles and one sack along the way.
When the 49ers kickoff against the Green Bay Packers at 6:40 pm E.T. today the Packers will have a former Fighting Irish star as Dexter Williams will be wearing the iconic Packers colors.
Don’t expect to see much of the former Notre Dame speedster however as Williams had just five rush attempts all regular season.
AFC championship: KANSAS CITY (-7.5) vs. Tennessee
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
How the Titans win
There’s a pretty clear path to victory for the Titans. We’ve seen them execute it in road wins over the Patriots and Ravens to open the playoffs. They run the heck out of the ball behind Derrick Henry and play stifling defense under the direction of defensive coordinator Dean Pees. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill hasn’t had to do much in the postseason, with just 15 completions and 160 yards on 29 attempts in Tennessee’s two playoff games. It’s easy to forget he was the most efficient passer in the league during his 10 starts. Even if Henry can’t go for 180-plus yards, Tannehill has been good enough this year that a play-action heavy game could help Tennessee move the chains and keep Kansas City’s explosive offense off the field.
How the Chiefs win
Kansas City’s come-from-behind win in the divisional round made it appear as though their offense is unstoppable. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes looked like the reigning league MVP, and tight end Travis Kelce looked as dominant as ever. It’s hard to imagine an offense this good getting held to fewer than 24 points, which feels like the number the Titans offense will max out at if the Chiefs get a good effort out of their defense. While Tannehill can beat teams with his arm, that starts with the Tennessee run game. If the Chiefs slow down Henry and make Tannehill come from behind, it’s probably a wrap in Kansas City.
Pick: Chiefs (-7.5)
Prediction: Chiefs 37, Titans 20
NFC championship: SAN FRANCISCO (-7.5) vs. Green Bay
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
How the Packers win
This is a tough matchup for the Packers on paper, and that’s evidenced in the 49ers’ 37-8 Week 12 blowout win against them. However, Aaron Rodgers looked very good in the divisional round, which by itself means the Packers have a chance against any team in the league. Where they win Sunday though is on the defensive side. The 49ers can be had if they’re careless with the football and give away possessions. 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw 13 regular season interceptions this year, and threw another in the divisional playoffs against the Vikings. He also fumbled 10 times and lost five of them. If Green Bay can force a couple turnovers and capitalize on them, it might be enough to swing this one in their favor.
How the 49ers win
San Francisco is the better team and wins this game if they stay away from mistakes like turnovers and penalties. They’ll also need a little more from Garoppolo this week after he threw just 19 passes in the divisional round. The 49ers’ run game is very good and will continue to be the catalyst of the rest of their offense, but moving the chains, converting in the red zone and not turning the ball over are three areas the quarterback needs to thrive in Sunday. On the defensive side, the overwhelming 49ers pass rush drives everything. They’re the best unit in the league when they’re rolling, and they make everything easier on the rest of the defense. Even if they’re not getting sacks, they impact games and force opposing quarterbacks into mistakes.
Pick: Packers (+7.5)
Prediction: 49ers 31, Packers 24
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Former Buffalo Bills players playing in the AFC and NFC Championship games in 2019.
The Buffalo Bills unfortunately won’t be suiting up this weekend as the Super Bowl participants will be decided via Championship weekend in the NFL.
In the AFC, it’ll either be the Titans or Chiefs. The NFC has the Packers and 49ers squaring off.
But there are a few familiar faces that will get their chance to play in the Big Game in a few weeks.
Here’s a team-by-team rundown of former Bills players getting after it this weekend for a spot in the Super Bowl:
49ers
WR Jordan Matthews
Jordan Matthews #87 of the Buffalo Bills. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Jordan Matthews was acquired by the Bills via a trade with the Eagles in 2017, playing one season in Buffalo. Matthews signed with the 49ers in March 2019, was a final cut in training camp, he then re-signed by the Eagles in November, cut a few weeks later, then re-signed with the 49ers in December. He’s been inactive.
2019 stats: 3 games played, four catches, 33 yards.
The Bills’ third-round pick in 2013 signed with the 49ers in 2017 after his rookie contract in Buffalo expired. Goodwin won’t be playing in the NFC Championship, though. Goodwin is the the 49ers’ injured reserve list due to knee and foot injuries.
Perhaps you’re looking for a team that has no former Bills players to root for because you’re sick of guys leaving Buffalo and getting that title? You’ll be saying “go pack go” this weekend then. Unless you remember some coaches…
In 2013, the Bills had Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator until 2014. A lot of Hackett’s career coincided with former Bills head coach Doug Marrone. The two were together at the University of Syracuse and Marrone hired him with the Bills. Then when Marrone left Buffalo and went to the Jaguars, he helped Hackett come on over as well, first as the QBs coach then OC from 2016-2018. Hackett was fired there and when offensive guru Matt LaFleur was hired in Green Bay prior to the 2019 season, he added Hackett as his OC.
Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
While with the Bills, like many offensive coordinators, you need someone to blame… so Hackett wasn’t very popular. On the other hand. Mike Pettine, who was Buffalo’s defensive coordinator in 2013, was popular. So much so that he landed as the Browns head coach in 2014. After being fired in 2015, Pettine’s next NFL job was in 2018, with the Packers, where he still is.
Previewing the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tennessee Titans AFC Championship Game, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.
The Kansas City Chiefs (13-4) host the surprising Tennessee Titans (11-7) in the AFC Championship Game Sunday. The game kicks off at Arrowhead Stadium at 3:05 p.m. Eastern. Below, we break down the Chiefs chances to win the AFC Championship, with NFL betting odds and picks.
The Chiefs are heavy favorites at BetMGM, both on the money line and against the spread. They are -333 to win outright on the money line and favored by 7.5 points (+100) on the spread.
If you are going to bet on the game, why should you bet the Chiefs to win?
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The Chiefs are on a role
(Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports)
After falling behind 24-0 last week against the Houston Texans, they showed the explosive offense they have had for the last two seasons. They rattled off 41 unanswered points and outscored Houston 51-7 after the initial deficit.
They haven’t lost in over two months, winning seven straight games.
They have been there before
Kansas City made it to the AFC title game a season ago, giving the eventual champion New England Patriots everything they could handle. They tied the game with seconds left in regulation, forcing overtime.
QB Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the team who was there last year don’t want to go home one game short of the Super Bowl again.
The quarterback matchup is undeniably uneven
(Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports)
It is Mahomes vs. Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill is a great story but he is definitely not the reason they have won two postseason games. The former Miami Dolphins signal-caller has thrown for a combined 160 yards and three touchdowns in two games. Mahomes had 321 yards and five touchdowns in the Divisional Round.
The Chiefs’ run defense has been solid in their winning streak
The Titans offense is all about RB Derrick Henry. The Chiefs have allowed an average of 94 rushing yards per game in their last seven contests. Defensive lineman Chris Jones has not practiced this week, so there is concern for the defense, but if the Chiefs score the way they did against the Texans, Tennessee will have to throw the ball. That plays right into Kansas City’s game plan.
Of all the remaining teams in the postseason, the Chiefs are the closest thing to a sure thing. The Titans have been a great story and a good bet in the first two rounds but the Chiefs are where you should put your money in the AFC Championship.
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Previewing the Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs AFC Championship Game, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.
The Tennessee Titans (11-7) look for a third straight upset on the road when they travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs (13-4) in Sunday’s AFC Championship. The Titans pulled off a surprising 28-12 victory over the Baltimore Ravens last week, which was the team’s fifth straight road win, a span in which they have outscored their opponents by 16 points per game.
Tennessee has been playing extremely well with QB Ryan Tannehill under center, going 9-3 in his 12 starts. He hasn’t been asked to do much with his arm in the playoffs, as the team has leaned very heavily on RB Derrick Henry, who topped 180 rushing yards in both games.
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These teams met in Nashville back in Week 10, and there were plenty of offensive fireworks in Tennessee’s 35-32 win. In that game, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes exploded for 446 yards and three touchdowns, while Henry ran all over the Kansas City defense, racking up 188 yards and two scores.
It will be tough to steal a win in Kansas City, but this game stands a strong chance of going down to the wire. The Titans are getting 7.5 points (-121) on the spread and +260 odds on the moneyline. Both represent solid value.
Establishing the run
(Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports)
Henry led the NFL with 1,540 rushing yards in the regular season, and he has been virtually unstoppable lately. He is averaging 196 rushing yards over his past three games and has topped 100 yards in seven of his last eight, including 149 yards or more in six of those contests.
The Kansas City defense has been vulnerable against the run all season. They have surrendered the fourth-most yards per attempt on the ground, and seventh-most yards per game. The Titans offensive game plan looks pretty obvious, and Henry should have another huge day.
Which defense will step up?
(Photo Credit: Evan Habeeb – USA TODAY Sports)
The Titans aren’t built to play from behind, so they can’t afford to get down a couple scores. As long as the game is close, they should be able to continue feeding the ball to Henry, and he should run wild on the porous Chief run defense.
The Tennessee defense will need to do a better job of containing Mahomes, who went off for 446 yards and three scores in the Week 10 matchup.
This should be a high-scoring affair, as the Titans should move the ball at will on the ground, but they will have a hard time slowing down the Kansas City air attack. The Chiefs, winners of six straight, deserve to be slight favorites, but Tennessee has beat them once already, and has a good chance to hand them their fourth home loss of the season. Back the Titans in this one.
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The Titans have won five consecutive games, which is impressive for a team that got off to such a slow start this season.
The Tennessee Titans make their first AFC Championship appearance since the 2002 season this week against the Kansas City Chiefs with a spot in the Super Bowl on the line.
The team also has a chance to make franchise history with a victory.
The Titans have won five consecutive games, which is impressive for a team that got off to such a slow start this season.
But to record six in a row would tie the franchise record for most back-to-back wins.
[lawrence-related id=24362]
The 2008 team was the only one to do it, winning every contest from Sept. 14, 2008 to Nov. 27, 2008.
The 1961 team and the 1993 team were the only two others to tie the current team at five consecutive wins.
Teams from 2000, 1978 and 1974 just trail the current Titans team with four wins in a row.
The Titans stand a chance of breaking the record if they make it on to the Super Bowl, as taking it all over the Green Bay Packers or the San Francisco 49ers would bring that consecutive win total to seven.
[lawrence-related id=24357]
The outcome of that game will be determined when the two teams meet at 5:40 p.m. CST on Sunday in Levi’s Stadium in the NFC Championship.
The Titans and Chiefs are set to kick off at 2:05 p.m. CST on Sunday in Arrowhead Stadium.
Previewing Sunday’s AFC Championship between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs, with NFL betting odds, picks, tips and best bets.
The Tennesse Titans (9-7) visit Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs (12-4) Sunday in the AFC Championship Game. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. E.T. (on CBS). We analyze the Titans-Chiefs odds and sports betting lines while providing NFL betting picks, tips and analysis of this matchup.
Titans at Chiefs: AFC Championship preview, betting trends and notes
Tennessee has won seven of its last nine games, including two playoff wins over the New England Patriots (20-13) and Baltimore Ravens (28-12).
The Titans have covered the spread in their last five road games and four of their last five games against the Chiefs.
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The Titans have won four of their last five games against the Chiefs.
Kansas City has covered the spread in five straight contests.
The Under has hit in five of the last seven games involving the Chiefs.
The Chiefs have won their last six games against AFC opponents.
Titans at Chiefs: Key injuries
Titans
WR Adam Humphries (hamstring) questionable
LB Jayon Brown (knee) questionable
WR Cody Hollister (ankle) questionable
Chiefs
DT Chris Jones (calf) questionable
G Andrew Wylie (ankle) questionable
CB Morris Claiborne (shoulder) questionable
Titans at Chiefs: AFC Championship odds, betting lines and prediction
The CHIEFS (-334) are big moneyline favorites at home against the red-hot Titans. Despite the Titans defeating the Chiefs earlier this season (35-32 in Week 10), Kansas City’s offense is functioning at a much higher level now. While the odds aren’t fantastic, consider betting on the Chiefs to win straight up.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Chiefs to win returns a profit of $3.
The CHIEFS (-7.5, +100) open this game as a touchdown favorite over the Titans in the AFC Championship Game. While the Titans have certainly been impressive over the last month, the Chiefs have been pretty dominant as well. Kansas City has covered the spread in seven straight games as well as five-straight at home. If Kansas City can jump out to any sort of lead, Tennessee could have trouble keeping up. I like the Chiefs to win by double-digits Sunday as they move on to Super Bowl LIV.
The total for the AFC Championship Game is set at 51.5 points, which feels far too high considering how Tennesee wants to play this game. The Titans are going to do everything in their power to shorten the game, which could limit the scoring opportunities for both teams. While betting the Under in a game featuring reigning MVP QB Patrick Mahomes is always dangerous, take the UNDER51.5 (+105) in this contest.
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The Chiefs are a strong favorite over the Titans in the AFC Championship Game.
The Kansas City Chiefs have moved on to the AFC Championship Game against the Tennessee Titans. At stake for Andy Reid and KC would be the Chiefs’ first appearance in a Super Bowl in 50 years (Jan. 11, 1970, Super Bowl IV win over the Minnesota Vikings).
After the Titans handily dispatched the Baltimore Ravens in a Divisional round game on Saturday, linemaker Dave Mason tweeted the Chiefs would be a six-point choice at Arrowhead in the AFC title game.
However, when you overcome a 24-point deficit and roar to a 51-31 victory over the Houston Texans, things change. Especially when you are the first team in postseason to overcome a 20-point deficit and to win by 20.
So, the new line on Titans at Chiefs is:
Chiefs favored by 7.5 vs visiting Titans next week.
Previewing the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV chances, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.
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Throughout the 2019 season, it appeared the Kansas City Chiefs just didn’t have “it” this season after losing 37-31 in overtime to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship last season; however, they finished the 2019 season strong, winning six straight games to become the No. 2 seed in the conference.
With a first-round bye in hand, the Chiefs have an excellent chance at advancing to the Super Bowl. Below are their odds to win Super Bowl LIV and reasons why you should and shouldn’t bet on Kansas City to take home the Lombardi Trophy this postseason.
NFL futures odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 5:15 p.m. ET.
Why you should bet on the Chiefs to win Super Bowl LIV
(Photo Credit: Denny Medley – USA TODAY Sports)
Odds To Win Super Bowl LIV: +450
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As we have seen over the last decade, quarterback play is a significant factor in who wins the Super Bowl. Luckily for Kansas City, reigning-MVP Patrick Mahomes is healthy, and he is starting to get back to his form of last season. It also helps that he will have his full assortment of weapons on the field in the playoffs, which might just be the best supporting cast in the AFC.
It also doesn’t hurt that the Chiefs’ defense is starting to play better, allowing just 11.5 points per game over the last six weeks. They are beginning to create sacks and turnovers, which will be needed to advance deep in the playoffs.
Given that Kansas City will host a playoff game in Round 2, it certainly doesn’t seem impossible the Chiefs can get hot and make a three-game run with Mahomes under center. At +200, the Chiefs are a great bet to win the AFC Championship. They’re also a strong play at +450 to win Super Bowl LIV.
Why you shouldn’t bet on the Chiefs to win Super Bowl LIV
(Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff – USA TODAY Sports)
New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Chiefs to win Super Bowl LIV would return a profit of $45 should Kansas City win the Super Bowl.
Despite being the No. 2 seed, the road to the Super Bowl could be awfully tough for the Chiefs. They will likely host the New England Patriots in Round 2, and the Pats have shown no fear playing in Arrowhead Stadium lately. If the Chiefs can survive that contest, they will then likely travel to Baltimore to take on the No. 1-seeded Ravens. It’s a brutal draw for the Chiefs and one which could keep them out of the Super Bowl for a second-straight season.
There is also some lingering doubt about head coach Andy Reid in the playoffs. While no one can argue about his regular-season success, too often, his teams come up short relative to expectations. For Kansas City to advance to the Super Bowl, Reid will need to outcoach the likes of Bill Belichick and John Harbaugh to make it to the Super Bowl. While that’s certainly possible, there are some reasons to be concerned.
Ultimately, the Chiefs are still a great bet to win the Super Bowl due to their overwhelming amount of talent on both sides of the ball. Don’t be afraid to put down a few units on the Chiefs to make a run this postseason.
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Previewing the Tennessee Titans’ Super Bowl LIV chances, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.
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The Tennessee Titans were the last team to qualify for the AFC playoffs at 9-7, earning the No. 6 seed and a Wild Card Round matchup against the New England Patriots (12-4). They’ll play Saturday at 8:15 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium. Should the Titans win, they’ll advance to face the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Jan. 11, while the Patriots would visit the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Jan. 12. Below, we analyze the Titans playoff chances and NFL futures odds to win Super Bowl LIV.
The Titans open the postseason as the second-biggest longshots to win both the AFC (+2200) and the Super Bowl (+4000). They struck gold in the middle of the season after cutting bait on former No. 2 pick QB Marcus Mariota and turning to failed former Miami Dolphins starter Ryan Tannehill. RB Derrick Henry finished as the regular season’s leading rusher, and the rejuvenated Titans enter the playoffs as one of the NFL’s hottest teams.
NFL futures odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 12:30 pm. ET.
Tennessee Titans playoff futures
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AFC Champion: +2200
The Titans won five of their last seven games and went 7-3 after making the switch from the ineffective Mariota to Tannehill against the Denver Broncos in Week 6. Tannehill, the eighth overall pick of the Dolphins in the 2012 NFL Draft, finished the season with 2,742 passing yards and 22 touchdowns against six interceptions while adding 185 rushing yards and four scores on the ground. Henry totaled 1,540 rushing yards, 206 receiving yards and 18 combined touchdowns.
Of course, no one has a tougher road through the AFC playoffs than the Titans. They’ll play the Patriots in New England’s first Wild Card Round game since 2009. If the Titans survive the first test, they’ll need to visit the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens.
(Photo Credit: Troy Taormina – USA TODAY Sports)
The Titans draw a PASS from me. They’re not tempting enough based on the two incredibly difficult road games in front of them, before they’d reach an AFC Championship Game, which would likely require a visit to Kansas City to face reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. The AFC is extremely top-heavy, and it’s tough to envision the Cinderella Titans crawling their way through.
Super Bowl: +4000
New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Titans to win Super Bowl LIV would return a profit of $400 should Tennessee win the game.
The Titans finished the regular season ranked 10th in points per game (25.1) and 12th in yards per game (362.8). Defensively, they allowed 20.7 PPG (12th) and 359.5 YPG (21st). Only the Ravens and San Francisco 49ers accumulated more team rushing yards than Tennessee, though unlike the others who were able to pile on their yards while nursing large leads late in games, the Titans relied on Henry throughout games.
(Photo Credit: Jim Brown – USA TODAY Sports)
Four of the NFL’s top six run defenses from the regular season made the playoffs, including the Ravens and Patriots. No coach in the league is better at scheming to take away a team’s top option than Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. By doing so against the Titans, Henry would become neutralized, leaving Tannehill to handle his former AFC East rivals on his own.
I’ll agree with the books that there’s a much better chance of the underdog Titans being discarded in their opening game – only the Minnesota Vikings (+310 at New Orleans Saints) are bigger dogs than the Titans (+180) in the Wild Card Round – than of winning Super Bowl LIV. PASS and look elsewhere for your Super Bowl lotto ticket.
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