The NFL Championship matchups are set after the road underdogs completely crushed the divisional round. Three of the four visiting teams won and covered the difference. The Chiefs were the only favorites to protect their home field and cover, and in the process, became the first team in NFL history to host four consecutive AFC championship games.
The Bengals opened the weekend with an upset win as 4-point underdogs against the No. 1-seeded Titans in the AFC. Cincinnati, at +175 on the money line, earned its first playoff road win in team history by beating the Titans 19-16 on a 52-yard field goal by rookie Evan McPherson as time expired. Joe Burrow and the Bengals head to Kansas City, where they are 6.5 point losers, to play in their first AFC championship game since 1988.
In Saturday night’s primetime game, San Francisco posted a 13-10 come-from-behind win over NFC-top seed Green Bay and not only was covered as a 6-point underdog, but also cashed in for bettors on the money line (+210) . For his efforts, the 49ers earned a trip to Los Angeles to face Matthew Stafford and the Rams.
The Packers, who closed out as the weekend’s heavy favorites, joined the Titans in a disappointing run for the NFL’s top seeds in the second round. Since 2003, the No. 1 seeds in the divisional round have burned bettors by going 13-24-1 ATS. Saturday also marked the first time since 2010 that both No. 1 seeds have been eliminated in the divisional round. That weekend, the NFL postseason was turned upside down when the Mark Sanchez-led Jets (+9.5) beat the Patriots 28-21, while Green Bay (+1.5) eliminated Matt Ryan and the Falcons, 48- twenty-one.
The surprise upsets that began Saturday continued into Sunday afternoon when Los Angeles held on to beat Tampa Bay after Matt Gay made a 30-yard field goal, 30-27. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 366 passing yards and two touchdowns. Los Angeles will now try to carry that dominance into their third matchup with NFC West rival 49ers. San Francisco won both regular-season matchups and wreaked havoc with oddsmakers who listed them twice as 3.5-point underdogs.
For the NFC title game, the Rams were installed as local favorites by 3.5 points in Sports betting YES. Los Angeles now has the opportunity to become the second consecutive NFL team to represent their conference in the Super Bowl at their home stadium. Tom Brady and Tampa Bay accomplished that feat last season and now, with a win, the Rams could play Super Bowl LVI in the friendly confines of SoFi Stadium.
The final playoff team that earned its ticket to the championship game was decided Sunday night when Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs won a wild 42-36 overtime brawl against the Bills. Mahomes once again worked magic, leading the team to a game-tying field goal with just 13 seconds remaining and no timeouts. The Chiefs have won 11 of their last 12 games this season and seven straight playoff games at home since 2018.
Let’s take a look at all the opening odds and totals as well as future odds for Super Bowl LVI at Sports betting YES!
NFL Championship Sunday
No. 4 Cincinnati (12-7 SU, 12-7 ATS) at No. 2 Kansas City (14-5 SU, 10-9 ATS)
money line: Cincinnati (+240) | Kansas City (-300)
Spread: IAS +6.5 (-110) | KC -6.5 (-110)
Total: 53.5 – More: (-110) | Under: 53.5 (-110)
Game information: Jan. 30, 2022 3:30 pm ET | CBS
No. 6. San Francisco (12-7 SU, 11-8 ATS) at No. 4 LA Rams (14-5 SU, 10-9 ATS)
money line: San Francisco: (+155) | Los Angeles (-188)
spread: EF:+3.5 (-110) | LAR -3.5 (-110)
Total: – Plus: 46.5 (-110) | Sub: 46.5 (-110)
Game information: January 30, 2022 6:30 pm ET | FOX
For those looking to jump into the futures markets, here are the updated odds for Super Bowl LVI.
Kansas City Chiefs +140
Los Angeles Rams +210
San Francisco 49ers +375
Cincinnati Bengals +750
www.si.com
Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.