By Harry Gagnon
I hope many of you out there made some money with my selections that went 5-3 ATS last week (and that includes getting totally screwed with the Buffalo Bills). Let's continue to turn a profit here at Bestbetcorner.com and you can also find more of my opinions and selections at the Extrapoints.com podcast network. Here are my picks for this weekend's NFL Conference Championship games between the Cincinnati Bengals/Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers/Los Angeles Rams.
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
CINCINNATI BENGALS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
-120 BENGALS +7.5 OVER CHIEFS
&
-110 UNDER 54.5
Joe Burrow has been terrific getting Cincinnati to this point, and was better than terrific a month ago when he went for 446 yards and 4 TDS against the Chiefs 27th ranked pass defense. The Bengals defense has given up just 35 points combined over their two playoff games. You want a X-Factor in deciding this game? How about Bengals place kicker Evan McPherson. Yes, I'm going with a kicker!!! McPherson has been clutch in the playoffs going 8 for 8 which includes the game winning kick on the last play of the game in "The Jungle" against Las Vegas. He also was 2 for 2 in the Bengals victory against Kansas City in the regular season. With that said, after what we saw last week with the Chiefs I still think Patrick Mahomes pulls the game out in the end.
27 CHIEFS
24 BENGALS
-120 CHIEFS TRAVIS KELCE OVER 72.5 RECEIVING YARDS
Kelce has been clutch for Kansas City constantly for the Chiefs since he got to Missouri. He is averaging 102 yards receiving in this postseason, and has 96 yards or more in 5 straight playoff contests.
-115 BENGALS JA'MARR CHASE OVER 82.5 RECEIVING YARDS
Chase has gone over 100 in his first 2 playoff games and had his best day as a pro with 266 in his earlier matchup against the Chiefs in the regular season.
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS @ LOS ANGELES RAMS
-120 49ERS +4 & UNDER 46
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan owns Rams lead guy Sean McVey beating him and his Rams 6 straight times. The Niners defense right now has been playing off the charts in their last 8 quarters of action. They have held Dak Prescott and Aaron Rodgers to just 1 total Td pass. Rams QB Matthew Stafford hasn't played well against this San Francisco defense and has 4 picks in their 2 games against each other this season. If the Niners can keep drives alive on the ground with Deebo Samuel and Elijah Mitchell they have a great chance at not just covering but winning the game straight up.
20 49ERS
17 RAMS
-105 NINERS DEEBO SAMUEL SCORES A ANYTIME TOUCHDOWN
Samuel scored in the playoff victory over the Cowboys and scored 14 TDS in the regular season (8 Rushing and 6 receiving TDS). Three of those 14 TDS came against the Rams and he has scored at least 1 TD in 4 of his last 5 matchups against Los Angeles.
-115 NINERS ELIJAH MITCHELL OVER 72.5 RUSHING YARDS
This 2nd year back out of Louisiana-Lafayette has been an valuable part of the Niners offense. Mitchell had 96 yards on the ground in Wildcard weekend against Dallas and has 44 total carries in the postseason. Mitchell also had 85 & 91yards versus the Rams this season and has gone over 72 yards in 5 of his last 7 games. Mitchell has gone for 85 or more 8 times this year and 100 or more 5 times.
+175 NINERS ARIK ARMSTEAD TO RECORD AT LEAST 1 SACK
The former 1st round draft pick from Oregon has been on fire for the 49ers defensive unit of late. He had 2.5 sacks against the Rame in Week 18 and has 3 sacks in the playoffs (had 2 last week against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in snowy Green Bay). Armstead has a total of 6 in his last 4 games.
I hope everyone enjoys the game and makes some money with these picks and props of mine and remember...........KEEP CASHIN'