NFL: 2022 Championship Round preview, picks

#4 Bengals (10-7, 2-0) @

#2 Chiefs (12-5, 2-0)

Cincinnati clinched a spot in the AFC championship on a game-winning field goal as time expired to eliminated the top seeded Titans last Saturday. Joe Burrow (73.2% completion rate in the postseason) and Ja'Marr Chase have been the catalyst behind the shocking run to the edge of the Super Bowl in their first playoffs. Now the Bengals just have to beat Kansas City, who is hosting it's fourth consecutive conference championship and is favored to reach the Super Bowl for a third consecutive year. Cincinnati has the blueprint to take down the Chiefs after doing so earlier this month in a thrilling 34-31 comeback win. Chase was otherworldly that day, burning Kansas City for 266 yards and three touchdowns, but Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce should be able to keep pace on Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium.

Pick: Kansas City (-7.5)

#5 49ers (10-7, 2-0) @

#4 Rams (12-5, 2-0)

San Francisco has dominated Los Angeles in recent years, going 6-0 against their divisional rival since 2019, including a recent 27-24 overtime win to clinch a playoff spot. After taking down Dallas and Green Bay on the road, the 49ers are a step away from a second Super Bowl berth in three years and Deebo Samuel is the biggest reason why. The versatile receiver is averaging 121.2 yards and 9.7 yards per touch in his last five games. Jalen Ramsey will match up with Samuel on the outside while Aaron Donald (1.5 sacks in the playoffs), Leonard Floyd and Von Miller get after Jimmy Garoppolo. The Rams, who are 3.5-point favorites, are 5-1 in their last six games against conference opponents. Matthew Stafford and the offense must keep playing at a high level in order for that trend to continue at SoFi Stadium on Sunday night.

Pick: 49ers (+3.5)

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Photo Credit: NFL Network.