NFL: Predictions for Conference Championship Games, Odds for Jan. 26

Chiefs vs. Ravens, Lions vs. 49ers Previews

The Conference Championships are arguably the best weekend for NFL fans. For the Canada sports betting crowd, it’s practically Christmas.  The Kansas City Chiefs (11-6), fresh off that emotional road win in Buffalo against the Bills, are in Baltimore to face the favored Ravens (13-4), while the upstart Detroit Lions (12-5) travel to San Francisco to take on the heavily favored 49ers (12-5). 

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Chiefs vs. Ravens Details

Date: Jan. 28, 2024

Time: 3:00 p.m. EST

Location: M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore, MD)

How to watch: TV: CBS

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Lions vs. 49ers Details

Date: Jan. 28, 2024

Time: 6:30 p.m. EST

Location: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)

How to watch: TV: FOX

Chiefs Insights

It’s another Conference Championship game for the defending Super Bowl champs, led by QB Patrick Mahomes, the first time he has gone up against Ravens QB Lamar Jackson in a playoff match. On the injury front, the big loss is All Pro left guard Joe Thuney, who suffered a pec injury in the win last weekend over the Buffalo Bills. ESPN has him as “doubtful” for the game. 

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WR Kadarius Toney is also listed as “questionable” with a hip issue, but took part in limited practice Thursday, ESPN reports. RB Isiah Pacheco is also listed as “questionable” with a toe/ankle issue and didn’t practice yesterday. LB Willie Gay (neck) and CB L’Jarius Sneed (calf) are also “questionable”. 

Ravens Insights

According to CBS, three-time Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews has been activated off injured reserve, which is big news for them. He’s been a full practice participant this week. Pro Bowl CB Marlon Humphrey is another possibility to make it back, out since Week 17 with a calf injury. WR Tylan Wallace (knee), CB Rock Ya-Sin (knee) and LB Del’Shawn Phillips (shoulder) are questionable for the game. 

49ers Insights

The big question mark is whether WR Deebo Samuel will play – out with a shoulder injury. CBS reports he was in limited practice yesterday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Samuel “feels better” but he’s still listed as “questionable” on ESPN. DE Clelin Ferrell is on injured reserve, while injured DT Kalia Davis was a full participant in practice yesterday, according to ESPN.

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Lions Insights

It’s a long list of “questionable” on the Lions front, according to ESPN this morning: LB Alex Anzalone (shoulder/ribs), WR Kalif Raymond knee), WR Josh Reynolds (ribs), C Frank Ragnow (knee), CB Chase Lucas (illness) and TE Sam LaPorta (knee). G Jonah Jackson underwent surgery for a meniscus tear in his knee and is out for Sunday’s game.

Player Props

According to DraftKings, for the Chiefs-Ravens game, Lamar Jackson Anytime TD Scorer (2.05), Travis Kelce Anytime TD Scorer (2.15), Isiah Pacheco Anytime TD Scorer (2.25), Jackson First TD Scorer (7.50), Kelce First TD Scorer (8.50), Pacheco First TD Scorer (9.50), Gus Edwards First TD Scorer (8.50), Jackson Scorer 2 or More TDs (8.00), Kelce Scorer 2 or More TDs (8.00), Pacheco Score 2 or More TDs (9.00), Mahomes Scorer 2 or More TDs (66.00), Mahomes Over 1.5 Passing TDs (1.77), Jackson Over 64.5 Rushing Yards (1.69), Jackson Over 1.5 Passing TDs (2.45) are the most bet player props.

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For Lions-49ers, it’s Christian McCaffrey Anytime TD Scorer (1.27), Jahmyr Gibbs Anytime TD Scorer (2.15), McCaffrey First TD Scorer (3.80), McCaffrey Score 2 or More TDs (2.35), Gibbs Longest Rush Over 14.5 (1.74) and McCaffrey Rushing Attempts Under 19.5 (1.77).

At FanDuel, Lamar Jackson Any Time TD Scorer (2.00), Pacheco Any Time TD Scorer (2.30), and Travis Kelce Any Time TD Scorer (2.15) are most bet player props. For Lions-49ers, at FanDuel, it’s Jahmyr Gibbs Any Time TD Scorer (2.45) seeing a lot of betting interest. 

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And at BetRivers, for the Chiefs vs. Ravens game, in terms of Handle, Jackson to Score a Touchdown (1.79) is leading the charge at 12.06 per cent, followed by Pacheco to Score a Touchdown (2.07) at 8.91 per cent, and Kelce to Score a TD (1.97) at 8.1 per cent. In terms of Bets/Props, it’s Jackson to Score a Touchdown (1.79) at 14.91 per cent, Pacheco to Score a TD (2.07) at 13.60 per cent and Kelce to Score a TD (1.97) at 11.41 per cent. 

🏈 Bet on Lions vs. 49ers at BetRivers 🏈

For the Lions vs. 49ers game, from BetRivers, in terms of Handle, most bet player pros are led by McCaffrey to Score a Touchdown (1.18) at 10.39 per cent, Gibbs to Score a Touchdown (2.30) at 7.76 per cent, and Amon-Ra St. Brown to Score a Touchdown (2.08) at 4.27 per cent. On the Props/Bets end: McCaffrey to Score a TD (1.18) at 13.91 per cent, Gibbs to Score a TD (2.30) at 7.88 per cent, and Brown to Score at TD (2.08) at 7.51 per cent. 

Chiefs vs. Ravens Betting Odds: Our Picks & Predictions

Moneyline 2.75 (Chiefs), 1.50 (Ravens)

Spread +4.5 1.90 (Chiefs), -4.5 1.85 (Ravens)

Over/Under 44.5 

A big weekend for NFL betting, so let’s stick with the favorite in Game 1. Go with the Ravens on the Moneyline, led by likely MVP Jackson, but these two teams should also combine for more than 45 points, with two powerhouse QBs on display. Weather forecast is for rain, 8 degrees for Sunday. Take the Over.

Lions vs. 49ers Betting Odds: Our Picks & Predictions

Moneyline 3.75 (Lions), 1.28 (49ers)

Spread +7.5 1.87 (Lions), -7.5 1.90 (49ers)

Over/Under 51.5 

Take the 49ers ATS, especially if Samuel suits up. That’s despite the Lions’ rushing attack – Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Weather forecast is immaculate – 23 degrees, sun, zero chance of precipitation. Could be a long afternoon for Detroit if 49ers QB Brock Purdy gets into a rhythm.

Odds as of 11:30 a.m. EST