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NFL Playoffs 2024: 4 Biggest Storylines Heading into AFC, NFC Conference Championship Games
Written by: Devon Platana
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Read Time: 8 minutes
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There’s nothing like postseason football and the 2023-24 NFL playoffs have proven that. The first two rounds featured exciting back-and-forth clashes as well as upsets and the Conference Championship Round will only take things to the next level. After four months, the final four teams vying for Super Bowl LVIII are the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers.
NFL schedule today: Everything to know about playoff games on Jan. 21 https://t.co/6KEXEEn6UH
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) January 21, 2024
Each of these teams took different paths to get to this point, but have made it this far due to their sharing a common goal: to hoist the Lombardi Trophy next month. Despite how much each franchise would love to cap off the campaign with a title, only one can do it.
There are several major storylines heading into the AFC and NFC Championship Game action, so let’s take a look at four of the biggest ones.
Super Bowl 58 Odds Ahead of NFL Conference Championship Round
Super Bowl LVIII odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Monday, Jan. 22 at 11:58 a.m. ET.
- San Francisco 49ers (+150)
- Baltimore Ravens (+200)
- Kansas City Chiefs (+350)
- Detroit Lions (+850)
NFL Playoffs 2024: 4 Biggest Conference Championship Storylines
1. Will the Chiefs’ Dynasty Continue?
There hasn’t been an NFL team as dominant as the Chiefs since Patrick Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback in 2018. They’ve done it all over the last five or so years, leading the league with a 75.8% winning percentage during that stretch.
For reference, the Buffalo Bills — who the Chiefs thwarted in the Divisional Round — own the next-highest percentage at 65.3%, showing just how much better Kansas City is than the competition.
Of course, that isn’t even to mention how Sunday marks the Chiefs’ sixth consecutive AFC Championship Game appearance. If they’re able to overcome Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens, Andy Reid’s team will play for a Super Bowl for the fourth time in five seasons as they aim to win their third title since the 2019 campaign.
You might also like: Chiefs vs. Ravens Predictions & Picks — AFC Championship Game
In other words, the Chiefs have a chance to take one step closer to becoming the modern-day New England Patriots. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick went on to combine for six Super Bowls across 18 seasons and although Mahomes and Andy Reid have a ways to go to match that number, being able to win three rings in six seasons is no joke.
While Baltimore shouldn’t be underestimated, Mahomes is 3-1 against Jackson and the Ravens in his career, which includes a 1-1 record at M&T Bank Stadium.
There’s nothing wrong with being one of the final four teams in the NFL playoffs, however, the difference between a win and loss this Sunday could change how the Chiefs are seen in the history books for years to come.
2. Can Jackson Outduel Mahomes?
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has dazzled the football world since being drafted 32nd overall back in 2018. With his gifted feet and powerful arm, the former Louisville Cardinal has done just about everywhere a signal-caller can do, being named All-Pro twice, making three Pro Bowls, and even being named the 2019 NFL MVP. Hell, he’s even a lot of people’s MVP favorite this season.
However, one thing has eluded the 27-year-old dual-threat QB: a Super Bowl ring.
Jackson’s first opportunity to play for a Super Bowl is up for grabs this weekend when the Ravens host the Chiefs. Of course, everyone is now wondering if Jackson can outduel Mahomes — someone who’s already fought for the Lombardi Trophy three times.
"Every time I go up against Josh (Allen), I know it's going to come down to the end. Same with Joe (Burrow) and Lamar (Jackson)."
Patrick Mahomes after making a sixth straight AFC title game.
"The great quarterbacks going up against each other."
(Via @espn) pic.twitter.com/cBhKyiMFCc— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) January 22, 2024
As mentioned before, Jackson is 1-3 against Mahomes in his career. He didn’t make a lot of noise in those meetings, completing 56.2% of passes for 750 yards with four touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 78.9 passer rating while turning 47 carries into another 303 rushing yards with three scores.
For reference, Mahomes tallied a 71.9% completion percentage with 1,479 passing yards, 12 TDs, two INTs, and a 119.1 passer rating in those matchups.
The Chiefs and Ravens boast two of the best defenses this season, making it interesting to see if Jackson can figure out a way to finally outplay Mahomes. During the regular season, Kansas City allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards but still allowed the 10th-most rushing yards and four TDs on the ground to QBs.
All I know is that outperforming Mahomes would do a lot to shut up Jackson’s doubters.
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NFL Playoffs: Biggest AFC, NFC Championship Storylines Cont.
3. Can the 49ers Finally Live Up to the Hype?
Over the last several years, the San Francisco 49ers are consistently in the conversation regarding the NFL’s best teams. After all, Sunday marks their third straight NFC Championship Game appearance and the third since they played in Super Bowl LIV back in February 2020.
But despite all of that NFL postseason success, the 49ers should be facing a great load of pressure this weekend. It’s going on 30 years since San Francisco last won a Super Bowl despite making it to the NFC Championship Game seven times since then. Eventually, fans aren’t going to be satisfied with “only” a conference championship appearance.
The 49ers have also been lauded as the Super Bowl favorite throughout the 2023-24 campaign, further upping the pressure. San Francisco finished the regular season with the No. 3 offense and defense in the league, so the hype was more than warranted. Even BetOnline still favors the Niners to win it all at +150 odds.
I’m not saying that it’s do-or-die for the 49ers this weekend, but losing to the Detroit Lions would be a disaster. San Francisco is better than Detroit at most positions and boasts much more playoff experience than the visitors. If this version of the 49ers isn’t good enough to march past the Lions to reach Super Bowl LVIII, something seriously went wrong.
With how much closer the NFC has become this season, the 49ers can’t afford to let this opportunity slip through their fingers.
4. Will the Lions Complete their Cinderella Story?
It’s seriously impressive to see just how far the Detroit Lions have come since Dan Campbell took over as the head coach heading into the 2021 season.
After finishing his first year with a 3-13-1 record, Campbell and the Lions nearly made the NFL playoffs with a 9-8 record in 2022 before going 12-5 during the 2023 regular season en route to making this year’s NFC Championship Game — Detroit’s first time doing so since 1991.
While it was easy to dismiss the Lions as a threat in past years, that isn’t the case anymore despite having the 11th-youngest roster in the league. They’re one of the best teams on the offensive side of the ball, averaging 27.2 points (5th) and 391.4 total yards (3rd) per game. Defense has been a weak point at times, however, they’ve held their last six opponents to a 21.2 PPG clip, which is about two fewer points than they allowed through the first 13 games.
Nonetheless, the 49ers will challenge the Lions on both sides of the ball, making it interesting to see how Campbell adapts.
At the end of the day, there’s something special going on with this year’s Lions. While they might not have the same experience as their counterparts at Levi’s Stadium, it’s clear that Detroit’s players are all-in on Campbell’s message and that might be enough to pull off a little storybook magic this weekend.
Where Can I Bet On NFL Conference Championship Games?
Want to get in on the AFC and NFC Championship Game betting action but don’t know where to begin?
Well, many of the top online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of NFL odds and conference championship markets to help get you started.
In addition to being able to bet on Super Bowl spread and over/under odds when the big game arrives, you can make weekly NFL picks on games all season long. Also, you can bet on major awards like NFL MVP, Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, and more at reputable sports betting sites like the ones below:
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Devon is a Master of Journalism graduate who joined the sports betting world in 2020. His favorite leagues to cover are the NHL, NBA and NFL, and has a soft spot for fantasy football specifically. Outside of sports, he enjoys the finer things in life like pasta, live music and getting even more tattoos.
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