Conference Championships

AFC: BENGALS 27, CHIEFS 24 OT

Like every other soul on earth, at 21-3 I thought this game was over. Patrick Mahomes was in classic cheat code mode. The Bengals were no match on offense. The only matter to be determined was how big a rout it would be. Even when Cincy broke off a TD run late in the 2nd quarter it didn't feel like it mattered. Even when the Chiefs passed on a field goal and went for the TD on the final play before halftime and failed it didn't seem like a big deal. Only the clock had stopped the juggernaut Chiefs at that point.

But in one of the all time halftime adjustments that I have certainly ever seen, the 2nd half Bengals defense turned Mahomes into Christian Ponder. KC could no longer move the ball. Mahomes looked rattled, and ran around for nothing just like in last year's super bowl.

It wasn't as if Joe Burrow suddenly got hot either. He was okay, but he had a whole half to make up an 11 point deficit.

And they got the one big turnover they needed when at 21-13 Mahomes got picked off on a short field. The Bengals quickly tied it, and you knew the Chiefs were done, because there was no reason to think the Chiefs were going to figure it out. 

Burrow even threw a bad pick of his own, but it didn't matter. The Chiefs were dead. Cincy took the lead with 5 or 6 minutes left, and as Mahomes took the field for the biggest drive of the year even Arrowhead sounded dead. 

But the Chiefs did muster up enough to drive inside the 10. It looked like they might still escape, until, as they had done before halftime they got WAY too cute about it. Instead of keeping it simple, they had Mahomes drop back and nearly get sacked. Then he dropped back again on 3rd down and he ran backwards (WAY backwards) AND fumbled. KC recovered and hit the tying field goal, but the whole sequence was a disaster. They were 5 yards from an AFC title and blew it. 

Even when the Chiefs won the OT coin toss again it sure didn't feel like the Bills game. Indeed, the implosion continued, as Mahomes threw a couple incompletions then basically just heaved a desperation bomb that was picked off.

The Chiefs defense offered little resistance, as Cincy quickly rolled down the field into easy range for the winning kick. And so the Bengals true Cinderella run continues into their first super bowl since I was in elementary school, and the Chiefs and Mahomes get a real stain on their legacy. It's not too early to wonder if this once seemingly inevitable Chiefs dynasty might just be a 1 time thing, and if Mahomes might be (as far as titles go) the new Aaron Rodgers. 

NFC: RAMS 20, 49ERS 17

What the hell is it about Kyle Shanahan teams holding double digit leads in the second halves of playoff games? 

This wasn't a Super Bowl, but the 49ers were on their way. Most of this game was playing out exactly like they wanted it to. Productive offense, even if they weren't running the ball as well as usual. That DeMeco Ryans defense was containing the Rams. 

Then it all fell apart. Matthew Stafford started finding guys open. Jimmy Garappolo was awful in the 4th quarter. Shanahan made a huge mistake punting on 4th and short inside the 50. The 49ers dropped an absolute punt throw by Stafford. Those last 2 49ers drives were simply horrific. It all ended with a grotesque pick off of Garappolo. 

And so the Rams get to host a super bowl.

Kind of incredible how every game matters. Go way back to week 1. If the refs don't screw the Vikings, we likely beat the Bengals, and the Bengals would not have even made the playoffs (although they kind of took week 18 off so maybe they win that game if they try). 

If Arizona doesn't shit the bed in week 18 against Seattle, they win the NFC West and the Rams have to go the wild card route. Maybe it works out for them anyway. Who knows? 

So we get Rams vs Bengals. 

I am starting to think Joe Burrow is the new Brady, just in terms of the good fortune he gets that really has nothing to do with him. Burrow is way better than Brady was at the start though.

And Burrow's 1st playoff run has had;

1. Win vs the Raiders most memorable for a controversial call (just like Brady)

2. Win against the AFC #1 seed (just like Brady)

3. Big upset win against a team from Missouri (just like Brady in the bowl)

4. And now he faces the Rams in the final game. It's some eerie shit.

The Bengals are capable of beating anybody if their defense can spend 2+ quarters making Patrick Mahomes look like Christian Ponder. They absolutely have a chance to win their first ever championship.

The Rams will be able to really attack that Bengals OL that the Titans riddled last week. The Rams are a more complete team than the Chiefs were. It's a home game for them, and after having so many 49ers fans there today there will actually be something of an advantage this time. 

There really isn't any pressure on Cincinnati. LA has the expectation. This game could completely change the career narrative for Stafford. Sean McVay could cement himself as the genius we have all been told for years that he is (and facing one of his former pupils in Zac Taylor).

I would say Rams 30-27. It will be close. If the Bengals pull this off with anything less than an elite Burrow game then he is the new Brady.