Conference Championship Predictions: 2023 NFL Playoffs Best Bets To Consider

It’s been five months since the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Rams kicked off the 2022 NFL season in September. Both the Bills and Rams — popular picks to win this year’s Super Bowl — are out of the running to hoist the Lombardi Trophy next month.

Four teams remain in the 2023 NFL playoffs and two of them will punch their ticket to Glendale, Arizona for Super Bowl LVII. The AFC Championship is a repeat of last year with the Cincinnati Bengals at the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFC will be represented by either the Philadelphia Eagles or San Francisco 49ers.

Before either game kicks off on Sunday, check out our Conference Championship predictions and the best bets to consider.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles Betting Odds

The NFC starts off the playoff weekend with the 49ers heading cross-country to take on the No. 1 seeded Philadelphia Eagles. San Francisco, the No. 2 seed, started their postseason campaign with a 41-23 win over the Seahawks and took down the Dallas Cowboys last week, 19-12. The Eagles came off their first-round bye and dismantled the Giants in the divisional round, drumming their rival by a score of 38-7.

Philadelphia looked in top form against the Giants, shaking off any notion that quarterback Jalen Hurts would be hampered by a shoulder injury. Playing at home, the Eagles are favored by less than a field goal.

The Eagles have thrived this season by running the ball, utilizing Hurts’ legs with a combination of Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell at running back. Facing a tough 49ers defense that stymied the Cowboys offense last week, Hurts will have to rely on stellar wideouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith to move the ball.

San Francisco has relied on their multitude of offensive weapons to score with rookie late-rounder Brock Purdy behind center. The 49ers will have to get running back Christian McCaffrey rolling early and take advantage of an Eagles defense that has at times been susceptible to the ground game. The Philly front seven gets to the quarterback fast and led the league in sacks during the regular season. Expect the 49ers to lean into the quick-passing aspect of their offensive scheme to negate the Eagles’ pass rush.

49ers vs. Eagles Spread

Both San Francisco and Philadelphia had strong regular seasons and have advanced this far with strong defensive performances and efficient offenses. At the end of the day, Philadelphia has the advantage at the sport’s most important position and is playing in front of the loud Philly faithful.

49ers vs. Eagles Pick: Eagles -2.5

49ers vs. Eagles Total

Featuring two strong defenses that have made life difficult for opposing quarterbacks, the Over/Under is set in the mid-40s for the NFC game ahead of the NFL playoffs this Sunday. There’s no rain or snow in the forecast and the temperature at game time should be around 50.

Both teams should be able to generate enough offense to get into the end zone throughout the contest. One of the best NFL playoff bets, we like the total to hit the over.

49ers vs. Eagles Pick: Over 45.5

Prop Bets for 49ers vs. Eagles

The spread, total, and moneyline aren’t the only ways to bet, with sportsbooks across the country offering popular prop bets like yardage totals and touchdown scorers. A couple of 49ers vs. Eagles prop bets to consider include:

• C. McCaffrey, First touchdown (+540)
• D. Goedert, Anytime touchdown (+225)
• J. Hurts, Over 47.5 rushing yards (-118)

Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs Betting Odds

When the Bengals went into Kansas City and beat the Chiefs last year to punch their Super Bowl ticket, Joe Burrow and Cincinnati’s run was a feel-good Cinderella story. This year, however, the Bengals are proving that last season’s run wasn’t a fluke and that they should be considered as the AFC’s top dog — not the Chiefs or Bills.

Cincinnati took down the preseason AFC favorite last week, eliminating the Bills in a snowy affair in Western New York. No late-game magic knocked out the Bills like last year as the Bengals straight-up dominated the Bills at nearly every facet of the game. They won 27-10, extending their win streak to 10-straight games including their Wild Card victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

The Chiefs secured the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the first-round bye. Had the Bills won, the game would be in Atlanta, but they’ll square off against the Bengals with home-field advantage at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs held off the Jaguars last week, winning 27-20, but an injury to MVP frontrunner Patrick Mahomes’ ankle is a big question mark heading into the next round of the NFL playoffs.

Bengals vs. Chiefs Spread

Kansas City opened as a one-point favorite but the line quickly shifted into Cincinnati’s favor with doubts around Mahomes’ health. Bettors can either wait out additional news on Mahomes, but the value now rests with the Chiefs getting points at home.

One of our best bets of the NFL playoffs this weekend, we like the Chiefs getting the points. The Chiefs are rarely an underdog at home, so consider sprinkling some on the moneyline at plus money.

Bengals vs. Chiefs Pick: Chiefs +1.5

Bengals vs. Chiefs Total

The lingering doubt surrounding Mahomes’ injury is also baked into the total. Set in the mid-40s, if the star quarterback isn’t at 100%, points may not come at a premium. The Bengals defense should limit the Chiefs’ big-play ability whereas Cincinnati will be content to run a balanced offense that methodically moves up and down the field.

Weather shouldn’t be a huge concern for the AFC championship game but the temperature at kickoff in Missouri is expected to be below freezing. There’s no snow in the forecast, although the goalpost flags should be wavering; Missouri is expected to see wind speeds into the double-digits.

Last year’s championship duel between these teams ended 27-24 in overtime, staying under the 54.5 total. There shouldn’t be a shootout this time around, either, so our best NFL playoff total bet Sunday night is the Under.

Bengals vs. Chiefs Pick: Under 47.5

Prop Bets for Bengals vs. Chiefs

Worried about betting on this game because of injury concerns with Patrick Mahomes? Here are some Bengals vs. Chiefs prop bets to consider betting instead for the NFL playoffs Sunday:

• H. Hurst, First touchdown (+1500)
• T. Kelce, First touchdown (+700)
• P. Mahomes, Under 273.5 passing yards (+100)

Read more: Conference Championship odds | Super Bowl 57 odds