NFL Playoff Picks 2021: Conference Championships

The New Orleans Saints suffered yet another devastating playoff loss in the Divisional Round, dashing the Saints’ Super Bowl hopes once again and putting a damper on these playoffs since that time. Of course, the NFL Playoffs steam ahead as the road to the Super Bowl comes near its end. Now, let’s take a look at the matchups ahead.

The NFL’s final four take the stage to determine who moves on to Super Bowl LV. The NFC title matchup features the two most media-adored quarterbacks in NFL history, while the AFC title matchup features the best overall team in the NFL this year, in Kansas City, against the team that has captured the hearts of the nation, in Buffalo. These games could be quite interesting.

Last week I went 2-2

I told you so: Packers over Rams!

What do I know: Ravens over Bills?

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

#5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at #1 Green Bay Packers

Sunday, January 24th - 2:05pm CST - FOX

For all of Aaron Rodgers’ magic, he simply hasn’t been as magical in NFC title games going 1-3 in four appearances. He survived his first one, thanks to key turnovers against Jay Cutler in Chicago, he blew a huge lead in the second one in Seattle, he was blown out in the third one in Atlanta on their way to 28-3 glory, and in the fourth one, just a year ago, he was thoroughly decimated by the Niners in the Bay. Now, for the first time ever, Rodgers finally gets to play for the NFC title at home in the “Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field”.

Four of the last five NFC Championship Games have been absolute bloodlettings dominated by the home team, this one will be no different. Tampa Bay is attempting to become the first franchise in Super Bowl history to play in the Super Bowl in their own stadium. The last team to come closest to that goal was the 2017 Minnesota Vikings, who had their teeth summarily kicked down their throats in Philadelphia 38-7 after beating the Saints in the Divisional Round. A similar fate awaits the Bucs. For those who claims Tampa has the upper hand after dominating the Packers in their regular season meeting, let me refer them to the Saints dominating the Bucs in the regular season. Remember a week ago, it means nothing. This is Green Bay’s time to win the NFC. Like it or not, no team was going to walk into Lambeau in this game and leave with a win over the home team.

Pick: Packers

Final Score: 32-14

***

#2 Buffalo Bills at #1 Kansas City Chiefs

Sunday, January 24th - 5:40pm CST - CBS

From 2011-2018, the New England Patriots played in eight consecutive AFC Championship Games, an unprecedented run that many believed couldn't be duplicated, but here we are with the Kansas City Chiefs entering their third consecutive AFC Championship Game with no end in sight as long as Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are in KC. The big question has been the availability of Mahomes following his Divisional Round concussion, but with the league’s best quarterback cleared to play, Buffalo’s best path to victory may have just been blocked.

Patrick Mahomes and company have been nearly unbeatable. The Chiefs are simply as good as it gets in football, but these Bills will give them a good challenge, for a while. KC dispatched of Buffalo pretty easily in the regular season, but as mentioned earlier, the regular season means nothing here. Josh Allen and the Bills will make plays and this one will be close through the first three quarters until the Chiefs do what they do and pull ahead for good. This game should be great, but Andy Reid will once again get back to the Super Bowl with the most dynamic team in football.

Pick: Chiefs

Final Score: 34-20

***

Well, there you have it ladies and gentlemen, your potential conference champions. Although the Saints aren’t in the NFC title game this year, we’ll potentially have some players and story lines to root for or against this weekend. Leave us your picks, insight, and comments below.