Welcome to part 3 of my 2021-22 NFL playoff predictions! Let's not go into how I definitely didn't go 0 for 4 on my Divisional predictions, and let's get right into the Championship predictions.
Only four remain, and there are now four possible Super Bowl LVI match-ups:
Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Rams
Cincinnati Bengals vs. San Francisco 49ers
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Rams
But which match-up will it be?
Let's find out.
AFC
#2 Kansas City Chiefs vs. #4 Cincinnati Bengals
If this match-up sounds familiar, it is.
It was an upset victory over the Chiefs that allowed the Bengals to clinch the AFC North. Now, the Bengals want to do it again and pounce into the Super Bowl.
It will not be easy. The Chiefs are fresh off an epic Divisional thriller victory over the Buffalo Bills, and Patrick Mahomes looks utterly unstoppable. Mahomes has only lost twice in the playoffs before, both times to Tom Brady. With Brady and the Buccaneers out, who will stop the Chiefs now?
Joe Burrow would like a say in this matter. Burrow and the Bengals are fresh off their own stunning upset victory over the #1 Titans, all thanks to a fierce defensive effort that forced three interceptions. This victory was made possible even with the Bengals' most glaring issue: the O-line. The O-line, held together by duct tape and thin air, collapsed repeatedly against the Titans, and Burrow was sacked nine times. I repeat, Burrow was sacked nine damn times and the Bengals still won.
If the Bengals can solve their O-line issues quickly, they will have a fighting chance. If not, this will get ugly. Fast. Mahomes and the Chiefs will show no mercy.
Prediction: Chiefs win, 35-21.
Result: Bengals win, 27-24 (OT).
Comments after the game:
Brady. Rodgers. Mahomes.
ALL ELIMINATED.
Against all odds, the Bengals have triumphed. Through relentless determination, the Bengals overcame a massive deficit to emerge victorious.
Stop for a moment and realize that two years ago, the Bengals won just TWO games in the regular season. Last season, just four wins. This season? Ten wins, the AFC North title, and a ticket to the Super Bowl.
WOW.
As for the Chiefs?
WHAT WAS THAT?
Mahomes and the Chiefs picked up where they left off against the Bills and surged to a 21-3 lead. The Bengals looked hapless, and the Chiefs scored touchdowns on three consecutive drives.
And that was effectively it.
It was 21-3.
IT.
WAS.
21.
TO.
3.
A spectacular Atlanta Falcons-level meltdown. In the first half, Mahomes was an unstoppable powerhouse. In the second half, Mahomes reverted back to early season form when the Chiefs were 3-4. What was that blunder of a play right before half time? The entire Chiefs offense folded, utterly and completely, only managing a single field goal to force overtime. And then in overtime, a cataclysmic interception sealed the fate of the Chiefs.
Now in playoff games, Mahomes has lost to Brady twice, and Burrow once. For the Chiefs, this defeat will sting for a long time.
For the Bengals, they are going to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1988!
NFC
#4 Los Angeles Rams vs. #6 San Francisco 49ers
Behold, the Battle of California.
The final NFC duel this season will be a battle of the NFC West, featuring two teams fresh off stunning victories over Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, respectively.
But even more bizarrely, the Rams won the NFC West despite losing twice to the 49ers.
The Rams want another shot at the Super Bowl, but if they do make it back, please do not create a stunning cure for insomnia instead. The Snooze Bowl must never happen again. Jared Goff is long gone, replaced with Matt Stafford. Stafford went years without even a playoff, and now only one win stands between him and his first Super Bowl appearance. The Rams have dangerous weapons in the form of Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr., and an especially dangerous defense lead by Aaron Donald and Von Miller. That said, the defense needs to actually hold on and not implode late in the game like they did against the Buccaneers.
But the 49ers just keep winning. First was the victory over the Dallas "forgot how clocks work" Cowboys, and then a shock upset victory over the Green Bay Packers. Now the 49ers want another shot at the Super Bowl to make up for their heartbreaking late implosion in Super Bowl LIV. Injuries have been a persistent issue for the 49ers, with Jimmy Garoppolo's shoulder being the greatest question mark. The 49ers certainly have potent weapons of their own in Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, complimented by a ferocious defense lead by Nick Bosa.
If you're looking for another game as thrilling as the Bill-Chiefs epic, this could be it. It will be a battle to the bitter end, but only one will survive.
Prediction: Rams win, 31-28.
Result: Rams win, 20-17.
Comments after the game:
So it turns out the Bengals-Chiefs epic was the proper sequel to the Bills-Chiefs epic, but the NFC Championship was a tense affair nonetheless. This was not a terribly high-scoring game, and took a while to get going after a scoreless first quarter. There were signs the 49ers were gunning for a third consecutive upset, but third time was the curse on this day. Just like in Super Bowl LIV, the 49ers collapsed in the fourth quarter, surrendering a ten point lead and coughing up a brutal late interception to seal their fate. Kyle Shanahan will never catch a break, will he?
For the second year in a row, the Super Bowl stadium will feature its home team!
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