Ride home teams to wins against spread
Top wagering picks for NFL championship games this weekend based on lines from BetMGM:
Lions at 49ers
The 49ers didn’t have a very convincing win in their last game, beating the Green Bay Packers by three at home in the divisional round. However, it was a rainy day, and QB Brock Purdy missed several big plays. Their performance might change in the championship round as conditions improve. Purdy did have a gutsy game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. That said, one thing that’s been key for the 49ers’ attack this season has been a dominant offensive line, and the Lions’ strength on defense is their pass rush.
San Francisco can neutralize that rush and should be able to drive with ease. Detroit has allowed 20 or more points in five straight games. San Francisco finished third in the NFL in lowest opponents’ point total per game and has a far better defense. It forced the Packers into multiple turnovers. The 49ers had a much better turnover margin than the Lions.
The Lions are a great story, but they won’t have the firepower to keep pace with a San Francisco attack that has a variety of playmakers and has consistently proved itself to be among the most dynamic in the NFL. Detroit beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 in the divisional round, but it allowed 349 passing yards and three touchdowns to Baker Mayfield. Purdy and company will be a different beast and should keep ample pressure on the Detroit attack.
Expect a strong home performance from one of the Super Bowl favorites and back 49ERS (-7).
Chiefs at Ravens
The Chiefs may have beat the Bills in Buffalo, but they played far from a flawless game. Buffalo ended with just 186 passing yards and looked more onedimensional than it had over the last few months. Baltimore will be harder to stop. Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes had just 215 passing yards and 17 completions against a highly beaten-up Buffalo defense. He’ll need to do better than that against Baltimore, which has the best defense in the NFL.
Baltimore ended the season fifth in lowest opponents’ completion percentage allowed and near the top of the NFL in turnover margin per game. The Ravens are a complete team and elite on both sides of the ball.
They held the Houston Texans to 10 points. Baltimore’s defense can stop Kansas City, and Baltimore’s offense has yet to show many flaws itself.
The Ravens were 10-5 against the spread (ATS) this season as a favorite and were 6-3 ATS as a home favorite. They have elite coaching and a superior defense. While Kansas City is experienced and has the capability to come out on top, it doesn’t have a defense quite like Baltimore, and that side of the ball should carry it to the Super Bowl and to cover the spread. Back the