There are simply 4 groups left to struggle it out for a spot within the Tremendous Bowl with the NFL Convention Championship video games arising on Sunday.
It’s Convention Championship weekend within the NFL with 4 groups combating for a spot within the Tremendous Bowl at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 8.
The Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots within the AFC at 8pm on Sunday earlier than the NFC conflict which sees the Los Angeles Rams visiting the Seattle Seahawks at 11.30pm.
We’ve picked out our two favorite bets for every recreation on what needs to be a brilliant Sunday of NFL motion.
NFL Convention Championship Sport finest bets
- Denver Broncos +4.5 vs New England Patriots) @ 10/11
- Nik Bonitto (Den) and Jonathan Cooper (Den) each to report 1+ sacks (vs New England Patriots) @ 3/1
- Los Angeles Rams +2.5 vs Seattle Seahawks @ 10/11
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Sea) and AJ Barner (Sea) each to get 50+ receiving yards (vs LA Rams) @ 15/4
Denver nonetheless harmful regardless of Nix harm
The Denver Broncos are the primary seeds within the AFC and have residence benefit of their convention championship showdown with the New England Patriots, however they’re the underdogs after beginning quarterback Bo Nix suffered a damaged ankle in final week’s dramatic divisional-round win over the Buffalo Payments.
The Broncos received 33-30 after additional time in opposition to a harmful Payments group however will now have to start out their back-up QB Jarrett Stidham in opposition to the Patriots. Stidham was drafted by New England in 2019 however has spent the final three seasons with the Broncos. He made two begins within the 2023 season however didn’t throw a move within the common season this yr.
Even so, the Broncos didn’t typically depend on Nix magic for his or her success this season, which principally got here via their spectacular defence and that is still intact.
As such, Sean Payton’s group ought to nonetheless have probability of a minimum of overlaying the handicap as underdogs. They’ve received 9 of their 10 residence video games this season and, whereas the Patriots have excelled on the highway, successful all eight of their regular-season away video games, they are going to be heading into a tricky atmosphere at Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive.
The Patriots have had two comparatively snug residence wins thus far within the playoffs, beating the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 and the Houston Texans 28-16, however they want one other large effort if they’re to get previous a feisty Broncos group.
Tip: Denver Broncos +4.5 vs New England Patriots) @ 10/11
Broncos pass-rush ought to have some success
The Broncos led the NFL in sacks within the common season, taking down opposing quarterbacks 68 instances, which was 11 greater than another group.
They sacked Josh Allen of the Payments thrice final week however may have much more success in opposition to a Patriots offensive line which has struggled to guard Drake Maye in opposition to among the higher pass-rushes that they’ve confronted.
As such, taking Betway’s particular for Denver defensive stars Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper to every have a sack within the recreation could possibly be worthwhile.
Bonitto has excelled for the Broncos with 13.5 sacks in 2024 and 14 within the common season this yr and he had one of many sacks of Allen final week.
Cooper didn’t get residence final Sunday however he had eight sacks within the common season and his velocity getting off the road of scrimmage makes him an actual menace.
Maye has been sacked 5 instances in every of his two playoff appearances this yr and could possibly be in for a tricky time in Denver.
Tip: Nik Bonitto (Den) and Jonathan Cooper (Den) each to report 1+ sacks @ 3/1
Rams able to rumble in Seattle
The NFC Championship recreation would be the third assembly this season between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks and the primary two have been each shut and entertaining encounters.
The Rams received the primary assembly at SoFi Stadium in Week 11 by 21-19 with their defence intercepting 4 passes from Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold.
The Seahawks dramatically acquired their revenge in Week 17, getting back from a 16-point deficit within the fourth quarter earlier than edging residence 38-37 in additional time due to a two-point conversion.
That end result helped them to earn the NFC primary seed and so they crushed the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 at Lumen Discipline final week.
The Rams have had a harder route, happening the highway to beat the Carolina Panthers and the Chicago Bears within the playoffs, however head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford have received a Tremendous Bowl collectively and that have could possibly be important.
McVay’s group are getting solely a small handicap begin of two.5 factors however that will have been sufficient for them to cowl in each of the regular-season conferences and it may make the distinction in what could possibly be one other shut contest in Seattle on Sunday.
Tip: Los Angeles Rams +2.5 vs Seattle Seahawks @ 10/11
Seahawks set to take aerial route
The Seahawks are lacking one in every of their offensive weapons for his or her recreation in opposition to the Rams with working again Zach Charbonnet, who scored 12 dashing touchdowns this season, dominated out by a knee harm.
Kenneth Walker III will carry extra of the load within the floor recreation because of this however Seattle may even depend on two key pass-catchers and it may pay to again broad receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and tight finish AJ Barner to every attain 50 receiving yards.
Smith-Njigba had 50 or extra yards in 16 of his 17 regular-season video games and whereas he had solely 19 in opposition to the 49ers final week, their passing recreation was barely wanted after they blasted into a transparent early lead.
Barner has performed a much bigger function for the Seahawks this yr. He had his finest recreation of the season within the first assembly with the Rams, catching 10 passes for 70 yards and was just one yard in need of his goal for this guess when he had 49 of their Week 16 recreation.
Tip: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Sea) and AJ Barner (Sea) each to get 50+ receiving yards (vs LA Rams) @ 15/4