NFL Conference Championship Betting Outlook

The 2023 NFL Conference Championships are set following an exciting weekend of playoff football. The Cincinnati Bengals will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of last year’s conference championship matchup in the AFC. This looks to be a highly entertaining contest, with a ticket to the Super Bowl on the line.

AFC Championship Game

The AFC Championship game promises to be one of the season’s best contests as the Bengals look to beat the Chiefs for the second straight year. Last year’s meeting saw the Bengals outlast the Chiefs in a thrilling 27-24 overtime victory. However, the Chiefs will be looking to punch their own ticket to the Super Bowl this time, and the Bengals will have to fight even harder.

The Bengals are coming off a very convincing 27-10 over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round. The Bengals delivered on the betting odds by taking the game to the Bills early.

Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 242 yards and added two touchdown passes. Running back Joe Mixon also had a good day with 105 rushing yards on 20 carries. On the defensive side, defensive back Cam Taylor pitched in with one interception.

Overall, the Bengals are poised to make it to their second straight Super Bowl. However, they are currently the moneyline underdogs.

The Kansas City Chiefs are also looking to make another Super Bowl appearance after failing last season. This will be their fifth straight conference championship and an NFL record that’s a testament to the Chiefs’ all-around game. Kansas City won a close matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional Round to advance, holding on following a push from the Jags in the fourth quarter.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a relatively quiet day, throwing 195 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Isaiah Pacheco added 95 rushing yards on 12 carries, and defensive back Jaylen Watson pitched in with an interception.

However, the biggest question mark for the Chiefs is Mahomes. Mahomes suffered an ankle injury in the Jags game and is questionable for this matchup against the Bengals. Mahomes will play unless the injury is severe enough that backup Chad Henne will have to be put into action.

In a close contest, the Bengals beat the Chiefs 27-24 in Week 13. If Mahomes’ injury keeps him from playing on Sunday, the Bengals might have a good chance of returning to the Super Bowl.

Here are the odds for this matchup:

• Moneyline: Cincinnati Bengals (-105), Kansas City Chiefs (-115).
• Spread: Cincinnati Bengals +1 (-110), Kansas City Chiefs -1 (-110)
• Total Points: O47.5 (-110) U47.5 (-110)

Expect the Chiefs to top the Bengals by less than a field goal in a matchup similar to their Week 13 clash.

* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.