Just like that, the NFL playoffs are reduced to four teams. Super Bowl LVIII is just around the corner, airing February 11th on CBS, Nickelodeon and Paramount+, and all that remains before the ultimate showdown are the conference championships.
Now that this weekend's action is officially in the books, the 49ers outlast the Packers, the Ravens move past the Texans and the Chiefs and Lions After Sunday's win, it's time to take a look at the AFC and NFC championship games that will decide this year's Super Bowl matchup. Below are all the details on how to tune in, as well as early odds, important notes and match predictions:
AFC Championship
Chiefs at Ravens
Date: Sunday, January 28th | Time: 3pm ET
TV: CBS | Electricity: Paramount+
Opening odds: Ravens -3.5
The matchup: Let's call it a heavyweight showdown. The Ravens enter the playoffs for the 11th time in 16 years under coach John Harbaugh, fresh off a trip to the AFC's top seed and quarterback Lamar Jackson's second MVP bid in four seasons. The Chiefs have now advanced to their sixth straight conference title game and are seeking a fourth Super Bowl bid in six years.
The talent: Baltimore is as complete as it gets, with Lamar Jackson adding improved passing efficiency to the already electrifying rushing game under center. His weapons are agile and quick, but more impressive is his defensive support, thanks to a Roquan Smith-led unit that gave up the fewest points of any team in 2023. The Chiefs still have the game's strongest QB in Patrick Mahomes, alongside the physical duo of ball carrier Isiah Pacheco and safety Travis Kelce. Additionally, they boast one of their best defenses of the Andy Reid era, with Chris Jones, L'Jarius Sneed and Justin Reid headlining the stingy unit.
The trip: The Ravens went 13-4 to win the AFC North for the first time since 2019 – earning them the No. 1 seed in the AFC – and then beat the surging Texans 34-10 in the divisional round. The Chiefs finished 11-6, their worst record in six years, but defeated the Dolphins 26-7 in the wild-card round before beating the Bills 27-2 in Mahomes' first-ever road playoff game. 24 defeated.
Early prediction: Many fans will choose Baltimore just to see someone other than the Chiefs compete for the Lombardi Trophy, and the Ravens defense certainly has the wherewithal to keep things close. But even with Lamar Jackson, Baltimore was inconsistent with the ball early in the game against Houston, and KC's “D” under Steve Spagnuolo was far stingier. Jackson's skill level rivals that of Mahomes, but like Tom Brady in his prime, No. 15 can't be written off. Choose: Chiefs 24, Ravens 20
NFC Championship
Lions at 49ers
Date: Sunday, January 28th | Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
TV: fox | Electricity: fubo
Opening odds: 49ers -7
The matchup: At least historically, it's about top dog versus underdog. The 49ers were an NFC powerhouse under Kyle Shanahan and reached their fourth conference title game in the last five years. The Lions, meanwhile, are making their first multi-game playoff run since 1991 and are also aiming for their first-ever Super Bowl appearance.
The talent: Both the 49ers and Lions were balanced in 2023, entering the playoffs with 2nd and 3rd ranked offenses in the NFL, respectively. San Francisco has two MVP candidates in second-year quarterback Brock Purdy and star running back Christian McCaffrey, and also boasts an opportunistic All-Star defense led by All-Pros Fred Warner and Charvarius Ward. Detroit has similarly relied on both running and playmaking, with Jared Goff enjoying a career renaissance as a point guard for an offense featuring playmakers like Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The trip: The 49ers went 12-5 that year and secured first place in the NFC, then survived a comeback attempt by the surging Packers with a 24-21 victory in the divisional round. The Lions went 12-5 to win the NFC North for the first time since 1993, then topped the Rams with a 24-23 wild-card win and finally beat the Buccaneers 31-23 to advance to the conference championship .
Early prediction: Detroit is a feel-good story that lives up to the preseason hype as a hard-nosed contender, and if Goff gets run support while feeding St. Brown early and often, the Lions are capable of an upset. But Goff has also been significantly less effective away from home than at home, and the 49ers tend to take advantage of defensive opportunities. While Purdy and Shanahan proved vulnerable in their decision-making against the Packers, the superior talent is the safer bet. Choose: 49ers 27, Lions 23