Bold predictions for 2023 NFC, AFC championship games: Eagles torch 49ers; Burrow, Chase can’t be stopped

We’re now in the NFL’s Final 4, and by the end of the day, we’ll see what happens in Super Bowl LVII in Arizona.

As usual, expect crazy things to happen when these conference championship games begin. So let’s make another bold prediction here. Three in both the NFC and AFC title games.

NFC Championship Games: 49ers so eagles

Brock Purdy struggles hard and unleashes two interceptions

Brock Purdy has accomplished something miraculous: going 7-0 as the last pick and third-string quarterback in 2022, the San Francisco 49ers are starting quarterbacks and have posted a 116.0 record in that span since Week 14. Recorded passer rating. This is his highest in the NFL and highest passer rating by his 49ers player in his seven games since 1996-97 Hall of Famer Steve Young. It’s amazing. One of his most impressive traits is his security on the ball in the playoffs, with 14 touchdowns in his passes and only his two interceptions.

But Purdy’s flawless run came to a halt in a crash on Sunday against the Eagles in Philadelphia as he went up in flames with 75, the team with the most sacks in football this season, including the playoffs. (third most common among singles). Including the postseason he has the best season in NFL history) and his second highest pressure rate in the NFL (39%). The rookie performed well under pressure in his first six starts, and under pressure he recorded a passer his rating of 121.2.

But when she faced Defensive Player of the Year finalist Micah Parsons, dallas cowboys Up front, Purdy wilted when he was under pressure with a 39.6 passer rating, as he was only able to complete 3 of his 11 passes. The Eagles’ pass rush isn’t primarily focused on one player, so the 49ers’ offensive line should have an even harder time containing it. We have 4 players. Linebacker Herson Reddick (16.0), defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (11.0), defensive end Josh He Sweat (11.0), and defensive end Brandon Graham (11.0). history.

* Eagles: Second highest pressure rate (39%) and most sacks (75) this season

When Purdy makes his eighth career start on Sunday, he will become the fifth rookie quarterback to join Shawn King in 1999 to start a conference championship game. buccaneersBen Roethlisberger in 2004 SteelersJoe Flacco in 2008 ravensand Mark Sanchez in 2009 jetThese quarterbacks went 0-4 on aggregate while throwing four passing touchdowns and an interception. Purdy runs that record to his 0-5 and adds 2-3 more interceptions to that cumulative box his score.

Jalen Hurts has 4 total TDs for over 350 total yards

The 49ers’ defense is the best in the NFL in terms of scoring — 16.3 points allowed per game, total yardage (300.6 total yards per game) Bosa (18.5), creating pressure and stacking the sack. That defense is going to be a bit of a whiplash after coming up against a Dallas Cowboys team that played mostly without their best running back (Tony Pollard) and quarterback Dak Prescott a week ago. Eyes on one wide receiverShidi Ram.

This week’s challenge to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jaylen Hurts is one of only three quarterbacks in NFL history to total 3,500-plus passing yards and 750-plus rushing yards in a single season. Presenting an entirely different host to San Francisco’s vaunted defense as the dual of the . -threat. Additionally, the Eagles are able to mitigate the 49ers’ prolific pass rush with the best offensive line in football.

The success of the Eagles’ offensive line this season

• The individual offensive linemen combined had the fewest sacks (14) and the lowest pressure percentage (3.5%) this season.

• Center Jason Kelce and right tackle Lane Johnson have disallowed two sacks.

• 1st in pass block grade and 3rd in run block grade according to Pro Football Focus

• Entire Offensive Line Selected to the Pro Bowl or Selected as an Alternate

The Hearts and Eagles are one of the NFL’s most multifaceted offenses. In five of Jalen Hurts’ last six starts, he has gained 300-plus passing yards or 200-plus rushing yards. In short, they have alternately beaten teams in the air and on the ground. The air seems to move this week.

Eagles yardage in Hearts starts since Week 12

Another reason the Hearts were able to gain yards so quickly on Sunday is that they led the NFL in passing touchdowns and passer ratings for 25+ yards downfield (50%) this season. On the flip side, the 49ers have one of the worst deep pass defenses in the league, and he ranks no higher than 25th in all of the aforementioned categories.

Pass at least 25 yards downfield this season, including playoffs

* Leads the NFL. ** Ranked 25th or lower in the NFL

Between good protection up front and a vulnerable 49ers secondary, Jalen Hurts rolls for 4 total touchdowns and over 350 total yards against the 49ers.

AJ Brown TDs over 150 yards, nothing to complain about

AJ Brown seemed visibly upset Eagles bystanders in the midst of Philadelphia blowing away new york giants Division round, 38-7. He had only 3 catches for 22 receiving yards on run-heavy approaches that night. But his 1,496 receiving yards this season set his single-season record for the Eagles and will put a big smile on Brown’s face as he faces the aforementioned susceptible 49ers secondary. prize.

He has seven receiving touchdowns for 25 or more air yards this season, making him the second-most player in a season since air yards were first tracked in 2006.

Receiving TDs with throws of 25+ yards downfield since 2006

This season, the 49ers have been struggling to keep up with opposing wideouts all season as they rank below 25th in many categories in addition to subpar pass defense. Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts, Brown and Devonta Smith became the first Eagles receivers as his duo to each exceed his 1,000 receiving yards in the same season in team history.

NFL rankings for this season’s WRs

The 49ers have allowed opponents’ top wide receivers to exceed 100 yards in three of their last four games, despite being the league’s leading scoring and total yardage defense. Brown does so easily, grabbing a touchdown or two.

100-yard wide receivers vs. 49ers after Week 17

AFC Championship Game: bengals so Chiefs

Travis Kelce sets postseason single-game receptions record

Everyone on the planet knows that 2022 First Team All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce will catch a lot of passes when there’s a Kansas City Chiefs football game. He has led all his tight ends in catches (110), receiving yards (1,338) and receiving touchdowns (12) this season, making him the most prolific postseason passer in NFL history. He’s becoming one of his catchers.

His 120 playoff receptions are second all-time to GOAT’s Jerry Rice (120). His 1,389 his playoff receiving yards are tied with Rob Gronkowski for the third most all-time. His 14 receiving touchdowns are the third-most in history, but he’s just two scores away from jumping to second place behind Rice in that category.

Kelce caught 14 passes, the third-most in playoff game history, one short of the one-game record for 98 yards and two touchdowns. jacksonville jaguarswith Mahomes less than 100%Kelsey eventually broke the NFL’s all-time single-game catch record with 20 receptions. , dropping one previous record. Denver Broncos Receiver Brandon Marshall’s 21 means he colts Week 14 of the 2009 season.

Ja’Marr Chase torches KC again (10 catches, 200 yards, 2 touchdowns)

Only one wide receiver has dominated the Chiefs like Ja’Marr Chase: Hall of Famer Lance Alworth. The Bengal connection between Joe Burrow and Chase is one Kansas City has yet to slow down in the team’s last three meetings, all with Cincinnati winning. Burrow completed more than 80% of his passes to former college teammates for over 400 yards and his four touchdowns in his third straight win over Bengals’ Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. bottom.

Joe Burrow eyeing Jamar Chase vs. Chiefs

* Most yards recorded by any player in a three-game span with the Chiefs since Lance Alworth in 1965-66

Chase’s three-game dominance in the Chiefs’ secondary includes what Hall of Famer John Stallworth accomplished in a best-of-three-game stretch against Kansas City and Hall of Famer John Elway’s top wideout Rod Smith’s It was more prolific than Best 3 Games. -Gamespan with AFC West rivals.

Most yards received in a 3-game span against the Chiefs*

*Including playoffs

The Chiefs’ secondary allowed the most passing touchdowns (33) in the league this regular season and had the second-highest red zone touchdown percentage (67.3%). Indianapolis Colts (67.9%). Facing him one of the most questionable secondaries in the NFL, the Burrow-to-Chase connection will hit hard again and again on Sunday.

Burrow throws the winning TD with under 13 seconds remaining, not giving Mahomes enough time

Last season in the postseason, Patrick Mahomes led Kansas City to march down the field to secure an AFC Division Round matchup. buffalo bills After a Josh Allen touchdown pass gave the Bills a 36-33 lead with 13 seconds remaining. Lightning usually doesn’t hit him twice, but not this postseason. The game, like the previous three Bengals versus Chiefs, was tied late in the fourth quarter when Joe Burrow threw his pass for a touchdown with 11 seconds remaining to break the tie and give the Bengals a seven-point edge. . Mahomes pitched Kansas City against Buffalo as he was able to get into his goal range on the field in 13 seconds, but could not travel the entire length of the field in about the same amount of time. Thanks to Joe Cool, the Bengals will lift Lamar his hunt his trophy at his stadium in Arrowhead for the second year in a row.