Tag: NFL

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May Day, Naomi Judd, NFL Draft, Trevor Noah: Biggest news you missed

May Day, Naomi Judd, NFL Draft, Trevor Noah: Biggest news you missed

Ukraine evacuations underway in Mariupol

The evacuation of Ukraine’s war-battered town of Mariupol was declared safe on Sunday, and residents were urged to flee to Zaporozhye, 140 miles to the west, authorities stated. Scores of civilians, which include some women of all ages and kids, had been evacuated more than the weekend from in and all over the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, the Russian state-operate Tass media outlet reported Sunday. Up to 2,000 Ukrainian fighters and an approximated 1,000 civilians continue to be in and all around the plant, the very last important holdout in the city. It’s unclear how lots of civilians continue being in Mariupol, trapped with little food, drinking water or utilities. Worldwide estimates have set the range at 100,000 Mayor Vadym Boychenko mentioned Sunday the quantity is a lot higher. 

Dwelling Speaker Nancy Pelosi achieved with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy through a take a look at to the country’s embattled funds, Kyiv. Pelosi, second in line to do well the president, is the maximum-rating American leader to visit Ukraine considering that the get started of the war, and her pay a visit to marks a big present of continuing assist for the country’s battle versus Russia.

  • ‘We do not want to be involved’: As horror unfolds in Ukraine, most of the globe is just not punishing Putin
In this image released by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office on Sunday, May 1, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, centre right, and U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi shake hands during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, April 30, 2022. Pelosi, second in line to the presidency after the vice president, is the highest-ranking American leader to visit Ukraine since the start of the war, and her visit marks a major show of continuing support for the country's struggle against Russia.

Biden speaks at White Dwelling Correspondents’ Affiliation meal

The yearly White Household Correspondents’ Affiliation dinner returned Saturday immediately after a two-calendar year COVID hiatus, with President Joe Biden in attendance as the to start with president in six many years to take an invitation. Biden took the possibility to make light-weight of the criticism he has faced in his 18 months in workplace, aiming jokes at Donald Trump, the Republican Bash and members of the push. Trevor Noah, host of “The Each day Display,” hosted the event and spoke soon after Biden. Celebs, together with Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson, were also in attendance, when Vice President Kamala Harris stayed dwelling soon after screening beneficial for COVID-19 before this 7 days. 

President Joe Biden speaks at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner, Saturday, April 30, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Quarterbacks slide in surprising NFL draft 

The occasion that was the 2022 NFL draft is in the publications and it integrated a bold move at the to start with overall choose, a stunning trade and some intriguing very first-spherical picks. Interest in this year’s crop of quarterbacks was tepid at very best. Once the 3-working day occasion wrapped up on Saturday, some longsuffering groups like the New York Jets acquired best marks in United states Today Sports’ ridiculously untimely draft grades. The Baltimore Ravens also found themselves among the draft winners, even though New England Patriots coach Invoice Belichick ranked among the losers. And even nevertheless this year’s draft just finished, it is not much too early to consider a seem at who could be the entrance-runners to be the No. 1 decide on in the 2023 draft.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars Ð DE Travon Walker, Georgia

Genuine speedy

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NFL reveals home teams for 2022 international games, plus Kyler Murray makes contract demand

NFL reveals home teams for 2022 international games, plus Kyler Murray makes contract demand

Welcome to the Monday edition of the Pick Six newsletter!

Someone must have just told the NFL that it’s the last day of February, because it feels like the league tried to cram as much news as possible in today before the calendar flips to March. For one, the league revealed the five teams that will be hosting international games this year.

For 2022, not only will we have three London games and one game in Mexico City, but there will also be a game in Germany for the first time ever and the Buccaneers will be the home team. If the game is scheduled to be played during Oktoberfest, there is a 100{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} chance I will be volunteering to cover it, and if I get sent, there’s also a 100{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} chance I will be volunteering to taste every beer at Oktoberfest. 

Besides the international news, Kyler Murray also made some headlines on Monday by demanding a contract from the Cardinals even though he has two years left on his current contract. I feel like that situation is going to get a little awkward. 

We’ll be covering Murray and the international stuff today, so let’s get to the rundown. 

As always, here’s your weekly reminder to tell all your friends to sign up for the newsletter. All you have to do is click here and then share the link. Alright, let’s get to the rundown. 

1. Today’s show: Monday Mailbag!

During the NFL offseason, we like to spice things up each week on the Pick Six Podcast by adding a listener mailbag every Monday. 

Our mailbag episodes are pretty simple: We read listener questions during the show and then answer as many of those questions as possible. Questions can be about literally anything. I mean, I’m pretty sure there was one time where we spent 10 minutes debating the best national restaurant chain and all I’m going to say about that is that I live roughly two miles away from a Chilis and I eat there way more than I probably should. 

Anyway, if you want to submit a question, all you have to do is go to Apple Podcasts (click here) and leave a five-star review that includes your question. 

Here’s one question that we answered in today’s mailbag: 

Q: Does defense still win championships? The past two Super Bowls seem to support that, but Kansas City’s Super Bowl win was fueled by an offensive resurgence in the fourth quarter. Should teams thus invest more in defenses?

A: If I were an NFL general manager — which will probably be my next career move after I retire from newsletter writing — I’d try to build a team that isn’t overly dependent on either side of the ball. If you build a team that relies completely on its offense and that offense disappears for one game in the playoffs, then you’re likely going to lose (The Chiefs’ offense in the second half of the AFC title game is exhibit A of that). If you build a team that’s completely reliant on its defense and that defense implodes in a game, you’re likely going to lose. The best example of this from 2021 is the Buffalo Bills. They had the best defense in the league by nearly every metric, but then that defense got torched by the Chiefs in the divisional round and Buffalo got sent home packing from the playoffs. 

One stat that has been a good indicator of playoff performance is point differential. In eight of the past nine years, the team that has won the Super Bowl has ranked in the top six in point differential in the regular season. To have a high point differential, you usually need an offense that can score and a defense that’s not getting lit up every week. I think what I’m trying to say is that defense can help you win championships, but it’s unlikely you’re going to win one with a team built completely around the defense (like the 1985 Bears), so going that route would be risky in this day and age where nearly every rule favors the offense. 

When I inevitably get that general managing job, I’ll probably invest 58{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of my salary cap on offense and 42{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} on defense. Obviously, that leaves zero percent for special teams, so that’s something I’ll clearly have to figure out between now and when I get hired. 

To listen to the rest of the mailbag, be sure to click here. You can also watch today’s episode on YouTube by clicking here and you’ll definitely want to do that since it’s just me and Will Brinson answering random questions.  

2. NFL reveals home teams for 2022 international games


Getty Images

The NFL will be playing a total of five international games in 2022 and we already know the home teams in each of those games because the league revealed them on Monday. The five international games will be tied for the most that the NFL has ever played in a single season. 

Here’s a look at the five teams that will be headed abroad: 

  • Buccaneers headed to Munich. The NFL’s first regular-season game ever in Germany will feature the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This will be Tampa Bay’s fourth trip to Europe with the three prior games all being played in London. 
  • Cardinals headed to Mexico City. Back in 2005, the Cardinals became the first NFL team to play a regular-season game outside the United States when they hosted a game in Mexico City, and now, they’ll be making their return 17 years later. The Cardinals have been the NFL’s unofficial international guinea pigs over the course of their existence. Not only did they play in the first regular-season game outside of the U.S., but they also played in the first preseason game outside North America in 1976 (Japan) and the first preseason game ever in Europe in 1983 (London). 
  • Packers headed to London (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium). The NFL has been sending teams to London for 14 years and over that time, 31 of the league’s 32 teams had made the trip abroad. The only team that still hasn’t played in London is the Packers, but that drought will finally be coming to an end. 
  • Saints headed to London (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium). For the third time in franchise history, the Saints are headed to England. The Saints have a 2-0 all-time record in London with a win over the Chargers in 2008 and a victory over the Dolphins in 2017. If they moved all their games to London, they’d probably never lose again. I think that’s how that works. 
  • Jaguars headed to London (Wembley Stadium). No surprise here. The Jaguars are the closest thing the NFL has to a team being based in London. The Jags have gone to London in every season since 2013 and that streak will continue this year. 

We won’t know who each of these teams will be playing until the schedule comes out in the spring. One other notable aspect of the international games this year is that 2022 marks the beginning of a rotation that will see every NFL team play at least one international game every eight years. 

3. Kyler Murray wants a new contract

If someone you’re in a relationship with deletes you from one of their social media accounts, that’s usually a sign that maybe things aren’t going so well and that appears to be the case with Kyler Murray and the Cardinals. Less than three weeks ago, Murray deleted every Cardinals-related picture from his Instagram account and it appears we now know why: He wants a new contract.  

Murray’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, released a lengthy statement on Monday and I read the entire thing so that you don’t have to. 

Here are the details on the statement: 

  • Murray wants to stay in Arizona with a catch. “He absolutely wants to be your long-term quarterback. He desperately wants to win the Super Bowl,” the statement notes. However, the statement also notes that for the Cards to win a Super Bowl, it will take “incredible commitment” from the organization implying that maybe the team hasn’t shown that incredible commitment just yet. 
  • Burkhardt has already sent a contract proposal to the Cardinals. Murray’s agent noted in the statement that the QB wants a contract that, “Provides financial protection, is in-line with the current QB market that compares his results alongside relevant comps, lowers his 2022-23 salary camp number to allow the Cardinals to re-sign other deserving teammates and add additional free agents.”
  • Burkhardt basically called out the Cardinals to get a deal done. “Actions speak much louder than words in this volatile business. It is now simply up to the Cardinals to decide if they prioritize their rapidly improving, 24-year-old, already 2x Pro Bowl QB, who led the organization from 3 wins before his arrival to 11 wins and their first playoff appearance in 5 years, or rather, if they choose to financially prioritize committing to other areas and continuing to merely talk about addressing Kyler’s long-term future as their QB.” 
  • The Cardinals apparently haven’t responded to the proposal. According to Kyle Odegard, who used to write for the team’s official website, Murray’s camp sent in the contract proposal more than a week-and-a-half ago, but the Cards still haven’t responded. 
  • Murray is eligible for a new contract for the first time in his career. Under rules of the collective bargaining agreement, a first-round pick isn’t eligible for a contract extension until after playing three seasons, so this year marks the first time that Murray is eligible for an extension. That being said, teams don’t generally rush to make a deal with a QB who’s only been in the league for three years. No QB has ever gotten a deal before May 15 following his third season in the league.  Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson, Josh Allen, Carson Wentz and Jared Goff all got extended after their third year, but those extensions didn’t happen until June or later. 
  • The Lamar Jackson factor. The Ravens QB has been much more successful in his NFL career, but he still hasn’t gotten an extension done with the Ravens. Murray might be rushing to get a deal done BEFORE Jackson because he knows that asking for more money than the Ravens QB would look borderline ridiculous considering that Jackson has an MVP and a playoff win under his belt, two things that Murray doesn’t have. 

Murray has put the Cardinals in an impossible spot and it will be interesting to see if they respond by giving him an extension right away or if they milk this thing out until later in the offseason. 

4. AFC North team needs: Bengals need to fix their two biggest weaknesses

Over the course of this week, we’ll be covering the offseason needs for each team by going through each division and today we’re going to be going over the AFC North. 

With that in mind, Bryan DeArdo went through every team in the division and made a list of their biggest needs to fill this offseason. 

BENGALS
Top-five needs (in no particular order): CB, C, OG, OT, LB
DeArdo’s take: Anyone who watched the Super Bowl saw the Bengals’ two biggest weaknesses. Expect the Bengals to address their offensive line in both free agency as well as during the NFL Draft. Speaking of the draft, our four CBS Sports NFL Draft experts have Cincinnati selecting either a lineman or a cornerback with the 31st overall pick.

BROWNS
Top-five needs: WR, DT, LB, C, EDGE
DeArdo’s take: With Jarvis Landry’s future uncertain, the Browns need to be proactive as it relates to adding to their receiving corps. Receivers who are slated to hit the market include Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin, Will Fuller, Jamison Crowder, T.Y. Hilton, JuJu Smith-Schuster, DJ Chark, Michael Gallup, Demarcus Robinson, and Richie James. Don’t be surprised if the Browns spent the 13th overall pick on a receiver. 

RAVENS
Top-five needs: OT, LB, EDGE, DT
DeArdo’s take: Baltimore’s inability to protect their quarterback and apply pressure on others were two of their biggest issues in 2021. The Ravens’ O-line, which played all but one game without Ronnie Stanley, finished 21st in Pro Football Focus’ end-of-season ranking. The Ravens also may be preparing for an overhaul on their defensive line, as Brandon Williams and Calais Campbell are entering free agency. Baltimore will surely be in the market for a pass-rush specialist when free agency begins. 

STEELERS
Top-five needs: QB, OT, OG, CB, DT
DeArdo’s take: Regardless of whom the Steelers’ quarterback is, they need to apply him with a strong offensive line and a formidable receiving corps. DJ Chark would be a nice complement to Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. Pittsburgh will likely draft a receiver as well as multiple offensive linemen. The Steelers will likely also use free agency to add to their offensive line.

If you want to see the full explanation for each team’s needs, then be sure to click here. 

5. Dolphins wanted Sean Payton (as coach) and Tom Brady (as a minority owner) in 2022


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The Miami Dolphins had a grand plan for 2022 that involved bringing both Sean Payton and Tom Brady to South Beach, but like most things involving the Dolphins, none of it ended up working out.

Here’s what we know about the dream team that owner Stephen Ross was trying to build: 

  • Dolphins wanted to hire Payton. According to Pro Football Talk, after firing Flores in late January, Miami decided to call up the Saints to try to work out a deal for Sean Payton. The Dolphins made the call after Payton resigned, but before the Brian Flores lawsuit. The Dolphins never got to talk to Payton, though, because the Saints turned down Miami’s request to work out a trade. Although he’s out of football right now, Payton is currently under contract with the Saints, so if he does eventually want to return to the NFL with a different team, that new team will have to make a trade with New Orleans. 
  • Dolphins also wanted to bring in Tom Brady. The Dolphins were hoping to land Brady not as their QB of the future, but as a key minority owner. However, the team has put the idea of adding Brady on hold because there’s a chance he could return to the NFL. Once it becomes clear that he’s going to stay retired, the Dolphins will likely once again put on the full-court press and try to get him to sign on as a minority owner. 

Brady is still under contract with the Buccaneers, so any team that wants him to play quarterback would have to work out a deal with Tampa Bay. However, if a team wants him to join their ownership group, they wouldn’t have to work anything out with the Bucs. 

6. Rapid-fire roundup: Buccaneers hit with surprise retirement

It’s been a busy 24 hours in the NFL, and since it’s nearly impossible to keep track of everything that happened, I went ahead and put together a roundup for you. 

  • Buccaneers hit with surprise retirement. The Buccaneers were hit with a shocking retirement on Sunday when starting guard Ali Marpet decided to call it quits at the age of 28. Marpet was a key part of Tampa Bay’s offensive line and had been with the Buccaneers since 2015 when they took a huge risk by making him a second-round pick out of a D-III school (Hobart). The Buccaneers could be in for a total offensive rebuild this year. Not only are they losing Marpet and Brady, but they could also lose center Ryan Jensen and right guard Alex Cappa, who will both be free agents. 
  • Changes could be coming to NFL overtime. The Colts have submitted a proposal that would call for a change to the NFL’s overtime rules. Under Indy’s proposal, each team would get a possession in OT. This proposal will likely be voted on at the league meetings, which run March 27-30 in Florida. To become a rule, a proposal needs at least 24 of the league’s 32 owners to vote for it. 
  • Sean McVay passes up $100 million TV offer to keep Rams job. Sean McVay turned down some serious money to return to the Rams. According to the New York Post, Amazon was set to offer McVay a contract worth up to $100 million over five years. McVay confirmed on Friday that he would definitely be returning to the Rams for the 2022 season. He’s also in line to get a huge raise with the Rams expected to give him an extension “soon,” according to ESPN.com. 
  • Amazon now eyeing Kirk Herbstreit. With Amazon getting “Thursday Night Football” for the 2022 season, the internet giant has been busy looking for a color analyst. After getting turned down by Troy Aikman and Sean McVay, it appears Amazon is now going after ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit. According to the New York Post, there’s a chance Herbstreit could end up doing NFL games for Amazon while still fulfilling his normal college obligations for ESPN. 
  • Bengals starter played in Super Bowl with torn labrum. Cincinnati linebacker Logan Wilson had surgery on a torn labrum last week. The shoulder injury actually caused him to miss three games this season, but he then returned in Week 17 for the Bengals’ huge win over the Chiefs. Wilson played a total of five games with the injury, including all four postseason games.  
  • Matt Corral won’t throw at the combine. One of the top quarterbacks in this year’s class has decided that he won’t be throwing at the combine this week. According to NFL.com, Corral made that decision because he’s still recovering from a sprained ankle that he suffered in the Sugar Bowl.

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What time are NFL playoff games today? TV schedule, channels for AFC, NFC championship games

The championship round of playoff games will have a lofty bar to clear to top last weekend’s slate of games.

The NFL’s divisional round featured each of its four games ending in a walk-off score, with the Bengals, 49ers and Rams each winning via a field goal and the Chiefs walking off the Bills in overtime on a touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce.

But this weekend’s slate of games, which will decide the two teams headed to the Super Bowl, are sure to continue delivering on what has already been a thrilling postseason. Cincinnati and Kansas City square off in the AFC Championship in a battle of two of the game’s highest powered offenses, led by a pair of dynamic young quarterbacks in Joe Burrow and Mahomes. In the NFC, the 49ers and Rams ended the regular season in an overtime battle, and should pick up where they left off in Los Angeles and give fans another exciting NFC West matchup.

Sporting News has you covered with all the information you need to know to watch the AFC and NFC championship games on Sunday.

MORE: Watch NFL playoff games live with fuboTV (free trial)

What time are the NFL playoff games today?

Game 1

  • Date: Jan. 30, 2022
  • Matchup: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals
  • Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.
  • Start time: 3 p.m. ET

Game 2

  • Date: Jan. 30, 2022
  • Matchup: Rams vs. 49ers
  • Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.
  • Start time: 6:30 p.m. ET

Sunday’s championship matchups begins with what should be yet another high-scoring affair in Kansas City.

The Chiefs and Bengals ranked fourth (4,791) and seventh (4,403) in team passing yards in 2021 and each ranked in the top 10 in scoring. Even beyond the quarterbacks, both teams offer some of the game’s most electric offensive weapons, with Kansas City boasting Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce and Cincinnati countering with Ja’Marr Chase, Joe Mixon, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.

The two teams last faced off against one another in Cincinnati in Week 17. The Bengals came back from a 28-17 halftime deficit to beat Kansas City 34-31 and claim the AFC North title, with Chase having an explosive game with 266 receiving yards and three touchdowns, while Burrow passed for 446 yards and four scores.

The NFC West clash wraps up the day of title games and will send one of the NFC’s most recent representatives back to the Super Bowl.

San Francisco has been riding high in the series against Los Angeles as of late as it has won each of the past six games. During the 2021 regular season, the 49ers beat the Rams 31-10 in San Francisco in Week 10 before edging out Los Angeles 27-24 in overtime in Week 18 to clinch a playoff spot.

The Rams come into the game led by Matthew Stafford and one of the league’s best passing attacks. Los Angeles ranked fifth in total passing yards (4,642) and second in passing touchdowns (41), while the 49ers were more adept at picking up yards on the ground, rushing for 2,166 yards, seventh-most in the NFL. Both defenses finished the regular season among the top in the NFL, with the 49ers having allowed the third-fewest total yards (5,270) and sixth-fewest passing yards (3,510), while the Rams allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards (1,754) and ninth-fewest yards per play (5.2).

What channel are NFL games on?

Chiefs vs. Bengals

The AFC Championship will feature CBS’ primary broadcast group with Jim Nance and Tony Romo up in the booth, while Tracy Wolfson and Evan Washburn will be reporting from the sideline.

Rams vs. 49ers

Fox will be handling broadcast duties for the NFC Championship with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman providing commentary and analysis. Erin Andrews will be reporting from the sideline.

NFL live streams for playoffs

Both CBS and Fox will have alternate options to stream the matchups beyond the traditional cable route for prospective viewers.

CBS carries its games on Paramount Plus, while Fox will have its game available to watch on the Fox Sports app.

Streaming option Cable subscription needed? Free? Cost Free trial?
Fox Sports Live Yes Yes – –
Paramount Plus No No $4.99/month Yes
Amazon Prime Video No No $8.99/month No
NBC Sports Yes Yes – –
ESPN.com/ESPN App Yes Yes – –
NFL App Yes Yes – –
Yahoo! Sports App No Yes – –
fuboTV No No $64.99/month Yes
AT&T TV Now No No $69.99/month Yes
Hulu Plus Live TV No No $64.99/month Yes
Sling TV No No $35/month Yes
YouTube TV No No $64.99/month Yes

NFL playoff schedule 2022

Wild-card round

Saturday, Jan. 15

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Bengals 26, Raiders 19 4:35 p.m. ET NBC Peacock, fuboTV
Bills 47, Patriots 17 8:15 p.m. ET CBS Paramount+, fuboTV

Sunday, Jan. 16

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Buccaneers 31, Eagles 15  1:05 p.m. ET Fox fuboTV
49ers 23, Cowboys 17 4:40 p.m. ET CBS, Nickelodeon Paramount+, Amazon Prime, fuboTV
Chiefs 42, Steelers 21 8:15 p.m. ET NBC Peacock, fuboTV

Monday, Jan. 17

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Rams 34, Cardinals 11 8:15 p.m. ET ESPN ESPN App, fuboTV

Divisional round

Saturday, Jan. 22

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Bengals 19, Titans 16 4:35 p.m. ET CBS Paramount+, fuboTV
49ers 13, Packers 10 8:15 p.m. ET Fox fuboTV

Sunday, Jan. 23

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Rams 30, Buccaneers 27 3:05 p.m. ET NBC Peacock, fuboTV
Chiefs 42, Bills 36 6:40 p.m. ET CBS Paramount+, fuboTV

Conference championships

Sunday, Jan. 30

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Chiefs vs. Bengals 3:05 p.m. ET CBS Paramount+, fuboTV
Rams vs. 49ers 6:40 p.m. ET Fox Fox Sports app, fuboTV

Super Bowl 56

Sunday, Feb. 13

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Super Bowl 56 6:30 p.m. ET NBC NBC Sports app, fuboTV

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Rams vs. 49ers: Expert picks, predictions, props for NFC Championship game today, NFL playoff schedule

Two division rivals face off tonight for the right to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LVI. It’s the San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams, Kyle Shanahan vs. Sean McVay. Shanahan’s 49ers swept the Rams in the regular season, and have won six straight against McVay. Matthew Stafford and Co. are coming off of a win over the reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however, and are looking for revenge against a rival.

This will be the fourth intra-division conference championship game since realignment in 2002. Interestingly enough, the previous three winners of intra-division conference championship games have gone on to win the Super Bowl. The Rams are the first team to host a conference championship game in the same stadium that will host the Super Bowl, so they can’t let this opportunity go to waste. 

Below, we will examine the different betting angles for this matchup. We will provide picks from both CBS Sports and SportsLine experts on this NFC showdown, as well as a few player props that we view as enticing. 

All NFL odds are via Caesars Sportsbook.

How to watch 

Date: Sunday, Jan. 30 | Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
TV: Fox | Stream: fuboTV (try for free)
Odds: Rams -3.5, O/U 45.5

49ers at Rams spread picks

“49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and Rams coach Sean McVay are good friends who have worked together in their careers. But since becoming head coaches, Shanahan has gotten the better of McVay. He is 7-3 in 10 games against him, winning six straight, including two this year. In Week 18, the 49ers beat the Rams on the road to earn a spot in the playoffs. Here we are three weeks later, and they are back in the same building meeting for a chance to get to the Super Bowl.

“In the last meeting, the 49ers rallied from a 17-0 deficit to win the game, 27-24. The 49ers defensive line dominated the Rams offensive line in that game. In two games against the Rams, the 49ers have seven sacks and 21 pressures without doing a lot of blitzing, which is something Matthew Stafford has killed this season.

“The Rams love to run the ball in their zone scheme, but the 49ers have run it better in the two games, getting an average of 87.5 yards more per game on the ground. That’s where this game will be won. The team that runs it best will win. The 49ers need to run it take the pressure off Jimmy Garoppolo, while the Rams key their offense off that wide-zone scheme.

“As for attacking the 49ers defense, it’s simple. Block them against the pass and you will beat them. That’s something the Rams have not done. I don’t think they will do it here, either.

“The Rams are the star-studded team, but the 49ers are the more physical team. The last time a team won three games, including a conference title game on the road, against the same team in the same season came in 1999. That year, the Jacksonville Jaguars were the star-studded team, but it was the Tennessee Titans that were the more physical team. The Titans won the championship game to get to the Super Bowl on the Jaguars’ field. That will happen here as well. The 49ers will continue their run to a title with a tough, physical victory.” 

— CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco is calling the upset this weekend in the NFC. To read his conference championship column, click here.

“The Rams under Sean McVay are winless against Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers. The 3.5-point spread for the 49ers makes me think Vegas wants us all on San Francisco. The Niners swept the regular season series. San Francisco is a bad matchup for the Rams because the L.A. defense is designed to snuff out superstars on the other side of the ball and punish questionable offensive lines.

“The 49ers have plenty of stars but no alpha the offense runs through. Deebo Samuel isn’t someone you can just put Jalen Ramsey on. Using Ramsey on George Kittle works pretty well with Ramsey playing more in the slot, but George Kittle is used in run blocking so much it’s not necessarily maximizing his skillset. 

“My heart’s rooting for Stafford and my brain is sending off a Spidey Sense signal the Rams might be ready to break through. Maybe they get us the Chiefs-Rams Super Bowl we’ve been waiting on for a few years now. My wallet wants a 49ers-Bengals matchup and I picked just that before the playoffs. I can’t possibly lay down now.”

— CBS Sports’ Will Brinson had a tough time deciding between his heart and his mind on the NFC side of things. To read his picks column, click here.

“When these two teams have met in their second game each of the past three seasons, the Niners have won them each by a field goal as time expired. It’s uncanny. It’s hard to beat a good team three times, and I just don’t see it happening this weekend.”

— CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones is taking the Rams to get the last laugh on the 49ers. To read his Sunday picks and the NFL insider notebook, click here.

“The Rams were swept by the 49ers in the regular season. There’s no way they go 0-3 against Jimmy Garoppolo, right? A team losing three times to one opponent in the same season hasn’t happened since 2017. Additionally, if L.A. loses on Sunday, it would be Sean McVay’s seventh-straight loss to Kyle Shanahan. The last time a head coach lost to an opposing head coach seven straight times was Marvin Lewis and his Bengals struggling against Mike Tomlin’s Steelers.

“San Francisco’s comeback against the Rams in Week 18 was incredible, but I don’t think that happens again. The 49ers’ postseason run has been impressive, but it certainly hans’t been perfect. They almost blew a lead to the Dallas Cowboys in the first round and needed a blocked punt touchdown to down the Green Bay Packers last weekend. Matthew Stafford hasn’t been in this situation before, but I think he’s ready for it. He threw for 366 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and orchestrated a game-winning drive. He’s not going to let this opportunity to play in the Super Bowl in his new home stadium slip through his fingers. His legacy is still being established.”

— CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani is taking the Rams to win and cover vs. the 49ers. To read his weekly column, click here.

Before you make any 49ers vs. Rams picks or any other NFL predictions, you need to see which side SportsLine NFL expert Micah Roberts is on. Roberts has worked in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry for 20-plus years, including a 13-year run as Station Casinos’ book director. He is 10-6 against the spread in his last 16 NFL picks, for a profit of $345. In addition, Roberts has gone an astounding 10-1 in his last 11 picks involving San Francisco.

We can tell you he’s leaning Under, but head on over to SportsLine to see his against the spread pick.

49ers at Rams total picks

“These two teams hit the Over/Under once apiece this year in their two meetings. If you recall how their matchup went earlier this month, the Rams jumped out to a 17-0 lead, and the 49ers had to score 14 unanswered in the third quarter to tie the game. I don’t think the Rams get off to that hot of a start this time around. The 49ers’ path to victory includes controlling tempo and establishing the run. Betting unders in Championship Weekend isn’t fun, but that’s where my lean is.”

— CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani gives his thoughts on the total in the NFC Championship game. 

Before you make any 49ers vs. Rams picks, you need to check out the latest NFL predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model. The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up over $7,500 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception six-plus years ago. The model enters championship weekend in the 2021 NFL playoffs on an incredible 137-97 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. Amazingly, it hasn’t missed a top-rated pick since Week 14 of the regular season. To see what it has to say about the total this Sunday, click here.

Player props

Deebo Samuel receiving yards: Over 52.5 (-115). Samuel hasn’t crossed this number in the playoffs yet, and has caught just three passes in each postseason game. Still, he’s San Francisco’s most talented weapon, and the 49ers will have to ride him if they want to outscore Stafford. Samuel caught four passes for 95 yards in Week 18 vs. the Rams, and then five passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in their first meeting. He has averaged 87.8 receiving yards per game this season, and has that big-play ability where he can get to this number on just a few catches. 

Jimmy Garoppolo total interceptions: Over 0.5 (-140). Jimmy G has thrown an interception in each playoff game. Additionally, he threw two in both of the final regular-season games for a total of six interceptions thrown in his last four outings. Garoppolo’s last game where he didn’t throw an interception came Dec. 19 against the Atlanta Falcons, and he’s thrown at least one pick in 10 of 17 games played this year.

Matt Gay made extra points: Over 2.5 (+105). The 49ers haven’t had a team attempt or make three extra points against them in any game this postseason, which is a credit to their defense. But Gay has made at least three extra points in each of the last three games — including in Week 18 vs. the 49ers. He’s missed just one extra point all season.  

TD props

Cam Akers to score a touchdown: (-104). Akers made a miraculous return after suffering a torn Achilles in July. He hasn’t scored a touchdown in three games played, but McVay will get him one in this important home game. 

Kyle Juszczyk to score a touchdown: (+575). Juszczyk is one of the better players in the NFL even though he’s not a household name due to his position. Juszczyk has scored just two touchdowns all year, but has recorded two touches per game in each playoff contest. He caught two passes for 15 yards against the Cowboys and rushed two times for 14 yards against the Packers. This is obviously a flier, but when San Francisco gets in the red zone, look for him. 

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Bengals-Chiefs, 49ers-Rams – NFL playoff game picks, schedule guide, bold predictions, odds, injuries, matchup keys, more

Jan 28, 2022

  • ESPN staff

The NFL’s conference championship round for the 2021 season is stacked, and we’ve got you covered with what you need to know for Sunday’s NFC and AFC championships. Our NFL Nation reporters bring us the biggest keys to both games, a bold prediction for each matchup and, of course, final score picks.

Additionally, ESPN Stats & Information provides a big stat to know and a betting nugget for each contest, and our Football Power Index (FPI) goes inside the numbers with a matchup rating (on a scale of 1 to 100) and a game projection. Matt Bowen picks out a key matchup to watch for both games, and Kevin Seifert tells us what to know about the officiating. Everything you should know is here in one spot to help you get ready for a loaded two-game weekend of NFL playoff football.

First up, the Bengals head to Kansas City to face the Chiefs — an offensive showdown between Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow. Then it’s NFC West foes facing off in the second game, with the 49ers matching up with the Rams for a third time this season. And remember: The winners are off to Super Bowl LVI.

Jump to: CIN-KC | SF-LAR

Sunday, 3 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 73.0 | Spread: KC -7.5 (54.5)

What to watch for: Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase wrecked the Chiefs in the December meeting between these teams, catching 11 passes for 266 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The Chiefs undoubtedly won’t allow that to happen again, but at what cost? They mostly took away Buffalo receiver Stefon Diggs’ impact last week against the Bills, but then Gabriel Davis had a big game. And Cincinnati has receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd — plus running back Joe Mixon — along with Chase. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s schemes in this regard loom large. — Adam Teicher

Bold prediction: Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will throw for at least 390 yards. Kansas City leaned on a successful run game in the second half of the first matchup against Cincinnati, which led to a quiet game from Mahomes. But don’t be shocked if the reigning AFC champions look for more explosive plays in the passing game this time and get their revenge against the Bengals. Mahomes already has 782 passing yards and eight touchdown passes in two playoff games this season. — Ben Baby

Stat to know: Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow is the sixth player to enter a conference championship game with 50-plus sacks — and his 62 are easily the most. The previous five QBs all failed to reached the Super Bowl, and four of them saw their teams fail to score an offensive touchdown in that conference title game. However, Burrow is also the fifth player in the past 30 seasons to enter a conference championship game while leading the NFL in both completion percentage and yards per attempt (including playoffs). And these aren’t easy completions. The second-year QB has the NFL’s best completion percentage over expectation, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

Bowen’s game-plan key: The Chiefs need to heat up Burrow in the pocket, and outside linebacker Melvin Ingram III could play a big part. Expect Kansas City to scheme him up and get him some one-on-one matchups. Read more on E+.

Injuries: Bengals | Chiefs

Seifert’s officiating outlook: Referee Bill Vinovich’s regular-season crew (crews change in the playoffs) annually throws the fewest flags among the NFL’s 17 crews, and this season was no exception. His crew averaged 10.9 flags per game, 34{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} less than the crew that called the most (Carl Cheffers, 16.6). He’ll preside over a game that features the NFL’s least-penalized team (Bengals, 84) and ninth most-penalized team (Chiefs, 129). Vinovich was the only referee in the NFL not to call a single roughing the passer penalty during the regular season, and his regular-season crew threw the third-fewest flags for holding (34).

Betting nugget: The Bengals have covered six straight games and four straight road games. They are also 5-1 against the spread as a road underdog this season. But Kansas City has covered six straight home games and is 7-1 against the spread in its past eight games against teams with winning records. Read more on E+.

Baby’s pick: Chiefs 31, Bengals 21
Teicher’s pick: Chiefs 34, Bengals 24
FPI prediction: KC, 69.6{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} (by an average of 6.7 points)

Matchup must-reads: Burrow can cement place among top young quarterbacks … Why Hill had to pivot this season … McShay: How Mahomes changed the way I scout QBs

Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET | Fox
Matchup rating: 84.8 | Spread: LAR -3.5 (45.5)

What to watch for: The 49ers have won six straight games over the division rival Rams, which includes a 17-point come-from-behind win in Week 18 to clinch a playoff berth. The Niners bring All-Pro receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle, who have led a resilient, bruising brand of football, while the Rams have a proven knack for scoring quickly on explosive plays behind quarterback Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp, the NFL’s leading receiver. As for what the Rams must do to finally get the best of the Niners and advance to Super Bowl LVI? “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel here,” Kupp says. “It’s just about doing our job and taking this as a new week.” — Lindsey Thiry

Bold prediction: San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will throw three touchdown passes. He has yet to throw for a score in these playoffs and has only two touchdowns, and five interceptions, in his five playoff starts. But Garoppolo has a history of playing well against the Rams — he has a 71.7 Total QBR and won all six starts against them — and the Rams still have questions up the middle of their defense, allowing a 77{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} completion rate and 7.9 yards per attempt on throws inside the numbers this season. Buoyed by a strong run game, the oft-maligned Garoppolo will deliver on the big stage. — Nick Wagoner

Stat to know: Midseason acquisitions have been key for the Rams. Since joining Los Angeles in Week 10, receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is second on the team in receptions (37) and has caught a touchdown in six of 10 games played. He has caught 10 of 12 targets this postseason, too. And outside linebacker Von Miller has recorded at least one sack in six straight games, tied for the longest streak of his career (three other times, most recently in 2018). Opposing quarterbacks have posted a 2.3 Total QBR when both Miller and defensive tackle Aaron Donald rush the passer this postseason.

Bowen’s game-plan key: Watch for linebacker Fred Warner to play a role as a blitzer in the Niners’ tilted five-man fronts. San Francisco blitzed on more than a fourth of the Rams’ third-down plays in its Week 18 win this season. Read more on E+.

Injuries: 49ers | Rams

Seifert’s officiating outlook: Referee Carl Cheffers’ regular-season crew led the NFL with 16.6 flags thrown per game, but these two teams ranked among the 14 least-penalized teams in the league. The Rams saw 92 flags and the 49ers saw 117. During the regular season, Cheffers threw 10 flags for roughing the passer, tied for sixth most in the NFL, and 61 for offensive holding, second most in the league — though he will have a different crew on Sunday.

Betting nugget: Los Angeles is 6-2 against the spread in its past eight games, but San Francisco is 9-2 against the spread in its past 11 — with four straight covers. Plus, the 49ers are 4-1 against the spread in the playoffs under coach Kyle Shanahan. Read more on E+.

Wagoner’s pick: 49ers 30, Rams 23
Thiry’s pick: Rams 28, 49ers 24
FPI prediction: LAR, 59.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} (by an average of 3.1 points)

Matchup must-reads: Has Garoppolo reshaped his NFL future? … Beckham Jr. giving Rams boost in production, good vibes … Trash talk, a ticket blockade and a rivalry reborn: Rams and 49ers meet for NFC title … McVay: Whitworth, Rapp look on track to return … 49ers in wait-and-see mode with Williams’ injury … From ‘love of the game’ to Rams’ game winner: Inside the Stafford-Kupp pass

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What channel is Bills vs. Chiefs on today? Time, TV schedule for 2022 NFL playoff game

The No. 3 AFC seed Bills will travel to Kansas City to face the No. 2 Chiefs in the final divisional round playoff game of the weekend.

The Bills are coming off a historical 47-17 win over the Patriots, in which they became the first team in NFL history to go the entire game without punting the ball, kicking a field goal or having a turnover (along with many other records). Josh Allen threw for 308 yards and five touchdowns. The Chiefs are also coming off a dominant 42-21 win over the Steelers. Patrick Mahomes threw for 404 yards and five touchdowns during the game. 

The Bills beat the Chiefs 38-20 in their matchup this season. At the time, the Chiefs were 2-2 after that game. Since then, they’ve went 11-2. The two teams faced each other in last year’s AFC Championship game, which the Chiefs won 38-24 to send them to their second consecutive Super Bowl. They are trying to make history and make their third in a row this season.

These are two hot teams right now, so the matchup is expected to be close. The Chiefs are only 1.5-point favorites, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. 

MORE: Watch Bills vs. Chiefs live with fuboTV (free trial)

What channel is Bills vs. Chiefs on tonight?

  • TV channels: CBS
  • Live streams: Paramount+, fuboTV

The Bills vs. Chiefs matchup will be broadcast nationally on CBS with announcers Jim Nantz and Tony Romo on the call and Tracy Wolfson on the sidelines.

For those hoping to stream the matchup, CBS will carry the game on its streaming platform, Paramount+. You can also stream NFL games live online with fuboTV, which offers a free trial.

In Canada, viewers can watch Bills vs. Chiefs with a subscription to DAZN, which includes every NFL game.

Bills vs. Chiefs start time

  • Date: Sunday, Jan. 23
  • Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

The Bills vs. Chiefs game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

NFL live stream for Bills vs. Chiefs

If you don’t have access to CBS through a cable subscription, there are many other options you can look into to watch the Sunday night divisional round matchup.

Streaming option Cable subscription needed? Free? Cost Free trial?
Paramount+ No No $4.99/month yes
NFL App Yes Yes – –
Yahoo! Sports App No Yes – –
fuboTV No No $60/month Yes
AT&T TV Now No No $55/month Yes
Hulu Plus Live TV No No $55/month Yes
Sling TV No No $35/month No
YouTube TV No No $65/month Yes

Divisional round

Saturday, Jan. 22

Matchup
Bengals 19, Titans 16
49ers 13, Packers 10

Sunday, Jan. 23

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Rams vs. Buccaneers 3:00 p.m. ET NBC Peacock, fuboTV
Bills vs. Chiefs 6:30 p.m. ET CBS Paramount+, fuboTV

Conference championships

Sunday, Jan. 30

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
AFC Championship Game 3:05 p.m. ET CBS Paramount+, fuboTV
NFC Championship Game 6:40 p.m. ET Fox Fox Sports app, fuboTV

Super Bowl 56

Sunday, Feb. 13

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Super Bowl 56 6:30 p.m. ET NBC NBC Sports app, fuboTV