2021 NFL Playoffs - Conference Championship Thread

I'm going for Chiefs and 49ers to setup a repeat SB from 2 years ago though I would prefer to see a Bengals/Rams SB in LA

Would be nice to see the Bengals in a Superbowl, would easily be the most unexpected outcome: did anyone predict them even getting this far earlier in the year? Even a couple of weeks ago it seemed very unlikely. But I don't find them all that entertaining a team.

Either way I'm backing the niners all the way, they have a special place in Bears hearts after the weekend (as an aside I also enjoyed how much beating the Packers meant to Chicagoan Garopolo, former Bear Gould, and let's not forget George Kittle who we still owe a favour to from last year). Don't mind who they're playing really. I also think their games are always going to be entertaining because they will probably not make life easy for themselves, it's always going to be edge of your seat when you're wondering what the next Jimmy throw is gonna do!

For me the Rams were most impressive this past weekend. I thought they were totally and utterly dominant for 3 and a half quarters before their late collapse, which is obviously worrying for them. Someone posted it in the game thread though that just the mere fact that Brady was on the opposing side-line could easily have had something to do those errors. I do think they'll have enough to overcome the 49ers, but the 49ers seem to be grinding out victories regardless of opponent. I just don't think that Rams pass rush can be stopped without the 49ers essentially sacrificing Kittle, and without him it'll be all on Deebo. He'll be surely be doubled on every play. Can the 49ers pull out a victory with Kittle chipping/blocking on every play and with Deebo doubled? Time will tell but I fancy the Rams by 7 here.

I'm really looking forward to the Chiefs - Bengals game though. It would have been a great spectacle to have had this game at Buffalo, but for me Arrowhead is the best stadium in the NFL. That and Mahomes makes every playoff game there a good watch. Everyone seems to be predicting a relatively comfortable Chiefs win, and I think all that does is play into the Bengals' hands. I just have a niggling feeling that Bengals are going to cause an upset here. Burow and Chase, despite being 1st/2nd year players, seem to be in the form of their lives. If they can hang on in there until the 4th quarter, their belief will grow and unease will begin to settle in for both the fans and players of the Chiefs. I think the Chiefs could definitely win comfortably here, but I'm backing the Bengals for no logical reason whatsoever.

The Buccs had a phenomenal OL and were obliterated. Some teams, especially defences, can and do gel at just the right time, and it looks like the Rams have done that. The Buccs D did it last year and so have many other teams. If their pass rush isn't going to be as big a factor as you think, then I believe it'll be a much closer game. Time will tell on this one.

An interesting stat from the games this weekend:

It was remarkable that Brady was only sacked 3 times when you consider the Titans got to Burrow 9 times.

I think a lot of that opinion is driven by listening in too much on the angle the media has taken over the season and then especially during the playoffs. The narrative around the 49ers for the first half of the season was that they were a mess while ignoring what the team was dealing with, their great form heading into the offseason was mostly ignored, and then the narrative around each of the playoff wins has been focused on what the other team did wrong rather than how well the 49ers team played (though far from perfect)

And I totally agree @Foxtrol about the 49ers defence gelling at the right time. They're playing at a phenomenal level these past few weeks. That, and they seem to have the mental edge over the Rams.

I did not mean to imply that the 49ers were lucky, rather that they benefitted from poor opposition, much in the same way the Rams did in the WC. Anyways, should be a fascinating game! Great to see the life back in this forum too, wasn't so long ago 1 visit a week would be enough to catch up on all the new posts.

When was the last time a team with a bad offensive line made it to the Superbowl?

Joe Burrow has been incredible despite the fact that he's saying behind a line every bit as bad as Andy Dalton did before him.

Burrow and Chase are a special combination. They are capable of beating anybody. I really hope they do it but I don't think they will.

If the good Matt Stafford turns up I think the Rams but if the poor one turns up the niners take this. I'll pick the Rams but it'll be close I think.

Not sure being at home will be much of an advantage. Packers had a cauldron of support and horrible home weather advantage and it did nothing for them, meanwhile SoFi looks like it's going to be crawling with red and gold

Going to go for a Rams Vs Chiefs Super Bowl but would really like to see the bengals go all the way and have a new super bowl champion

No need for a faux apology, this is a discussion forum and you have a different opinion to me - I was simply challenging yours.

I am in no way contradicting myself - I agree the 49ers are underdogs but just don't feel your reasons why stand up to scrutiny if you compare the two teams on them.

Your two main points thus far in believing the Rams will win have been the performance of their defense, specifically highlighting their pass rush, and that the 49ers have 'benefitted hugely from opponents play'. I countered by highlighting how well the 49ers defense has played over the last three weeks, including their pressure rate on QBs including Stafford, and pointing out how the Rams have benefited from poor play of their opponents thus far. These areas aren't where the teams are different, if anything the 49ers come out on top from what I've seen to this point.

Now here is why I agree the 49ers should be underdogs - it is down largely to the disparity in quality at QB, even before we take into account Jimmy playing injured. Ignoring the good chance Jimmy will do something wild to lose the game for the 49ers, it is far less likely the 49ers will win because of their QB than it is the Rams. Stafford has the ability to elevate his team when parts aren't going well that Jimmy has rarely shown - though I very much hope he'll prove me wrong on Sunday

You're right, my bad. We'll agree to disagree sure! As long as it's a close game I'll be happy!

Here's to a another great weekend of football. Nothing much to add to the analysis here, to be honest, I have not really been following as closely as some of the posters here.

Would love to see a 49ers v Bengals Super Bowl, with either to win, I think would be a great achievement for either team and what they have been up against this year.

That said, even though the Rams have loaded up and gone all in , I still would not mind seeing them take another title. Unfortunately for me, it looks like the Chiefs might be the class of the NFL this year, despite the stumbles earlier in the year.

OK, gotta nail my colours to the mast, and pull for someone.........go 49ers!