ROOT:
Reserve: 49ers +2.5
Gold Standard: Chiefs -1.5
NFL 49ers vs Eagles INSIDERS PLAY
Handicapper: Wayne Root
League: NFL
Competition: San Francisco 49ers vs Philadelphia Eagles
Time: Sunday, January 29, 03:00 pm ET
Bet Type: Point Spread
Pick: San Francisco 49ers +2.5 (-105) (BetMGM)
Analysis:
Root Reserve on San Francisco This one is going to be well worth the price of admission. San Francisco’s last loss came more than three months ago when they lost to Kansas City 44-23 back on October 23. They haven’t missed a step despite playing their third quarterback of the season, including Purdy, who was Mr. Irrelevant in the draft. Philadelphia earned home-field advantage but moving the ball against a stout 49ers defense that led the league in scoring defense, second in rushing yards allowed per game and second in yards per carry allowed (3.4) is going to be a challenge. As long as Purdy withstands the rush of the Eagles, who led the league with 70 sacks, and doesn’t commit a rash of turnovers, the 49ers will be in this one the whole way. San Francisco has seen the under post a 7-0 mark in their last seven road playoff games with their vaulted defense. San Francisco stands 1st in scoring defense as they give up an average of 16.3 points per game. Brock Purdy, who took over the job in December, was 114 of 170 passing for 1,374 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions. He is 37 of 59 in the postseason for 546 yards with three touchdowns against no interceptions while adding 24 yards plus a score on the ground. Robbie Gould has hit 50 of 51 extra point attempts and 27 of 32 field goals with a long of 51. Take the points and San Francisco as they find a way to steal the game and earn their spot in the Super Bowl.
NFL Bengals vs Chiefs PRIMETIME Sources Play
Handicapper: Wayne Root
League: NFL
Competition: Cincinnati Bengals vs Kansas City Chiefs
Time: Sunday, January 29, 06:30 pm ET
Bet Type: Point Spread
Pick: Kansas City Chiefs -1.5 (-110) (DraftKings)
Analysis:
Gold Standard on Kansas City The AFC Championship game will take place at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City for the fifth season in a row, and for the second straight year, it will feature the same teams. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Chiefs 27-24 in last year’s matchup and beat them by that same score earlier in the 2023 regular season. The betting market has been all over the place for this AFC Championship matchup. The Chiefs opened as the favorites, then the Bengals were favored, and now the game is essentially a pick ‘em. It’s been difficult for consistency due to the elephant in the room. That would be Mahomes’ ankle injury that he suffered in the Chiefs' win over the Jags. You know that football cliché – are you injured or hurt? Mahomes is injured. Of course he can still throw, and the offense should be able to tweak and adapt around what he’ll be able to do, but when it comes to his magical improvisational ability that makes him so special, that’s going to be limited. That’s where the genius of Coach Andy Reid earns his pay grade. The first place to attack is their offensive line. The injuries on the Cincinnati offensive line will matter at some point. At Buffalo last week, there wasn’t any consistent pressure in the Cincinnati backfield. That won’t happen this week. The Chiefs run defense hasn’t had any real issues this year, and the secondary doesn’t give up a ton of deep shots. There’s something to the idea that everyone else – especially the defense – has to up their game with the main man hurting. Triple that for the offensive front. When Patrick Mahomes got hurt, the gameplan changed, and the Chiefs quickly adjusted. They ended up holding the ball for ten minutes more than the Jaguars, and now they have to repeat the plan. The Chiefs passing game May by grounded to a halt. Ground, pound, and make that offensive line earn its paycheck. Cincinnati was 2-2 when allowing 155 rushing yards or more, and one of those wins was to Baltimore in the Wild Card round when it was one inch away from probably losing. Kansas City is 13-1 when running for 70 yards or more. This will be a focused, smart, tough effort from the Chiefs.
