Just four teams remain in the NFL’s playoffs, and a win on Sunday will send your team to the Super Bowl. This Los Angeles Rams team isn’t a stranger to this spot, but considering this is a completely different New England Patriots team from their last run. The other three teams’ players are relatively new to this pressure. So, who will step up when their team needs them the most? Let’s step into the NFL Prop Shop and find the top Conference Championship player prop bets to place this weekend.
The AFC Championship Game kicks Championship Sunday off with a 3:00 ET kickoff on CBS. It’s a matchup of the #1 and #2 seeded teams in the AFC. The Denver Broncos, now led by Jarrett Stidham, will host the New England Patriots and Drake Maye. The Patriots last won the Super Bowl in 2019. For the Broncos, their Super Bowl 50 win came in 2016.
For the NFC Championship Game, which follows the AFC Championship Game, kickoff is set for 6:30 ET. That game will air on Fox, and it’s an NFC West affair featuring the #1-seeded Seattle Seahawks, hosting their division rival and #5 seed Los Angeles Rams. Los Angeles is the most recent Super Bowl winner of the four remaining teams, last winning in 2022. Seattle has the opposite distinction, last winning a Super Bowl in 2014.
AFC Championship Props
Hunter Henry Over 41.5 Receiving Yards (-114)
Hunter Henry was very quiet in last week’s Patriots win over the Houston Texans in a sloppy game without much offensive production. But he showed up against his former team, the Los Angeles Chargers, in the Wild Card round, catching three passes for 64 yards. It was his third game in a row going over this total, and the sixth time in the last eight games Henry pulled down at least 45 receiving yards.
The Broncos’ defense has been okay against the tight end position, but they’ve been exploitable. Last week, Josh Allen picked them apart, throwing for 83 yards to Dalton Kincaid. Dawson Knox added another 32 yards just for good measure. Down the home stretch of the Broncos’ season, they faced a few teams out of the mix, but Luke Musgrave had 52 yards against them, and Brenton Strange came within a few yards of hitting this number as well. Henry is a trusty receiver; look for Maye to use him on Sunday.
Jarrett Stidham Over 13.5 Rushing Yards (-114)
Jarrett Stidham hasn’t played much over the last few seasons, but when he did start for the Las Vegas Raiders over a couple of weeks in 2022, Stidham proved he can use his legs. Against two tough opponents, Stidham ran for 34 yards against the San Francisco 49ers. Then followed it up with 50 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs. It took just seven rush attempts in each game.
This game falls on the shoulders of Stidham, who probably never thought he’d be in a position like this. But now with this opportunity, he needs to do his part to help carry the team to the Super Bowl. This is a very good Patriots defense that will get pressure on him. He’s going to have to be selective with his passes because they are opportunistic and will intercept passes if given the chance. I think Stidham will have free rein to put this game on his legs if given the opportunity. If you think he can get to that 50-yard mark again, it’s 14/1 and worth a look if he decides to really take matters into his own hands.
AFC First Touchdown Bets:
Jarrett Stidham +2000
New England Defense +3000
Adam Trautman +7000
Efton Chism III +8000
NFC Championship Props
Kyren Williams Over 12.5 Receiving Yards (-112)
This might be my favorite prop of the weekend. The Rams were “saving” Kyren Williams for the playoffs, and now they’ve been using him. Last week against the Bears, he caught the ball five times for 30 yards. In the Wild Card win over the Panthers, it was just two catches, but he went for 18 yards, easily clearing this number. As their season came to a close, needing wins to try and improve their seeding, they used him then as well. Williams had 21 receiving yards against the Cardinals and 38 against the Falcons. That makes four games in a row Kyren has hit this number.
If you go back to the Week 16 game against these Seahawks, that number increases to five games in a row. In an offensive explosion, Williams caught three passes for 15 yards. Williams hit at least 13 yards in 11 games this year, notably early in the season and later in the season when they weren’t “saving” him for later. He’s also hit this number in two of his last three games against Mike Macdonald’s Seahawks defense.
Kenneth Walker III Over 114.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards (-114)
Zach Charbonnet, unfortunately, suffered a torn ACL in the Seahawks’ win over San Francisco on Saturday. That makes this Kenneth Walker’s backfield. He’ll get some help from players like former Ram Cam Akers, but now is Walker’s time to shine. Perfect timing if he wants to get paid, since Walker is a free agent after the season is over. Walker has had no problem getting his share in this Seahawks offense, even being spelled by Charbonnet.
Walker racked up 145 total yards against the San Francisco 49ers in their Divisional Round win. The last time the Seahawks played this 49ers team, Walker totaled up 164 yards. In their first meeting this year, he made it to 111 yards. Walker also went over this total in the Week 18 game that scored the team the #1 seed. Walker has shown up in big games. It’s time to do it again.
NFC First Touchdown Bets:
Cooper Kupp +1500
Tyler Higbee +3000
Sam Darnold +4000
Los Angeles Rams Defense +5000
