Bold Predictions for 2023 NFL Conference Title Games: Joe Burrows, Ja’Marr Chase Off; Eagles Torch No. 1 ‘D’

We’re now in the NFL’s Final Four, and we know what will happen in this weekend’s Super Bowl LVI matchup in Arizona.

As always, we expect some crazy things to happen when these conference championship games begin. So, here we are again with our bold predictions: three for both the NFC and AFC title games.

NFC Championship Game: 49 as if Eagles

Brock Purdy struggled mightily, throwing two interceptions

Brock Purdy worked a miracle: The 2022 final pick and third-string quarterback went 7-0 as a San Francisco 49ers quarterback starting Week 14 with a 116.0 passer rating in that span, the highest in the NFL and by a 49ers player since Hall of Famer Steve Young in 1996-97. Better pass rate. It’s amazing. One of his most impressive attributes is his ball protection, with just 14 touchdown passes and two interceptions in the game.

However, Purdy’s passing streak is tied for the most sacks in football this season with 75 (the third-most in a single season in NFL history, including the postseason) and the second-highest total in the NFL (39%) as Purdy’s rushing touchdowns in Philadelphia on Sunday. Amount. The rookie has performed well under pressure through his first six starts, posting a 121.2 passer rating under pressure.

However, Defensive Player of the Year Micah Parsons and Dallas Cowboys Up front, Purdy was pressured to earn a 39.6 guard rating and fell short while completing just three of 11 passes. The Eagles’ pass rush should be more of a struggle for the 49ers’ offensive line as it isn’t focused on one player as much. Philadelphia has four players with double-digit sacks this season — linebacker Hassan Reddick (16.0), defensive end Javon Hargrab (11.0), defensive end Josh Laube (11.0) and defensive end Brandon Graham (11.0) — in NFL history.

* Eagles: 2nd-highest pressure rate (39%) and most sacks (75) this season.

When Purdy makes his eighth career start Sunday, he will become the fifth starting quarterback to start a conference championship game, joining Shaun King in 1999. BuccaneersBen Roethlisberger in 2004 steelsJoe Flacco in 2008 Crowsand Mark Sanchez in 2009 Jets. Those quarterbacks went a combined 0-4 with four passing touchdowns and an interception. Purdy runs that record to 0-5 and adds two more interceptions to that box score total.

Jalen Hurts has 4 total TDs, over 350 total yards.

The 49ers defense is the NFL’s best in scoring – 16.3 points allowed per game – and total yards – 300.6 total yards allowed per game – but much of what they do depends on the NFL’s sack leader, defensive end Nick. Bossa (18.5), creating pressures and stacking sacks. That defense will take a bit of a beating after struggling against the Dallas Cowboys a week ago. He had eyes for a wide receiverCeeDee sheep.

This week’s challenge for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Harts, one of only three quarterbacks in NFL history to total more than 3,500 passing yards and more than 750 rushing yards in a season, will present San Francisco’s stifling defense with a real double whammy. – Threat. The Eagles can also slow down the 49ers’ pass rush with the best offensive line in football.

Eagles offensive line success this season

• Individual offensive linemen combined for the fewest sacks allowed (14) and the lowest pressure rate (3.5%) this season.

• Center Jason Kelce and right tackle Lane Johnson allowed zero sacks between the two.

• 1st in pass blocking class and 3rd in run blocking class according to Pro Football Focus

• The entire offensive line was selected for the Pro Bowl or was selected as an option

Injuries and the Eagles have one of the NFL’s most versatile offenses: They’ve had more than 300 passing yards or more than 200 rushing yards in five of Jalen Hurts’ last six starts. In short, they are alternating the team in the air and on the ground. The weather seems to be moving this week.

Eagles camp in Horts starts from the 12th week

Another reason Hurts could pile up rushing yards on Sunday is that he leads the NFL in completion percentage (50%), passing touchdowns and throws of 25 or more yards downfield this season. On the flip side, the 49ers are one of the league’s worst deep pass defenses, ranked 25th and above.

25+ yards passing this season, including playoffs

* NFL leads; ** 25th or worse in the NFL

Between a great defense up front and an exposed 49ers secondary, Jalen Hurts is rushing for four total touchdowns and over 350 total yards against the 49ers.

AJ Brown has nothing to complain about, gets 150+ yards, TD

AJ Brown He looked clearly upset Among the Philadelphia Eagles New York Giants At the class level, 38-7. He had just three catches for 22 receiving yards that night in a run-heavy approach. However, Brown set the Eagles’ single-season receiving yardage record with 1,496 yards this season, which pales in comparison to the aforementioned 49ers’ secondary.

He had seven touchdown receptions of 25 or more yards, tied for the second-most by any player in 2006, since his first streak of receiving yards in 2006. It adds significantly to that total.

Most receiving TDs on throws 25+ yards downfield since 2006.

This season, the 49ers have struggled to get wide plays against their backs, ranking 25th and worse in multiple categories, while Jalen Hurts is a 10th passer when throwing to receivers, including Brown and Brown. Devonta Smith, the first Eagles receiving duo to each top 1,000 receiving yards in the same season in team history.

NFL rankings targeting WRs this season

Despite the league’s top scoring and overall defense, the 49ers have allowed their opponent’s top wide receiver to pass for more than 100 yards in three of their last four games. Brown works easily and takes a touch or two.

100-yard wide receiver since Week 17 against the 49ers

AFC Championship Game: Bengals as if Chiefs

Travis Kelce set the single-game receptions record after the game.

Everyone on Earth knows that when there’s a Kansas City Chiefs football game, 2022 First Team All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce catches a lot of passes. He leads all tight ends in catches (110), receiving yards (1,338) and receiving touchdowns (12) this season, and is on his way to becoming one of the most productive postseason pass catchers in NFL history.

His 120 game receptions are second only to the GOAT Jerry Rice (120). His 1,389 career receiving yards are tied with Rob Gronkowski for third-most all-time. And his 14 touchdowns are third all-time, but with two more touchdowns, he’s second only to Rice in that category.

Kelce caught 14 passes, tied for third all-time in home playoff games, and had one pass for 98 yards and two touchdowns a week ago in a divisional victory over Kansas City. Jacksonville Jaguars. with Mahomes less than 100%Since he can’t use his magic to create multiple passes, he has to rely more on his security blanket. Kelce will end the NFL’s all-time single-game record with 20 receptions, one fewer than before. Denver Broncos Receiver Brandon Marshall had 21 on him Colts Week 14 of the 2009 season.

Ja’Marr Chase KC Torch Again (10 catches, 200 yards, 2 TDs)

Only one wide receiver has dominated the ranks like Ja’Marr Chase: Hall of Famer Lance Alworth. Joe Burrow’s Bengals relationship with Chase Kansas City hasn’t cooled yet in the teams’ last three meetings, all of which have been Cincinnati wins. Burroughs completed over 80% of his passes for over 400 yards and four touchdowns in the Bengals’ three-game win over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Joe Burrow Ja Marr Chase vs. He targeted the bosses

* Most rushing yards by any player in a 3-game stretch vs. the Chiefs since Lance Alworth in 1965-66

Chase’s three-game dominant streak in the majors is more impressive than what Rod Smith could do in a best-of-three matchup against Kansas City, as well as Hall of Famer John Elway’s senior streak. game against their AFC West rival.

Most Received in a 3-Game Difference Always with Chiefs*

* Including the playoffs

The Chiefs’ secondary allowed the most passing touchdowns (33) and the second-highest red zone touchdown rate (67.3%) in the league this regular season, ahead of only the former. Indianapolis Colls (67.9%) Facing one of the NFL’s most suspect secondaries, the Burrow-to-Chase connection will be hit hard again and again on Sunday.

Burrow wouldn’t give Mohms enough time to score the game-winning TD with under 13 seconds left.

Last season, Patrick Mahomes did the seemingly impossible, shutout Kansas City to tie the game in the AFC Divisional Round. Buffalo Bills A Josh Allen touchdown pass gave the Bills a 36-33 lead with 13 seconds left. Lightning doesn’t usually strike twice, and it won’t this postseason. The game would be tied late in the fourth quarter, as it had been in the last three Bengals-Chiefs games, when Joe Burrow threw a touchdown pass with 11 seconds left to give the Bengals the lead. Seven point edge. Mahomes was able to put Kansas City into field goal territory with 13 seconds left against Buffalo, but he couldn’t go the length of the field in the same amount of time. Thanks to Joe Kuhl, the Bengals will hoist the Lamar Hunt Trophy at Arrowhead Stadium for the second consecutive season.