Super Bowl 2024: Final Predictions, Odds Before AFC, NFC Championship Games
It's that time, football fans. We've officially reached the final Sunday of NFL action before Super Bowl LVIII. Only four teams remain, and by the end of the evening, we'll have our championship matchup.
Both of Sunday's games should be exciting.
The Kansas City Chiefs are making their sixth straight appearance in the AFC title game, but for the first time during that stretch, they'll play the visitor role. The Baltimore Ravens will play host and are rightfully favored.
The San Francisco 49ers are making their fourth appearance in the NFC title game in five seasons. They're at home and hosting a Detroit Lions team that hasn't been to this playoff stage since the 1991 season.
How are the contests expected to unfold? Who will emerge with a trip to the big game in Las Vegas? Let's dive into the latest odds and make a few last-minute predictions.
Check the latest lines at DraftKings.
Conference Championship Weekend
AFC Championship Game
Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens
Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV and Live Stream: CBS and Paramount+
Line: Baltimore -4
Over/Under: 44.5 Points
Money Line: Baltimore -198 (bet $198 to win $100), Kansas City +164 (bet $100 to win $164)
NFC Championship Game
Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
TV and Live Stream: Fox, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports app
Line: San Francisco -7
Over/Under: 51.5 Points
Money Line: San Francisco -325 (bet $325 to win $100), Detroit +260 (bet $100 to win $260)
Super Bowl LVIII Odds
San Francisco 49ers +145
Baltimore Ravens +190
Kansas City Chiefs +380
Detroit Lions +750
AFC Prediction
During the Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes era, the Chiefs have been the AFC's "sure thing."
Kansas City hasn't fallen short of this playoff stage since Mahomes became the full-time starter, and if there's one thing we know, it's that the Chiefs play their best in the playoffs. That's why this game is likely to be extremely close, even if most of the on-paper advantages favor Baltimore.
Mahomes has finally found a dependable No. 2 target after Travis Kelce in rookie receiver Rashee Rice. That should give Kansas City some balance as it looks to attack a Ravens defense that ranks 25th in yards per carry allowed.
If the Chiefs can lean on Isiah Pacheco and the ground game, they can pull the upset here.
However, the Chiefs defense could struggle to limit Lamar Jackson and the Ravens' multi-faceted attack. Baltimore can lean on Jackson, Gus Edwards and the ground game or look to pass with Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor and Odell Beckham Jr.
The Ravens are also expected to get star tight end Mark Andrews back to face Kansas City.
This one features two of the top defenses in the NFL and arguably the two best quarterbacks playing today. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will likely win. The prediction here is that Baltimore pulls out a close one at home.
Prediction: Baltimore 24, Kansas City 22
NFC Prediction
On paper, this matchup favors the 49ers. This San Francisco team has been here multiple times, it has home-field advantage, and star receiver Deebo Samuel—who exited last week with a shoulder injury—is set to play.
San Francisco also has the more complete defense, while Detroit has struggled to contain opposing passers.
However, the Lions do two things well that can allow them to pull the upset. With Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, Detroit can control the game on the ground. With one of the better defensive fronts in football, the Lions can also stop the run.
San Francisco has struggled to slow the run at times this season, and it was battered by Aaron Jones and the Green Bay Packers last week. The 49ers largely won that game because Jordan Love's errant passes were picked, while Brock Purdy's potential interceptions were dropped.
Purdy may have to carry the 49ers offense in this one because Detroit can limit Christian McCaffrey as a runner. The big question is whether Purdy can play a cleaner game than Lions QB Jared Goff.
Goff has been prone to mistakes under pressure this season, but he also has more postseason experience than Purdy. He helped lead the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl during the 2018 season. This game could hinge on Detroit's ability to run and stop the run.
If Detroit can control the line of scrimmage, it can reach the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.
Prediction: Detroit 29, San Francisco 27
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