NFL Conference Championship Round Picks Against The Spread + NFL Conference Championship Round Schedule Predictions

As the old saying goes, “Good teams win, great teams cover.” We are back for the Conference Championship Round with our picks against the spread! Last week's Divisional Round games were everything we could hope for as football fans (well, except for the 49ers vs. Seahawks game), and I am fired up to see if the NFC and AFC Championship games can meet or exceed our expectations! Here's hoping for some more nail-biters!

Below, we will be breaking down our NFL Conference Championship Round Picks Against The Spread while also going through the NFL Conference Championship Round schedule. So without further ado, let's dive in!

NFL Conference Championship Round Picks Against The Spread + NFL Conference Championship Round Schedule Predictions

For the NFL Conference Championship Round Schedule, we are down to just two matchups: the NFC and AFC Championships! In the following section, you will find my predictions, with my NFL Conference Championship Round Picks Against The Spread highlighted in bold. All lines are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook:

• New England Patriots -5.5 vs. Denver Broncos +5.5
• Los Angeles Rams +2.5 vs. Seattle Seahawks -2.5

NFL Conference Championship Round Picks Against The Spread: Denver Broncos +5.5 (-122 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

If you read my NFL Conference Championship Round Picks Straight Up, you would know that I picked the Patriots to win this one. BUT I did say I thought that they would win this one close. Offensively, I think the Broncos gameplan will be tough to predict. Their run game has been less consistent and efficient since losing J.K. Dobbins to injury, and they are relying on a backup quarterback whom we have not seen in real game action since 2023. Despite head coach Sean Payton's confidence in Jarrett Stidham (and my belief that he won't be TERRIBLE), it is going to have to be the Broncos' defense that keeps them in this game.

The Denver Broncos' defense has been a top-tier unit all season, both against the run and pass. They are a big part of why Denver ended up with the one seed and are the big reason why this line is only set at 4.5 or 5.5, depending on where you look, even with the quarterback situation. Luckily for the Broncos, they are up against a Patriots offense that has been prone to some mistakes in the NFL playoffs, allowing 10 sacks and five turnovers across two games. An opportunistic Denver defense should be able to provide some short fields to Stidham and the offense, keeping this game within a score. While I would feel a little safer with a line of +7.5, I am happy to ride with Broncos Country at +5.5.

NFL Conference Championship Round Picks Against The Spread: Los Angeles Rams +2.5 (-105 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

I picked the Rams outright in this one, so if you want some deeper analysis, be sure to check out my NFL Conference Championship Round Picks Straight Up. That being said, I love the Rams at +2.5 for several reasons, including the QB comparison, coaching, team history, and more, but one note that is going overlooked is the Seahawks' run game vs. the Rams defense.

The Klint Kubiak-led Seahawks offense relies heavily on their two-headed run game. Unfortunately, the Seahawks just lost one half of that duo, with Zach Charbonnet going down with an injury. The oft-injured Kenneth Walker will now have to be a bellcow back against a Rams defense that just held another formidable RB duo in D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai to just 3.5 yards per carry. I already expressed my doubts about Sam Darnold against this Rams defense, but Sam Darnold without a run game against this Rams defense? Now +2.5 feels like an absolute gift. 

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NFL Conference Championship Round Schedule

To make sure you get your NFL Conference Championship Round Picks in before kickoff, we have listed when both games will be played for your convenience:

AFC Championship:

• Patriots vs. Broncos (January 25, 3:00 PM ET)

NFC Championship:

• Rams vs. Seahawks (January 25, 6:30 PM ET)

Be sure to come back and check out our NFL Conference Championship Round Picks Straight Up, or take advantage of our DraftKings promo by signing up now!