Full NFL schedule 2023: Picks and predictions for every game
Championship Sunday
AFC Championship Game
. . 56. . . 30. 21. 17
The magic carpet ride for the Jets comes to an end as they fall short against the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game. Aaron Rodgers has a critical interception late with the Jets driving for the go-ahead score that allows Cincinnati to ice the game.
All told, it is a successful year one for Rodgers but he will now spend the next few weeks pondering whether he wants to return for one more year. Cincinnati heads back to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years behind Joe Burrow.
NFC Championship Game
42. . 54. . 17. . 14.
The 49ers finally get the Eagles’ monkey off their backs with a tight victory in Philadelphia to earn another trip to the Super Bowl. Having Brock Purdy stay upright helps as the mere threat of a passing game makes it much tougher for Philadelphia to hone in on stopping Christian McCaffrey, who controls the clock.
The star of the day is the 49ers’ defense, which does an outstanding job containing the Eagles’ vaunted rushing attack. San Francisco is built for a game like this and punches its ticket to the big game.