NFL Power Rankings Based on Super Bowl Odds Ahead Conference Championships (Can Bengals Beat Chiefs Again?)
By Peter Dewey
And then there were four.
The Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers all survived the divisional round, and now they are just one win away from a Super Bowl appearance.
The most impressive win of the weekend came from Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, as they absolutely dominated the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo to advance to their second straight AFC title game.
Cincy has seen its Super Bowl odds slashed in half after the win, and every one of the teams left is relatively close in the latest odds, although the Philadelphia Eagles are the favorites.
Patrick Mahomes' ankle injury could throw a wrench into the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl plans, but he was able to finish the divisional round game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He and Jalen Hurts are both banged up, and the San Francisco 49ers are starting rookie Brock Purdy at quarterback.
Does that mean the Bengals and Joe Burrow have the best quarterback situation in the conference title games?
It could, but Mahomes is still on another level this season.
If you're looking to place a futures bet, now may be the time with the odds so close between the four teams. Here's how they stack up in this week's power rankings:
1. Kansas City Chiefs (+260) Last Week: No. 1
Patrick Mahomes' ankle is a bit of a concern, and the Chiefs have not beaten Joe Burrow yet in his career. Is this the week Mahomes and company get revenge?
2. Cincinnati Bengals (+275) LW: No. 5
Joe Burrow is something else. He diced up the Bills on Sunday in the snow to lead the Bengals to a 17-point win, and now has a chance to advance to his second straight Super Bowl. Cincy is for real.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (+250) LW: No. 4
The Eagles smoked the Giants in the divisional round, but they'll face a much tougher test against the San Fran defense. Jalen Hurts' shoulder looked good last week, and the Eagles (8-2 at home this season) should benefit from having home field.
4. San Francisco 49ers (+330) LW: No. 2
Brock Purdy didn't look as great on Sunday, and the 49ers certainly have the worst QB left in the playoffs. They may have the best defense, but the team has to play better than it did against Dallas to advance to the Super Bowl.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.