NFL Conference Championships

 I will be rooting for the two underdogs on Sunday so most likely, I will go 0 for 2. Clearly, these are not predictions.

Overall Results: 141-140 (50%)

1. AFC Championship Game

Cincinnati Bengals (12-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (14-5)

It is hard to think of a franchise that might feel more cursed than the pre-2016 Chicago Cubs than the Buffalo Bills, who just missed out on making this game for the second year in a row. They probably have a bright future, but KC is hosting this championship game for the fourth year in a row. It was not that long ago, when they seemed incapable of winning a playoff game.

The Bengals have won two postseason games now in 2022, not having won any since the first month of 1989. It will be a great story if they make it back to the SuperBowl after so long. It would be their third ever appearance in the game and amazingly enough, may face San Francisco for the third time. They lost those games, but luckily for them, Joe Montana is now retired.

2. NFC Championship Game

San Francisco 49ers (12-7) at Los Angeles Rams (14-5)

As mentioned last week, I really do not want to root for either of these California teams. Frankly, Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady would seem more compelling for the nation, but I am very glad both have been eliminated. One story line here is that if the Rams win this home game, they will host the Super Bowl in their own stadium. That had never happened in Super Bowl history until last season.

Frankly, I would probably side with the Rams over the Niners under normal circumstances, as I did in a regular season game a few weeks back, but after last Saturday, I have to go with SF.

For one thing, Jimmy Garappolo and I have the same hometown of Arlington Heights, Illinois. In spite of that, and his having grown up a Bears fan, that might not be reason enough to root for them. However, his team did beat the Packers and made my night. The next day we saw video of him celebrating with the game winning Kicker, all-time Bears scoring leader Robbie Gould (who never wanted to leave Chicago), and Jimmy G. flat out said "F the Packers" and while I will not type out the entirely of the quote, he won me over right there. I have root for them to win one more game. Gould replied in the affirmative also. So, for now at least, thank you San Francisco 49ers. I hope you make it back to the Super Bowl so you can either lose again to the Chiefs or fall to the Bengals to make up for the time I was disappointed watching on tv in 1989.