3 AFC Championship Game Prop Bets for Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens
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Championship Sunday is just a few moons away, and with two epic games looming, there is no better time to get in on the action at FanDuel Sportsbook.
In the AFC title game, we'll see the Baltimore Ravens host the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. This contest will provide a cacophony of talent in just about every position group.
Utilizing numberFire's projections as a guide, here are some NFL player props that look appealing.
Please note that betting lines and numberFire's game projections may change throughout the day after this article is published. All betting numbers come from the NFL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.
AFC Championship Game: Spread, Moneyline and Total
- Spread: Ravens -3.5 (-115)
- Moneyline:
- Kansas City: +168
- Baltimore: -200
- Total: 44.5 (-108/-112)
Kansas City Chiefs-Baltimore Ravens Overview
Serving as their fifth head-to-head meeting since entering the NFL, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson will share the field this weekend. Dating back to their first season as starters (2018), the Chiefs have gone 3-1 versus the Ravens. Through that span, there have been two contests played at "The Bank," and the teams split results.
Kansas City is appearing in their sixth consecutive AFC Championship, which is two shy of the New England Patriots' all-time record of eight straight conference title games. For Baltimore, they are competing for the AFC crown for the first time since 2012-13 -- a season the Flock went on to win Super Bowl XLVII.
Push will come to shove in this title bid from "Charm City." With these two squads on hand, we'll see 2023's top-two scoring defenses in the Ravens (16.5 PPG against) and Chiefs (17.3). Of course, that should make for an entertaining clash with the aforementioned superstar quarterbacks in this contest.
On Sunday, the AFC Championship Game is set to kick off in Maryland at 3 p.m. ET (prior to the NFC at 6:30 p.m. ET). The weather forecast currently shows a 40% chance of rain at M&T Bank Stadium.
There is value to be had in the traditional lines, and FanDuel Sportsbook is also offering a slew of Championship Sunday Specials. In this case, let's use this article to focus on the AFC title game's best prop markets.
AFC Championship Game: Prop Bets
Patrick Mahomes Under 243.5 Passing Yards (-114)
As the top active postseason player in the NFL, fading "Showtime" Mahomes is always an ambitious wager. Still, going against an elite secondary in Baltimore, I believe the reigning MVP will fall short of his set passing prop at FanDuel Sportsbook of 243.5 yards (-114/-114).
Through Mahomes' last six starts, he has passed for fewer than 244 yards on three occurrences (including the most recent playoff game versus the Buffalo Bills). Macro-scale, the Texas Tech Red Raiders alum is coming off a season wherein he outputted his lowest yardage total since 2019. By the end of 2023, Mahomes showed a passing-yardage clip of 261.4 YPG.
With respect to Patrick's abilities (even in a down year), it is not every week that he is asked to take on the No. 1 defense in wet conditions. I mentioned the looming rain this weekend, but there's also the fact that the Ravens allowed only 5.4 yards per passing attempt in 2023 (tops in the NFL). In center field, All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton (81 tackles, 4 INT, 13 PD and 3 sacks) will keep eyes on Mahomes, doing his best to restrict the airways.
Providing game-changing abilities, linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen are each high-end athletes. In today's game, Smith and Queen have the necessary skills to hang with tight ends, running backs and some receivers in coverage.
Lastly, Baltimore led the entire NFL in quarterback sacks this past regular season with 60 total. Utilizing a fierce front of Justin Madubuike (13 sacks), Jadeveon Clowney (9.5 sacks) and Kyle Van Noy (9 sacks), the Flock will prioritize making Mahomes uncomfortable.
Lamar Jackson Over 66.5 Rushing Yards (-114)
Slick like oil and smooth like water, "Action" Jackson carrying the football can be classified as "poetry in motion." On a wet day in B-More, I see Lamar rushing for over 66.5 yards (-114).
In terms of running the ball, Jackson just finished his best season since 2020. Through 16 starts this year, the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner produced 51.3 rushing YPG, which paced all others at his position. However, we will need a little more from Jackson than his average. In a postseason bid with inclement weather, I think that is exactly what we will see.
Last weekend, the Ravens hosted the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round. In that game, Jackson ran for 100 yards on only 11 attempts (9.1 yards per carry). When considering all five of Jackson's playoff contests, he has seen increased rushing figures compared to the regular campaign. In the postseason, he is maintaining 93.4 YPG on the ground.
Jackson will almost certainly be named this year's AP NFL Most Valuable Player, and his legs and ability to extend plays is a prevalent factor in why -- the 2019 MVP is not top five in any major passing category. Still, Jackson's prowess for mobility is unlike anything we have seen. I mean, this is the guy who holds the record for most rushing yards in a single season by a quarterback (1,206 in 2019).
Travis Kelce Any Time TD Scorer (+115)
Seemingly, the two scores last weekend from showstopping tight end Travis Kelce managed to break the internet. Whether it was due to Kelce's clutch grabs or the fact that his older brother was gallivanting shirtless through the stadium is still to be determined, but seeing No. 87 in the end zone is starting to feel natural this time of year.
In the touchdown department, the younger Kelce admittedly had a down year by his standards. Making 15 starts in 2023, he scored in five separate contests, leaving Kelce with a 33.3% conversion rate for this market. That is not a jaw-dropping figure, but when it comes to the postseason, Kelce is ever-reliable.
Since Mahomes took over the starting signal-caller job in 2018, Kelce has competed in 16 total playoff games. In that split, the nine-time Pro Bowl tight end has hauled in 17 touchdown receptions. When looking at the AFC championship specifically, Kelce has recorded five scores in five prior appearances.
The Chiefs are working with their most vulnerable receiving corps of the past half-decade. In 2023, Kansas City led the NFL with 44 dropped passes. Simply, Kelce is unquestionably the most trusted target of Mahomes. With a trip to Super Bowl LVIII on the line, I'd expect the Mahomes-to-Kelce connection to be a major theme this weekend.
If you're betting on any of Sunday, January 28th's NFL playoff action, you can take advantage of FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL Playoffs No-Sweat Same Game Parlay. Check the promotions page for more information.
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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.