Lamar Jackson, Deebo Samuel lead best anytime TD scorers for NFL conference championships
It's down to just two games left in the 2024 NFL playoffs until Super Bowl LVIII and four teams are still in the hunt for football's ultimate prize. Sunday's conference championship games kick off in the AFC with the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Kansas City Chiefs. After that wraps up, the San Francisco 49ers host the Detroit Lions to decide the NFC champion.
Super Bowl 58 matchups ranked: Which rematch may be most interesting game?
The slate features some of the best defenses and offenses in the NFL. Both games will be must-watch action for fans and a few anytime touchdown bets could add even more excitement to the day.
Best touchdown anytime bets for conference championship games:
All odds courtesy of DraftKings and current as of Thursday afternoon.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (+110)
Sunday's AFC championship game will feature the top two defenses in the NFL by points allowed per game in the regular season. Kansas City's defense is especially stout against the pass and finished the regular season fourth in yards allowed per game at 176.5. It's going to be tough on this offense even with a potential return for tight end Mark Andrews.
With that, Jackson's excellent running skills - like he showed in his 100-yard, two-touchdown rushing performance against the Texans last week - may be called upon in key moments to convert red zone opportunities. It's not the basis of the Ravens' offense but will likely come in handy.
AFC championship storylines: Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes is one of many
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (+115)
Kansas City's facing a similarly daunting task on offense. Baltimore's defense finished the regular season first in fewest points allowed, fewest points per drive, and second in lowest red zone scoring percentage allowed. That unit, led by defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald, can play varied coverages and put offenses in binds.
When that happens, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will likely rely on his most trusted pass-catcher in Kelce. The two of them have played in six AFC championship games together and, though Baltimore's allowed just three touchdowns to tight ends all season, he could break through.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (+100)
This is obviously dependent on Samuel's health. If he's available, look for him to get lots of opportunity against a porous Lions defense. That unit finished the regular season 27th in passing yards allowed per game and have allowed 12 touchdowns to wide receivers in the last seven weeks.
In the playoffs, outside wide receivers Mike Evans and Puka Nakua torched the Lions for a combined 328 yards and two touchdowns across two games. The Packers were able to limit fellow 49ers outside receiver Brandon Aiyuk with physicality. The Lions may follow a similar strategy to limit Aiyuk and leave room for Samuel to excel.
NFC championship game questions: How do you stop Christian McCaffrey?
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (+130)
St. Brown's tallied 15 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs so far, by far the most of anyone in the Lions' offense. He'll likely continue to be a focal point this week against a 49ers defense that's given up six touchdowns to receivers in the last four weeks.
The 49ers defense will probably limit rookie tight end Sam LaPorta and hasn't allowed a running back to score a touchdown in their last four games. It could be tougher on the ground than it was against Tampa Bay last week so look for the Lions to lean more on St. Brown and the receivers.
Looking back: What was the world like when the Detroit Lions last made the NFC championship game?
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (+100)
Given that the Lions pass defense is so porous, the fifth anytime TD bet goes to another 49er. Detroit's defense just let Cade Otton notch five catches for 65 yards and a touchdown. Kittle is a much bigger threat in the passing game than Otton and caught a touchdown last week in the win over the Packers. Look for him to find the end zone again.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Paste BN Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.