With the AFC Championship on the way this Sunday at 3 pm Eastern, there’s plenty to be excited about. Even if your team didn’t end up making it to the semifinals this year, you can still enjoy what’s set up to be one of the best games of the year. If you want to add even more excitement, I recommend taking a hard look at a few favorable wagers I’ve highlighted. All odds and wagers I’ve mentioned can be found at OH Gamblers.
1. Travis Kelce – Under 61.5 Receiving Yards
The Ohio native is still one of the best at his position, even after a small decline in production and ability. Last week against Buffalo, he posted five catches 75 yards and two touchdowns while being targeted six times. Playing Buffalo last week, he got the most favorable matchup he’s going to see in the Playoffs. The Bills’ linebacking corps has been beaten and battered, with injuries to Matt Milano, Tyrell Bernard and other starting linebackers.
This week, he’ll be facing a much tougher task going against possibly the most athletic linebacking duo in the league in Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen. For the season, Baltimore gives up an average of just under 50 yards per game to tight ends. Last week, the Ravens held Dalton Schultz to just 43 yards on seven targets. Kelce will have a tougher time against one of the NFL’s elite defenses in this year’s AFC Championship.
2. Kansas City Chiefs – Spread (+3.5)
Although they are facing a dominant force in the Baltimore Ravens, it feels a bit odd to see them favored by 3.5. Even though the Chiefs have to travel for their first non-Arrowhead AFC Championship, they’re still expected to play an extremely close game. The Chiefs are getting hot at the right time. Last week against Buffalo, they played what was by far their most complete game. Besides a Mecole Hardman goal-line fumble, the offense looked to be unstoppable.
According to PFF, 10 offensive players for the Chiefs graded at least 74.0, the most for them this season. Patrick Mahomes has reformed his gunslinger ways and is now extremely careful when given the option to put the ball in harm’s way. It wouldn’t be a shock to see the red-hot Chiefs win, let alone lose by at most a field goal.
3. Nick Bolton – Over 8.5 Tackles
Don’t look now, but the Kansas City Chiefs have a budding superstar in Bolton. It may now show in his PFF grades, but the Missouri product is about as quick and rangy as linebackers come. He shows consistent effort, running from sideline to sideline to make whatever play is needed. This was on full display last week, as Bolton racked up 13 total tackles, five of which were solo.
Although Lamar Jackson is the most elusive quarterback in the league, the power running game that Baltimore relies on should greatly benefit Bolton’s tackling skills. In his last three games, Bolton has been an unstoppable force, totaling 36 tackles. Although the Ravens offense is elite, getting over 8.5 tackles shouldn’t be too difficult of a task.