NFL Conference Championship Preview

We're almost home. After 256 regular season games and eight more playoff clashes, the four teams everyone had pegged for this moment all season long have made it to the penultimate weekend in the NFL calendar. All due respect to the Chargers, of course. Only three games left! Let's preview the action. 
 
The early game is in New Orleans, as the 13-3 Saints take on the equally dominant 13-3 Rams. These two teams matched up back in Week 9, with the Saints jumping out to huge early lead and ultimately holding on to knock LA from the ranks of the unbeaten, 45-35. After it looked like the Rams had the inside track on home field advantage all year long, a few late stumbles meant New Orleans could sneak past and secure the location for such a crucial game. And with the energy of an impressive, Drew Brees-led comeback in the divisional round over the Eagles behind them, it's hard to see the Rams defense doing much to get in the way.
 
These two teams have clearly been the class of the NFC since September, and it's only fitting that they match up for a chance to punch their tickets to the Super Bowl. The safest bet is to go not just with the home team but also the accomplished veteran QB in Brees over the relative upstart Jared Goff. As brilliant as young Sean McVay has been since he took the Rams job before last season, his 2018 journey is likely to come to end against Sean Payton in the Big Easy. An X-factor may be star Rams reciever Brandin Cooks, who was drafted by the Saints and spent three productive years there before being surprisingly traded after 2016. Look for him to have a big impact, whether it's in a win or not.
 
The late game is in Kansas City, as presumptive MVP Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs await Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and the rest of the evil empire that is the New England Patriots. Coincidentally, it's another regular season rematch - the Patriots escaped 43-40 in Week 6 to give KC their first loss. That game was in New England however, while this one is in the heartland. Yet Belichick has simply had Chiefs coach Andy Reid's number going back to his days in Philadelphia. Although Reid's never quite had a complement of offensive weapons like he does now. They've even been able to easily manage the sudden departure of running back Kareem Hunt midseason. It should be a classic!
 
The biggest curveball may be coming from Mother Nature herself, as an 'arctic blast' is currently being projected to settle over Kansas City around gametime that may push temperatures all the way down into the negatives. If that proves to be the case, the wiser move may be to go with the more balanced attack of New England rather than the high-flying air attack of KC. But as of now we're sticking with the hometown theme, and picking the Chiefs to defend their turf and ultimately meet the Saints in Atlanta for Super Bowl 53. Let the claims of jinxing commence! 
 
Check back in to to WhoReps next week as we recap Sunday's action.