With the arrival of NFL conference championship games, key positional battles and matchups could shape Sunday's playoff outcomes.
This PrizePicks Cheat Sheet for the AFC and NFC Championship Games is your ultimate resource for the top player picks, projections to target, and matchup insights for the playoff slate.
Ready to lock in your NFL conference championship game predictions for the AFC and NFC? Just go to the PrizePicks NFL board, pick your players, and predict if they’ll have More or Less than their projected stats to earn cash if you're right.
{{nfl_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
NFL Conference Championship Game Predictions, Matchups & Cheat Sheet
Find the top AFC and NFC Championship Game predictions, picks, matchups to target, and players to target in Sunday's games below in the PrizePicks Cheat Sheet, including analysis on QBs, RBs, WR vs. CB matchups, and OL vs. DL mismatches.
Best RB Matchups for NFL Conference Championship Games
Here are two of the top RB matchups for PrizePicks NFL this week to help you make your NFL conference championship game predictions.
Broncos RB R.J. Harvey vs. Patriots Defense
To close the season over the final four weeks, the New England Patriots were one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, allowing 141.5 yards per game, ranking sixth-worst. They also allowed the eighth-most rushing TDs (6) over that span while giving up 4.6 yards per carry.
Denver enters a unique situation with QB Bo Nix out, which could strongly tilt their offensive strategy toward the run game.
With RB J.K. Dobbins also out, the backfield shifts to RJ Harvey. Harvey ranks top 20 in rushing TDs (7) and top 40 in rushing yards (540). He isn't elite, but he may be volume-viable behind a strong offensive line.
New England’s structure up front is a liability. DT Christian Barmore ranks 125th out of 130 interior defensive linemen in run-defense grade (via Pro Football Focus), making the Patriots especially vulnerable to inside zone and gap schemes.
AFC Championship Game Pick for PrizePicks: RJ Harvey – 39.5 Rushing Yards
Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III vs. Rams Defense
RB Zach Charbonnet’s ACL tear likely expands Kenneth Walker III’s role to its largest of the season. Walker could see well north of 16 carries and push for over 50% of offensive snaps, with Seattle perhaps leaning more on the run game to stabilize the offense.
When Walker has been featured, he's produced. He averages 68.8 rushing yards per game in a split backfield. Despite sharing touches with Charbonnet, Walker still ranks top 15 in yards per attempt (4.6), top 20 in total rushing yards (1,027), and top 10 in explosive runs with 33 on the season.
With Charbonnet now missing from action, Walker’s usage potentially shifts from by-committee efficiency to volume-driven production.
Best WR vs. CB Matchups for NFL Conference Championship Games
Here are two of the top WR vs. CB matchups for PrizePicks NFL this week to help you make your NFL conference championship game predictions.
Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte vs. Broncos CB Riley Moss
CB Riley Moss has been the most-targeted corner in the Denver secondary, largely because CB Patrick Surtain II erases his side of the field. Moss has allowed 66 receptions, giving up 12.3 yards per catch and a passer rating near 100, making him a clear pressure point in Denver’s coverage structure.
WR Kayshon Boutte has been a breakout weapon for New England, especially in the playoffs. Across two postseason games, he's posted 66 yards and 75 yards on 7 total receptions. On the year, Boutte ranks top 20 in receiving TDs (6) and owns an elite 132.2 passer rating when targeted. He also boasts 16.7 yards per reception, which ranks top five in the NFL.
Rams WR Puka Nacua vs. Seahawks CB Josh Jobe
CB Josh Jobe is the weakest link in the Seattle secondary, ranking 96th out of 114 qualified CBs in coverage, per PFF. He's allowed 44 receptions and 10.5 yards per catch.
WR Puka Nacua has been an absolute problem, ranking second in the NFL in receiving yards (1,715), first in receptions (129), and fourth in receiving TDs (10). In two playoff games, he's added 15 receptions for 167 yards, cementing himself as the centerpiece of the Rams' offense.
This is a schematic mismatch: elite volume alpha receiver vs. a bottom-tier cover corner.
NFC Championship Game Pick for PrizePicks: Puka Nacua – 91.5 Receiving Yards
{{nfl_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Best OL vs. DL Matchups for NFL Conference Championship Games
Here are two of the top OL vs. DL matchups for PrizePicks NFL this week to help you make your NFL conference championship game predictions.
Broncos Offensive Line vs. Patriots Defensive Line
The Denver Broncos' offensive line is one of the best units left in the NFL playoffs. LT Garett Bolles ranks fourth among all tackles via PFF, allowing just 19 pressures. RG Quinn Meinerz ranks first out of 80 guards, allowing only 2 sacks, making him one of the most dominant interior linemen in football. RT Mike McGlinchey gives Denver elite stability as well.
New England’s defensive front is significantly weakened. With LB Harold Landry III out, they are forced to start undrafted free agent Elijah Ponder. DE K'Lavon Chaisson offers replacement-level impact. Barmore has only 2 sacks on the season, far below elite interior disruptor production.
This appears to be a trench mismatch in Denver’s favor.
Seahawks Offensive Line vs. Rams Defensive Line
The Seattle Seahawks' offensive line is arguably the weakest unit remaining in the playoffs. RG Anthony Bradford has ceded 28 pressures, LG Grey Zabel has allowed 24 pressures, and several Seahawks tackles are banged up. Charles Cross (foot), Josh Jones (knee/ankle), and Amari Knight (knee) are all at less than 100%.
The Los Angeles Rams' defensive line is dangerous. OLB Jared Verse ranks top 10 in total pressures (80) and adds 7.5 sacks. OLB Byron Young ranks top 15 in pressures (64), and DT Kobie Turner owns 55 pressures — elite production from the inside.
This front has both edge and interior disruption, making Seattle’s offensive line a potential structural liability.
NFC Championship Game Pick for PrizePicks: Sam Darnold – 231.5 Passing Yards
Best QB Matchups for NFL Conference Championship Games
Here are two of the top QB matchups for PrizePicks NFL this week to help you make your NFL conference championship game predictions.
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold vs. Rams Defense
QB Sam Darnold may have drawn a favorable matchup against the Rams' secondary. In his previous meeting with the Rams this season, he threw for 270 yards and 2 TDs, completing 22 of 34 passes. This Rams defense ranks 22nd in passing yards allowed, 25th in completions allowed, and 20th in passing TDs afforded to QBs.
Seattle’s passing game profiles well against this coverage unit, especially given the Rams’ tendency to allow volume through the air. This is an exploitable secondary, not a shutdown unit, and Darnold has already demonstrated he can move the ball against this scheme.
Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham vs. Patriots Defense
QB Jarrett Stidham introduces a high-variance, low-information dilemma for New England’s defense.
Over his last five starts dating back to 2023–2024, Stidham has averaged roughly 270 passing yards with 6 total touchdowns overall, completing 21.3 passes per game. The lack of recent film and Denver’s potentially altered game plan create uncertainty at a premium.
Defenses oftentimes struggle to scheme against QBs without much updated tape, especially when the offensive M.O. changes. For the most part, Stidham’s baseline is unknown, which just might make the Patriots’ defensive preparation less reliable.
AFC Championship Game Pick for PrizePicks: Jarrett Stidham 201.5 Passing Yards
Make NFL Conference Championship Game Picks on PrizePicks
NFL conference championship games are here, bringing us another opportunity to turn football predictions into rewards. Use this AFC and NFC Championship Game cheat sheet and predictions to sharpen your takes and build out picks on PrizePicks.
You can make your NFL picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 30 states.
Keep it dialed in on the Playbook for more NFL picks, predictions, and news all postseason long.
