The Loop NFL Picks: Conference championships

Lions at 49ers (-7)

Detroit fans are all abuzz at the possibility that their kneecap-biting Lions have a shot at winning their first NFL championship since 1957, during the Eisenhower administration. To put that 63-year drought in perspective for Minnesota fans, the Vikings have lost only four Super Bowls and six NFC championship games since then.

Pick: Lions by 3

Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback Fran Tarkenton reaches out for the ball after he fumbled it during second quarter action against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl IX, Jan. 12, 1975, in New Orleans. Tarkenton recovered ball in the end zone for a Pittsburgh safety. (AP Photo/Jack Thornell)

Chiefs at Ravens (-3½)

John Harbaugh is one victory away from bringing Baltimore back to the Super Bowl for the first time since he faced his brother Jim 11 years ago. As for his younger sibling, Jim left Michigan on Wednesday to take the Los Angeles Chargers’ coaching job … mostly because he feared the NCAA posse might be coming to Ann Arbor on Thursday.

Pick: Ravens by 7

FILE – In this Feb. 3, 2013, file photo, San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, left, greets Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh after the Ravens defeated the 49ers 34-31 in the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

Record

Week 20

4-0 straight up
2-2 vs. spread

Season
174-108 straight up (.617)
140-142 vs. spread (.496)

All-time (2003-24)
3630-2018-14 straight up (.643)
2758-2760-144 vs spread (.500)

Buffalo Bills place kicker Tyler Bass (2) reacts after missing a field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter of an NFL AFC division playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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