The best player matchups for NFL conference championships

This isn't much of a matchup at all on paper between the defending NFL MVP (Mahomes) and Tannehill, especially considering the Titans quarterback has thrown the ball only 29 times in two playoff games. However, it's notable that Tannehill led the league with 9.6 yards per pass attempt during the regular season, so he's certainly capable of big plays if Tennessee is forced to play from behind.

Henry has been one of the big stories of the playoffs so far, rushing for 377 yards in two games. Hitchens and the rest of the K.C. defense will have their work cut out to slow him, and the Chiefs defense has generally struggled to stop the run this season (4.9 yards per carry allowed) despite huge improvements overall vs. last season.

Williams had an injury-plagued season but emerged once again as the bell cow back for the Chiefs offense late in the year. Evans leads a banged-up Titans linebacker corps in trying to stop the multi-dimensional running back.

Brown was a revelation during the regular season for Tennessee with 1,051 yards receiving, but he has only two catches during the playoffs. It wouldn't be a surprise if he's a bigger part of the AFC championship, as the Titans try to pick on Ward after his subpar game against Houston. Ward was K.C.'s most consistent cornerback during the regular season, however.

Houston had no answers for Kelce, arguably the best tight end in the NFL. The Titans also struggled against Kelce in the teams' previous matchup this season, allowing seven catches for 75 yards and one score, but Byard is one of the league's top safeties. Along with fellow safety Kenny Vaccaro, the Titans have to come up with a better plan to slow down the superstar.

Davis is an uber-talented wideout, though he has started to play second fiddle to rookie A.J. Brown this season. The Chiefs will likely change up the coverage to challenge him, including with star safety Mathieu, along with the team's cornerbacks.

Hill is an electrifying player but was mostly held in check by Houston in the divisional round. That wasn't the case when the teams met previously, as Hill finished with 11 receptions for 157 yards and one score. Ryan and Tennessee's other corners will have to do their best to better contain Hill this time around.

Clark took over the game vs. Houston with three sacks, and he also plays the run well due to his tremendous size. Conklin and the rest of the Titans line will have to put in the effort to move him off the ball. Clark had four tackles and one sack in the teams' first head-to-head matchup this year.

Chris Jones sat out Sunday's game with a calf injury and remains questionable for the AFC conference championship. A true disruptor on the interior, he would be a welcome addition to the Chiefs defense after recording eight tackles and two sacks in the first meeting vs. the Titans. Ben Jones and the rest of Tennessee's interior offensive line have dominated lately, so this could be one of the more fun matchups to watch if Chris Jones takes the field.

Lewan is known as one of the NFL's top left tackles and has been mauling defensive linemen during Tennessee's playoff run. Suggs has given the Chiefs a spark since joining the team from Arizona late in the year and is still capable of making Lewan's job difficult.

Landry was Tennessee's most formidable pass rusher this season with nine sacks during the regular season. On the other side of the ball, Schwartz has been arguably the NFL's top pass blocking right tackle over the last several years. Along with left tackle Eric Fisher, the Chiefs hope to keep Patrick Mahomes' pocket clean by stopping Landry and star defensive lineman Jurrell Casey.

A Pro Bowler on special teams as a rookie, Hardman showed how he can change a game on kickoffs with a long one in the divisional round that helped jump-start the Chiefs vs. Houston. Greg Joseph could have trouble kicking touchbacks in cold conditions, but the Titans kicker will play an important role in the field position game.

Garoppolo is appearing in his first NFC championship after a solid game in the divisional round. Rodgers is making his fourth appearance in the conference championship but has only won one of the previous matchups. At age 36, Rodgers would like nothing more than to have one more shot at a Super Bowl.

Jones accounted for more than 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns during the regular season, and he's a matchup problem for any linebacker. Warner and Kwon Alexander will be tasked with keeping him in check on Sunday.

Raheem Mostert jumped to the front of the 49ers impressive running back committee in the regular season, but Tevin Coleman was the top rusher in the divisional round with 22 carries for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Regardless, San Francisco's running backs, along with Kyle Shanahan's creative scheme, will make for a difficult day for Packers leading tackler Blake Martinez and Co.

Adams is Aaron Rodgers' longtime, go-to receiver, and that was especially the case this season with his 83 receptions in only 12 regular-season games. Sherman, a probable future Hall of Famer, likely will see most of his work lining up opposite Adams in what could be a slugfest.

Sanders has added a spark to the 49ers offense since he was acquired from Denver at the trade deadline, but Alexander has developed into a top corner in only his second NFL season. The San Francisco wideout was held to one catch in the previous game vs. Green Bay.

Samuel has been an impressive rookie impact player for San Francisco, and he scored a touchdown in his first game vs. Green Bay. King had a strong game in the divisional round vs. Seattle and will be relied upon to repeat.

Kittle was kept quiet in the divisional round vs. Minnesota, but he had one of his biggest games of the season in his first matchup against the Packers with 129 yards and one touchdown. The Packers will have to come up with a different plan to stop him in this game that includes Amos, who had a strong 2019 season after coming over from Chicago.

Bosa is the likely Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording nine sacks during the regular season, and he added two more sacks in the divisional round. He was able to sack Aaron Rodgers once in the first matchup against Green Bay, but Bakhtiari and the rest of the Packers line hope to have more success this time around.

Smith has made a huge impact since coming over from Washington in the offseason, with 12 sacks during the regular season and two more in divisional round. Still developing in his second year, McGlinchey could have his hands full blocking the Smith duo (Preston and Za'Darius).

Ford returned from a hamstring injury last week to record a sack after accumulating 6.5 sacks in 11 games during the regular season. He was absent from the last contest vs. Green Bay, but will be making his second consecutive championship weekend appearance after playing for the Chiefs last year. Bulaga battled through illness in the divisional round but should be back to full strength this week, as he gets a tough assignment.

Clark has established himself as a top interior lineman and has been on a roll lately with 5.5 sacks over his last five games. Garland and the rest of the 49ers offensive line interior could have a difficult time stopping him in the pass rush.

Staley is now in his 13th NFL season and is a six-time Pro Bowler. Despite his talent, Staley will have a tough battle with the Smiths. Za'Darius Smith has been playing well recently, in particular, with two sacks in the divisional round after recording 13.5 sacks in the regular season.