NFL title games may be decided outside the lines

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When evenly matched teams do battle on the field of play, most of the time the game is decided by who has the better athletes or who wants it most.
But sometimes, just sometimes, the game can be decided by other factors than the play on the field.
Take the two NFL Championship games taking place today.
At this point in the season, we know exactly what the four teams left in the post-season have in terms of talent and drive.
Those factors have given the remaining clubs the opportunity to continue on their trek to the ultimate prize; a Super Bowl ring.
However, there are some numbers that can be analyzed that may make a difference in the outcome of the two games.
Let’s take experience for example. In the AFC Championship, the experience factor goes heavily in favor of the New England Patriots.
Having participated in the last eight title games, including this one, the Patriots are seasoned veterans when it comes to big games. A number of personnel for New England have been on the team during this run, including perennial All-Pro Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick.
As far as the Kansas City Chiefs are concerned, experience comes at a premium. Outside of head coach Andy Reid, who has been to a championship game on four different occasions, none of the current Kansas City players have had the opportunity to be in this position.
In the NFC, the experience edge goes to the New Orleans Saints. Although only a handful of players on the current Saints roster have been to a championship game, the key participants, including future hall of famer Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton know what it takes to make it to the Super Bowl.
In contrast, the Los Angeles Rams are nubile when it comes to big game situations. In fact, only nine Ram players have seven or more years of NFL experience. Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay is only in his second season as a head coach and is the youngest coach in the league.
Taking a look at head-to-head records against opposing coaches, Patriot head coach Belichick owns the overall edge with a 6-2 record against Reid and 2-0 record in the NFL Playoffs. But, Belichick has coached 342 games (postseason included) and only seven times have his teams allowed 40 points or more. Three of those instances came at the expense of Reid’s offenses.
In fact, Kansas City has hung 87 points on New England in the last two meetings. A key stat to consider: The Patriots have allowed 30 or more points in four of their last eight road games, which means that New England may have to score 40 points to pick up a win.
On the opposite side of the bracket, there is not a whole lot to look at when considering the head-to-head record of Payton vs. McVay, since McVay is a newbie in his role as head coach. The two teams have met twice since McVay took over the reins and is 1-1 against Payton, a 26-20 win last year and a 45-35 loss this past regular season.
Nevertheless, there are other numbers to consider. For instance, New Orleans is 6-0 in home playoff games in the Payton era; in contrast they are 1-5 on the road, the poorest record of any team to have played at least four road postseason games during that span.
Being the number one seed also has its advantages. Of the 10 teams to play in the last five Super Bowls, nine of them entered the playoffs with the No. 1 conference seed. Both the Saints and the Chiefs are No. 1 seeds. Clearly, being home for the post season matters.
Here are a couple of other interesting points to ponder for the two contests.
1. The Rams are 2-3 this season when they do not hit the 100-rushing-yards mark.