Four teams chase Super Bowl glory in conference championships

Four teams have clawed their way through the divisional round and now face the final hurdle before Super Bowl LX. The New England Patriots will travel to Denver to face the top-seeded Broncos in the AFC Championship, while the Los Angeles Rams head to Seattle to battle the number-one seed Seahawks in the NFC Championship. Both games take place on Sunday, January 25, with the winners advancing to the Super Bowl on February 8 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The path to this point has been dramatic. In the divisional round, the Broncos outlasted the Buffalo Bills in overtime on Saturday, while the Patriots demolished the Houston Texans 28-16 on Sunday. On the NFC side, the Seahawks absolutely dominated the San Francisco 49ers with a 41-6 blowout victory Saturday night, and the Rams edged the Chicago Bears 20-17 in overtime Sunday evening.

Background

The Broncos earned the top seed in the AFC by winning their division and securing a bye through the wild card round. They represent Denver's best chance at a championship in years, though they'll face a significant obstacle heading into Sunday's game. Quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury during the divisional round victory over Buffalo, leaving the team to navigate the championship game without their starter.

"The Broncos and Patriots are facing each other in the AFC title game for the third time in 13 years. The two previous meetings were both played in Denver and the Broncos won both of them." – ESPN reporting

The Patriots' road to this point marks a remarkable turnaround for a franchise that has struggled in recent seasons. This represents New England's first trip to a conference championship game since 2018, when Tom Brady and Bill Belichick led the team to what would become their final appearance together before Brady's eventual retirement and Belichick's departure.

In the NFC, the Seahawks claimed the top seed and earned a bye, allowing them to rest while other teams battled through the wild card round. Their demolition of the 49ers sent a clear message about their form heading into the championship game. The Rams, meanwhile, secured a lower seed but have shown they can win on the road and in tight situations, evidenced by their overtime victory against Chicago.

Key Details

AFC Championship: Patriots at Broncos

The AFC Championship will kick off at 3 p.m. ET on CBS and important+. Denver enters as the heavy favorite, having won both previous playoff meetings against New England in this matchup. The Broncos' home-field advantage at Empower Field at Mile High, combined with their superior seeding, makes them the clear pick. However, the Patriots have shown resilience throughout the playoffs, and their defense proved suffocating against Houston.

The critical question for Denver centers on quarterback play without Nix. The Broncos will need to lean heavily on their defense and running game to control the tempo. New England, meanwhile, must establish their ground game early and avoid falling into a deficit that forces them to rely on their passing attack.

NFC Championship: Rams at Seattle

The NFC Championship begins at 6:30 p.m. ET on Fox. This matchup carries extra meaning, as the Rams and Seahawks have already faced each other twice this season in the regular season. The Rams won in Week 11 by a score of 21-19, but Seattle got revenge in Week 16 with a 38-37 victory. This third meeting will determine who advances to the Super Bowl.

The Seahawks' dominant performance against San Francisco suggests they're playing at their peak. This marks their first conference championship appearance in 11 years, adding motivation for a team hungry to return to the Super Bowl. The Rams, despite being a lower seed, have proven they can win in hostile environments and have the experience of multiple playoff runs in recent years.

What This Means

The conference championships represent the final step before the Super Bowl. These four teams have eliminated 12 others to reach this point, and only two will advance to the championship game on February 8.

For the Broncos, a victory would send them to the Super Bowl despite losing their starting quarterback mid-playoff run. For the Patriots, winning would represent one of the most improbable runs in recent memory for a franchise that has struggled in recent seasons. In the NFC, the Seahawks' path to the Super Bowl seems more straightforward given their top seed and dominant recent form. The Rams, however, have shown they thrive in elimination games and shouldn't be discounted despite their lower seeding.

The winner of the AFC Championship will represent a conference that has produced competitive playoff football throughout the postseason. The NFC Championship will determine whether the Seahawks' dominant form continues or whether the Rams' playoff experience prevails. Both games promise intensity and high stakes as the four remaining teams battle for a spot in Super Bowl LX.