After four months of touchdowns, sacks, and wins we have finally made it down to the last 4 teams in the playoffs. Will these teams reach greatness and be written in the history books for years to come or end up as the biggest what if story.
AFC Championship: 2:00 p.m. on CBS
Denver Broncos (15-3, #1)
The main headline behind this number one seeded Broncos team is the injury to starting quarterback Bo Nix. In the final moments of their thrilling win over the Buffalo Bills, Nix suffered a broken ankle. With Nix out, the Broncos turn to back up quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who hasn’t started a game since 2023. The Broncos are not in the best of shape after this season’s success. Their season relies on a quarterback with only 4 starts to his name. The only positive note that the Broncos can bring into this game is their defense and their experienced coaching in Sean Payton. This Broncos defense will probably be the best defensive unit that Drake Maye and the Patriots will have to face this season. This alongside being a home game at Mile High in the highest altitude in the NFL there are still glimmers of hope for this Broncos team.
New England Patriots (16-3, #2)
While the cards are stacked against the Broncos, this game will not be a pushover. The pressure is on in New England, with the new MVP front runner Drake Maye is only in his second season he hasn’t been able to experience this type of game. And even though they are playing against a backup quarterback, this should be an easy win in most eyes but this is still the NFL the Broncos will not give up easily. But we are talking about the MVP front runner Drake Maye who has been electric this whole season. After the divisional round, the Patriots are looking hot, getting a victory over the Houston Texans, 28-16. And Maye didn’t even have his best game, the Patriots defense was able to get four interceptions on the Texans. The Patriots have been looking for their success from Tom Brady, and maybe they have their guy that is Drake Maye.
Owen’s prediction: Patriots win 31-10
Garrett’s Prediction: Broncos win 24-17
NFC Championship: 5:30 p.m. on FOX
Los Angeles Rams (14-5, #5)
After coming out of one of the best NFL divisions this season, the Rams have yet to play a home game in sunny California in the playoffs. But from humid North Carolina, to blow freezing Chicago it hasn’t seemed to affect this Rams team. They seem like a well-oiled machine, with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, and wide receiver Puka Nunca, they never seem to be out of the game no matter the odds. And coach Sean McVay will be able to change the game plan after this will be the third meeting of these teams. The Rams seem to benefit more from this being their third matchup, the more experienced team should be able to change the game plan to finally get to the Super Bowl. When looking at their matchups in depth, they have both been with 2 points, these teams match up so well against each other. But this Rams team needs to sit back and see how they got past the Chicago Bears by the skin of their teeth, and how the Seahawks won their divisional matchup, and play the calculated football that they have all season.
Seattle Seahawks (15-3, #1)
The Seahawks blew the San Francisco 49ers out last week in the divisional round. We doubt we will see another one sided affair but who knows this Seahawks team. One minor problem that the Seahawks face is the possibility of their quarterback Sam Darnold being hindered by his oblique, Darnold did stay after the victory that he was in pain while throwing, but was able to stay in it for the team. But this Seahawks team is headlined by their young wide receiver Jaxon-Smith Njiba. Their explosive offense has been funneled through Njiba all season. And they also have former Ram and Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp. This team is stacked all around and we are expecting a shootout this Sunday night. If this is anything like the week 16 matchup where the Seahawks at home won 38-37 on a last minute two-point conversion, they are lined up for an all time game.
Owen’s prediction: Seahawks win 30-27
Garrett’s prediction: Rams win 17-10
