The road to Super Bowl LX has narrowed to four teams. Following a Divisional Round weekend packed with overtime thrillers and statement victories, the NFL Playoffs 2026 bracket is officially set for Championship Sunday. The New England Patriots will travel to Denver to face the top-seeded Broncos in the AFC Championship Game 2026, while the Los Angeles Rams prepare for a colossal NFC West rematch against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game 2026.
Dramatic Finishes Shape the Final Four
This past weekend's NFL Divisional Round results offered a stark contrast in styles, ranging from defensive slugfests to offensive explosions. Sunday's action culminated in the Los Angeles Rams punching their ticket to the conference title game with a nail-biting 20-17 overtime victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. That result, combined with the Seattle Seahawks' dominant performance on Saturday, sets up an all-NFC West showdown that promises fireworks.
In the AFC, the New England Patriots continued their resurgence, dispatching the Houston Texans 28-16 to end a lengthy conference championship drought. They now face a well-rested Denver Broncos squad that survived a scare against the Buffalo Bills, securing a 33-30 OT win that kept their Super Bowl hopes alive. With the matchups finalized, the stage is set for a historic Sunday on January 25.
AFC Championship: Patriots vs. Broncos Preview
Schedule: Sunday, Jan. 25 | 3:00 PM ET | CBS
The early window features a battle of AFC heavyweights at Empower Field at Mile High. The Denver Broncos, holding the No. 1 seed, enter the contest as the favorites, but their path here was anything but smooth. Their 33-30 overtime triumph over the Buffalo Bills exposed potential vulnerabilities in their secondary, something New England will look to exploit.
New England's journey has been defined by disciplined football. After handling the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round, they controlled the tempo against Houston, relying on a balanced offensive attack and a defense that forced critical turnovers in the second half. The Patriots vs Broncos odds opening early this week are expected to lean toward Denver due to home-field advantage and the altitude, but New England's momentum makes them a dangerous underdog.
Key Matchup to Watch
The deciding factor could be the trenches. Denver's pass rush was relentless in the regular season, but they struggled to contain Buffalo's mobile quarterback in the Divisional Round. New England's offensive line has been stellar this postseason, allowing zero sacks against the Texans. If they can give their quarterback time to operate, an upset in Denver isn't just possible—it's plausible.
NFC Championship: Rams vs. Seahawks Preview
Schedule: Sunday, Jan. 25 | 6:30 PM ET | FOX
The NFC Championship Game 2026 offers a heated divisional rivalry on the league's biggest stage. The Seattle Seahawks looked absolutely terrifying in their Divisional Round performance, dismantling the San Francisco 49ers 41-6. It was a statement win that reasserted Lumen Field as one of the most hostile environments in sports. The Seahawks' offense was virtually unstoppable, scoring on six of their first seven possessions.
Conversely, the Los Angeles Rams had to fight for every inch in Chicago. Their 20-17 overtime win showcased grit rather than glamour. The Rams' defense stepped up when it mattered most, stalling the Bears' drive in overtime to set up the game-winning field goal. While Seattle had the luxury of resting starters in the fourth quarter, Los Angeles played a physical four-plus quarters of football.
History Favors the Home Team?
The Rams vs Seahawks schedule history this season is split, with each team winning at home. However, playing in Seattle in January presents a unique challenge. The
