NFL Conference Championship Games

Previewing the Matchups

As the 2025-26 NFL season barrels toward its climax, the Conference Championships are upon us this Sunday, January 25, 2026. Four powerhouse teams remain in the hunt for Super Bowl LX, set for February 8 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The AFC showdown pits the resurgent New England Patriots against the top-seeded Denver Broncos in a rematch of classic rivalries, while the NFC features a heated NFC West battle between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks. Both games promise high drama, with star quarterbacks, stout defenses, and playoff pedigrees on full display. Here's a deep dive into each matchup, including the latest news, key injuries, betting insights, and potential weather impacts.

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AFC Championship: New England Patriots (13-4) at Denver Broncos (14-3) – 3:00 p.m. ET, CBS

Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

The Patriots, led by veteran quarterback Drake Maye in his breakout playoff run, punched their ticket to the AFC title game with a gritty 24-17 divisional win over the Buffalo Bills, showcasing a balanced attack that racked up 185 rushing yards. New England has won six straight, including a regular-season thriller against Denver in Week 12 where they edged out a 27-24 victory on a last-second field goal. The Broncos, meanwhile, dominated the Houston Texans 31-13 in the divisional round, with rookie sensation Bo Nix throwing for 312 yards and three touchdowns despite lingering concerns about his mobility. Denver's defense, ranked second in the league against the pass, has been lights-out at home, allowing just 14.2 points per game in the thin Mile High air.

Updated news highlights the Broncos' home-field advantage as a major storyline— they've gone undefeated at Mile High this season—but questions swirl around Nix's recent ankle tweak from the Texans game, which could limit his scrambling ability against New England's aggressive blitz packages. Patriots coach Jerod Mayo emphasized in a presser that his team is "built for these moments," pointing to their league-leading turnover differential (+18) as a key edge.

Key Injuries:

• Broncos: QB Bo Nix (ankle) is questionable but expected to start, though his mobility may be compromised. WR Troy Franklin (hamstring) is limited and a game-time decision, potentially thinning out Denver's receiving corps. Center Alex Forsyth (ankle) is also questionable, which could disrupt protection for Nix. WR Pat Bryant (concussion) practiced fully and should play.

• Patriots: Center Garrett Bradbury (illness) did not practice early in the week but upgraded to full participation by Friday, making him probable. CB Carlton Davis (concussion) cleared protocol and is good to go. LB Christian Elliss (hip) is full go after limited sessions.

Favorites and Betting Lines: Experts overwhelmingly favor the Patriots, with nine out of ten NFL insiders polled picking New England to advance, citing their playoff experience and defensive prowess. The betting line has the Patriots as 4.5-point road favorites, with an over/under of 42.5 points—expect a lower-scoring affair if Nix's injury hampers Denver's explosiveness. Alternate spreads like Patriots -13.5 offer +242 payouts for those betting on a blowout.

Weather could be a massive factor here, with forecasts calling for brutal conditions in Denver: temperatures dipping to 19 degrees at kickoff, feeling like 9 degrees by game's end, amid a potential snowstorm. Winds may gust up to 15 mph, favoring the run game and possibly tilting the edge to the Patriots' ground-and-pound approach over Denver's pass-heavy offense.

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NFC Championship: Los Angeles Rams (12-5) at Seattle Seahawks (14-3) – 6:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington

The Rams stormed into the title game with a 28-21 upset over the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round, where QB Matthew Stafford connected with WR Davante Adams for two scores in a vintage performance. Los Angeles has leaned on their revamped defense, which forced three turnovers against Philly, but they'll face a stern test against Seattle's high-octane attack. The Seahawks advanced via a 34-20 rout of the Detroit Lions, with QB Sam Darnold tossing for 285 yards and the league's top-ranked rushing unit (led by Kenneth Walker III) gashing for 210 yards. This marks the third meeting between these NFC West foes this season; Seattle won both prior matchups, including a 23-20 nail-biter in Week 9.

Recent buzz centers on the Seahawks' home dominance—they're 8-0 at Lumen Field this year—and Rams coach Sean McVay's "secret" adjustments to counter Seattle's blitz-heavy scheme. Advanced metrics give Seattle a slight edge in efficiency, but L.A.'s veteran savvy could make this a classic.

Key Injuries:

• Rams: WR Davante Adams (hamstring) is questionable but trending positive after limited practice. LB Byron Young (undisclosed) and CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr. received good news mid-week and are expected to suit up, bolstering the defense.

• Seahawks: QB Sam Darnold (oblique) was limited in practice but is on track to start without restrictions. The offensive line has minor dings, but no major absences reported.

Favorites and Betting Lines: The Seahawks are the consensus pick among experts, leveraging their No. 1 seed and home-field noise. Betting lines list Seattle as 5.5-point favorites, with a total of 45.5 points, reflecting expectations of a higher-scoring tilt given both teams' offensive firepower. Underdog bettors eye the Rams at +230 moneyline for a potential upset.

Weather shouldn't play a significant role, with mild conditions in Seattle: temperatures in the mid-40s, light winds under 10 mph, and partly cloudy skies with a slight chance of light rain. This favors the passing games on both sides, potentially leading to a shootout.

These championships could define legacies, with winners earning a shot at immortality in Super Bowl LX. Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable Sunday.