NFL Conference Championship Games Preview

The NFL has whittled 32 teams down to the final four, and the matchups for Sunday, January 25, 2026, offer two of the most fascinating storylines in recent playoff history. One game features an MVP favorite traveling to face a backup quarterback in the thin air of Denver, while the other is a “Round 4” grudge match between two of the game’s best tactical minds.

Here is a deep-dive preview into the AFC and NFC Championship Games.

AFC Championship: (2) New England Patriots at (1) Denver Broncos

Time: 3:00 PM ET | TV: CBS | Line: Patriots -5.5 | O/U: 41.5

The Narrative: The Shadow of Bo Nix

The Broncos’ 33-30 overtime victory over Buffalo was the definition of a “Pyrrhic victory.” Starting QB Bo Nix, who joined John Elway as the only Broncos QB to throw 3 TDs in a playoff game, suffered a season-ending ankle fracture in the final moments of the win. Denver now turns to Jarrett Stidham—a former Patriot who was drafted to succeed Tom Brady. Sean Payton has voiced immense confidence in Stidham, but the task is Herculean: beat Mike Vrabel’s defense with one week of first-team reps.

Schematic Deep Dive: The “Maye-hem” vs. The Denver “No-Fly Zone”

• The Patriots’ Gamble: Drake Maye has been a statistical god in 2025 (4,394 yards, 31 TDs), but he was reckless in the Divisional Round, committing three turnovers against Houston. Mike Vrabel’s philosophy has shifted to “win despite the QB” in the playoffs, relying on a defense that has sacked opponents 11 times in two games.

• The Denver Wall: Even without Nix, Denver’s defense is elite. Pat Surtain II will likely shadow Stefon Diggs all afternoon. If Denver can force Maye into early mistakes, Stidham won’t need to be a hero—he’ll just need to be a “bus driver.”

X-Factor: Rhamondre Stevenson (RB, Patriots)

In the thin air of Mile High, the team that controls the clock wins. Stevenson has been the “closer” for New England all year. If he can crack the 100-yard mark, it keeps Denver’s aggressive pass rush (led by Nik Bonitto) at bay and protects Maye from himself.

NFC Championship: (5) Los Angeles Rams at (1) Seattle Seahawks

Time: 6:30 PM ET | TV: FOX | Line: Seahawks -6.5 | O/U: 44.5

The Narrative: The “Zachward Pass” Grudge Match

This is the fourth meeting this year between these NFC West rivals. Seattle leads the season series 2-1, but the Rams are still fuming over the “Zachward Pass”—a controversial Week 16 play where Seattle’s Zach Charbonnet scored a two-point conversion off a backward pass that the Rams claimed was a dead ball. That single play gave Seattle the #1 seed and sent the Rams on the road.

Schematic Deep Dive: Macdonald’s Fortress vs. McVay’s Mind

• The Seattle Fortress: Under Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks have the NFL’s #1 scoring defense (17.2 PPG). They just held the high-octane 49ers to 6 points. Their “light box” run defense is revolutionary, allowing them to keep seven defenders in coverage while still stifling the run.

• Stafford’s Final Stand: Matthew Stafford is nursing a “sore” throwing hand after the OT win in Chicago, but he’s playing with house money. He knows Macdonald’s tendencies better than anyone. Expect McVay to use heavy doses of Puka Nacua in the slot to avoid the outside “islands” of Devon Witherspoon.

X-Factor: Rashid Shaheed (WR/RS, Seahawks)

Shaheed has become the ultimate “game-breaker” in Seattle. He opened the Divisional Round with a 95-yard kickoff return TD. In a game that is expected to be a physical, low-scoring affair, a single special teams play could be the difference between a trip to Santa Clara and a heartbreaking exit.

Tactical Comparison Table