Hey everybody – we only have three games remaining in the 2025-26 NFL season. Sunday features two very exciting matchups, with interesting backstories to each game. As the season went on, many people felt like these would be the matchups we would see in the AFC and NFC Championships.
The AFC Championship kicks things off with the New England Patriots visiting the Denver Broncos. Tonight’s game features a classic NFC West affair, with the Los Angeles Rams invading Seattle to take on the #1 seed Seahawks. Without further delay, let’s preview these games!
PICKS (8-2 in Playoffs)
New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos
- A week ago, this game had plans to be one for the ages. That is, until Broncos’ QB Bo Nix suffered a fractured ankle in the second to last play of the game in an OT win over the Bills. There is no doubt that all of Broncos’ country is crushed, but it would be irresponsible to say they are without hope. Backup QB Jarrett Stidham gets the start today, as he tries to silence the doubters and take his team to another Super Bowl. The Patriots come off a dominant win against Houston, where the weather in that game was less than desirable. Drake Maye continues to make his MVP case, as he continues to take his team deeper into the playoffs. The Patriots are no stranger to being Super Bowl participants (and winners), but this will be no easy test against a stellar Broncos defense and fired up Mile High crowd. I think this game turns out to be a tight one, with the Broncos defense reminding everyone who they are, and the home crowd helping out their team in a major way. I know this might be a crazy pick, but I’m going with my gut instinct here. I think Stidham plays game manager, making big plays when it matters most, and the Broncos return to their first Super Bowl since 2015. Broncos 27, Patriots 24.
Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks
- This has been a storybook matchup all season, as these two teams split their first two matchups against each other. In their first meeting, the Rams defense was able to force Sam Darnold to throw four interceptions, still narrowly earning a victory at home. In the second matchup, the Seahawks were victorious in an all-time contest, beating the Rams by 1 in OT. The Rams won an impressive game last weekend against the Bears, in some weather that is completely foreign to Southern Californians. Luckily, they won’t be facing that weather this evening, but the Seahawks defense will not make it easy on LA, rain or shine. Seattle has been the best team in the NFL over the past month of the season, winning some big games and relying on their defense to shut down some powerful offenses. Shockingly, I’m going to take the underdog in this matchup too. I think this will come down to the wire, maybe a walk-off FG, but the Rams have something special going on this year, and I think Stafford takes them to another Super Bowl in one of his final seasons. Rams 29, Seahawks 27.
I hope everyone enjoys this weekend’s games – I’ll be back in a couple weeks for the Super Bowl preview!