Championship Weekend Set: Patriots, Broncos, Seahawks Await Final NFC Challenger
We’re down to the final four-well, almost. Three teams have punched their ticket to Championship Sunday, with one NFC spot still up for grabs.
The Seahawks, Patriots, and Broncos are all moving on, and the last piece of the puzzle will be decided when the Bears and Rams square off for a shot at Seattle. Let’s break down how we got here, what’s ahead, and the key storylines that are shaping this postseason.
AFC Championship: Patriots at Broncos
Matchup:
1.
Denver Broncos vs. 2.
New England Patriots
The AFC bracket is set, but not without drama. The top-seeded Broncos survived a thriller against the Bills in overtime-only to lose their starting quarterback, Bo Nix, to a broken ankle.
It’s a brutal blow for a team that’s been riding high on Nix’s poise and playmaking all season. Now, it’s veteran Jarrett Stidham’s show as Denver prepares to host the red-hot Patriots.
On the other side, New England’s rookie sensation Drake Maye continues to look the part of a future MVP. He led the Patriots past the Texans in the Divisional Round, managing the snow, the turnovers, and the moment. It wasn’t always pretty, but Maye made enough plays to get the job done-and now he’s one win away from a Super Bowl in his first season.
Wild Card Weekend Recap
Rams 34, Panthers 31
Matthew Stafford and the Rams survived a wild one against Carolina.
The Panthers, playing the underdog role to perfection, pushed L.A. to the brink with a flurry of fourth-quarter lead changes. But it was Stafford-still playing at an MVP level-who sealed the deal.
One thing to keep an eye on: Stafford appeared to bang his hand on a defender during the game, and it clearly affected his throws down the stretch. If the Rams do advance past Chicago, his health will be a major storyline heading into a potential NFC title clash with Seattle.
Bears 31, Packers 27
This one had everything-rivalry heat, a dramatic comeback, and a Soldier Field celebration that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
The Packers were in full control at halftime, but the second half was a collapse of epic proportions. Chicago stormed back with a 25-point fourth quarter, flipping the script and stunning their division rivals.
Bears fans brought out the cheese graters and partied like it was the '85 season. The win sets up a showdown with the Seahawks if they can get past the Rams tonight.
Bills 27, Jaguars 24
Buffalo went into Jacksonville and pulled out a gritty win in a game that could’ve gone either way.
Josh Allen and the Bills were banged up but battled through it, while the Jaguars saw their season end on a tough note. Trevor Lawrence had a shot to lead a game-winning drive, but his interception sealed the Jags’ fate.
A tough pill to swallow for a team that had real momentum heading into the playoffs.
49ers 23, Eagles 19
San Francisco just keeps finding ways to survive.
Despite being without multiple starters and losing George Kittle mid-game to an Achilles injury, the Niners edged out the defending champs. Kyle Shanahan’s crew has been walking a tightrope all season, and somehow, they keep landing on their feet.
Meanwhile, the Eagles’ title defense ends with more questions than answers heading into the offseason.
Patriots 16, Chargers 3
This was a defensive slugfest for most of the game, with both teams trading field goals until Drake Maye iced it late with a touchdown drive.
The Chargers struggled to protect Justin Herbert, and their offense never found rhythm. It was a classic New England playoff performance-gritty, efficient, and just enough to get through.
The win sent the Patriots to the Divisional Round, where they handled business against Houston.
Divisional Round Recap
Broncos 33, Bills 30 (OT)
This was one for the books.
Denver forced five turnovers and still needed overtime to get past the Bills. Bo Nix was sharp, the defense was opportunistic, and Mile High was rocking-until the air went out of the stadium with the news of Nix’s injury.
The rookie quarterback had been a revelation, but now it’s up to Stidham to carry the torch into the AFC Championship.
Seahawks 41, 49ers 6
Seattle didn’t just beat the 49ers-they dismantled them.
For the second time this season, the Seahawks completely overwhelmed their NFC West rivals. From the opening kickoff, it was clear who the better team was.
Seattle’s defense swarmed, the offense clicked, and the game was never in doubt. They look like the most complete team left in the field and are playing with the confidence of a Super Bowl favorite.
Patriots 28, Texans 16
Turnovers told the story in Foxboro.
CJ Stroud had a rough outing, throwing four interceptions, and the Texans turned the ball over five times in total. Despite a solid effort from Houston’s defense, there’s only so much you can do when your offense keeps giving the ball away.
Drake Maye wasn’t perfect, but he played clean football and made the key throws when it mattered. Now, the rookie heads to Denver with a shot at history.
What’s Next
The final piece of the puzzle will fall into place tonight when the Rams and Bears battle for the right to take on the Seahawks in the NFC Championship. Both teams have taken very different paths to get here-L.A. leaning on a veteran quarterback and top-end talent, Chicago riding a wave of momentum and second-half heroics.
But no matter who wins, they’ll have their hands full with a Seattle team that’s firing on all cylinders. And in the AFC, we’ve got a fascinating matchup between a rookie phenom and a backup looking to become a postseason hero.
Drake Maye vs. Jarrett Stidham.
Patriots vs. Broncos.
It’s all set for a classic.
Championship Sunday is almost here. Buckle up.