Championship Sunday Is Set: Patriots, Broncos, Rams, and Seahawks Eye Super Bowl 60
And then there were four.
After a rollercoaster of a postseason, the NFL's version of the Final Four is locked in, and the path to Super Bowl 60 is just one win away for each of the remaining contenders. Two AFC powerhouses.
Two NFC rivals. Four franchises with very different stories-but all with the same goal.
Let’s break down what’s ahead on Championship Sunday and what fans should be watching for as the stakes hit their highest point yet.
AFC Championship: Patriots at Broncos - 3 p.m. ET on CBS
The New England Patriots are back in the AFC title game for the first time in seven years, and it’s not just a return-it’s a resurgence. After years of rebuilding and recalibrating, they’ve clawed their way back to the brink of the Super Bowl.
Standing in their way? A Denver Broncos team that’s making its first AFC Championship Game appearance in a decade.
And here’s the twist: the last time the Broncos were on this stage, it was also against the Patriots-and they hosted that one too. History has a funny way of circling back.
But Denver’s road just got a lot tougher. Starting quarterback Bo Nix, who had been steady under center throughout the season, suffered a broken ankle late in the Broncos' divisional-round win over the Buffalo Bills. That means Jarrett Stidham is stepping in for the biggest start of his career-and his first in two years.
Stidham hasn’t started a game since 2024, but head coach Sean Payton isn’t blinking. He’s backing his guy, and Denver’s game plan will likely lean heavily on its defense and run game to support the new signal-caller. The Broncos’ defense has been opportunistic and physical all year, and it’ll need to be at its best against a Patriots team that’s found its rhythm at the right time.
New England, meanwhile, brings a balanced attack and a defense that’s been quietly dominant. If they can rattle Stidham early and control the tempo, they could be booking their ticket to Las Vegas.
NFC Championship: Rams at Seahawks - 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX
Over in the NFC, it’s a heavyweight rubber match between division foes. The Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams split their regular-season meetings, and now they’ll settle the score with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
Seattle has home-field advantage, and that crowd at Lumen Field will be fired up. But Rams head coach Sean McVay is no stranger to big games-and he’s no stranger to quieting hostile environments. He’s looking to guide the Rams to his third Super Bowl appearance as head coach, and his team is peaking at the right time.
Both teams bring firepower on offense and playmakers on defense. Seattle’s offense has been efficient and explosive, while the Rams have leaned on a balanced attack and timely defensive stops. This one has all the makings of a classic NFC showdown-fast, physical, and likely coming down to the final possession.
No More Thursday Night Football
Just a quick heads-up: there’s no Thursday Night Football this week. From here on out, it’s all Sunday football, all the way to the Super Bowl.
How to Watch Championship Sunday
- AFC Championship (Patriots at Broncos): CBS
- NFC Championship (Rams at Seahawks): FOX
- Streaming options: FuboTV (free trial available), Paramount+
Whether you’re watching on cable or streaming, Sunday’s doubleheader is must-see football. Two games.
Four teams. One Super Bowl 60 matchup waiting to be written.
Other Sports on Tap
While the NFL takes a brief pause until Sunday, there’s still plenty to catch across the sports world. Amazon Prime Video is featuring NBA action with four Western Conference teams on the slate, and the women’s college basketball scene is heating up with three nationally televised matchups between ranked teams.
But make no mistake-this weekend belongs to the NFL. The Lombardi Trophy is within reach, and by Sunday night, we’ll know who’s heading to Las Vegas for Super Bowl 60.