With the AFC and NFC Championship matchups locked in, the road to Super Bowl LX is down to its final stretch - and what a weekend it’s shaping up to be.
In the NFC, we’ve got a classic divisional showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams. On the AFC side, it’s the New England Patriots hosting the Denver Broncos, who are rolling in with a backup quarterback under center.
Each team has its own story, its own momentum, and its own shot at the Lombardi Trophy. But before the games kick off, let’s take a look at where these four teams stack up heading into the biggest weekend of their season.
1. Seattle Seahawks
If you’re looking for a team peaking at just the right time, look no further than Seattle. The Seahawks didn’t just beat the 49ers in the Divisional Round - they dismantled them. It was a statement win, and it came in the most Seattle way possible: a bruising ground game, opportunistic defense, and just enough from the quarterback position to keep the offense humming.
Sam Darnold only attempted 17 passes for 124 yards, but that’s all he needed. The heavy lifting came from Kenneth Walker, who torched San Francisco’s front for 116 yards and three touchdowns. That kind of balance - a punishing run game, a quarterback who can sling it when needed (Darnold threw for over 4,000 yards in the regular season), and a defense that forced three turnovers - is a nightmare for opponents this late in the year.
Seattle is playing with confidence, physicality, and purpose. Darnold silenced some critics with his performance, but the pressure only ramps up from here. The Seahawks are at home, riding momentum, and looking every bit like a team that can punch a ticket to Vegas.
2. New England Patriots
This isn't the Patriots of old - but it might be the start of something new. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye has been in the MVP conversation all season, and while he didn’t light up the stat sheet in the Divisional Round, he didn’t need to. Maye threw for 179 yards and three touchdowns in a controlled, efficient performance that leaned heavily on a defense that looks Super Bowl-ready.
The Patriots forced five turnovers against the Texans, including four interceptions off C.J. Stroud, and made life miserable for one of the league’s brightest young quarterbacks.
That’s the kind of defensive dominance that wins in January. And now, they’ll face a Denver team missing its starting quarterback, Bo Nix, which only tilts the advantage further toward New England.
With a home crowd behind them and a defense that smells blood, the Patriots are poised to take full advantage. If Maye continues to play clean football, New England could be staring down its next great era - one that might just begin with a Super Bowl appearance.
3. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams survived Chicago in overtime, and while it wasn’t pretty, surviving is all that matters in the postseason. What sets Los Angeles apart from the rest of the field is experience - Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford have done this before, and that counts for something.
But let’s be honest: Stafford hasn’t looked like himself lately. He completed just 47.6% of his passes against the Bears and hasn’t been sharp since the regular season wrapped. That’s a concern, especially with Seattle’s defense flying around the way it is.
Still, the Rams have enough talent to make noise. Their defense came up clutch with a goal-line stand late in the fourth quarter, and they’ve shown the ability to bend without breaking.
On paper, they’re arguably the most complete team left. But the games aren’t played on paper - and they’ll need Stafford to find his rhythm quickly if they want to keep pace with a red-hot Seahawks squad.
4. Denver Broncos
The Broncos weren’t supposed to be here - and that’s what makes this run so impressive. After missing the playoffs for eight straight seasons and getting bounced early last year, Denver’s return to the AFC Championship is a testament to how far this team has come. But now, they’ll have to take the next step without their starting quarterback.
Bo Nix was the engine of this offense, throwing for 279 yards and scoring three total touchdowns in a thrilling overtime win over Buffalo. With Nix sidelined, Jarrett Stidham steps in - and while he’s capable, he doesn’t bring the same playmaking threat.
Denver’s defense has been solid, but it gave up 30 points to the Bills and now faces a Patriots team that thrives on forcing mistakes. The Broncos will need to lean on their run game, control the tempo, and hope their defense can steal a few possessions. It’s a tall order, especially on the road in Foxborough.
The Bottom Line
Each of these four teams has a path to Super Bowl LX - but the road isn’t paved equally. Seattle looks like the most complete team right now, with a defense that’s clicking and a run game that can take over.
New England’s defense is playing championship-caliber football, and Maye has done everything asked of him. The Rams have the pedigree, but they’ll need Stafford to snap out of his funk.
And Denver, the ultimate underdog, will need to play near-perfect football to keep the dream alive.
Championship Sunday is almost here - and with it, the final answers to who’s truly built for the big stage.