NFL playoffs: Predictions and odds for conference championship games
Two spots. Four teams.
Conference championship weekend in the NFL has arrived, leaving the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams as the last four standing. Only two of them will be able to compete in Super Bowl 60 to put a bow on the 2025 NFL season.
In other words, it’s the penultimate Sunday game day of the year, featuring the AFC and NFC championship games.
The action kicks off on Sunday, Jan. 25 in the AFC, when the Broncos host the Patriots. A rivalry renewed, this matchup has taken on new life following the season-ending ankle injury to Bo Nix. That means that backup QB Jarrett Stidham will look to guide his team into the big game by making just his fifth career start. A former Patriot draft pick in 2019, Stidham’s presence throws a wrench into the final weeks of the postseason.
On the flip side, we’ll be treated to a third game between the Seahawks and Rams. These NFC West rivals have given fans some incredible games thus far, splitting the first two. It’s a winner-take-all tiebreaking game in the NFC championship game, which could end up being the real Super Bowl matchup when we look back on the season.
Can Sam Darnold and Seattle continue a magical season or will Puka Nacua and the Rams spoil the party in the Pacific Northwest?
There are just two games left before Super Bowl 60 and everyone has a take on which teams will get there. Here’s a look at how the experts and analysts see the conference championship matchups going.
NFL conference championship games predictions, picks
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Jan. 20
New England Patriots at Denver Broncos
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 25
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Empower Field at Mile High (Denver)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+, Fubo
- Spread: Patriots (-5)
∎ USA TODAY: Patriots 24, Broncos 20
‘While Stidham may keep the Broncos competitive, Maye and Co. can be expected to pull out a late win on the road at Mile High Stadium to send the team through to Super Bowl 60.
∎ Arizona Republic: Patriots 23, Broncos 17
‘Can Jarrett Stidham pull a Nick Foles and lead Denver to the Super Bowl? We don’t see it. New England will force the QB into some mistakes and Drake Maye and the Patriots will put up enough points to win the AFC championship.’
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Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 25
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Lumen Field (Seattle)
- TV: Fox
- Streaming: Fox One, Fubo
- Spread: Seahawks (-2.5)
∎ USA TODAY: Seahawks 26, Rams 23
‘The Rams could wear down as the game goes on, especially if the Seahawks dominate with their ground game and defense, as they did against the 49ers. That could be enough to get Seattle to the Super Bowl for the first time in 11 years.
∎ Arizona Republic: Seahawks 27, Rams 24
‘Seattle’s defense and special teams will make some big plays again and Sam Darnold will avoid big mistakes in allowing the Seahawks to get past Matthew Stafford and the Rams in this all-NFC West NFC championship game.’
