The energy in the NFL right now is basically a mix of pure adrenaline and absolute chaos. We’ve reached that point in the playoffs where everyone is asking the same thing: what teams are going to the Super Bowl? Honestly, if you’d looked at the standings back in September, you probably wouldn't have guessed we’d be here.
Right now, we are officially down to the final four. The Divisional Round just wrapped up, and it was a bloodbath. We saw some massive upsets, a few heartbreakers, and one injury that might have just flipped the entire AFC on its head.
The AFC Power Struggle: Denver’s Bittersweet Ride
Denver fans are feeling a lot of things today. Mostly pain. The Broncos managed to claw out a 33-30 overtime win against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, but it came at a massive cost. Bo Nix, who has been playing out of his mind, went down with a broken ankle on the final drive. He’s out. Done for the season.
So, who is going to the Super Bowl from the AFC? It’s a toss-up between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots.
Drake Maye and the Patriots just systematically dismantled the Houston Texans. It wasn't even close. They looked like the well-oiled machine we haven't seen in Foxborough since the Brady era. Now, New England has to travel to Mile High next Sunday.
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Usually, playing in Denver is a nightmare. But with Nix out, the Broncos have to rely on Jarrett Stidham. Can Stidham manage a game well enough to beat a surging Patriots defense? It’s a tall order. The Patriots are currently the betting favorites to represent the AFC in Santa Clara, but never count out a Sean Payton-coached team at home.
The NFC: Can Anyone Stop the Seahawks?
Over in the NFC, things look a little different. While the AFC is a scramble, the Seattle Seahawks look like they’re playing a different sport. They just crushed the San Francisco 49ers 41-6.
Yes, 41 to 6.
Sam Darnold is having the ultimate redemption season. He had a slight oblique injury scare, but he played through it and looked totally fine. Seattle’s defense is giving everyone "Legion of Boom" flashbacks. They are fast, they are mean, and they are playing at home.
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But they have one more hurdle.
The Los Angeles Rams just beat the Chicago Bears in a cold, gritty game at Soldier Field. Matthew Stafford is 37 years old and still slinging the rock like he’s 25. The Rams are the No. 5 seed, but they don't play like it. They are the most complete team left in the bracket. If anyone can go into Seattle and ruin the party, it’s Sean McVay and Stafford.
Who is going to Super Bowl LX?
If you’re trying to figure out what teams are going to the Super Bowl, here is the simplified version of the schedule you need to clear your calendar for:
- AFC Championship: New England Patriots at Denver Broncos (Sunday, Jan 25, 3:05 PM ET on CBS)
- NFC Championship: Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, Jan 25, 6:40 PM ET on FOX)
The winners of these two games will meet at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on February 8, 2026.
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The Matchup Everyone Wants
The "narrative" pick right now is Seahawks vs. Patriots. You've got the young gun Drake Maye against the veteran redemption story in Sam Darnold. Plus, it’s a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX. You remember... the Butler interception? Seattle fans certainly do. They’ve been waiting a decade for that revenge.
The Dark Horse Reality
Don't sleep on a Rams vs. Broncos matchup. It sounds weird because of the Stidham factor, but the Broncos' defense is elite. If they can turn the AFC Championship into a low-scoring slugfest, they could find themselves in the big game. And the Rams? They’ve been underdogs all through the playoffs. They love it.
What to Watch For This Week
The talk this week is going to be all about the quarterbacks. In Denver, it's about whether the locker room actually believes in Stidham. In Seattle, everyone is watching Darnold’s oblique. In New England, it’s the "can a rookie/sophomore actually do this?" conversation.
If you're looking for an edge, look at the run games. The weather is getting nasty. Teams that can't run the ball are going to struggle to stay on the field. Kenneth Walker III has been the engine for Seattle, and Rhamondre Stevenson is carrying a huge load for the Pats.
Super Bowl LX is shaping up to be one of the weirdest, most unpredictable games in years. No Chiefs. No Ravens. No 49ers. It’s a new era.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Injury Reports: Specifically watch for Sam Darnold’s practice participation in Seattle. If he’s limited on Thursday or Friday, the Rams' moneyline becomes very attractive.
- Verify Your TV Setup: The Super Bowl is on NBC/Peacock this year. If you’re planning a party, make sure your streaming login is active and updated before the February 8 kickoff.
- Book Travel Now: If you’re planning on going to Santa Clara, do not wait. With the Seahawks and Rams both being West Coast teams, ticket prices and hotels in the Bay Area are already spiking.
The road to the Lombardi Trophy is narrow. By next Sunday night, we’ll know exactly which two teams are heading to the Super Bowl.