The air in Denver is thin, and right now, the tension is even thinner. If you're asking what two teams are going to the Super Bowl, you're looking for a definitive answer in a season that has been anything but predictable. We are currently sitting in the middle of the Divisional Round of the 2026 NFL Playoffs, and the bracket is finally starting to give up its secrets.
One spot in the AFC Championship is officially locked. The Denver Broncos just survived an absolute heart-stopper at Mile High, knocking off Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime. It was classic Sean Payton—scrappy, calculated, and just a little bit lucky. But that win came with a massive price tag. Bo Nix, the rookie who has been playing like a ten-year vet, fractured a bone in his ankle. He’s out. Just like that, the Broncos are heading into the biggest game of their lives with a backup under center.
Over in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks are looking like the juggernaut nobody wants to touch. They absolutely dismantled the 49ers 41-6 on Saturday. It wasn't even a contest. Mike Macdonald has that defense playing like the "Legion of Boom" 2.0. They are the No. 1 seed for a reason, and they will be hosting the NFC Championship at Lumen Field next Sunday.
The AFC Power Struggle: Can the Broncos Survive Without Nix?
The question of what two teams are going to the Super Bowl usually comes down to who has the hottest quarterback. Right now, the AFC is in a state of mild panic. The Broncos are the first team through to the conference title game, but they are wounded.
Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, the other half of the AFC bracket is being decided in Foxborough. The New England Patriots are hosting the Houston Texans. It’s a fascinating matchup because it’s basically a mirror image of two rebuilding projects that actually worked. Drake Maye has turned the Patriots back into a defensive-first machine that doesn't make mistakes. Meanwhile, C.J. Stroud and the Texans have a defense that is arguably the most physical unit left in the dance.
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If the Patriots win today, we get a Broncos-Patriots AFC Championship in Denver. If the Texans pull the upset, they’ll be the ones traveling to Mile High. Honestly, with Bo Nix out, the winner of the Texans-Patriots game might actually be the favorite to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LX.
The NFC Gauntlet: Seattle Awaits its Rival
Seattle is resting today. They earned it. After putting 41 points on San Francisco, the Seahawks look like the safest bet on the board. But their opponent is being decided right now in Chicago.
The Los Angeles Rams are taking on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. This is the game everyone is talking about because of the styles. You've got Matthew Stafford, the grizzled veteran who just won't quit, against Caleb Williams, the face of the "new" NFL. The winner of this slugfest has to go into the noise of Seattle next week.
Why the Seahawks Look Unstoppable
- Home Field Advantage: They haven't lost at Lumen Field in months.
- The Macdonald Effect: This defense is confusing elite quarterbacks with disguised coverages.
- Healthy Roster: Unlike the Broncos or the 49ers, Seattle is relatively healthy at the right time.
Predicting the Matchup for Super Bowl LX
So, let's get into the weeds of what two teams are going to the Super Bowl this February in Santa Clara.
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If you look at the betting odds, the Seahawks are the heavy favorites (+270) to win it all. They have the clearest path. In the AFC, things are much murkier. The Broncos have home-field advantage throughout, but playing a conference championship with a backup quarterback is a tall order, regardless of how good Sean Payton is at calling plays.
The most likely scenario based on current performance? A Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots matchup. It would be a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX—though thankfully for Seahawks fans, Russell Wilson isn't there to throw it on the one-yard line this time. Drake Maye’s poise in the pocket has been the story of the season, and if he can navigate Foxborough today and Denver next week, he’ll be the youngest QB to lead the Pats to the big game since Tom Brady.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Playoffs
People tend to overvalue the "star" names. They look at the Chiefs—who actually missed the playoffs this year for the first time in the Mahomes era—and assume the big brands will always be there. But 2026 has been the year of the "system."
The Bears are in the hunt because of a revitalized defense. The Texans are here because they’ve built a trench-warfare culture. Success this year isn't about one guy making a miracle play; it's about which team can survive four quarters of physical punishment without turning the ball over.
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Critical Dates to Watch
- January 25: The Conference Championships. AFC at 3:00 PM ET, NFC at 6:30 PM ET.
- February 8: Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Actionable Insights for the Remainder of the Postseason
If you are following the road to the Super Bowl, keep your eyes on the injury reports for the Broncos this week. How they restructure their offense for a backup will determine the AFC's fate.
For those looking at the NFC, watch the weather in Chicago today. A sloppy, cold game at Soldier Field favors the Bears' ground game, but if the Rams can keep Stafford clean, their experience might be enough to set up an all-NFC West showdown in Seattle next week.
Whatever happens, the "new guard" of the NFL has officially arrived. Mahomes and Kelce are watching from home. It's time to see if the next generation of stars is ready for the brightest lights in sports.
Check the final scores from today's Texans-Patriots and Rams-Bears games to see the finalized Conference Championship matchups. Once those games wrap up tonight, the path to Santa Clara will be down to just four teams.