NFL Playoffs Conference Championship Round For 2025 season There are two great matchups, and we’ve told you everything you need to know about both.
First up, Patriots QB drake may For the first time in the playoffs, the Broncos are hitting the road to face a team that will be without a QB. bo nix (ankle) in the AFC title game. And then culminates with an NFC West battle between the surging Rams and Seahawks for a chance to go into the weekend Super Bowl.
Our NFL Nation reporter takes you inside the locker room with the best thing he heard this week, and analytics writer Seth Walder provides a key detail to know for each matchup. NFL analyst Ben Solak also gives us bold predictions, and NFL analyst Matt Bowen identifies a matchup X factor worth watching. Betting analyst Pam Maldonado has made an interesting conclusion bet in each game, and staff writer Kevin Seifert tells us what to know about the officiating. Also, our football power index (FPI) goes inside the numbers with a sports projection, and four analysts – Eric Moody, Maldonado, Solak and Walder – give us the final scores. picks up For both games.
Everything you need to know is here in one place to help you get ready for next weekend nfl playoff football. Let’s join the NFC and AFC Championship Games.
Go to Matchup:
NE-DEN | saliva-sea
3 PM ET | CBS/Paramount+ | NE-5.5 (42.5 O/U)
What we’re hearing on Patriots: linebacker robert spillaneJoe, the signal-caller for a defense that has surrendered only one touchdown in two playoff games, said facing Denver’s offense will be unique. “They do a great job with personnel packages, can align in a lot of weird formations and challenge your rules and schemes defensively. Lots of motions. Lots of ways to get guys open. So we’ve got to be really good with our plays, our spots in zone coverage and sound play in the back end, especially this week.”
Meanwhile, QB drake may Has fumbled six times in two playoff games. He said he has worked on better ball protection in practice, including putting a timer in his head to make sure he doesn’t hold on to the football for too long. –Mike Rees
What we’re hearing on the Broncos: QB given bo nix Will miss the remainder of the postseason with broken right ankleit jarrett stidham At the center with the Super Bowl on the line. He would become the first QB since Roger Staubach in 1972 to make his season debut in a conference championship game. Stidham, whom coach Sean Payton made one of the first free agent signings of his Denver tenure in 2023, has the support of his teammates and a strong Broncos defense. Notice him being more aggressive at times with his desire to push the ball downfield. As Payton said, “He’s going to finish it, and that’s going to be our approach.” –Jeff Legvold
Statistics to know: Denver’s defense duo allows 5.8 yards per carry against the run, and New England runs the duo 32% of the time (third-most in the NFL). That’s a stark disparity with the rest of the Broncos’ rush defense, which has allowed 3.3 yards per carry against all non-duo run types, best in the league. Was this difference reflected in the 65 pair of runs scored against Denver this season? we’ll find out. –Walder
Bold prediction: Christian GonzalezThe Patriots’ CB1 and one of the four or five best corners in football only gets a fraction of Denver’s attention Pat Surtain II Does. But he would make a statement and hit a six on Stidham en route to the finale. Courtland Sutton Down for the game. –Solak
Matchup X Factor: broncos rb RJ Harvey. Look for Harvey to play a defined role in the pass game. This allows Stidham to take available throws downfield when Harvey exits the backfield, while Payton can also set up his RB on screen concepts. Harvey caught five passes for 46 yards. Divisional round win Over the buffalo. — Bowen
An interesting bet: Broncos +4.5 is a defense bet. The Broncos would press in the red zone, force a field goal and turn drives into punts. The Patriots can still turn the ball over and win without isolation, where every point will be hard-earned. — Maldonado
Caretaker Nuggets: Both the Patriots and Broncos advanced to this game partially due to receiving defensive pass interference penalties late in their divisional round wins. Referee Alex Kemp’s regular season crew threw the seventh-most flags for defensive pass interference (1.1 per game). — Seifert
0:33
Pats focus on ball security for AFC title game
Mike Reese explains how the Patriots plan to face the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.
Maldonado’s Choice: Patriots 24, Broncos 21
Moody’s Choice: Patriots 23, Broncos 19
Soulak’s Choice: Patriots 27, Broncos 16
Walder’s Choice: Patriots 23, Broncos 20
FPI Prediction: Northeast, 59.1% (up 3.3 points from average)
Must Read Matchups: Is QB Mays’ turnovers an issue for the Patriots? … Broncos have full confidence in backup QB Stidham … Broncos open practice window for RB Dobbins’ return
6:30 pm ET | Fox sea -2.5 (47.5 o/u)
What we’re hearing on the Rams: According to ESPN Research, the Rams are looking for their third consecutive playoff win, which would be their longest in franchise history. They would be the sixth team in NFL history to win three straight road games within the postseason. Receiver, “That’s the story of our year.” davante adams Said. “I don’t think I would have designed it this way, but it’s worked for us and it’s something that has allowed us to find a way to connect together and get to a point where we don’t need to be at home to make it work.” — Sara Barshop
What we’re hearing on the Seahawks: If the first two Seahawks-Rams matchups were any indication, this game will go down to the wire. The two teams could not have looked more evenly matched as they split their regular season series. los angeles who won week 11 At SoFi Stadium, he had a combined 58 points and 830 yards in those two games. Seattle, which prevailed in overtime at Lumen Field week 16Totaled 57 points and 829 yards. “They’re a really good team,” Seahawks coach Mike McDonald said of the Rams. “They work hard. They play together. They have really talented players. A great plan. It’s a great matchup. It’s right where we need to be at this point of the year. It’s great.” — Brady Henderson
Statistics to know: The Rams are averaging 8.9 air yards per attempt, the highest mark in the league. But the Seahawks’ defense allows opponents only 4.7 air yards per attempt All time low Amidst all the defenses. The Rams will have their work cut out for them against Seattle’s defense (which is also excellent against play-action, a Rams staple) as they try to find some shot plays. –Walder
Bold prediction: sea birds running back Kenneth Walker IIIgiven the lion’s share of the takeaway Zach Charbonnet (Knee) out for the season, would once again set a season high in rushing yards, clearing the 116 mark he posted the previous weekend against the 49ers. –Solak
Matchup X Factor: Rams T.E. colby parkinson. In coach Sean McVay’s system, boot concepts are a major part of the offensive game plan. This season, quarterback Matthew Stafford There were a league-high 74 attempts on designed rollouts, which opens the door for TEs to see volume in the pass game. Parkinson has 90 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Rams’ two playoff wins. — Bowen
An interesting bet: More than 46.5. Both offenses force volume, both rely on QB play-action, and there were big upsets in both meetings this season. Even a clean defense can work against the speed, pressure, and instability of special teams. A broken play – a short-field turnover, a blocked punt for a touchdown or a defensive score – swings this number. — Maldonado
Caretaker Nuggets: The Rams (1st) and Seahawks (8th) were two of the NFL’s least penalized teams during the regular season, and this has continued in the playoffs. The Seahawks were penalized only twice in the divisional round, and the Rams had 11 flags in their two postseason appearances. Referee Clay Martin’s regular season squad threw the ninth-most flags per game (14.4). — Seifert
2:01
Greeney: If Stafford wins Super Bowl, MVP, he’s a HOF lock
The “Get Up” crew explained what another Super Bowl title and MVP award would mean for Matthew Stafford’s legacy.
Maldonado’s Choice: Seahawks 25, Rams 24
Moody’s Choice: Seahawks 26, Rams 23
Soulak’s Choice: Rams 23, Seahawks 17
Walder’s Choice: Rams 20, Seahawks 17
FPI Prediction: SEA, 53.9% (up 1.6 points from average)
Must Read Matchups: How Kupp and Adams have made Nacua a better receiver … Could RB Walker III lead the Seahawks after Charbonnet’s injury? … Can Darnold overcome his foe – the Rams – to reach the Super Bowl?
