The NFL Playoffs are heating up, and Super Bowl 60 is within reach! After an incredibly unpredictable regular season, the stage is set for an exciting finale. The Wildcard Weekend delivered a record-breaking number of comebacks, setting the tone for what's sure to be a thrilling Divisional Round. Six teams fought their way through, joining the top seeds, Denver Broncos (AFC) and Seattle Seahawks (NFC), who earned a first-round bye. But the question on everyone's mind is: who will make it to the Super Bowl? This weekend's matchups are even tougher to predict than the last!
"It's win or go home, and at this point of the season, every team has the ability to hurt you," says Seattle's British defensive coordinator Aden Durde. "Every team has earned the right [to be here]. There's no-one you can take lightly or put above someone else."
Durde's Seahawks are considered the slight favorites to win Super Bowl 60, edging out the Los Angeles Rams. But who do you think will be battling it out in the Conference Championships? Let's dive into some key matchups.
AFC Showdown: Can the Bills Conquer the Broncos?
With the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals out of the picture, is this the Buffalo Bills' year to finally reach the Super Bowl? Quarterback Josh Allen led the Bills to a comeback victory last week, but now they face the AFC's top seed, the Denver Broncos.
"Defence still wins championships," notes USA Today reporter Tyler Dragon. "Denver are a well-balanced team and kind of like the Seahawks, it starts with that defence." The Broncos have been dominant, winning 13 of their last 14 games and leading the league with 68 sacks. Former NFL coach Phil McGeoghan points out, "In the play-offs, when you can have issues with weather or injuries, it's going to take a turnover on defence to make the difference."
Meanwhile, the Houston Texans and New England Patriots' defensive units also impressed last week. Now, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye faces a tough test against the Texans, who led the league in fewest yards allowed (183.5 per game). McGeoghan is impressed by the Houston defense, especially Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson. He believes the Patriots will protect Maye and enable him to make plays.
NFC's Divisional Duel: Rams vs. Bears and 49ers vs. Seahawks
The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers both advanced last week, joining the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round. The Chicago Bears are also in the mix, having pulled off a record number of fourth-quarter comebacks during the regular season. If the Rams win in Chicago, it would set up a divisional match-up in the Conference Championships.
"The Bears' slow starts are going to come back to bite them, especially against the upper echelon teams - and the Rams are certainly one of those," Dragon says. The Rams have a strong offense, led by MVP favorite Matt Stafford and a top-tier receiving corps.
But here's where it gets controversial... The San Francisco 49ers, despite losing tight end George Kittle to injury, are facing Seattle. Should the Seahawks win, they would host the Conference Championship at Lumen Field, where their fans, known as 'the 12s,' create an incredibly loud atmosphere. Dragon says, "It's probably the loudest venue I've been to... Those fans can get after it and it really helps when the opposing offence has the ball."
McGeoghan adds, "There's tons of familiarity because they're divisional opponents, so I think you can throw the seeds out the window - it's all going to be about physicality."
The Schedule:
Here's the Divisional Round schedule (all times GMT):
- Saturday, January 17:
- Buffalo Bills (6) @ Denver Broncos (1) - 21:30
- San Francisco 49ers (6) @ Seattle Seahawks (1) - 01:00 (Sun)
- Sunday, January 18:
- Houston Texans (5) @ New England Patriots (2) - 20:00
- Los Angeles Rams (5) @ Chicago Bears (2) - 23:30
So, who do you think will be playing in Super Bowl 60? Do you agree with the favorites, or do you have some underdogs you're backing? Share your predictions in the comments below! And don't forget to tune in for live text commentary on all playoff games on the BBC Sport website and app, plus live radio commentary on Texans @ Patriots on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds. The Whole 10 Yards, BBC Sport's weekly NFL program, will also follow the road to Super Bowl 60.
