Bills suffer another heartbreaking loss, Rams win OT thriller v. Bears
Prince Grimes reacts to a chaotic NFL divisional round, highlighted by Bo Nix’s season-ending injury and heartbreaking losses for the Bills and Bears.
The 2026 NFL playoffs continue this weekend with the AFC championship game and the NFC championship game.
Which teams will win the conference championship games and advance to the Super Bowl on Feb. 8?
Check out The Arizona Republic’s NFL playoff picks and NFL playoff predictions for each game on the NFL playoff schedule on Sunday, Jan. 25.
Will the favored New England Patriots beat the Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game, or will we see an upset?
Will the Los Angeles Rams upset the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC championship game, or will the favorite win?
NFL playoff picks: Patriots at Broncos | Rams at Seahawks | The Republic’s score predictions
NFL playoff odds: Patriots at Broncos | Rams at Seahawks | Championship game odds | Super Bowl odds | NFL power rankings
Watch NFL games on FUBO (free trial)
Sunday, Jan. 25, AFC championship game prediction
New England Patriots at Denver Broncos, 1 p.m.. MST (3 p.m. ET), CBS (stream with FUBO)
No. 1 vs. No. 2 face off for a berth in the Super Bowl, but the No. 1 Broncos are an underdog after losing quarterback Bo Nix to an injury in the divisional-round win over the Buffalo Bills. 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.
Prediction: Patriots 23, Broncos 17
When do NFL teams play next? Broncos | Seahawks | Patriots | Rams | NFL playoff bracket
Sunday, Jan. 25, NFC championship game prediction
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks, 4:30 p.m. MST (6:30 p.m. ET), FOX (stream with FUBO)
This game could be a treat. These teams played twice this season, with each team winning a thriller at home. Why should the third time be any different? 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.
Prediction: Seahawks 27, Rams 24
NFL playoff schedule: Patriots at Broncos | Rams at Seahawks | TV, streaming | Super Bowl
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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