NFL convention title recreation lookahead: Odds, matchup breakdowns, TV occasions, picks

No postseason has had extra chaotic finishes than the 2025 playoffs occurring proper now. There have been 15 fourth-quarter lead modifications and 5 comeback wins within the remaining three minutes this postseason, probably the most in a single playoffs all-time, in keeping with CBS Sports activities Analysis.

Regardless of all of the chaos, the convention championship video games for each the AFC and the NFC are considerably chalky. The AFC contains a matchup between the convention’s two prime seed’s, the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos, whereas the NFC showcases its prime seed, the Seattle Seahawks, in opposition to the staff with the second-best file within the convention, the Los Angeles Rams. 

Though the heavyweights reached the NFL’s remaining 4, the 2025 slate options the second-widest expertise hole between the remaining groups’ beginning quarterbacks within the league’s postseason historical past. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (251 profession begins) has began 124 extra video games than Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham mixed (127 mixed begins). Solely Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (286 profession begins) had a bigger hole over his three remaining convention championship quarterback friends within the 2017 season when he had 143 extra begins than Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (143 mixed begins). 

So what’s going to occur within the 2025 convention championship video games? Take pleasure in a pair early breakdowns and predictions to kick off your week. 

AFC: New England Patriots (2) at Denver Broncos (1)

The quarterback matchup for this recreation went from a bragging rights battle for the 2024 NFL Draft’s third general choose, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, and the 2024 NFL Draft’s twelfth general choose, Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, to bragging rights between two quarterbacks drafted by the Patriots. Broncos backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham might be filling in as Denver’s starter with Nix now out for the season after fracturing a bone in his ankle on the second to final play of the Broncos’ 33-30 extra time win within the divisional spherical over the Buffalo Payments. 

Stidham, a 2019 fourth-round choose by New England, was truly set to enter coaching camp because the Patriots’ beginning quarterback after Tom Brady’s free company departure to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Then, New England signed Cam Newton simply earlier than coaching camp started. He’ll now be the primary quarterback ever to start out a convention championship recreation in opposition to the staff that drafted him. 

He’ll have his work reduce for him with the best way the Patriots protection is taking part in for the time being. New England possesses extra playoff wins (two) than touchdowns allowed (one) this postseason. Their one landing allowed is tied for the fewest touchdowns allowed throughout the wild card and divisional rounds within the twenty first century. The opposite two groups who’ve additionally finished the identical, the 2000 Baltimore Ravens and the 2006 Indianapolis Colts, each went on to win the Tremendous Bowl. The Patriots turned the Texans over a whopping 5 occasions on Sunday afternoon, they usually repeatedly acquired their fingers on the soccer. New England’s 14 passes defended stands as probably the most by any staff in a postseason recreation because the 2004 Philadelphia Eagles’ 17 within the divisional spherical in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings. 

Nevertheless, the Broncos are the NFL’s greatest move rush, ending the common season with an NFL-most 68 sacks, 11 greater than the second-place Atlanta Falcons‘ 57. Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is not afraid to carry the warmth, blitzing on the fifth-highest price (33.9%) within the common season. The Broncos’ move rush may put Maye within the hazard zone after he is absorbed 5 sacks in each the wild card and divisional rounds. Patriots left deal with Will Campbell, the 2025 NFL Draft fourth general choose, is struggling this postseason with 9 sacks and 30 quarterback pressures allowed in two video games. 

The place to look at Patriots vs. Broncos reside

Early Patriots vs. Broncos prediction, choose

Maye, the 2025 second-team All-Professional quarterback, makes many extra huge time throws than Stidham regardless of each dealing with prime tier defenses. Of the earlier six quarterbacks to make their first begin of a season within the playoffs, just one (Buffalo Payments backup Frank Reich) gained a recreation. Reich famously led the Payments to the biggest comeback in NFL postseason historical past, 32 factors, within the 1992 wild card spherical in opposition to the Houston Oilers. The chances are New England escapes Mile Excessive with a multi-score victory given the huge disparity in what every staff’s quarterback has completed this season. 

Early choose: Patriots 27, Broncos 13 | Patriots -5.5, Below 40.5  

NFC: Los Angeles Rams (5) at Seattle Seahawks (1)

It is a grudge match within the NFC Championship with the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Rams dealing with off in opposition to the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks with a visit to Tremendous Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on the road. The house staff has gained each matchups to date this season. Los Angeles triumphed 21-19 in Week 11 at SoFi Stadium after Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold tossed a career-high 4 interceptions. In Week 16 at Lumen Discipline, the Seahawks erased a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit (30-14) to roar all the best way again for a 38-37 extra time victory. Los Angeles fired particular groups coordinator Chris Blackburn two days after that defeat through which Rashid Shaheed’s 58-yard punt return landing sparked Seattle’s comeback. 

The Sunday showdown within the NFC Championship marks the ninth playoff recreation within the convention championship spherical or Tremendous Bowl because the 1970 AFL/NFL merger between the No. 1 scoring offense — the Rams led the NFL with 30.5 factors per recreation in 2025 and the No. 1 scoring protection — the Seahawks led the NFL with 17.2 factors per recreation allowed in 2025. It is price noting the No. 1 protection has triumphed over the No. 1 offense in seven of the prior eight such matchups. 

* Received recreation

The place to look at Rams vs. Seahawks reside

• Date: Sunday, Jan. 25 | Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Lumen Discipline (Seattle)
• TV: Fox | Stream: Fubo (strive without spending a dime)
• Comply with: CBS Sports activities App
• Odds: Seahawks -2.5, O/U 47.5 (through DraftKings Sportsbook)

Early Rams vs. Seahawks prediction, choose

Each of the 2025 matchups between these groups have been so shut. The Rams gained by two factors in Week 11, and the Seahawks gained by a single level in extra time in Week 16. Each Rams head coach Sean McVay’s offense and Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald’s defenses have been unbelievable this season. Nevertheless, if there’s one quarterback who may make a giant mistake on this recreation, it is Darnold. He led the league with 20 turnovers within the common season, and he is struggled with Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s protection throughout his final three video games in opposition to Los Angeles relationship to the 2024 NFC wild card spherical with the Minnesota Vikings. That evening, Darnold absorbed an NFL playoff file 9 sacks in a 27-9 defeat. 

Quick ahead to at this time, and Darnold has an indirect damage. He wasn’t almost as cell within the pocket in Seattle’s 41-6 divisional spherical win in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers due to the ailment. Given his historical past in opposition to the Rams and his present well being state of affairs, Los Angeles wins the NFC Championship by a subject aim. 

* Contains 9 sacks in 2024 wild card spherical loss with Vikings, tied for probably the most in a playoff recreation in NFL historical past

Early choose: Rams 24, Seahawks 21 | Rams +2.5, Below 47.5