NFL

‘Win or go home’ – who to pick in the open Super Bowl race?

ballervisions 2026年1月16日

The NFL’s “most unusual” season in years is set for a fitting conclusion.

After a record-breaking number of Wildcard Weekend returns, six teams advanced to the Divisional Round.

Joined by the top seed in each conference, the Denver Broncos (AFC) and Seattle Seahawks (NFC) received byes in the first round.

However, the Super Bowl race remains wide open and this weekend’s four games are much harder to call than last week.

“It’s win or go home and at this point in the season, every team has the ability to hurt you,” Seattle defensive coordinator Aden Durde said.

“All the groups got the right [to be here]. No one can take him lightly or put him above anyone else.”

Durde’s Seahawks are the favorites to win Super Bowl 60 ahead of the Los Angeles Rams.

But which two teams do you think will win next week’s Conference Championship to reach the NFL title decider? You can pick your NFC and AFC winners below – and have your say in the comments.

Will the Bills get past the Broncos for the AFC’s top seed?

Kansas City has knocked the Buffalo Bills out of the playoffs four of the last five years and the Chiefs have missed out — along with AFC rivals Baltimore and Cincinnati — is Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen still the best chance to reach the Super Bowl?

The NFL’s reigning MVP led the Bills to another win in Jacksonville last week – but now they must visit AFC top seed Denver.

“The defense is still winning,” said USA Today reporter Tyler Dragon. “Denver is a balanced team and like the Seahawks, it starts with that defense.”

The Broncos have won 13 of their last 14 games and lead the league with 68 sacks – 11 more than any other team.

“That allows coach Sean Payton to … be aggressive because you know your defense is going to get the ball back,” former NFL coach Phil McGeoghan said.

“In the playoffs, when you can have problems with the weather or injuries, it will take an advantage on defense to make the difference.”

The defensive units in Houston and New England were strong in their wins last week, and now Patriots quarterback Drake Maye faces a tough test of his MVP credentials against the Texans, who lead the league in yards allowed (183.5 per game).

“I like that Houston defense and that offense, especially Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson,” McGeoghan said.

“These guys come off the edge with bad intentions, they can ruin your weekend. But I think the Patriots will find a way to protect Maye and he’ll make enough plays.”

Who will win the NFC duel?

The Rams and San Francisco 49ers both won last week to join NFC West rivals Seattle in the Divisional Round, making it three teams from that division out of the last eight.

The Chicago Bears had a record fourth quarter comeback in the regular season and pulled off another one last week to advance, but if the Rams win in Chicago it will guarantee a conference championship matchup.

“The Bears’ slow start will come back to bite them, especially against the top teams — and the Rams are one of them,” Dragon said.

“Matt Stafford is the MVP favorite, they have arguably the best receiving corps in the NFL with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams on the outside, and their defense is very good.”

Injury-hit San Francisco lost another key player last week – tight end George Kittle – and this week they visit Seattle, whose quarterback Sam Darnold has played in just one playoff game.

Should they win, the Seahawks will once again host the Conference Championship at Lumen Field, where their die-hard fans are known as ’12s’ because it’s like having a 12th man.

“It’s probably the loudest place I’ve been to,” said Dragon. “Those fans can follow it and it helps a lot if the opposition have the ball.

“Seattle is a well-organized team. They rely on Darnold and the last time they played the 49ers, their defense held them to only three points.”

McGeoghan added: “There’s a lot of familiarity because they’re division rivals, so I think you can throw the seeds out the window – it’s going to be all about the body.”