The NFL’s conference championship games feature both No. 1 seeds, two division rivals and a backup quarterback making his first start of the season. The Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots in the AFC title game on Sunday. It was Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady the previous time they met in the playoffs 10 years ago.
In their words: Trump’s threats over Greenland draw warnings and profanities at global forumForecasters warn of a 'potentially catastrophic' storm from Texas to the CarolinasIRS head announces a shake-up on eve of 2026 tax seasonAlberto Mendoza announces transfer from Indiana to Georgia Tech following national titleBrooklyn Beckham accuses David and Victoria of putting branding before family and sabotaging weddingAP Entertainment WireIconic Coney Island hot dog hawker Nathan's Famous is sold for $450 millionA set of handprints on cave walls represent the oldest rock art uncovered yet California homeowner rolls out 'unwelcome' mat for black bear living under his houseChicken wings advertised as 'boneless' can have bones, Ohio Supreme Court decidesNew diet guidelines say to double up on protein, but nutrition experts are waryLetter writing enjoys a revival as fans seek connection and a break from screen timeHow this AP photographer captured Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's iconic kissMeteorologists blame a stretched polar vortex, moisture, lack of sea ice for dangerous winter blastThe US is on the verge of losing its measles elimination status.
Here's why that mattersNew diet guidelines say to double up on protein, but nutrition experts are waryUS ice cream makers say they'll stop using artificial dyes by 2028One Tech Tip: Don't use rice for your device. Here's how to dry out your smartphoneLetter writing enjoys a revival as fans seek connection and a break from screen timeLive updates: Trump says he won't use force to acquire Greenland in Davos addressThe Afternoon WireCanadian man posed as a pilot and flight attendant to get hundreds of free flights, authorities sayAir Force One returns to Washington area due to minor electrical issue, White House saysNo. 1 Indiana tops final AP Top 25 football poll of season as Big Ten's title run reaches 3 straightMusic Review: Megadeth is going out on top with ferocious self-titled final albumIconic Coney Island hot dog hawker Nathan's Famous is sold for $450 millionA set of handprints on cave walls represent the oldest rock art uncovered yetCalifornia homeowner rolls out 'unwelcome' mat for black bear living under his houseChicken wings advertised as 'boneless' can have bones, Ohio Supreme Court decidesNew diet guidelines say to double up on protein, but nutrition experts are waryLetter writing enjoys a revival as fans seek connection and a break from screen timeHow this AP photographer captured Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's iconic kissMeteorologists blame a stretched polar vortex, moisture, lack of sea ice for dangerous winter blastThe US is on the verge of losing its measles elimination status. Here's why that mattersNew diet guidelines say to double up on protein, but nutrition experts are waryUS ice cream makers say they'll stop using artificial dyes by 2028One Tech Tip: Don't use rice for your device. Here's how to dry out your smartphoneLetter writing enjoys a revival as fans seek connection and a break from screen timeNew England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye passes against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams celebrates his touchdown run with wide receiver Konata Mumpfield , quarterback Matthew Stafford , offensive tackle Warren McClendon Jr. back right, and center Coleman Shelton during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson is called for pass interference against Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton during overtime of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Denver. Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams reacts after NFL football divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Seattle. New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye passes against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye passes against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams celebrates his touchdown run with wide receiver Konata Mumpfield , quarterback Matthew Stafford , offensive tackle Warren McClendon Jr. back right, and center Coleman Shelton during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams celebrates his touchdown run with wide receiver Konata Mumpfield , quarterback Matthew Stafford , offensive tackle Warren McClendon Jr. back right, and center Coleman Shelton during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson is called for pass interference against Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton during overtime of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Denver. Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson is called for pass interference against Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton during overtime of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Denver. Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams reacts after NFL football divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Seattle. Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams reacts after NFL football divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Seattle. The NFL’s conference championship games feature both No. 1 seeds, two division rivals and a backup quarterback making his first start of the season. The Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots in the AFC title game on Sunday. It was Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady the previous time they met in the playoffs 10 years ago. Now, it’s backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham for the Broncos against second-year standout Drake Maye. Then it’s a showdown between NFC West foes when All-Pro quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams visit Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks in the their third matchup of the season.The Patriots are road favorites on BetMGM Sportsbook because the Broncos lost quarterback Bo Nix to an ankle injury in a 33-30 overtime win against Buffalo in the divisional round. Stidham, who was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2019 draft to back up Brady, is making his fifth career start. He hasn’t thrown a pass in a game since 2023. Maye threw three touchdown passes in the rain and snow last week and New England’s defense intercepted four passes, including a pick-6, in a 28-16 win against Houston. Maye lost two of his four fumbles in the nasty conditions but the Patriots are in the conference championship game for the 16th time in franchise history and first since going to eight in a row with Brady and coach Bill Belichick from 2011-18. New England is seeking its 12th trip to the Super Bowl and seventh Lombardi Trophy. Coach Mike Vrabel earned three championship rings as a player with the Patriots in the 2000s. The No. 1 seed Broncos are here for the first time since Manning and a dominant defense beat Brady and the Patriots 20-18 on the way to a victory over Carolina in the Super Bowl. Denver is 8-2 in AFC title games. The Patriots had the league’s No. 3 offense in total yards behind Maye, running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson and wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte. Denver’s defense led by All-Pro defensive lineman Zach Allen, edge rusher Nik Bonitto and cornerback Patrick Surtain II was second best in yards and third in points, allowing just 18.3 per game. New England’s defense was right behind, giving up only 18.8. Broncos coach Sean Payton has valued Stidham as a backup and now he has to build a game plan around him in the biggest game of the season.The Rams are seeking their third straight road win after eliminating Carolina in the wild-card round and beating Chicago 20-17 in overtime last week. Stafford and coach Sean McVay led them to a Super Bowl title four years ago and this will be the team’s 12th NFC championship game. The No. 1 seed Seahawks routed the 49ers 41-6 to advance to their fifth conference title game and first in 11 years. Darnold has struggled against the Rams. Los Angeles sacked Darnold nine times and intercepted him once in a 27-9 wild-card victory last season when he was with Minnesota. In Week 11, Darnold threw four picks in a 21-19 loss to the Rams. He nearly rallied the Seahawks to victory but Jason Myers missed a 61-yard field goal at the end. On Dec. 18, Darnold tossed two interceptions and was sacked four times as Seattle fell behind Los Angeles by 16 points in the fourth quarter. But the Seahawks stormed back to tie it up, including a wacky 2-point conversion, and won 38-37 in overtime when Darnold connected with Eric Saubert on another 2-pointer. The Rams had allowed 30 points per game over a five-game stretch before holding Caleb Williams and the Bears to 17. With Stafford, All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua and star wideout Davante Adams, the Rams led the league in yards and scoring at 30.5 points per game. The Seahawks were third in scoring and their defense featuring defensive tackle Leonard Williams, linebacker Ernest Jones IV and cornerback Devon Witherspoon gave up the fewest points .Overall: Straight up: 192-89-1. Against spread: 148-126-8.Best Bet: Straight up: 14-6. Against spread: 8-11-1.Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks, head here.Maaddi is senior NFL writer for The Associated Press. He’s covered the league for 24 years, including the first two decades as the Eagles beat writer.
Jarrett Stidham Drake Maye Football Matthew Stafford Tom Brady Peyton Manning Denver Broncos New England Patriots Seattle Redhawks Seattle Seahawks Los Angeles Rams Send To Apple News Massachusetts Washington NFL CO State Wire Pro Football Picks WA State Wire Colorado California Sports Pat Surtain II Puka Nacua Rob Maaddi Sean Payton Treveyon Henderson Davante Adams Rhamondre Stevenson Sean Mcvay Stefon Diggs Leonard Williams Jason Myers Ernest Jones IV Kayshon Boutte Devon Witherspoon Zach Allen Bo Nix Eric Saubert Caleb Williams Nik Bonitto NFL Football Bill Belichick Mike Vrabel
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