#nfl-playoffs

#nfl-playoffs

There is no shortage of excitement on the Conference Championship NFL Playoff schedule, which includes the Los Angeles Rams playing the Seattle Seahawks.

Following the Denver Broncos' 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round, a major quarterback shake-up quickly reshaped the point spread -- and sparked unexpected interest elsewhere. With rookie starter Bo Nix's season-ending injury, Denver turned to backup Jarrett Stidham, a move that flipped the Broncos from 1.5-point favorites to 5.5-point underdogs against the New England Patriots.

The difference between the teams that are left and the Dallas Cowboys is that all of these teams are capable of winning football games when the offense is not playing a high level. The Rams forced three turnovers against the Bears on the road, including an interception in overtime that set them up for a game-winning field goal. Props to the Rams defense. Three big 4th-down stops, three takeaways and a huge OT stand. They won that game for them.

The New England Patriots opened as 4.5-point road favorites over the Denver Broncos for the AFC Championship, while the Seattle Seahawks opened as 1.5-point home favorites over the Los Angeles Rams for the NFC Championship, according to DraftKings lines. After early betting, New England jumped out to -5.5 and Seattle to -2.5. In lookahead hypothetical lines, the Broncos were 1.5-point favorites over the Patriots, but saw their odds drop precipitously following news that quarterback Bo Nix would miss the remainder of the postseason with a fractured right ankle. Bookmakers polled said that Nix is worth anywhere between five and seven points to the spread.

Despite ending 2025 with five straight losses, including a wild-card collapse against the rival Chicago Bears, Ed Policy opted for stability and Matt LaFleur decided he had unfinished business. Thus, the Green Bay Packers' president and their veteran head coach agreed to forge ahead with the hope that they will finally break through and get to a Super Bowl. LaFleur, 46, will return as the Packers head coach, per sources.

It was an uneven game for the reigning NFL MVP. Allen threw for 283 yards and 3 touchdowns and he also racked up 66 yards rushing. But he turned the ball over four times, two interceptions and two fumbles, and missed tight end Dawson Knox for a potential game-winning touchdown at the end of regulation. One play that likely stung Allen and Bills fans everywhere: a deep pass to wide receiver Brandin Cooks that was ripped away for an interception by Denver's Ja'Quan McMillian in OT.

All we care about is how we're going to survive this round and reach the final four,

Eight teams remain in the hunt for Super Bowl LX entering the Divisional Round of NFL playoffs. Those squads will be halved to four following this weekend's action following two games on each weekend afternoon and evening. Here you'll find the matchups, odds and a betting option for each of Saturday's gridiron clashes that will determine the first participants in next weekend's conference championship games.

"I popped on a [conference] call, and I said my name and then hear the reaction," Ryans said Friday. "People are genuinely joyful about what these guys are able to do on the field and winning football. It changes the landscape of the city and how people feel. We can provide some joy to our community. That's one of the main reasons why I came back."

We're classier than that.

Quarterback Josh Allen produced an outstanding performance in a 27-24 win, his rushing touchdown with 64 seconds remaining proving decisive as the Bills intercepted Trevor Lawrence for the second time on the subsequent drive, their defense frustrating the Jags through the air despite struggling once again to stop the run. Allen went 28/35 (a completion rate of 80%) for 273 passing yards and a touchdown, while adding 33 yards and two scores on the ground.