The AFC and NFC Championship games are coming up on Sunday, the 25th, and the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Rams will be looking to punch their ticket to the final game of the season, and the biggest stage of them all. What does each team need to do, though, to be able to get over their next hurdle on Sunday and secure the conference crown?
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have had an incredible turnaround season under Mike Vrabel, and with Drake Maye under center, but the team’s success hasn’t really transferred over to the playoffs. It has been their defense that has won them games when the offense hasn’t looked too good. Too many turnovers throughout the Wildcard and the Divisional have left the defense needing to play cleanup, and guys like Marcus Jones, Carlton Davis, and even Craig Woodson have all stepped up. As Denver now will have second-stringer Jarrett Stidham under center, how the defense has been playing so far in the playoffs could likely be enough to push them through to the Super Bowl, but Maye needs to get back into rhythm and hold onto the football to make sure this happens.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos will be looking for a prayer, and their incredible defense needs to do what they do. If guys like Nick Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper can get to Maye and force the ball out, leaving Stidham in good field position, then the team can come away with points, while also keeping the Patriots out of the endzone. This will also mean that Stidham himself will need to take care of the football against a defense that has been playing phenomenally. Denver has an insane offensive line as well, but when Stidham does take to the air, he’ll need his weapons, like Courtland Sutton in particular, to hold onto the ball and come away with the catch.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have a wonderful offense and scheme that may have taken a slight hit. A torn ACL for Zach Charbonnet means the dual threat in the backfield is no longer there, as Cam Akers won’t be too threatening to the Rams’ defense, but it will give Kenneth Walker III rest as he will be spending plenty of snaps in the backfield. If Sam Darnold can get the ball out of his hands early and often, and into the hands of key pass catchers like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, then the Seahawks will look threatening with yards after the catch, and mixing in Walker. They have the weapons; they will just need to use them, and Darnold will need to stay composed in the pocket.
Los Angeles Rams
Use the run to set up the pass. Kyren Williams is one of the best and most patient backs in the league, and they could expose the disciplined defense of the Seahawks. Even mixing in Corum here and there, but Williams is perfect for this game. If they can get him going, that could allow the Seahawks to move their safeties around, and their coverage, and lead to Matt Stafford’s elite ability, mixing with the strength of the offensive line, to take shots downfield for Puka Nacua or Davante Adams. If the Rams get into a groove early, it could be a scary day to be a Seattle Seahawks fan on Sunday night.
The AFC title game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots will take place at 3:00 pm on Sunday, followed by the NFC Championship at 6:30 pm.
