THE The ‘most unusual’ NFL season in years is ready for a proper finale.
After a record number of returns on Joker weekend, six teams advanced to the divisional round.
They were joined by the top seeds from each conference, with the Denver Broncos (AFC) and Seattle Seahawks (NFC) earning first-round byes.
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Still, the Super Bowl race remains wide open and this weekend’s four games are even tougher 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,” the Seattle player said. British defensive coordinator Aden Durde.
“Every team has earned the right (to be here). There’s no one you can take lightly or put above anyone else.”
Durde’s Seahawks are the marginal favorites to win Super Bowl 60 over the Los Angeles Rams.
But which two teams do you think will win next week’s conference championships to reach the deciding NFL title? You can choose your NFC and AFC winners below – and give your opinion in the comments.
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Will the Bills overtake the AFC’s top seed Broncos?
Kansas City has knocked the Buffalo Bills out of the playoffs in four of the last five years and with the Chiefs out – along with AFC rivals Baltimore and Cincinnati – is Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen’s best chance yet to reach the Super Bowl?
The NFL’s Most Valuable Player led the Bills to a comeback victory in Jacksonville last week – but now they have to visit AFC top-seeded Denver.
“Defense always wins championships,” USA Today reporter Tyler Dragon said. “Denver is a well-rounded team and much like the Seahawks, it starts with that defense.”
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The Broncos have won 13 of their last 14 games and led the league with 68 sacks, 11 more than any other team.
“It allows head coach Sean Payton to be aggressive because you know your defense is going to get you the ball,” former NFL coach Phil McGeoghan said.
“In the play-offs, when we can have problems with the weather or injuries, it will take a change in defense to make the difference.”
Houston and New England Defensive units dominated in wins last week, and now Patriots quarterback Drake Maye faces a stern test of his MVP credentials against the Texans, who led the league in fewest yards allowed (183.5 per game).
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“I like this Houston defense and that front, especially Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson,” McGeoghan said.
“These guys have bad intentions, they can ruin your weekend. But I think the Patriots will find a way to protect Maye and he will make enough plays.”
Who will win the NFC divisional 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 in this division in the final eight.
The Chicago Bears had a record six fourth-quarter comebacks during the regular season and I managed another one last week to advance, but if the Rams win in Chicago, it will guarantee a divisional matchup for the conference championships.
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“The Bears’ slow starts are going to come back to bite them, especially against upper echelon teams — and the Rams are certainly 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 pretty good too.”
San Francisco, injured 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.
If they win, the Seahawks would also host the conference championship at Lumen Field, where their rowdy fans are nicknamed “the 12s” because they’re like having a 12th man.
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“It’s probably the loudest room I’ve ever been in,” Dragon said. “These fans can go after them and it really helps when the opposing offense has the ball.
“Seattle is a complete team. They don’t depend on Darnold and the last time they played the 49ers, their defense held them to just three points.
McGeoghan added: “There’s a lot of familiarity because they’re divisional opponents, so I think you can throw the seeds out the window – it’s all going to be about physicality.”
What is the schedule for the divisional rounds?
Conference standings in parentheses, all kick-off times GMT
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Saturday January 17
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Buffalo Bills (6) @ Denver Broncos (1) – 9:30 p.m.
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San Francisco 49ers (6) @ Seattle Seahawks (1) – 1:00 a.m. (Sun.)
Sunday January 18
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Houston Texans (5) @ New England Patriots (2) – 8:00 p.m.
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Los Angeles Rams (5) @ Chicago Bears (2) – 11:30 p.m.
