NFL Playoff Schedule: Times, TV Channels for AFC, NFC Championships
As the NFL playoff season heats up, fans everywhere are getting ready for a wild weekend of football. With the AFC and NFC Championship games coming up, the stage is set for a showdown that’ll decide who gets to play in the Super Bowl on February 8, 2026, in San Francisco.
This weekend’s matchups? The Denver Broncos take on the New England Patriots, while the Seattle Seahawks face off against the Los Angeles Rams. Stakes don’t get much higher than this.
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AFC Championship: Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots
The AFC Championship game features the Denver Broncos hosting the New England Patriots at 3 p.m. Eastern on CBS. The Broncos have had a strong season, but things took a turn with starting quarterback Bo Nix sidelined by injury.
Backup Jarrett Stidham is stepping in, and all eyes are on him to see if he can pull off something special.
How the Broncos Reached the AFC Championship
The Broncos’ road here? Pretty wild. They grabbed the top seed in the AFC, which meant a bye in the Wild Card round.
Then, in the Divisional Round, Denver took down the Pittsburgh Steelers and punched their ticket to the championship game.
- Wild Card: Bye
- Divisional Round: Defeated the Steelers
Challenges Ahead for the Broncos
With Bo Nix out, the Broncos are putting their faith in Stidham. Courtland Sutton, their top receiver, says Stidham knows the playbook inside and out, which is reassuring.
Still, oddsmakers aren’t optimistic. The Broncos have the longest Super Bowl odds at +1100. Feels like an uphill battle, doesn’t it?
NFC Championship: Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams
The NFC Championship game has the Seattle Seahawks clashing with the Los Angeles Rams at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on Fox. Both teams have had strong seasons, and this one’s shaping up to be a real fight for that Super Bowl spot.
How the Seahawks Reached the NFC Championship
Seattle locked up the top seed in the NFC, giving them a bye for the Wild Card round. In the Divisional Round, they took on the Carolina Panthers and came out on top.
- Wild Card: Bye
- Divisional Round: Defeated the Panthers
How the Rams Reached the NFC Championship
The Rams had a different path. They came in as the fifth seed and knocked off the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round.
Then, they pulled off an upset against the Chicago Bears in the Divisional Round. Now, here they are.
- Wild Card: Defeated the Eagles
- Divisional Round: Defeated the Bears
Super Bowl Odds and Predictions
Heading into the NFC Championship, sportsbooks have the Seahawks listed as Super Bowl favorites at +150. The Rams are close behind at +200, and the Patriots sit at +270.
Broncos fans might not want to check the odds. The NFC winner is looking like a strong bet for the Lombardi Trophy.
Super Bowl 2026: The Grand Finale
The winners of these championship games will meet in the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in San Francisco. It’s set for NBC at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
With the league’s best battling for the top prize, you can bet it’ll be a wild finish to the season.
Key Players to Watch
Looking ahead, a few players stand out. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has been steady and sharp all year, leading his squad with a cool head.
On the Rams, Aaron Donald’s defense is always a problem for opponents. He’ll be a big factor in trying to slow down Seattle’s offense.
For the Patriots, Mac Jones brings experience and leadership. The Broncos, meanwhile, will need their receivers—especially Courtland Sutton—to come through for Stidham with Bo Nix out.
Conclusion
The AFC and NFC Championship games are almost here. Football fans can expect a weekend packed with tension and wild moments.
Denver Broncos face the New England Patriots for the AFC title. On the NFC side, it’s the Seattle Seahawks up against the Los Angeles Rams.
Super Bowl Sunday is creeping up—February 8 isn’t far off. You can almost feel the anticipation in the air, right?
For more details on playoff schedules and matchups, check out Heavy.com.
