Patriots, Broncos Advance to AFC Title Game; Seahawks Dominate in NFC
SYDNEY, 19 January 2026 – The NFL’s conference championship matchups are set after a dramatic Divisional Round weekend. The New England Patriots and Denver Broncos will clash for the AFC crown, while the Seattle Seahawks await the winner of Monday’s Rams-Bears clash for the NFC title. The weekend was also marred by a significant injury and defined by major coaching changes across the league.
Defence Reigns Supreme in New England
The New England Patriots booked their first AFC Championship Game appearance since the 2018 season with a commanding 28-16 victory over the Houston Texans. The story of the game was the Patriots’ opportunistic defence, which intercepted Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud four times in the first half alone. Stefon Diggs made an incredible touchdown catch for the Patriots, while Marcus Jones returned one of those interceptions for a pick-six. Despite a fumble from Patriots QB Drake Maye that led to a Christian Kirk touchdown, New England’s defence held firm to seal the win.
Broncos’ Bittersweet Overtime Triumph
The Denver Broncos advanced to their first AFC Championship Game in a decade with a thrilling 33-30 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills. The win, however, came at a steep cost. Second-year quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle on the penultimate play of regulation and will miss the rest of the playoffs. Nix had thrown a go-ahead touchdown pass to Marvin Mims Jr. with just 55 seconds left. The game was sent to overtime after Josh Allen connected with Dalton Kincaid for a Bills touchdown. In the extra period, a controversial interception by Broncos defensive back Ja’Quan McMillian – which Bills coach Sean McDermott heavily criticised – set up Wil Lutz’s game-winning field goal. Head coach Sean Payton confirmed backup Jarrett Stidham will start the championship game.
Seahawks Steamroll Into NFC Championship
The Seattle Seahawks delivered a statement performance, dismantling the division-rival San Francisco 49ers 41-6. Running back Kenneth Walker III fuelled the offence with three rushing touchdowns, while the Seahawks’ defence was dominant from the start, aided by a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown from Rashid Shaheed to open the game. Seattle will host the NFC Championship Game next weekend.
Key Facts & Updated Playoff Picture
| Conference | Championship Game Matchup |
|---|---|
| AFC | (2) New England Patriots @ (1) Denver Broncos |
| NFC | (5) Los Angeles Rams / (2) Chicago Bears @ (1) Seattle Seahawks |
Coaching Carousel Spins Wildly
Off the field, the NFL’s coaching landscape saw seismic shifts. The New York Giants hired veteran coach John Harbaugh to a five-year deal. The Atlanta Falcons, with new president of football operations Matt Ryan, hired Kevin Stefanski, who will retain defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. In a stunning move, Mike Tomlin stepped down after 19 seasons as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the team now interviewing candidates like Mike McCarthy. League sources also indicate the Steelers are open to a return for quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2026, though no deal is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will start at quarterback for the Denver Broncos?
With Bo Nix out for the season, head coach Sean Payton has confirmed that veteran Jarrett Stidham will start the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.
When are the Conference Championship Games?
The AFC and NFC Championship Games will be played on Sunday 25 January 2026 (US time). The winners will advance to Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
What is the latest on the NFL game in Melbourne?
The Los Angeles Rams have been confirmed as the home team for the NFL’s first official game in Melbourne, scheduled for September 2026 at the MCG. MCC CEO Stuart Fox indicated the match is likely to be held on a Friday morning (Australian time) to serve as the season-opening game for the US prime-time broadcast.