Many refer to the pre-conference finals round like the best weekend ever football of the year. The seed 1 appear on the scene after the bye first round. They will be Denver and Seattle, both with identical records (14-3)those who will test their favoritism at home. In addition to this, the winners of the wildcard They will look for a place in the American and National Championship:
Several Seahawks players at the meeting
Broncos-Bills
A rivalry whose most immediate precedent is last season's first round of playoffs, where Buffalo overcame an inexperienced Broncos (31-7), that they stepped on postseason for the first time since they won the 50th edition of the Super Bowl (2016). Buffalo, in addition, has won four of the five confrontations since the departure of Peyton Manning de Denver. But this duel will have little or no resemblance to last season's.
Los Broncoswith the seed 1 under their belt and a week off, they have adjusted their defense. Patrick Surtain (best defense of 2024) and Nik Bonitto (14 sacks and 14 tackles for loss of yards), command a defense that returns Dre Greenlaw, along with big names like Hufanga, Zach Allen o Cooperwhich has been the third best of the season in points allowed (18.3 per game). In addition, it is the team that achieves the most sacks (68) and the one that has allowed the least (6).
Buffalo Bills cling to Josh Allen asset. With a corps of receivers in the box due to injuries, those of McDermott They trust their chances to the race, with their own Allen y James Cook as references, in what may be the Nebraskan's last game leading the team after nine seasons and only two appearances in the conference final.
Matt Prater and Josh Allen, the heroes of the Bills against the Ravens.
Seahawks-Niners
A divisional duel between irreconcilable enemies is always a dish of good taste. Two precedents in playoffs (1-1), with the home team qualifying in both. The fiercest eliminatory in the west will mean the reissue of the championship of the National 2013, with Richard Sherman's photograph sealing the title. He Lumen Field will witness a new chapter of this great rivalry. Seattle It arrives with the title of best team of the regular season, with the best defense in the competition, also counting in attack with the favorite to win the title. offensive player of the year award (Smith-Njigba).
Players of both teams have been in charge of warming up the game in the previous hours. Jarran ReedHawks veteran, stated: “I don't like them. I don't like anything about them,” referring to San Francisco.
Los Niners They arrive, like every year, with confidence and plagued by injuries in equal measure. After eliminating the current champions in Philadelphia, the Achilles break in his tight end estrella, George Kittle. Furthermore, neither Fred Warner's Nick Bosa They will be from the game behind, although they will be disponibles Brock Purdy and old guard players like McCaffrey ysyk (a ambos All-Pro)
I don't like them. I don't like anything about them
NFC Championship de 2013.
Patriots-Texans
Two playoff precedents between both teams. The two in the Gillette Stadiumboth in the divisional round and both with a Patriot victory. A round that the Texan team has never overcome after six attempts.
But the truth is that the Texans defense has reason to believe. With a simple base coverage scheme, Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter wreak havoc by pressuring the quarterback on the outside (47 sacks in total). Al-Shaair and To'oTo'o keep the pressure on the box and are Derek Stingley, Kamari Lassiter, Jalen Pitre or Calen Bullock those who rise in level to stifle passing options by exchanging positions. It has been the best pass defense in the league, and the one that has allowed the fewest total yards. Thus they crushed the Steelers and 'withdrew' Aaron Rodgers.
The doubts in this team come in the offense, with a CJ Stroud erratic in the wildcard round, added to the injury of Nico Collins. For its part, Drake Maye He exudes confidence after a great regular season where he has exploited the possibilities of his attack, which has made him a candidate for the MVP with the best percentage of completed passes (72%). A reliable and balanced team (fourth best defense) where variety in attack makes the difference with the alternation of receivers and runners.
Bears-Rams
Matthew Stafford throws a pass during the first half.
Probably the highest level matchup having the division champion NFC North against the best offense in the league. Los Ramsunder the tutelage of Sean McVaythey have lost the two games they have played in Chicagoa place where they have not won since 2003. The positive side will be the return of Davante Adamsleader in receiving touchdowns this season (14), together with the beef he maintains with the Bears due to his past in the Packers.
Stafford, number one MVP candidate, also knows the atmosphere in Chicago after his time in the Lions. The veteran marshal is, in fact, the only one of the eight remaining in contention who has lifted the Lombardi trophy throughout his career (LVI edition). With this, the Rams will try to repeat their presence in the conference finals, just as they did last year.
In the Bears There is an optimistic atmosphere, a historic opportunity thanks to the change in culture that has led to the arrival of Ben Johnson to the bench, and the explosion of Caleb Williams, especially in important moments. As an example, the 25 points they scored in the last quarter against the Packersa victory that marked the first against those of Wisconsin since 1941, when the NFL as such it did not yet exist.
