Predicted winners: Patriots over Broncos, Rams over Seahawks

Cbssports previews the NFL conference title games with New England at Denver and L.A. Rams at Seattle, and offers picks for both matchups.

For the AFC title game the report highlights Denver's loss of starting quarterback Bo Nix and names Jarrett Stidham as the planned starter, noting Stidham has made only four career starts (all in Week 17 or 18) and his last NFL pass came on Jan. 7, 2024. The piece underlines New England's recent playoff defensive performances against Justin Herbert and C.J. Stroud and cites turnover and sack concerns for Denver, then picks the Patriots 20-17.

On the NFC side the story notes the teams have met twice this season (Rams won 21-19 in Week 11; Seahawks won 38-37 in Week 16), reports that Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet is out for the year with a torn ACL, and details Sam Darnold's turnover history (20 turnovers this season, including 14 interceptions and six lost fumbles) and struggles versus L.A. The matchup is framed as the NFL's top scoring offense against the league's stingiest defense, with the piece picking the Rams 30-23.

The author says a Super Bowl LX pick will be published on Feb. 3 and that the conference title outcomes will determine who advances to that game.

Key Topics

Sports, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Jarrett Stidham