The NFL's final four is set, and for the first time since 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs will not be among the teams competing for a Super Bowl berth. After a Divisional Round filled with heart-stopping moments and stunning performances, the Conference Championships promise to deliver two heavyweight matchups that will determine who plays for the Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl LX.
In the AFC, the New England Patriots will travel to Denver to face the Broncos on Sunday, January 25, with kickoff scheduled for 3:05 PM ET on CBS. The Broncos punched their ticket to the championship game in dramatic fashion, outlasting the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime. The game's decisive moment came when Josh Allen, who had been brilliant throughout the contest, threw a costly interception that sealed Buffalo's fate and ended their championship aspirations for another season.
The NFC Championship will feature the Los Angeles Rams visiting the Seattle Seahawks later that same Sunday, with the game set for 6:40 PM ET on Fox. Seattle earned their spot in emphatic fashion, demolishing the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 in a game that was never competitive. The tone was set immediately when Rashid Shaheed electrified the home crowd by returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown, igniting a dominant performance that left no doubt about Seattle's championship credentials.
The absence of Kansas City from the playoff picture marks a significant shift in the NFL landscape. The Chiefs had been a fixture in the AFC Championship game for years, with Patrick Mahomes leading them to multiple Super Bowl appearances and victories. Their early exit this postseason signals that the balance of power in the conference may be shifting, opening the door for franchises hungry to establish their own dynasties.
For the Broncos, reaching the AFC Championship represents a return to relevance for a storied franchise. Denver's overtime victory against Buffalo demonstrated the resilience and big-game composure that championship teams require. They will look to use their home field advantage against a Patriots team that has its own rich postseason tradition.
In Seattle, the Seahawks' demolition of their division rival 49ers served notice that they are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The 35-point margin of victory was a statement performance, and Shaheed's opening kickoff return set the aggressive, confident tone that carried throughout the game.
The winners of these two conference championship games will meet at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, 2026, for Super Bowl LX. The neutral site, located in the heart of the Bay Area, will host what promises to be a memorable championship game. Adding to the spectacle, Bad Bunny has been announced as the performer for the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, ensuring that the entertainment will match the magnitude of the occasion.
As football fans prepare for Championship Sunday, the stakes could not be higher. Four teams, four different stories, and only two spots available in the biggest game of the year. Whether it is the Broncos continuing their magical run, the Patriots adding to their legendary postseason history, the Rams proving they belong among the elite, or the Seahawks riding their dominant momentum, Super Bowl LX awaits its participants.
The road to Santa Clara runs through Denver and Seattle this Sunday. Only two will survive.
American Football
Road to Super Bowl LX: Patriots-Broncos, Rams-Seahawks Set for Epic Conference Championship Showdowns
📅 Published on January 19, 2026 at 8:00 AM