Patriots, Seahawks Set to Square Off in Super Bowl

A snow-filled second half highlighted the AFC Championship in yet another great weekend of football for NFL fans. The action saw the New England Patriots top the Denver Broncos in a defensive battle and the Seattle Seahawks top the L.A. Rams in a shootout in the NFC Championship.

When look at NFL betting, while the NFC Championship saw the score go above the over/under total of 46.5, the AFC game fell well below the projected 42.5. Here’s a look at each game.

AFC Championship

This matchup no doubt delighted fans of weather-affected games as a blizzard left the field in a blanket of snow in the second half. Broncos backup QB Jarrett Stidham seemed up to the task early after leading an early drive ending with a touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton.

The Denver defense stymied the Patriots offense for much of the first half. However, a few key plays appeared to change the momentum. Head coach Sean Payton passed up an opportunity to go up 10-0 in the fourth quarter.

Faced with 4th and 1 in the red zone, the Broncos opted to go for the first down rather than a field goal and were ultimately turned away. Payton appears to have regretted the call afterward. Points would be hard to come by when the snow hit in the second half.

“There are always regrets,” Payton said. “Yes. I mean, look, I felt like here we are, 4th-and-1. We felt close enough that, and it is also a call you make based on the team you’re playing and what you’re watching on the other side of the ball. So yes, there’ll always be second thoughts.”

Later in the second quarter, Stidham fumbled in a bizarre play that saw the Patriots recover the ball at the Denver 12 yard line. Three plays later, QB Drake Maye ran 6 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 7-7. Both teams then missed field goals later in the quarter.

In the third, New England connected with a 23-yard field goal. The Broncos had a shot to tie up the game late in the fourth, but the kick was blocked and the Patriots won 10-7, but didn’t cover the 4.5-point spread.

The Patriots will now be heading to the Super Bowl for the 12th time and can break a tie of six wins with the Pittsburgh Steelers with a victory.

NFC Championship

This matchup proved to be quite the opposite of the AFC Championship with the Seahawks and Rams combining for almost 900 total yards of offense. Both quarterbacks were dominating.

 Sam Darnold, a castoff of the Jets, Panthers, 49ers, and Vikings, continued a fantastic season and threw for 346 yards with 3 TDs and no interceptions. Rams QB Matthew Stafford was equally solid, passing for 374 yards, 3 TDs, and no INTs.

The action was back and forth for much of the game. Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the way for the Seahawks receivers, grabbing 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown.

For the Rams, Puka Nacua had 9 receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown. Davante Adams also chalked up 4 catches for 89 yards and a TD. The Seahawks were favored by 4.5points, but came out on top 31-27 – just short of the spread and rewarding Rams bettors.

Super Bowl

Looking ahead, the Patriots and Seahawks now have two weeks to prepare for Super Bowl LX, which is set for Sunday, Feb. 8, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

According to FanDuel, the Seahawks are favored by 4.5 and the over/under is set at 45.5.This year’s game will be broadcast on NBC with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. (ET).