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NFL Conference Championship talking points: Stidham leads Broncos vs. Pats; Rams offense vs Seahawks defense
A trip to Super Bowl LX will be on the line Sunday when the Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots in the AFC Conference Championship Game and the Los Angeles Rams visit the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Conference Championship Game.
With the stakes sky high, DAZN News' Mark Lelinwalla tackles some talking points entering Championship Sunday.
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A tale of two quarterbacks in the AFC title game
There’s a stark contrast between the starting quarterbacks in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game at Mile High.
Bo Nix suffered a season-ending fractured ankle in the Divisional Round last weekend, meaning the Broncos are starting Jarrett Stidham at quarterback on Championship Sunday.
While that is a pressure cooker of an assignment to thrust onto a backup QB, the Broncos (15-3) can take solace in knowing they possessed one of the best offensive lines this season. Therefore, Stidham should be protected in the pocket to the best of the Broncos’ ability.
Meanwhile, Drake Maye had his breakout season, airing it out for 4,394 passing yards and 31 touchdowns this year, leading the Patriots (16-3) to the AFC East title and second overall seed in the conference.
That said, his arm, and possibly legs, will be tested against a stingy Broncos’ defense. The Broncos’ D kept opponents to an average of under 300 yards of total offense per game, limiting teams to 18.3 points per game as well.
Will Maye be able to figure them out?
Fitting that the Seahawks and Rams meet for a Super Bowl spot
Regular season series: The NFC West rivals split their regular-season series, with the Rams winning 21-19 in a Week 11 matchup in which Sam Darnold threw four interceptions at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
In Week 16, the Seahawks overcame a 16-point deficit at home to edge the Rams, 38-37, in overtime.
Will Seattle’s top-rated defense contain Rams’ No. 1 offense?
When these NFC West division rivals met back in Week 16 in Seattle, the Seahawks needed to rally from a 16-point deficit to win in overtime.
Despite the loss, the Rams (14-5) and their star tandem of quarterback Matthew Stafford and wideout Puka Nacua had monster games. Stafford aired it out for a ridiculous 457 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Nacua hauled in a dozen receptions for 225 yards and two TDs.
The Seahawks (15-3) had the No. 1 defense in the NFL this season, only allowing 17.2 points per game. However, will they have any answers for Stafford, Nacua and the Rams’ offense, which averaged 394 yards of total offense and 30 points per game this season? Stifling that high-powered juggernaut is a tall order.
Nacua had a career year this season, recording 1,715 receiving yards - second to only Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba (1,793 receiving yards). Each of the star wideouts hauled in 10 touchdowns during the regular season.
Which NFC West powerhouse is punching their ticket to Super Bowl LX? We are about to find out.
