The Matchups That Could Decide Super Bowl LX

The Seahawks, Rams, Patriots, and Broncos are one win away from Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, Calif. Two of the four teams will be crowned conference champions this Sunday, as Championship Weekend arrives.

DAZN News’ Gavin Babbitt breaks down the top matchups to watch in the AFC and NFC Championship games. 

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The offer lands just in time for the Conference Championship games, with the Denver Broncos hosting the New England Patriots in the AFC and the Los Angeles Rams travelling to Seattle to face the Seahawks in the NFC.

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Rams vs. Seahawks, Part III

The Seahawks send the league’s No.1 defense up against the No.1 offense of the Rams in the NFC Championship. Seattle and Los Angeles were separated by three total points in the two games they played this season. 

The Rams exposed the Seahawks’ defense in Week 16. In that meeting, the Rams gained 581 total yards, and 225 of them belonged to Puka Nacua. Much of that success comes from scheme, as Sean McVay creates space for Nacua with crossing routes of different lengths downfield.

Seahawks defenders Ernest Jones, Nick Emmanwori, and Julian Love must be disciplined moving horizontally and decisive with their depths. Reading these routes quickly with sound tackling is the key to slowing Nacua down.  

Matthew Stafford likes to target Davante Adams on intermediate routes to the left sideline. Seahawks safeties Coby Bryant and Ty Okada allow 15 yards per reception. When Bryant and Okada play the left side, hitting Adams in that area will force the Seattle cornerbacks deeper and open up the middle of the field. 

Adams is deadly in the red zone. Playing man coverage on him inside the 10-yard line is brave, but Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is up to the task. Witherspoon has not allowed a touchdown playing man this year. This scheme keeps a body on Adams throughout plays near the goal line. 

Kyren Williams had an excellent first outing against Seattle this season, but was held to three yards per carry in the second. Williams relies on yards after contact and touchdowns near the goal line. By comparison, the Seahawks rank second in rushing touchdowns allowed and third in allowing yards after contact. If that trend flips, Williams can swing this game for the Rams, but that scenario is unlikely. 

This matchup comes down to the Seahawks’ pass rush and their secondary’s execution on the back end. While Seattle is yet to sack Matthew Stafford this year, DeMarcus Lawrence, Leonard Williams, and Byron Murphy are difficult to contain three times. If the Seahawks bring quality pressure and defend the crossing routes well, ball security on offense will make them the NFC champions. 

Stidham Takes Center Stage Against Patriots

The Broncos’ Super Bowl hopes fall on Jarrett Stidham in the AFC Championship. Stidham has not attempted a pass since 2023, and the Patriots' defensive game plan will force the ball into his hands by stopping the run. 

The Patriots do not stack the box often, but the Broncos will see that scheme this week. Unfortunately for Denver, running back R.J. Harvey has been most productive running on the interior. The Patriots’ best run stoppers play up the middle, including defensive tackle Cory Durden, linebacker Robert Spillane, and safety Craig Woodson. 

Teams have run the ball against New England on the edges this year. Aligning a slot receiver on the left gives Harvey the best chance to get outside. This places Patriots nickel cornerback Marcus Jones behind edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson; the two lead New England in missed tackles against the run this season. 

The Patriots are very effective at defending the pass. Denver must make Stidham’s throws as easy as possible, making Harvey a valuable asset as a receiver. The Broncos have an advantage when Harvey draws coverage from Robert Spillane. Harvey ranks eighth among NFL running backs in receiving yardage this year and is dangerous on flat routes in the red zone. 

On the perimeter, Jarrett Stidham will be challenged against New England’s zone coverage. Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez is one of the premier players at his position. Neither Gonzalez nor safeties Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson allow reception rates higher than 57%. 

New England plays more man coverage than other teams. The best target for Stidham against man is cornerback Marcus Jones in the slot. Broncos slot receiver Troy Franklin is at his best on short routes and must be productive on these plays. 

The Broncos’ offense is overmatched in this game. With the Patriots’ capacity to stop the run, Stidham must succeed against mixed coverage looks from an above-average secondary. The Patriots' offense has its hands full this week, but ample execution on both sides of the ball will take New England to the Super Bowl.