In a stunning twist that has reshaped the landscape of NFL Championship Sunday 2026, the Denver Broncos have officially ruled out starting quarterback Bo Nix for tomorrow’s AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. The news, confirmed Saturday morning, thrusts veteran backup Jarrett Stidham into the spotlight for the biggest game of his career, while Drake Maye looks to cap a sensational sophomore season by leading New England to Super Bowl LX. Meanwhile, across the bracket, the Seattle Seahawks received a critical lifeline as quarterback Sam Darnold was cleared to play in their NFC title clash against the Los Angeles Rams.
AFC Championship: Heartbreak for Nix, Redemption Opportunity for Stidham
The announcement that Bo Nix will miss the AFC title game due to an ankle injury is a devastating blow to a Broncos team that finished the regular season as the AFC's top seed with a 14-3 record. Nix, who has been instrumental in Denver's resurgence, tied Russell Wilson’s NFL record for the most regular-season wins by a quarterback in their first two seasons (24) just weeks ago. His heroics in last week's 33-30 overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills—where he threw three touchdowns—had the Mile High City dreaming of its first Super Bowl appearance since 2015.
Now, the keys to the offense fall to Jarrett Stidham, who faces the daunting task of dueling with a red-hot Patriots squad. Stidham, facing his former team, must manage the game against a New England defense that has been opportunist all season. "It's next man up," Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton told reporters Saturday. "Jarrett has prepared for this moment all year. We trust him, and the team is rallying behind him." The Broncos will likely lean heavily on their run game and elite defense to shield Stidham from the Patriots' pass rush.
Drake Maye’s Moment to Shine
On the other sideline, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye enters Sunday with immense momentum. Fresh off being named the 2025 NFL Most Improved Player by the PFWA on Friday, Maye has been nothing short of spectacular, throwing for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns this season. His command of the offense was on full display in the Divisional Round, where he dissected the Houston Texans defense. With Nix out, Patriots vs Broncos predictions have swung heavily in New England's favor, as analysts question whether Denver can keep pace with Maye’s scoring ability without their dynamic leader under center.
NFC Championship: Darnold Cleared for Rivalry Rubber Match
While Denver deals with injury heartbreak, the Seattle Seahawks breathed a collective sigh of relief. Starting quarterback Sam Darnold, whose status was in jeopardy earlier in the week, has been officially cleared to play against the Los Angeles Rams. Darnold’s availability is a massive boost for Seattle as they prepare for a historic rubber match against their division rivals at Lumen Field.
The Rams vs Seahawks odds have tightened significantly with the news. These two NFC West heavyweights split their regular-season meetings, with the most recent clash being a high-scoring overtime thriller in December. The Rams, led by their veteran core, are looking to spoil Seattle's home-field advantage. The return of Darnold, who has revitalized his career in the Pacific Northwest, ensures that we will see the best version of this Seahawks offense. Expect a physical, defensive battle typical of this rivalry, but Darnold's ability to extend plays could be the X-factor that decides who books a ticket to Santa Clara.
Road to Super Bowl LX
The stakes couldn't be higher. The winners of Sunday's contests will advance to Super Bowl LX, set to be played on February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. For the Patriots, a win would mark a triumphant return to the league's summit under their young quarterback. For the Broncos, a victory with a backup quarterback would go down as one of the great resilience stories in franchise history. In the NFC, either the Rams or Seahawks will represent the West in what promises to be a golden anniversary celebration of the sport's biggest game.
As kickoff approaches, all eyes are on the Super Bowl LX playoff bracket to see which two teams will survive the attrition of January football. With Nix sidelined and Darnold returning, Championship Sunday 2026 is poised to deliver the drama, chaos, and unforgettable moments that NFL fans live for.
