The stage is set for an electrifying NFL Championship Sunday 2026 schedule after a Divisional Round weekend defined by snowy theatrics, defensive dominance, and a devastating injury to one of the league's brightest young stars. The NFL playoff bracket 2026 update is now complete: the New England Patriots will travel to Denver to face the Broncos in the AFC Championship, while the Los Angeles Rams head north to battle the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC crown.

While the Rams celebrated a gritty 20-17 overtime victory against the Chicago Bears and the Patriots dismantled the Houston Texans 28-16, the mood in Denver is bittersweet. Despite a thrilling 33-30 overtime win against the Buffalo Bills, the Broncos have lost quarterback Bo Nix to a season-ending ankle injury, dramatically altering the landscape of the AFC title game.

Bo Nix Injury Update: Broncos Advance but Lose Star QB

The Denver Broncos secured their spot in the AFC Championship with a heart-stopping 33-30 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills, but the win came at a catastrophic price. In a crushing Bo Nix injury update, head coach Sean Payton confirmed that the sophomore quarterback suffered a fractured right ankle on a QB sweep play late in overtime. Nix, who had been spectacular with 279 passing yards and three touchdowns, will undergo season-ending surgery this Tuesday.

"He's a tough cookie," Payton told reporters post-game, acknowledging that Nix stayed on the field for one final play before kicker Will Lutz drilled the game-winning 23-yard field goal. The injury forces the Broncos to turn to veteran backup Jarrett Stidham for next Sunday's Patriots vs Broncos AFC Championship showdown. Stidham, who hasn't started a game since late 2023, now faces the daunting task of leading the AFC's top seed against a surging Patriots defense.

Patriots vs Texans: Drake Maye and Defense Dominate

In Foxborough, the New England Patriots announced their return to championship contention with a resounding 28-16 win over the Houston Texans. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye continued his ascent, posting impressive Drake Maye playoff stats with three touchdown passes, including a 7-yard strike to Stefon Diggs just before halftime.

However, the story of the day was the Patriots' suffocating defense, which forced five turnovers in the snow. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud endured a nightmare performance, throwing four interceptions—one of which was returned 26 yards for a touchdown by Marcus Jones. The Patriots' ability to capitalize on mistakes has them looking like a juggernaut heading into Denver, where they will face a Broncos team suddenly searching for answers under center.

Rams vs Bears Overtime Highlights: A Snowy Classic at Soldier Field

The weekend's drama peaked at Soldier Field, where the Rams vs Bears overtime highlights will be replayed for years. In heavy snow, Los Angeles escaped with a 20-17 victory thanks to the leg of "The Thicker Kicker," Harrison Mevis. After Bears quarterback Caleb Williams orchestrated a thrilling fourth-quarter drive to tie the game with a touchdown to Cole Kmet with just 17 seconds remaining, the game headed to extra time.

The overtime period ended in heartbreak for Chicago. Williams, who had thrown for a touchdown earlier, was intercepted by Rams cornerback Cobie Durant—his second pick of the day—deep in Rams territory. Los Angeles capitalized on the turnover, driving downfield to set up Mevis for a 42-yard game-winning field goal. Running back Kyren Williams was the engine for the Rams' offense, rushing for 87 yards and scoring both of the team's touchdowns in regulation.

Championship Sunday Preview: Rivals Collide

The NFL Championship Sunday 2026 schedule features two compelling matchups on January 25:

AFC Championship: Patriots at Broncos

The Patriots (No. 2 seed) visit the Broncos (No. 1 seed) in a battle that has lost its marquee quarterback duel but gained a fascinating subplot. Can Jarrett Stidham manage the game well enough to overcome a Patriots defense that just humiliated C.J. Stroud? Denver's home-field advantage at Mile High will be crucial, but the momentum is clearly with New England.

NFC Championship: Rams at Seahawks

The Seahawks vs Rams NFC Championship renews one of the NFL's fiercest divisional rivalries. The Seahawks, fresh off a 41-6 demolition of the San Francisco 49ers, will host the Rams in what promises to be a physical battle. Seattle's rested offense versus the Rams' battle-tested unit—which has now survived close games against the Panthers and Bears—will determine who represents the NFC in Super Bowl LX.