The road to Super Bowl 60 has reached its final checkpoint, and the betting landscape for today's NFL Conference Championship odds 2026 is painting a picture of two vastly different battles. In the AFC, the market has reacted violently to the season-ending injury of Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, swinging heavily in favor of the New England Patriots. Meanwhile, the NFC title game offers a suffocatingly close "pick-em" scenario as the Seattle Seahawks host their division rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, in what oddsmakers view as a virtual coin flip. With kickoff hours away, here is the ultimate guide to the spreads, lines, and sharp money defining this Championship Sunday.
AFC Championship: Patriots vs Broncos Betting Picks
The headline dominating the AFC Championship is the absence of rookie sensation Bo Nix, who suffered a broken ankle in the Divisional Round overtime thriller against Buffalo. The impact on the Patriots vs Broncos betting picks has been seismic. Opening lines that briefly respected Denver’s home-field advantage at Empower Field at Mile High have evaporated. The Patriots, led by sophomore quarterback Drake Maye, are now firm road favorites, with the spread pushing as high as -5.5 at major sportsbooks.
Bettors are fading the Broncos' offense under backup Jarrett Stidham, despite Sean Payton’s history of maximizing reserve signal-callers. New England’s defense, which suffocated C.J. Stroud and the Texans last week, is expected to stack the box and force Stidham to beat them through the air. The total has plummeted to 40.5, the lowest of the postseason, signaling that Vegas expects a defensive grind. The smart money suggests looking at the Patriots' moneyline (-245) as a parlay piece, but the spread remains tricky given Denver’s elite defensive unit, which could keep the game close even without an offensive spark.
Bo Nix Injury Betting Impact
It is impossible to overstate the Bo Nix injury betting impact on this matchup. Typically, a drop-off from a starter to a backup is worth 3-4 points on the spread, but the market movement here suggests a lack of faith in Stidham's ability to generate points against a Bill Belichick-disciple defense. If you are contrarian, the Broncos covering +5.5 relies entirely on their pass rush disrupting Maye and forcing a low-scoring turnover battle.
NFC Championship: Rams vs Seahawks Point Spread
Out West, the narrative is pure parity. The Rams vs Seahawks point spread sits precariously at Seattle -2.5, with some books even testing -1.5. This is a rematch of Week 16’s overtime classic, and the familiarity between these NFC West foes effectively neutralizes Seattle's "12th Man" home-field advantage. The Seahawks remain the slight favorite to win Super Bowl 60, largely due to a roster that is arguably the deepest in the league, anchored by a resurgent Sam Darnold.
However, the Rams have been road warriors this postseason, knocking off Carolina and Chicago in hostile environments. Matthew Stafford’s experience in these high-leverage moments is the equalizer. The total is set at a healthy 47.5, reflecting confidence in both offenses. With Seattle running back Kenneth Walker III taking a massive workload following Zach Charbonnet's knee injury, and the Rams deploying a three-headed monster of Stafford, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams, this game has "shootout" potential that the AFC contest lacks.
Top NFL Playoff Player Props
For those looking to diversify their portfolio beyond the side and total, the NFL playoff player props market offers significant value today. With the weather in Denver projected to be freezing but clear, fading Stidham isn't the only angle.
- Drake Maye Over 225.5 Passing Yards (-114): Maye has eclipsed 250 yards in 13 of his last 18 games. Against a Denver defense that may be on the field often due to offensive three-and-outs, Maye should have ample volume.
- Kenneth Walker III Over 85.5 Rushing Yards (-114): With Charbonnet out, Walker is the engine of the Seahawks' offense. He rushed for over 100 yards against the Rams in December and will be fed early and often to keep Stafford off the field.
- Matthew Stafford Over 35.5 Pass Attempts (-113): Seattle’s run defense is elite, ranking first in EPA. The Rams will abandon the run early if it stalls, putting the game in Stafford’s hands. Expect 40+ dropbacks.
- Davante Adams Anytime TD (+125): In the red zone, Stafford looks for his veterans. Adams has been a touchdown machine this postseason and offers plus-money value in a game projected to near 50 points.
Super Bowl 60 Betting Lines & Best Bets Today
Looking ahead to the big game, the Super Bowl 60 betting lines currently favor Seattle (+155) to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, followed closely by the Rams (+230) and Patriots (+250). The Broncos have plummeted to +1300 longshots, a direct reflection of their quarterback instability. If you are locking in NFL best bets today, the most correlated parlay is taking the Patriots to cover the spread combined with the Over in the Rams/Seahawks game. The disparity in quarterback play in the AFC combined with the offensive firepower in the NFC creates a clear script for how this Championship Sunday should unfold.