AFC and NFC Championship Games Preview: Drake Maye's Patriots vs Broncos; Rams-Seahawks showdown

Описание: The Patriots find themselves back in a familiar spot: On the doorstep of another Super Bowl appearance. Will Drake Maye rise to the occassion and send Mike Vrabel & Co. to the big game? Or will Broncos backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham pull off a miracle in his first start of the season?

Maye will face another challenge against a ferocious Broncos pass rush that finished with the fifth-most sacks in NFL history. Sean Payton will have to give Stidham a crash course against a daunting Patriots defense that has shined in the playoffs.

Joe, Burg and Manish caution that this won't be a layup for the five-point favorite Patriots despite all the chatter that Denver has little chance to win without injured starting quarterback Bo Nix. Maye's turnovers coupled with New England's shaky pass protection in the playoffs could open the door for Denver.

Meanwhile, the Rams and Seahawks lock horns for the third time in 10 weeks, including an instant overtime classic in Seattle a few weeks ago that featured a controversial two-point conversion that left Sean McVay scratching his head. It's the first time the No. 1 scoring offense has squared off against the No. 1 scoring defense in the conference title game since Aaron Rodgers' high-flying Packers lost to Seattle's Legion of Boom defense in 2014.

Presumptive NFL MVP Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua lit up the Seahawks in the last meeting. Can they do it again? Or will Sam Darnold reach the Super Bowl in his first season in Seattle? Mike Macdonald's defense has been the backbone all season. But can they slow down L.A.'s explosive offense?