NFL: Who will reach Super Bowl 60? Make your picks in wide-open race

The «most extraordinary» NFL season in ages is poised for an appropriate conclusion.

With an unprecedented amount of comebacks on Wildcard Weekend, six squads advanced to the Divisional Round.

Accompanying them are the top seeds from both conferences, with the Denver Broncos (AFC) and Seattle Seahawks (NFC) earning first-round byes.

However, the quest for the Super Bowl is still entirely up for grabs, and this weekend’s four matchups are even more difficult to predict than last week.

«It’s do or die, and at this stage of the season, any team can cause trouble,» stated Seattle’s British defensive coordinator Aden Durde.

«Every team has deserved to be here. There’s no team you can overlook or put higher than another.»

Durde’s Seahawks are narrowly favored to take home Super Bowl 60 over the Los Angeles Rams.

But which two teams do you predict will win next week’s Conference Championships to move on to the NFL’s championship game? You can select your NFC and AFC victors below – and share your thoughts in the comments.

Kansas City eliminated the Buffalo Bills from the playoffs in four of the last five seasons, and with the Chiefs sidelined—along with fellow AFC contenders Baltimore and Cincinnati—could this be Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen’s best opportunity to reach the Super Bowl?

The NFL’s current Most Valuable Player guided the Bills to a comeback victory against Jacksonville last week – but they now face the AFC’s top seed in Denver.

«Defense is still the key to winning championships,» remarked USA Today reporter Tyler Dragon. «Denver is a well-rounded team, similar to the Seahawks, starting with that defense.»

The Broncos have secured victories in 13 of their last 14 games and led the league with 68 sacks – 11 more than the next team.

«This enables head coach Sean Payton to… be assertive knowing your defense will regain possession,» stated former NFL coach Phil McGeoghan.

«During the playoffs, when weather or injuries might weigh in, a defensive turnover can tilt the game.»

The defensive squads of Houston and New England were dominant in their victories last week, and now Patriots quarterback Drake Maye faces a tough trial of his MVP credentials against the Texans, who allowed the fewest yards in the league (183.5 per game).

«I admire that Houston defense and especially their front, including Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson,» said McGeoghan.

«These players approach from the edge with fierce intentions, they can spoil your game. However, I believe the Patriots will manage to protect Maye and he will make enough pivotal plays.»

The Rams and San Francisco 49ers both secured wins last week to progress to the Divisional Round, joining NFC West rivals Seattle as three teams from that division in the final eight.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears engineered a record six fourth-quarter comebacks throughout the regular season and managed another last week to move on, but if the Rams succeed in Chicago it ensures a divisional showdown for the Conference Championships.

«The Bears’ sluggish beginnings might haunt them, particularly against elite teams – and the Rams definitely fall into that category,» stated Dragon.

«Matt Stafford is the favorite for MVP, and they boast one of the top receiving corps in the NFL, featuring Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, alongside a pretty strong defense.»

Injuries have beleaguered San Francisco, recently losing key tight end George Kittle – and they will travel to Seattle this week, where quarterback Sam Darnold has less playoff experience.

If victorious, the Seahawks would host the Conference Championship at Lumen Field, known for its passionate fans dubbed ‘the 12s’ that act like a 12th player.

«It’s probably the loudest stadium I’ve ever experienced,» remarked Dragon. «Those supporters can make a huge difference, especially when the opposing offense is on the field.

«Seattle is a versatile team. They are not solely reliant on Darnold, and the last time they battled the 49ers, their defense allowed merely three points.»

McGeoghan added: «There’s a strong level of familiarity since they are divisional rivals, so the seedings likely won’t matter – it’s all going to come down to physical play.»

Conference seed in parentheses, with all kick-off times in GMT

Saturday, 17 January

Sunday, 18 January