The Road to the Super Bowl. Updated Race to Super Bowl LX
Here's the latest on how the NFL postseason is shaping up and what it means for the upcoming Super Bowl LX on 8 February 2026 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Who's Left Standing
The NFL playoffs have narrowed down to the final four teams set to compete in the conference championship games this Sunday:
- AFC Championship: New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos
- NFC Championship: Seattle Seahawks vs Los Angeles Rams
These four clubs survived the wild-card and divisional rounds to keep Super Bowl hopes alive. The winners will meet in Super Bowl LX.
AFC Contenders
In the AFC, the Patriots and Broncos will contest for a berth in the title game. New England edged past the Houston Texans in the divisional round, while Denver knocked off the Buffalo Bills in overtime. The matchup pits a strong Patriots defence and efficient offence against a Broncos squad that has capitalised on opportunistic play.
Early predictive markets and analysts have the Patriots as favourites to reach the Super Bowl, partly due to Denver's injuries at key positions.
NFC Showdown
Out west, the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams renew a divisional rivalry for the NFC title. Seattle enters the game as a favourite after a dominant divisional win and a franchise-best regular-season record. The Rams survived a tight overtime battle to book their spot.
The NFC clash has narrative weight. Seattle is chasing its first Super Bowl appearance since the 2014 season and is the warm favourite among experts and in the markets.
What's at Stake
The winners of these games will advance to Super Bowl LX on 8 February 2026, where they will compete for the Lombardi Trophy. This will be the 60th Super Bowl in NFL history and, as always, will feature elaborate showbiz glitz and entertainment rivalling the sport.
The halftime show and pre-game ceremonies have been announced, blending music and sport with a focus on performances that honour Super Bowl history.
How It Got Here
The 2025 NFL season began in September 2025 and concluded its regular season in January 2026, with 14 teams qualifying for the playoffs. After a wild-card round and divisional weekend, the field has thinned to the final four.
Most notably, the reigning champions from the previous cycle's core teams, such as the Kansas City Chiefs, missed the postseason playoffs - a rare absence that reflects the league's competitiveness and evenness.
What Fans Are Talking About
Aside from the games themselves, discussions are centred on:
- Injuries and depth: Key players missing time could swing the AFC title game.
- NFC momentum: Seattle's late-season form positions them as a clear threat.
- Cultural elements: Super Bowl week entertainment, global streaming options, and halftime performers are part of the broader buildup.