REUTERS/Mike Segar TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
(San Francisco, CA) — The Seattle Seahawks are headed back to the Super Bowl after surviving a dramatic 31-27 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday night, setting up a highly anticipated clash with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara.
Behind a poised performance from quarterback Sam Darnold, Seattle captured its fourth Super Bowl berth and secured a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX. Darnold threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover, outdueling Rams star Matthew Stafford, who passed for 374 yards and three scores in a thrilling back-and-forth battle.
In a frigid, snow-swept battle at Empower Field at Mile High, the New England Patriots edged the Denver Broncos 10-7 in the AFC Championship Game, clinching a trip to Super Bowl LX and continuing the franchise’s return to championship form.
Patriots’ QB Drake Maye, making his first AFC Championship appearance, delivered a poised performance in brutal weather. He completed 10 of 21 passes for 86 yards, added 65 rushing yards on 10 carries, and scored the Patriots’ lone touchdown on a 6-yard keeper late in the second quarter.
The Broncos struck first, with Stidham — starting in place of the injured Bo Nix — engineering a crisp opening drive that ended in a touchdown for a 7-0 lead. But as snowfall intensified, both offenses sputtered. Each team missed two long field goal attempts before halftime, and ball movement became increasingly difficult once whiteout conditions set in.
Playing through worsening conditions, New England scored the only points of the second half on a 23-yard field goal by rookie kicker Andy Borregales midway through the third quarter. That kick proved decisive in a contest dominated by defense, field position, and timely plays.
New England leaned heavily on Rhamondre Stevenson, who carried 25 times for 71 yards, helping control possession and keep Denver’s offense off balance. The Patriots did not commit a turnover, while the Broncos made two costly mistakes, including a late interception that sealed their fate.
Editorial credit: Dean Bertoncelj
