The 2026 NFL Championship Sunday promises thrilling matchups as the Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, while the Seattle Seahawks face the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game. New users at bet365 can take advantage of the bonus code CBSBET365, which offers $200 in bonus bets after placing a first wager of $5 or more.
Both games are set to be pivotal, with the AFC clash kicking off at 3 p.m. ET and the NFC showdown following at 6:30 p.m. ET. The Broncos enter the AFC title game as 4.5-point underdogs, primarily due to starting quarterback Bo Nix’s ankle injury sustained during last week’s contest against the Buffalo Bills. In his place, Jarrett Stidham will start, marking his first game appearance in two years. Despite this setback, SportsLine’s proven computer model has predicted the Broncos will cover the spread in 58% of its simulations.
Key Matchups: Broncos vs. Patriots and Seahawks vs. Rams
The Broncos are facing a tough challenge against the Patriots, led by a formidable defense that ranked first in the league in sacks throughout the regular season. Stidham, who has six seasons of NFL experience, will rely heavily on this defense, which forced five turnovers against the Bills last week. The model’s backing of the Broncos at bet365 indicates that they have a strong chance of covering the spread, despite being the largest home underdog in conference championship history.
In the NFC Championship Game, the Seahawks enter with momentum after an impressive eight-game winning streak, including a dramatic comeback against the Rams in December, which required a two-point conversion in overtime. This time, Seattle will look to further capitalize on their recent success, as the Rams navigate their fifth away game in six weeks. The Rams had a narrow victory over the Carolina Panthers in the wild-card round, followed by a hard-fought overtime win against the Chicago Bears.
The Seahawks are also favored to cover the spread, with a projection of 58% from the model. The betting line stands at -2.5 in favor of Seattle.
Projected Outcomes: Betting Insights
For those looking at the total points for the Seahawks versus Rams game, the model suggests betting on the Under at 46.5 points. While some bettors may remember the teams combined for 75 points in their previous encounter in Week 16, that game was an anomaly. The total in that matchup closed at 42.5, and historically, these two teams have gone Under in 10 of their last 14 meetings.
Seattle’s defense has shown significant strength, allowing only a combined 44 points in six of their last seven games, excluding their recent victory over Los Angeles. In their earlier matchup this season, the Rams managed to edge out the Seahawks with a 21-19 win, thanks to a strong performance that included four interceptions thrown by Seattle’s quarterback Sam Darnold.
In summary, the betting model projects a total of 46 points for Sunday’s game, with the Under hitting 53% of the time. As the Championship games unfold, fans and bettors alike can expect an exciting day filled with intense competition and strategic plays.
For the most updated NFL betting picks, including against the spread, total, and money-line picks for every NFL game, visit bet365 and consider the insights from the model that has simulated every game 10,000 times.
