New England Patriots v Denver Broncos (Sunday 3pm ET\/8pm GMT)<\/p>\n
What New England need to do to win: Clean up their act. Last week against the Houston Texans<\/a>, Drake Maye was blindsided too often by edge rushers Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. The pair wreaked havoc, sacking Maye five times and forcing him into three of his four fumbles. The Los Angeles Chargers also forced two from him in the wildcard round. Denver led the league in sacks (68) in the regular season, and will be intent on causing similar damage on Sunday. But Maye can mitigate that threat if he sharpens his awareness in the pocket and takes the sack rather than rushing into impossible passes. New England\u2019s left tackle Will Campbell is very likely to lose a couple of duels with edge defender Nick Bonitto, so Maye needs to be ready for a helmet sandwich while holding on to the ball for dear life. Simply punting and giving Denver\u2019s second-string quarterback, Jarrett Stidham, tough field position may be all it takes to reach the Super Bowl.<\/p>\n What Denver need to do to win: Limit the Patriots to 20 points or fewer. Stidham then needs to stay calm and manage the offense with care rather than forcing the ball against a team with a great defense. It would be ideal if Denver can generate a huge day in the run game but without the injured Bo Nix\u2019s<\/a> scrambles they just don\u2019t have the quality to ease the burden on Stidham. So it is up to you Stiddy \u2026 or is it? Denver\u2019s receivers certainly need to do a better job of catching the ball, specifically their best wideout, Courtland Sutton, who endured a serious case of dropsy against Buffalo. The offensive line is rock solid, but even so Stidham will have to be patient and wait for his wide men to get open rather than panicking in the face of pressure. CJ Stroud\u2019s meltdown last week is a cautionary tale about what happens when New England\u2019s QB hunters get in your head.<\/p>\n Key player for the Patriots: Stefon Diggs, wide receiver. Diggs is the perfect antidote to Denver\u2019s excellent passing defense. The 32-year-old still has immaculate hands and is as reliable as they come, finishing ninth for receptions in the regular season despite being 26th for total targets, with only two drops. If Maye finds Diggs in the end zone you can guarantee the receiver will rise to the occasion.<\/p>\n Key player for the Broncos: Garett Bolles, left tackle. The veteran just keeps getting better, and he earned his first All-Pro accolade this season at 33 years old. In 2025, Bolles allowed just six QB hits and zero sacks across the regular season. That\u2019s exactly the kind of protection Stidham needs in only the fifth NFL<\/a> start of his career.<\/p>\n Prediction: Patriots over Broncos. The home crowd spurring on Denver\u2019s defense to even greater heights will make it close, just not close enough. The Broncos offense is likely to be overmatched and outscored by Maye\u2019s superior ability to make plays under pressure.<\/p>\n Sam Darnold and Matthew Stafford meet again on Sunday. Photograph: Sean M Haffey\/Getty ImagesLos Angeles Rams v Seattle Seahawks (Sunday 6.30pm ET\/11.30pm GMT)<\/p>\n What Los Angeles need to do to win: Running back Kyren Williams can unlock Seattle\u2019s disciplined, fast and destructive defense, which is led by linebacker Ernest Jones. To help beat a team that will dare Matthew Stafford to throw by showing light boxes, Williams has to shine. Fortunately for the Rams he is one of the most patient rushers in the NFL, always waiting for gaps to develop before punching through. The Rams\u2019 elite pass protection also gives Sean McVay the flexibility to keep Stafford safe in the pocket against a menacing Seattle front. If Williams can keep moving the chains and force the Seahawks to bring an extra safety into the box, then deep shots to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams should open up. The Rams will then find the rhythm needed to overcome Seattle\u2019s mean machine.<\/p>\n What Seattle need to do to win: The Seahawks have lost a key piece of their offensive gameplan. Zach Charbonnet\u2019s torn ACL means Seattle\u2019s run game will go through Kenneth Walker, which risks slowing down the offense\u2019s efficiency. The Seahawks need to scheme up the passing game to make up for the shortfall, rather than throw in a rusty Cam Akers. Akers, recently on the practice squad, may keep Walker\u2019s legs fresh but he isn\u2019t likely to do any damage to the Rams. A more potent threaten is Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed receiving quick, high percentage throws and speeding away with yards after the catch.<\/p>\n