The NFL’s final four teams have punched their tickets to conference championship weekend, setting up four potential Super Bowl LX matchups with varying levels of intrigue from nostalgic rematches to fresh faces on football’s biggest stage.
At a Glance
- Four teams remain with four possible Super Bowl matchups
- Patriots vs. Rams ranks as the most intriguing potential showdown
- Three matchups would be Super Bowl rematches from previous eras
- Why it matters: Each combination offers unique storylines that could shape NFL history
The AFC features the No. 1 Denver Broncos hosting the No. 2 New England Patriots in a rematch of the AFC title game from a decade ago. In the NFC, division rivals will battle for the third time this season as the No. 5 Los Angeles Rams visit the No. 1 Seattle Seahawks.
Ranking the Potential Super Bowl Matchups
1. Patriots vs. Rams
This matchup would feature the likely top-two MVP finishers in Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford, along with two high-profile coaches in Mike Vrabel and Sean McVay. The game would serve as a rematch of two previous Super Bowls, both won by Tom Brady’s Patriots.
The dynamics would differ significantly from Super Bowl XXXVI and LIII, when Brady and Bill Belichick led New England. Vrabel played in the first game for the Patriots, much like Maye, during Brady’s second season. McVay coached the second game for Los Angeles with Jared Goff as quarterback. Both quarterbacks would be newcomers to this rivalry, creating a fresh chapter in the teams’ storied history.
2. Patriots vs. Seahawks
This represents another rematch from the Brady-Belichick era, with their previous Super Bowl meeting ranking among the best in history. The game famously ended with Malcolm Butler’s interception of Russell Wilson at the goal line after Brady engineered a 10-point fourth-quarter comeback.
The potential rematch could feature similar elements, with Seattle bringing a dominant defense. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald would make his first trip to this stage, with his defense having passed every test this season. Quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Maye would both make their Super Bowl debuts after each won their first playoff games this year. While the uniforms would look familiar, the matchup would feature plenty of new faces.
3. Broncos vs. Seahawks
Continuing the rematch theme, this would recall Seattle’s 43-8 victory over Peyton Manning’s Broncos in February 2014, which remains the Seahawks’ first and only Super Bowl win.
Seattle would again bring a powerful defense, while Denver presents the biggest question mark. Jarrett Stidham would presumably make his second start after winning his postseason debut in the AFC title game for the injured Bo Nix. The coaching matchup between Macdonald, who has become the premier defensive coach in the NFL, and Broncos coach Sean Payton, an all-time great offensive mind, adds significant intrigue.
4. Broncos vs. Rams
Even as the lowest-ranked potential matchup, this combination would still provide compelling storylines. There’s the Stidham angle, with him potentially riding high after beating his former team for the AFC title. On the Rams side, Stafford and McVay would look to cement their legacies with a second championship together.
This matchup could also carry personal significance for Payton, who was once the young offensive innovator before McVay assumed that role. Now 62 years old and 16 years removed from his only Super Bowl win and appearance, Payton would undoubtedly want to outduel his younger colleague.
Playoff Path to the Final Four
The conference championship weekend participants earned their spots through dramatic postseason victories:
Patriots: Survived Houston in snowy conditions
Broncos: Edged Buffalo in overtime
Seahawks: Overwhelmed San Francisco
Rams: Won in overtime
Each team brings unique strengths to the championship round, with the AFC matchup featuring the conference’s top two seeds while the NFC contest pits division rivals who know each other intimately.
Key Storylines to Watch
Several narratives emerge regardless of which teams advance:
- The potential for Super Bowl rematches from different eras
- Rookie quarterbacks making championship game appearances
- Coaching legacies on the line for multiple sideline leaders
- Defensive dominance potentially deciding outcomes
- Offensive innovations clashing with defensive schemes
The remaining playoff field represents a mix of established powers and rising programs, each carrying the weight of championship expectations into the penultimate weekend of the NFL season.
Key Takeaways
The NFL’s final four has created four distinct Super Bowl possibilities, each offering unique appeal from nostalgic rematches to fresh championship storylines. The Patriots-Rams combination tops the intrigue meter with MVP candidates and coaching star power, while even the lowest-ranked Broncos-Rams matchup promises compelling personal narratives and legacy-defining moments for the participants involved.
