The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks locked up the No. 1 seeds in the AFC and NFC, earning first-round byes and home-field advantage through the conference championship.
> At a Glance
> – The 13-4 Broncos and 14-3 Seahawks need just two wins to reach Super Bowl 60
> – Seattle set a franchise record with 14 victories after switching to Sam Darnold at quarterback
> – Denver recorded an NFL-high 68 sacks to secure the AFC West crown
> – Why it matters: Both teams can skip the wild-card round and host divisional games Jan. 17-18
That shorter path gives each club a clear edge in the race for the Lombardi Trophy.
Seattle’s Historic Season
The Seahawks return to the postseason for the first time since 2022, powered by a reshaped offense and a suffocating defense. Jaxson Smith-Njigba led the league with 1,793 receiving yards, while Darnold earned his second straight Pro Bowl nod.
Seattle’s defense finished:
- 1st in points allowed (17.2 per game)
- 6th in yards allowed (285.6 per game)
- 6th in takeaways (25)
- T-7th in sacks (47)
Denver’s Sack Attack
The Broncos rode a relentless pass rush to their second straight playoff berth. Nik Bonitto paced the attack with 14 sacks, giving him 27.5 over the past two seasons.
Denver’s defensive ranks:
- 1st in sacks (68)
- 2nd in yards allowed (278.2)
- 3rd in points allowed (18.3)
Second-year quarterback Bo Nix finished top-10 in both passing yards and touchdowns, improving to 24-10 as a starter.
Divisional Round Scenarios
The reseeding format pits the No. 1 seed against the lowest remaining wild-card winner.
If seeds hold, the Broncos could host:
- No. 7 Chargers (if they upset the Patriots)
- No. 6 Bills, No. 5 Texans or No. 4 Steelers (if the Chargers lose)
Seattle’s possible opponents:
- No. 7 Packers (if they beat the Bears)
- No. 6 49ers, No. 5 Rams or No. 4 Panthers (if Green Bay loses)
The Divisional Round kicks off Saturday, Jan. 17 and wraps up Sunday, Jan. 18.
Key Takeaways
- Only two wins separate the Broncos and Seahawks from Super Bowl 60
- Seattle’s 14-win campaign shattered the previous franchise record
- Denver’s 68 sacks were 11 more than any other team
- Both clubs secured home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs
With a weekend off to rest and prepare, Denver and Seattle now wait to learn which challengers will arrive at their stadiums for a chance to keep their championship dreams alive.
