RAMS-SEAHAWKS
It will be interesting to see if the Vikings were wrong and Sam Darnold does have what it takes to win a Super Bowl. While I wish him well, I am skeptical, and even if he does lead the Seahawks to two more wins and gets a ring, I don’t think the Vikings would have been able to do the same this year if they’d resigned him due to all the injuries on the offensive line. I tend to think Stafford and McVey are good for one more ring together, but the Seahawks definitely have the defensive edge.
BRONCOS-PATRIOTS
I think the Broncos will win even with their backup quarterback, mostly because I don’t believe Bo Nix is that much better than Jason Stidham. Both of them are in a situation more akin to the 2000 Ravens, so as long as Stidham doesn’t try to win the game with his arm, the Broncos should be okay. Last week Houston would have won if CJ Stroud had never thrown a ball, so I don’t see why the Broncos D, who allowed 17 more yards and 6 less touchdowns than the Texans D this season, can’t shut down Drake Maye at home even more effectively than the Texas did on the road.