LAST UPDATE | 26 Jan

THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS defeated the Los Angeles Rams in a high-scoring shootout on Sunday night to set up a Super Bowl rematch with the New England Patriots.

In Seattle, Seahawks’ quarterback Sam Darnold outdueled Rams counterpart Matthew Stafford in a 31-27 thriller to clinch the NFC championship.

The victory sends Seattle into a repeat of their epic 2015 Super Bowl against the Patriots, who prevailed in a blizzard-hit 10-7 AFC championship victory over the Denver Broncos earlier on Sunday.

The Seahawks’ win marked the latest milestone in what has been a fairytale campaign for Darnold, who has enjoyed a renaissance with Seattle this season after a rocky start to his career.

The 28-year-old finished Sunday’s classic with three touchdowns, 346 passing yards and no interceptions.

Darnold’s gripping slugfest with Stafford was effectively tilted in Seattle’s favor when a late Rams drive to the Seahawks’ six-yard line came away with nothing.

SEAHAWKS STOP THE RAMS INSIDE THE 10.

LARvsSEA on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/hBGhi8eaxt

— NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2026

Seattle, meanwhile, were left looking ahead to a Super Bowl clash with the Patriots in Santa Clara, California, on 8 February, 11 years after losing to New England in the NFL showpiece in 2015 during the Tom Brady era.

This year’s Super Bowl is the 60th edition of the NFL showpiece, known by its roman numeral LX. 

- Broncos tamed in blizzard -

The Patriots are targeting a record seventh Super Bowl following their gritty, low-scoring victory in Colorado.

The AFC title game played out in brutal conditions, with the field in gradually blanketed in snow as a storm swept over the venue.

New England quarterback Drake Maye held firm after a shaky start, leading the Patriots upfield for the decisive field goal after rushing for a first-half touchdown.

DRAKE "DRAKE MAYE" MAYE JUST GOT CLOSER TO WINNING THE AFC

NEvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Ep0j8gPMQY

— NFL (@NFL) January 25, 2026

The win cements a remarkable resurgence for the Patriots.

After the dominant era of the Brady dynasty that yielded six Super Bowl titles, New England have endured a painful rebuild.

But under new head coach Mike Vrabel they were a revelation this season, topping the tough AFC East for the first time since 2019.

The Patriots, who already boasted the most Super Bowl appearances with 11, will now have their 12th showing on American football’s biggest stage, and a chance to vie for a record seventh Lombardi trophy.

Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls playing alongside Brady for the Patriots, would be the first person to win the sport’s ultimate prize as a player and coach for the same franchise.

– © AFP 2026

Written by AFP and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.