Overview
- Denver holds the AFC’s No. 1 seed behind a star-laden defense, though Bo Nix’s ceiling and a Week 16 loss to Jacksonville fuel skepticism.
- New England captured the AFC East under Mike Vrabel with second-year quarterback Drake Maye, securing home advantage up to at least the conference title game.
- Buffalo is framed as the AFC’s most viable challenger without home field, with the columnist contending this is Josh Allen’s best shot yet.
- Seattle locked up the NFC’s top seed with Sam Darnold after an overtime win against the Rams, positioning a complete roster for a home-field run.
- Houston enters on a nine-game surge powered by a dominant defense and a rejuvenated C.J. Stroud, as the column predicts Texans-Seahawks with Darnold lifting the trophy.