NFL Championship Sunday bold predictions: Jarrett Stidham bests Drake Maye; Rashid Shaheed explodes

Jarrett Stidham outduels Drake Maye to send Broncos to Super Bowl

Stidham has not thrown a pass in a real game since Week 18 of the 2023 season, which might not engender a ton of confidence among those outside of the Broncos facility. But the Bo Nix replacement rises to the occasion and throws for 300 yards and three touchdowns, outplaying New England's MVP candidate to send Denver to the Super Bowl a decade after the franchise lifted its third Lombardi Trophy.

Rashid Shaheed lifts Seahawks with pair of explosive scores

The always-dangerous Shaheed got the Seahawks off to a hot start last week with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. He takes advantage of the Rams' special teams woes and returns another kick for a score this week. But the electric speed merchant doesn’t stop there. Los Angeles also has struggled against out-wide receivers and defending the deep ball. Shaheed exploits that and adds a touchdown reception of 40-plus yards.

Patriots' defense BLANKS Sean Payton's offense

Drake Maye has soared in his first season with head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Sure, he's had some struggles in the playoffs -- SEE: two interceptions, six fumbles (three lost) and completion percentages below 60 in each of the two games -- but I think Maye will be just fine against a Denver defense that won't be able to affect him the way Houston did a week ago. New England won't have trouble putting up points Sunday, but the bigger story is Vrabel's defense. In two postseason games, that unit has piled up six takeaways and nine sacks while allowing a grand total of 19 points. With Denver rocking with backup QB Jarrett Stidham, the Pats D turns in its best outing of the year -- and maybe ever -- as it SHUTS OUT Denver on the road.

Seahawks kicker avenges 61-yard miss with game-winner in overtime

Part III of this NFC West rivalry is even better than the first two meetings of the season. The NFC title game goes to overtime -- just like the Week 16 tilt between the Rams and Seahawks -- but this time, Seattle's Jason Myers kicks the game-winning field goal, redeeming the last-second miss from 61 yards out in Week 11's two-point loss to Los Angeles.

Broncos pull off upset as Stidham tastes revenge!

Just because Bo Nix's season is over, that doesn’t mean the Broncos are done. Jarrett Stidham has made four career starts, throwing for more than 200 yards in all of them with six total TD passes against four INTs. Oh, and it’s a revenge game against the team that drafted him in 2019. Denver’s defense will carry the day, but Stidham will be more effective than anticipated in a Broncos win.

Home run hitters define NFC title game

In championship-level football, especially when two good defenses are involved, victory often comes down to which team hits the big plays. When the Rams and Seahawks last met at Lumen Field, Seattle RB Kenneth Walker III broke off plays of 46 and 55 yards, while Puka Nacua and Xavier Smith combined to contribute four catches of 40-plus yards. The NFC Championship Game will take it up another notch, as both teams record a play of at least 80 yards -- one of which decides who heads to Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX.