AFC, NFC championship preview: Schedule, X factors, stats - ESPN

The NFC and AFC conference championship games are set.

On Jan. 25, the Broncos will host the Patriots in the AFC, while the Seahawks will face the Rams in the NFC.

In anticipation of next weekend's conference title game matchups, we asked our NFL Nation reporters to pick one thing we learned about the teams they cover during the divisional round. Seth Walder explored how each team can advance, and Matt Bowen picked an early X factor. We also provided opening lines and game projections from ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI).

Jump to a matchup:
NE-DEN | LAR-SEA

When: 3 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
FPI projection: NE, 60% (by an average of 3.5 points)
Opening line: NE -4.5 (41.5)

What we learned about the Patriots in the divisional round: Kayshon Boutte might be one of the most underrated wide receivers in the NFL. His one-handed 32-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter Sunday was a highlight-reel play and ultimately knocked out the Texans — against All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., no less. The score was his fourth receiving TD on a deep fade/go route this season, including the playoffs (per ESPN Analytics and NFL Next Gen Stats). That's tied for second most in the NFL after the Bengals' Tee Higgins (six). Boutte played 55.4% of the offensive snaps in the regular season, totaling 33 receptions for 551 yards and 6 touchdowns. — Mike Reiss

What we learned about the Broncos in the divisional round: Call it another resounding confirmation of the Broncos' resiliency. Denver's overtime win over the Bills was its 13th comeback win of the season, including the playoffs; the Broncos set the NFL regular-season record with 12. It was the Broncos' sixth win this season in which they've trailed in the fourth quarter. They let a 23-10