One reason to root for the four remaining NFL teams

Considering this is one of the most random Super Bowls of all time, with no idea who’s going to be at the big game, it’s kind of hard at this point to pick a team to root for because odds are your team is out.

Here’s one reason to root for each of the remaining teams.

New England Patriots: The Rise of a Young Superstar Quarterback

Root for the Patriots because of the electrifying emergence of second-year QB Drake Maye, who’s spearheading a franchise revival after years of post-Brady struggles—turning them into a 14-3 powerhouse and the AFC’s No. 2 seed.

Maye’s poise and dual-threat ability have him in MVP conversations, with 4,394 passing yards (4th in NFL), 31 touchdowns (3rd), just 8 interceptions, and a league-high 113.5 passer rating in the 2025 regular season, plus 450 rushing yards and 4 scores.

Denver Broncos: The Ultimate Underdog Backup Story

Cheer on the Broncos for their gritty resilience under backup QB Jarrett Stidham, who stepped in amid injuries and propelled the No. 1 AFC seed to the conference championship—proving depth and determination can defy odds in a season where they went 13-4 overall.

Stidham, with limited regular-season action (no passes thrown, but key mop-up duties), has shone in playoffs with efficient game management, including a 33-30 OT divisional win over Buffalo, echoing his career 59.4% completion rate and 78.3 rating across stints.

Los Angeles Rams: A Veteran QB’s Dominant Redemption Run

Support the Rams for Matthew Stafford’s masterful, age-defying season at 37, fueling a 12-5 record and NFC playoff surge with elite efficiency—reminding fans why he’s a future Hall of Famer chasing his second ring.

Stafford led the league with 4,707 passing yards (1st) and 46 touchdowns (1st), adding just 8 interceptions for a 109.2 rating, including a clutch 20-17 OT divisional win over Chicago where he threw for 258 yards.

Seattle Seahawks: A Journeyman QB’s Inspiring Turnaround

Back the Seahawks for Sam Darnold’s feel-good redemption arc, transforming from early-career bust to steady leader of the NFC’s No. 1 seed (13-4 record)—showcasing perseverance in a league that loves comeback stories.

Darnold threw for 4,048 yards (5th in NFL), 25 touchdowns (tied-9th), and a 56.0 QBR, guiding blowout wins like 38-13 over San Francisco in the divisional round, building on his career revival.