Making History in the Conference Championships

In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Underdog:

You and me baby ain’t nothin but mammals, so let’s do it like they do on the ~~discovery~~ NFL history channel.

Buckle up, boys and girls. History is being made this weekend, one way or another. We've got records to break, streaks to root for and some damn good football to watch.

Here are some key players who might make history (again) this weekend:

1 vs 1

The NFL's No. 1 offense faces off against the No. 1 defense this weekend. What does that even mean for the game? Well, we know Seattle has not allowed a play to gain more than 20 yards in over a month. And their defense has allowed only 1 TD over the last three weeks. Buttt … Matthew Stafford is the only QB in NFL history to throw 400+ yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs against the league’s No. 1 scoring defense. And when did that happen? Oh … Week 16 in Seattle.

Shaheed’s Sticky-Finger Streak

While the balls haven't always been catchable, Rashid Shaheed has not dropped a pass since November 2023. Can he keep the streak alive against the Rams? Honestly … As long as he can keep up those electric kick returns, I don’t care.

The Decibel Effect

Of the top-5 loudest crowd pops in NFL history, Seattle holds three of them (one being the 128 dB pop heard round the world during Shaheed's 95-yard kick return TD last weekend). With Seattle playing at home again, I wouldn't be surprised if the crowd noise cracks the top 5 again if they're given something electric enough to scream about. But don't forget, Sean Payton's been coaching up Denver on how to disrupt New England's huddle. It could get loud in both stadiums.

Stidham A Sure Thing, Right?

Jarrett Stidham hasn’t thrown a completed pass in the NFL since January 2024. Now that he’s starting for Denver in Bo Nix’s absence, I’d say he has a pretty good chance to end the drought. I mean … Even the 4-time-intercepted CJ Stroud completed 20 of his throws last weekend against New England.

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP PROJECTIONS

Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Cash with Underdog!

Sign up and claim your free pick today! Pick higher or lower on your favorite players and cash in on Underdog today! New customers will receive a FREE Sam Darnold pick when you sign up. Sign up for Underdog using our promo code: LIFE and you can earn up to $1,000 Bonus Cash on your first deposit!

SIGN UP NOW

Editors’ Picks

Conference Championship Sunday is just one sleep away! In the meantime, this is a good time to catch up on our great content, especially these articles …

Early WR Rankings

Yes, the calendar says it’s January, but is that too early to rank WRs? Is it? Kendall Valenzuela shared her inner struggle for the top spot as she ranked the top WRs.

Latest NFL Mock Draft

Did Fernando Mendoza solidify becoming the No. 1 pick with his Heisman and National Championship run? Matthew Freedman updated his latest NFL Mock Draft following the National Championship Game.

Biggest Busts of 2025

If you drafted Brian Thomas Jr. at the end of the first round, we’ll share in the agony. Kendall Valenzuela did some soul searching in recalling some of the biggest busts of the 2025 fantasy season.

NFL Script Writers are not Scared of Conference Championships

When you find yourself screaming at your television during a Sunday night playoff game, pleading for Matthew Stafford to throw an interception, you know you have a proper Scared Money sweat going on. And when you come so close to cashing in that sweat, but it doesn’t happen, what is one to do? Look for the next sweat.

So cooterdoodle has called out to the NFL script writers ahead of Conference Championship Sunday, and has found the narratives that will determine her mood come that evening. And it starts with the No. 1 offense (Rams) facing the No. 1 defense (Seahawks) in the final act of what has been an epic trilogy this year:

“Seattle has been known to hold QBs to zero TDs, but not Stafford. Stafford threw 2 TDs against SEA in November and 3 TDs against them in December. In fact, he's the only QB in NFL history to manage over 400 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs against a No. 1 scoring defense … And he just did it in Week 16 against SEA.”

There are several other narratives that will lead to great Sunday sweats. Can you say more INTs? Yup, cooterdoodle make sure it won’t be quiet when you’re watching the games. ⤵️

LET IT RIP WITH DARNOLD AND STIDHAM