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WHY ARE THE BRONCOS UNDERDOGS AT HOME DESPITE BEING THE AFC’S TOP SEED?

NFL warns of frostbite at the AFC Championship in Denver. Can Jarrett Stidham lead the Broncos past the Patriots in -20 wind chill?

Why are the Broncos underdogs at home despite being the AFC’s top seed?

The NFL is sounding the alarm for anyone heading to the AFC Championship Game in Denver: watch out for frostbite and hypothermia. It’s not just another cold day—it’s dangerously cold, and they want fans to take it seriously.

Sunday, January 25, 2026, is shaping up to be an epic showdown at Empower Field at Mile High. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. ET. You can catch the game on CBS or stream it on Paramount+ and NFL+. The Broncos, sitting at the top seed, are hosting the Patriots, who’ve come roaring back this season. The winner goes to the Super Bowl and faces whoever takes the NFC Championship between the Seahawks and Rams.

Right now, temperatures are stuck around 9 degrees Fahrenheit. They’re not expected to rise much—maybe the high teens or low 20s by the time the ball’s in the air. That’s cold enough for frostbite and hypothermia to set in fast, and the league, along with doctors, is warning everyone to keep their guard up.

Here’s what you need to know:

- Extreme cold can cause frostbite—when your skin and the tissue underneath freeze—or hypothermia, which is when your body temperature drops dangerously low.

- Watch for early signs of frostbite: red or painful skin, numbness, skin turning white or greyish-yellow, or skin that feels oddly firm or waxy.

- Sometimes people don’t even notice frostbite because they’re already numb. So it helps if you keep an eye on your friends, too.

- If you notice anything weird, cover up any exposed skin, get inside if you can, and don’t hesitate to get medical help.

- The high altitude in Denver makes the cold hit even harder, especially if you’re tailgating or sitting in the stands for hours.

There aren’t any new bans or stadium rules this time, but the message is clear: look out for yourself and the people with you. Safety comes first.

The NFL’s statement drives it home: “Denver’s frigid forecast is colliding with one of the biggest weekends for the Broncos, and doctors warn that the extreme temperatures could quickly lead to frostbite and hypothermia.”

Game-wise, the Broncos come in as underdogs after losing starting quarterback Bo Nix to a broken ankle in their wild overtime win against Buffalo. Jarrett Stidham steps in for his first start since 2023. Even so, Denver’s defence and the altitude give them an edge at home.

This game isn’t just a battle on the field—it’s a challenge for fans, too. The league wants everyone to focus on staying safe.

A quick checklist for fans braving the cold:

- Pile on the layers—think thermals, insulated jackets, hats, gloves, and something to cover your face.

- Drink plenty of fluids. Cold weather dries you out faster than you think. Warm drinks help.

- Take breaks inside if you can, and pay attention to how your friends are holding up.

- Keep an eye on weather updates and listen for any stadium announcements.

So, as the Broncos and Patriots fight for a Super Bowl spot, remember: the real win is making it through the day without a trip to the ER. If you’re heading to the game, gear up, stay sharp, and don’t let the cold catch you off guard.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES TRADE JAREN JACKSON JR. TO UTAH JAZZ IN 8-PLAYER BLOCKBUSTER

The Memphis Grizzlies have traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, creating a record $28.8 million trade exception for 2026.

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Grizzlies finalise Jaren Jackson Jr. deal

The Memphis Grizzlies turned heads on Tuesday, pulling off a blockbuster trade that sent two-time All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr to the Utah Jazz. Along with Jackson, the Grizzlies shipped out Vince Williams Jr, John Konchar, and Jock Landale. Coming back their way: Walter Clayton Jr, Kyle Anderson, Georges Niang, and, maybe the most important part, three future first-round picks.

And honestly, it feels like Memphis isn’t done stirring the pot. Inside the organisation, they see Zach Edey and Cedric Coward as the future. Both went late in the lottery in the past two drafts, and the Grizzlies landed some value in the second round this year, too, grabbing Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer.

All this movement means Ja Morant’s future in Memphis suddenly looks shaky. He’s been the face of the franchise since they took him No. 2 overall back in 2019. When he’s healthy, he’s electric—no question. But injuries and off-court drama have slowed him down, and now, with the trade deadline closing in, the Grizzlies are openly shopping him. Teams around the league are watching.

There’s another wrinkle here: by dealing Jackson, Memphis created a massive trade exception—$28.8 million, the biggest in NBA history, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks and Shams Charania. It’s a huge chess piece. With that exception, the Grizzlies can absorb big, ugly contracts from other teams in exchange for more draft picks. Think of what the Thunder did a few years back—stockpiling picks by taking on bad deals until they rebuilt into a contender.

Now, you’ve probably heard Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name floating around in trade rumours. He hasn’t officially asked out of Milwaukee, but everyone in the league expects something to happen soon. Teams like the Timberwolves and Knicks are circling. The Grizzlies? They’re not likely to chase Giannis directly. But with that trade exception, they could play a big role as a third team—taking on salary dumps or unwanted contracts, collecting more picks, and helping another franchise pull off the Giannis blockbuster. Memphis just put itself squarely in the middle of the NBA’s hottest rumour.

KLINT KUBIAK SNUBS NFL RIVALS TO LEAD RAIDERS’ NEW ERA UNDER TOM BRADY

The Las Vegas Raiders are zeroing in on Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak as their next head coach, with Tom Brady leading the search.

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Klint Kubiak is set for the Raiders as Seahawks coach faces the New England Patriots

The Las Vegas Raiders are in the middle of a huge shakeup right now. Klint Kubiak, the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, is set to become their new head coach—and honestly, he’s nothing like Pete Carroll.

Kubiak’s still in his 30s, calling plays on offence, while Carroll just wrapped up last season as the NFL’s oldest head coach. The Raiders had their eyes on Ben Johnson previous year, but when he decided to take the Bears job, they turned to Carroll instead.

This time, Las Vegas seemed to have that same level of interest in Kubiak, but they had to wait things out because Seattle was still in the playoffs. Tom Brady, who’s a minority owner with the Raiders, clearly played a big part in picking the new coach.

Since nothing’s official until after the Super Bowl, Brady can’t come right out and talk about Kubiak joining the team. Still, he didn’t hold back when it came to sharing what he liked about the guy.

“Klint’s played to his team’s strengths. Last week, he did a ton of good things against a really strong Rams defence,” Brady said on the “Let’s Go!” podcast. “That’s what it took for them to win. The Rams are a tough team. That game in Seattle could’ve gone either way... Seattle really had to play a complete game in all three phases to pull it out, and they’ll need to do the same this weekend in Santa Clara.”

Brady also talked about Fernando Mendoza.

Another big reason the Raiders’ coaching job is so appealing? They’ve got the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Everyone expects them to grab Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Brady doesn’t have to be secretive about it—nobody’s jumping ahead of them in the draft. He was pretty open about how much he likes Mendoza.

“What do I value most? When I see him, he’s always talking up his teammates. He wins the Heisman, and he’s giving credit to everyone else,” Brady said. “That’s the kind of attitude you want in a leader.”

Kubiak focused on the Super Bowl, not the job switch.

Kubiak’s career is about to take off, but right now, he’s locked in on trying to win his first Super Bowl. So, he isn’t ready to talk about the Raiders just yet.

“I’m coaching the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, and that’s all I’m thinking about,” Kubiak told reporters on Monday. “I’m just excited for this week and this game.”

Not everyone in Seattle is thrilled to see Kubiak go. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold had nothing but praise after working with him this year.

“He was unbelievable,” Darnold said Monday. “The stuff I picked up from Klint—just with schemes, and then learning from him as a coach and a person—the grit. He’s up before the sun, gets to the facility at 4 or 4:30, and leaves later than anyone. The guy just grinds. He loves football, and he’s always straight with his players. I know I really appreciated that, and so did the rest of the guys.”

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