Updated Jan. 8, 2026, 12:52 p.m. MT

While Bill Belichick is no longer roaming the NFL sidelines, he remains a respected voice in the game. Perhaps the greatest coach of all time, Belichick, won six Super Bowls as the head coach of the New England Patriots. 

Speaking to Jim Gray on SiriusXM’s “Let’s Go” podcast, Belichick said he believes the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks are the two teams to beat in the NFL playoffs. 

“When you look at Denver and Seattle, those are two good football teams that are very well balanced,” Belichick told Gray. “Denver’s been incredible with the number of close games they’ve won, but they’re both very good defensive teams, which is I think always an advantage when you play in the playoffs and play at home, and play outside. … When I say ‘all’ that’s a lot easier said than done, but all Denver and Seattle have to do are win two games at home and they’re in the Super Bowl. And that’s doable with a week off. So I think they’re definitely the two teams to beat.”

The Broncos and Seahawks secured first-round byes in the NFL playoffs after securing the No. 1 seeds in the AFC and NFC, respectively. They will learn their opponents for the divisional round this week. Denver will host the lowest advancing seed from the AFC on either Jan. 17 or Jan. 18.

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