From Longshots to the Last Dance: Seahawks and Patriots Set for a Super Bowl Nobody Saw Coming
Let’s be honest-this wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card back in August.
Sure, maybe you thought Mike Vrabel could bring some edge back to New England. Maybe you figured Sam Darnold might be a slight upgrade in Seattle and that Mike Macdonald’s defense would keep them competitive.
But a Super Bowl matchup between these two? That felt like a stretch.
And yet, here we are.
The last time these franchises squared off in a Super Bowl, it was a heavyweight clash: Tom Brady’s Patriots vs. the Legion of Boom. This time, it’s a Cinderella story on both sidelines.
The Patriots entered the season with 80-1 odds to win it all. The Seahawks?
60-1. According to Mike Sando, that makes this the most improbable Super Bowl pairing since at least 1989.
Maybe we should’ve seen it coming-at least in Seattle’s case. Apparently, the Seahawks have a quirky tradition of reaching the Super Bowl after a new pope is elected:
- 2005: Pope Benedict XVI → Seahawks-Steelers
- 2013: Pope Francis I → Seahawks-Broncos
- 2025: Pope Leo XIV → Seahawks-Patriots
Coincidence or divine scheduling? Either way, it's happening.
But before we dive into the Super Bowl preview, let’s rewind to how we got here.
Championship Weekend Recap
Let’s start in the NFC, where Sean McVay’s Rams looked ready to light up the scoreboard. And for a while, they did.
The offense racked up 479 yards and 27 points. But once again, special teams became their Achilles’ heel.
A muffed punt in the third quarter-just weeks after firing their coordinator for leading the league’s worst unit in EPA-handed Seattle a short field. The Seahawks capitalized, stretching their lead to 24-13.
And then Cooper Kupp, of all people, delivered the dagger. Seattle held on for a 31-27 win, punching their ticket to the big game.
Over in Denver, things were a little grittier.
Sean Payton rolled the dice early. With a 7-0 lead and snow beginning to blanket the field, the Broncos faced a fourth-and-1 in Patriots territory.
A field goal would’ve made it 10-0. Instead, Payton went for it.
Jarrett Stidham’s pass fell incomplete. On the next drive, he fumbled.
And that was the turning point.
New England’s defense clamped down, and the Patriots clawed their way to a 10-7 win. The final blow came when Stidham tried to go deep to Marvin Mims Jr. again-only this time, the Patriots were ready.
Interception. Game over.
And just like that, Sam Darnold and the Seahawks are heading to Las Vegas. So are Mike Vrabel’s Patriots.
Darnold’s Redemption Arc Hits the Biggest Stage
In two weeks, Sam Darnold will become the first quarterback to start a Super Bowl who:
- Played at USC
- Was drafted in 2018 (after Baker Mayfield, before Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson)
- Was selected by the Jets (not named Joe Namath)
- Famously “saw ghosts” in 2019
It’s the kind of career arc that feels more like a movie script than a stat sheet. From a much-maligned start in New York to a Super Bowl start in Seattle-Darnold’s journey is one of the most unexpected in recent memory.
Steelers Tap Mike McCarthy to Succeed Tomlin
In Pittsburgh, the coaching carousel has officially turned. Mike Tomlin’s emotional exit makes way for Mike McCarthy, and the reaction has been, well, mixed.
Let’s be clear: McCarthy isn’t a trendy hire. He’s 62, not a rising star.
He’s not a schematic genius like Mike McDaniel or a defensive savant like Brian Flores. But he’s got something Pittsburgh desperately needs-quarterback experience.
McCarthy’s résumé includes stints with Joe Montana, Rich Gannon, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Dak Prescott. His teams have made the playoffs in 12 of 18 seasons.
His career record? 174-112-2.
Playoff record? 11-11.
That’s not flashy, but it’s solid.
Still, it’s a bit of a curveball for a franchise that’s never hired a head coach over the age of 60. So why McCarthy?
Well, there's a connection. During his time in New Orleans (2000-2004), McCarthy worked alongside two young staffers-Omar Khan and Andy Weidl. Those two now hold the keys to the Steelers’ front office as GM and assistant GM.
So what’s next in Pittsburgh? Maybe 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard gets a shot.
Maybe they use one of their five top-100 picks in the 2026 draft on a quarterback. Ty Simpson from Alabama has been a popular mock draft target at No.
And then there’s the wildcard: Aaron Rodgers. Our Steelers beat reporter noted that Rodgers has expressed interest in reuniting with McCarthy.
Teammates reportedly want him back. Could we see a Rodgers encore in black and gold?
Stay tuned.
Coaching Carousel: Who’s Still in Play?
While the Patriots and Seahawks were busy punching their Super Bowl tickets, the coaching search raged on elsewhere. Here’s the latest buzz:
- Cardinals: Three names are leading the pack-Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile, Rams OC Mike LaFleur, and former Falcons HC Raheem Morris.
- Raiders: Still evaluating.
Bills OC Joe Brady, former Giants HC Brian Daboll, and Broncos pass game coordinator Davis Webb are all in the mix.
- Daboll Watch: He’s drawing interest from multiple teams.
The Bills and Raiders have looked at him for head coach, while the Eagles and Titans have considered him for OC.
- Other Candidates Now Available: With the Rams and Broncos eliminated, assistants like Nathan Scheelhaase (Rams pass game coordinator) and Vance Joseph (Broncos DC) can now take in-person interviews.
Four head-coaching vacancies remain, and the dominoes are far from done falling.
Extra Points
- Fast-Track Rebuilds: As Zak Keefer pointed out, the Patriots and Seahawks are redefining how quickly you can turn things around in today’s NFL.
- Kupp Controversy: Things got heated postgame between Rams and Seahawks players, reportedly sparked by Cooper Kupp’s game-changing performance.
- QB Voices in the Front Office: Josh Allen is reportedly involved in the Bills’ head-coaching search. Hall of Famer Kurt Warner isn’t a fan of that idea.
Meanwhile, Philip Rivers has taken himself out of the running for any coaching roles.
The Super Bowl is set. Two longshots.
Two teams that rebuilt faster than anyone expected. And two quarterbacks-one on a redemption arc, the other leading a team that wasn’t supposed to be here.
The league’s biggest stage awaits.