Super Bowl LX: Seahawks vs. Patriots - A Heavyweight Clash Built on Momentum, Matchups, and Milestones
When the dust settled after a wild postseason, two of the NFL’s hottest teams were left standing. The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots didn’t just survive the playoff gauntlet-they dominated it.
Seattle steamrolled through the 49ers and Rams, racking up a 261-132 scoring margin over their last nine games. New England?
They’ve rattled off six straight wins, including playoff victories over the Chargers, Texans, and Broncos, by a combined 162-70.
So while this Super Bowl matchup may not have been the one most predicted back in September, make no mistake-these are the two best teams in football right now. And with both squads surging at the right time, Super Bowl LX is shaping up to be a battle of titans. Let’s break down 10 key numbers that help set the stage.
9 - A Super Rematch with History
This will be just the 10th time in Super Bowl history that two teams face off in a rematch. And for the third straight year, the NFL delivers a “Super” sequel.
The last time these two met on this stage? Super Bowl XLIX, when the Patriots edged the Seahawks 28-24 in one of the most dramatic finishes in league history.
This will be New England’s 12th appearance in the big game. They've faced repeat opponents before-going 0-2 against the Giants, 1-1 vs. the Eagles, and 2-0 against the Rams. Only the Steelers and Cowboys have met three times in a Super Bowl, so this matchup adds another chapter to a growing postseason rivalry.
17 - The Vrabel Effect
What a turnaround it’s been for New England. After struggling through a 16-35 record over the past three seasons under Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo, the Patriots brought in Mike Vrabel-and the results have been immediate. They’ve piled up 17 wins this season, including playoff victories over the Chargers (16-3), Texans (28-16), and Broncos (10-7).
Vrabel has instilled a toughness and identity that’s been missing in Foxborough for a while. This isn’t just a playoff run-it’s a statement that the Patriots are back.
41 - Turnovers Telling the Tale
This postseason has been defined by takeaways. Through 12 playoff games, teams have combined for 41 turnovers-15 by winners, 26 by losers. That’s the highest total in the expanded 14-team playoff format since 2020.
Seattle, however, has flipped the script. Despite finishing second in the league with 28 turnovers during the regular season, they’ve played clean football in the playoffs.
Zero turnovers in two games. That’s a big part of why they’re here-and a trend they’ll need to continue if they want to hoist the Lombardi.
5 - Interconference Perfection
Both teams were perfect in interconference play this season. Seattle went 5-0 against AFC opponents, outscoring them 126-88.
New England matched that with a 5-0 mark vs. NFC teams, winning those games by a combined 152-93.
It’s a rare mirror image and a testament to how well these teams match up across the league divide. Also worth noting: the NFC holds a slim 30-29 edge in all-time Super Bowl wins. Sunday could even things out-or give the NFC a little breathing room.
3 - Quarterbacks on the Big Stage for the First Time
For the first time since 2021, both starting quarterbacks will be making their Super Bowl debuts. Sam Darnold and Drake Maye-each a third overall pick in their respective drafts (2018 and 2024)-are set to lead their teams under the brightest lights in football.
Darnold’s journey has been a winding one, but he’s found stability and rhythm in Seattle. Maye, the rookie, has been impressive beyond his years. Super Bowl LX will mark the 69th and 70th different quarterbacks to start in a Super Bowl, and both have a chance to etch their names into NFL lore.
Quarterbacks have won Super Bowl MVP 34 times, but keep an eye on wide receiver Cooper Kupp. He’s already got one MVP under his belt (Super Bowl LVI) and is now with Seattle. A big game could make him the first non-QB to win the award twice.
40 - All-Time Postseason Wins on the Line
With the NFL now recognizing wins from the old AAFC era (1946-49), the 49ers entered 2025 with a record 39 postseason victories. But after three more playoff wins, the Patriots are now tied with San Francisco at 40.
A win on Sunday would give New England the all-time lead with 41 postseason victories. That’s a legacy stat-and one that adds even more weight to this matchup.
20 - Darnold’s Turnover Trend Reverses
Seattle’s regular season was marred by turnovers-28 in total, with Sam Darnold responsible for 20 of them (14 interceptions, six lost fumbles). But since Week 18, he’s been a different quarterback.
No turnovers in a 13-3 regular-season finale, none in the 41-6 rout of the 49ers, and another clean sheet in the NFC Championship win over the Rams. That’s three straight games of mistake-free football-the longest such stretch of the season for Darnold. If he keeps that up, Seattle’s odds go way up.
1 - Pick-Sixes Are Game-Changers
There have been 16 pick-sixes in Super Bowl history, and the teams that pulled them off have gone 13-1. The lone exception? The 2016 Patriots, who overcame a Robert Alford pick-six to beat the Falcons in that unforgettable 34-28 overtime thriller.
The lesson here is simple: a defensive touchdown on Super Sunday is usually a ticket to a championship. Ball security and opportunistic defense will be key on both sides.
102 - The Turnover Differential That Defines Champions
Here’s a stat that jumps off the page: in 59 Super Bowls, the winning teams have committed just 67 turnovers. The losers?
A staggering 169. That’s a combined turnover differential of +102 in favor of the champions.
Seattle has protected the ball all postseason. New England, meanwhile, has turned it over five times-all courtesy of Drake Maye.
If that trend continues, it could tip the scales in Seattle’s favor. But if Maye cleans it up and the Patriots’ defense forces a mistake or two, the outcome could swing the other way.
Bottom Line
There’s no shortage of storylines heading into Super Bowl LX. A rematch steeped in history.
Two quarterbacks making their Super Bowl debuts. A Patriots team reborn under Mike Vrabel.
A Seahawks squad playing its best, cleanest football at just the right time.
The numbers paint a fascinating picture-but come Sunday, it’ll all come down to execution. Ball security, quarterback poise, and who can seize the moment when it matters most.
Buckle up. This one has all the makings of a classic.