Super Bowl LX Preview: Seahawks and Patriots Set for a Heavyweight Clash
After a long and winding road through the 2025 NFL season, it all comes down to this: Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots are set to square off on Sunday in what promises to be a compelling matchup between two teams that took very different paths to get here - but arrive with the same 14-3 record and a shot at football immortality.
Let’s break down how we got here, what to expect, and what the experts are saying about this clash of rising titans.
The Patriots’ Remarkable Turnaround
Just one year ago, New England was sitting at 4-13, searching for answers and a new direction. Enter Mike Vrabel.
In his first season as head coach, the former Patriots linebacker engineered one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent memory. The team went 14-3 in 2025, locking up the No. 2 seed in the AFC and looking every bit like a contender.
At the heart of that resurgence? Rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
The young signal-caller quickly proved he belonged on the big stage, flashing elite arm talent and poise well beyond his years. He was firmly in the MVP conversation before the award ultimately went to Rams veteran Matthew Stafford - but Maye’s impact on the Patriots’ offense can’t be overstated.
What’s made New England so dangerous, though, is that this isn’t a one-man show. The defense has been lights-out in the postseason, taking pressure off Maye and allowing the team to control games. That unit suffocated the Chargers and Texans in the early rounds before gutting out a gritty, snow-covered win over the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.
Seattle’s Bold Offseason Pays Off
The Seahawks made waves last offseason when they moved on from two franchise cornerstones - quarterback Geno Smith and wide receiver DK Metcalf. The moves raised eyebrows across the league, but the front office had a vision. And now, with Seattle sitting atop the NFC, it’s hard to argue with the results.
Sam Darnold, once considered a reclamation project, has found new life in Seattle. He’s been the steady hand the offense needed, playing smart, efficient football while letting the defense do what it does best - dominate. That defense has been elite all season long, and it’s been the backbone of Seattle’s playoff run.
After earning the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye, the Seahawks dismantled the 49ers in the Divisional Round and edged out the Rams in a hard-fought NFC Championship Game. Now, they’re back in the Super Bowl for the first time since that infamous finish in Super Bowl XLIX - a game that still haunts Seattle fans to this day.
A Rematch 11 Years in the Making
Yes, this is the second time these two franchises will meet on the NFL’s biggest stage. The last time - Super Bowl XLIX - ended in heartbreak for Seattle, as Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception sealed a Patriots victory and became one of the most replayed moments in football history.
This time around, the names have changed, but the stakes are just as high. For Seattle, it’s a shot at redemption. For New England, it’s a chance to launch a new era - perhaps even a new dynasty - under Vrabel and Maye.
What the Experts Are Saying
When it comes to predictions, the experts are leaning heavily toward Seattle. Out of 29 analysts from major outlets, 26 are picking the Seahawks to win Super Bowl LX.
Here’s how it breaks down:
- The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer is one of the few backing New England. He sees the Patriots’ defense as the X-factor and believes Maye, with his physical tools and preparation during the bye, can rise to the moment. Iyer has the Patriots winning a close one, 27-24.
- Bill Bender, also from The Sporting News, sees it going the other way. He expects Seattle to jump out early behind Darnold and control the pace, preventing New England from dictating the game with their defense. Bender predicts a 24-20 Seahawks win, sealed by a late turnover.
- ESPN’s panel is all-in on Seattle. Names like Stephania Bell, Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Dan Graziano, and Jeremy Fowler all picked the Seahawks.
- CBS Sports is mostly in the Seattle camp as well, with only Ryan Wilson picking the Patriots.
- Sports Illustrated’s lineup followed the same trend, with just Conor Orr siding with New England.
In total:
- Seahawks picks: 26
- Patriots picks: 3
What to Watch For
This game is shaping up to be a battle of styles. Seattle brings a suffocating defense and a balanced, mistake-free offense. New England counters with a rising star at quarterback and a defense that’s peaking at the right time.
Can Drake Maye handle the pressure of the Super Bowl spotlight and deliver a signature performance? Will Sam Darnold finally get over the hump against a team he’s never beaten (0-4 all-time vs.
New England)? Can Seattle’s defense force Maye into rookie mistakes, or will the Patriots’ game planning and physicality tip the scales?
One thing’s for sure - this isn’t just a game between two good teams. It’s a potential passing of the torch moment.
A win for Seattle would validate their bold rebuild and exorcise some old demons. A win for New England could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Patriots lore.
Get your popcorn ready. Super Bowl LX has all the makings of a classic.