As Super Bowl 60 approaches, the buzz is building-and for good reason. The Seattle Seahawks are heading into the big game with momentum, depth, and, frankly, more top-tier talent than their opponents, the New England Patriots.
On paper, Seattle isn’t just the favorite-they’re the more complete team. And when you stack the rosters side by side, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
Let’s start with the talent pool. Seattle boasts eight players who’ve earned either All-Pro or Pro Bowl nods this season.
That list includes quarterback Sam Darnold, who’s revitalized his career under center, and wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who’s evolved into a dynamic threat in the passing game. On the defensive side, the Seahawks are loaded: DeMarcus Lawrence and Leonard Williams anchor the trenches, while Devon Witherspoon and Ernest Jones IV bring speed and physicality to the back end and second level.
Add in Rashid Shaheed, a game-changer in the return game, and punter Michael Dickson, who’s one of the best at flipping field position, and you’ve got a roster that’s both star-studded and balanced.
New England, meanwhile, enters with a much shorter list of decorated players-just three with Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors this season: rookie quarterback Drake Maye, cornerback Christian Gonzalez, and return specialist Marcus Jones. But don’t let the numbers fool you-this Patriots squad has some serious playmakers who could swing momentum in a heartbeat.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah broke it down this week, noting that if you ranked the top 30 players in this Super Bowl, 18 to 20 of them might be wearing Seahawks jerseys. That kind of disparity doesn’t guarantee a win, but it does speak volumes about Seattle’s depth and top-end talent.
That said, Jeremiah didn’t dismiss New England’s chances-and neither should Seattle. He pointed to three Patriots who could absolutely take over this game if given the chance.
Drake Maye - QB
Maye’s rookie season has been nothing short of electric. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 draft led the NFL in completion percentage (72%) and yards per attempt (8.9), finished fourth in total passing yards (4,394), and ranked third in touchdown passes (31).
He also topped the league in ESPN’s QBR metric (77.1). And it wasn’t just his arm-Maye added 450 rushing yards, fourth among quarterbacks.
The kid can move, and he’s fearless in the pocket. If Seattle’s pass rush doesn’t contain him, Maye has the tools to make them pay-especially with his ability to extend plays and hit receivers on the move.
Christian Gonzalez - CB
Gonzalez is already playing like a shutdown corner in just his second NFL season. The 2023 first-rounder allowed a passer rating of just 58.3 when targeted this year, fifth-best among qualified corners, per Pro Football Focus.
He’s physical, smart, and rarely gets beat over the top. Expect him to be locked in on Smith-Njigba or whoever Seattle lines up as their top receiving threat.
If Gonzalez can take away a primary option, it could force Darnold into some uncomfortable situations.
Milton Williams - DT
Here’s the name that might not be getting enough attention: Milton Williams. The fifth-year defensive tackle had a strong regular season with 3.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss in just 12 games.
But it’s what he did in the playoffs that really turned heads-2.0 sacks in New England’s wild-card win over the Chargers. Williams is disruptive, especially when lined up over guards, and Jeremiah specifically pointed to his matchup against Seattle’s right guard Anthony Bradford as one to watch.
Bradford’s had an inconsistent year, and if Williams can win that battle in the trenches, it could be a game-changer.
As Jeremiah put it, “For two weeks, I would be studying how to not let that beat me in this game.” That’s the kind of attention Williams is commanding right now.
So yes, Seattle may have the edge on paper. But Super Bowls aren’t won on paper-they’re won in the margins, in one-on-one battles, in moments of brilliance. And the Patriots have a few players capable of turning the tide if the Seahawks aren’t careful.
This one’s shaping up to be a clash of depth versus danger. Seattle has the more complete roster, but New England has a few stars who can flip the script. Buckle up.