The beauty of the NFL is that it never sticks to the script. Just two teams removed from Week 1 losses and preseason odds that had them on the outside looking in-way outside-are now headed to Levi’s Stadium with the Lombardi Trophy on the line.
The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks weren’t supposed to be here. But here they are, ready to cap off one of the most improbable Super Bowl matchups in recent memory.
A Long Road from 4-13 to Super Bowl Sunday
Let’s start with New England. After a dismal 4-13 campaign in 2023, the Patriots hit the reset button-hard.
They brought in Mike Vrabel, a coach known for squeezing every ounce of talent out of his roster in Tennessee, and they spent aggressively in free agency to build around Drake Maye, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft. Maye showed flashes in his rookie year, but he was mostly left to fend for himself in a broken offense.
The hope was that Vrabel would raise the floor and give Maye a fighting chance.
Still, no team that lost 13 or more games the previous season had ever made it to the Super Bowl. And after a 20-13 loss to the Raiders in Week 1, it looked like the Patriots were still a work in progress.
But the work didn’t stop. And now, they’re one win away from rewriting NFL history.
Darnold’s Redemption Tour
On the other sideline, Seattle was also in transition. Geno Smith was out, and in came Sam Darnold-a quarterback who had just wrapped up a rollercoaster season in Minnesota. Darnold threw for over 4,300 yards and 35 touchdowns and helped the Vikings to 14 wins, but his meltdown in the wild card round left a sour taste.
So which version of Darnold did Seattle get? The one who looked like a franchise cornerstone, or the one who crumbled under pressure?
The Seahawks dropped their opener to the 49ers, 17-13, and the questions only grew louder. But under the guidance of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Seattle found its identity-and Darnold found his rhythm.
Now, both teams are set to square off in Super Bowl LX, the first title game featuring two teams who entered the season with 50-1 or longer odds since 1981. The NFL’s ultimate underdog story will crown a champion.
Super Bowl LX: The Essentials
- Date: Sunday, Feb.
8
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
ET
- Location: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
- Halftime Show: Bad Bunny
- TV: NBC / Streaming on Peacock
- Betting Line: Seahawks -4.5 | Over/Under: 45.5
Expect a Slow Burn Early
This game has all the makings of a heavyweight bout-and just like in boxing, expect a slow feeling-out period. Both defenses are elite, and both coaching staffs have had two weeks to dial up exotic looks and pressure packages.
Drake Maye, for all his talent, has struggled to get going early in games this postseason. On three opening drives, he’s completed just two passes for 13 yards and taken a sack.
The Patriots have managed just one first down in those sequences. That’s not ideal when you're facing a defense as disciplined and aggressive as Seattle’s.
On the flip side, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and Patriots defensive play-caller Zak Kuhr are two of the more creative minds in the game right now. Expect them to throw the kitchen sink early-disguised coverages, blitzes from unexpected angles, and a whole lot of chess before anyone lands a punch.
A Statistical Rarity: Elite on Both Sides of the Ball
Here’s something we haven’t seen since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger: two Super Bowl teams that both finished in the top four in scoring offense and scoring defense. That’s not just balance-that’s dominance.
Seattle’s offensive turnaround is a big reason why Klint Kubiak is now one of the hottest names in coaching circles. His system blends the best of his mentors-Gary Kubiak, Kevin Stefanski, and Kyle Shanahan.
The Seahawks ran the second-most plays from under center this season (trailing only the Rams) and ranked seventh in play-action dropbacks. That’s helped Darnold get into rhythm and avoid unnecessary pressure, while also putting opposing linebackers in a bind.
Look for Jaxon Smith-Njigba to be a focal point in those moments. He’s been a reliable option when the Seahawks need a quick-hitter or a chain-mover.
And while Seattle’s run game was sluggish early-ranking 31st in rushing success rate through nine weeks-it’s quietly improved. They’re now up to 18th, and Kenneth Walker III remains a home-run threat every time he touches the ball.
Defense Wins Championships - and Seattle Might Have the Best One
But if there’s one area where Seattle holds a clear advantage, it’s on defense. The Patriots are averaging just 18 points per game in the postseason-the lowest by any Super Bowl team since the 1979 Rams. And while Maye has made strides, New England’s offensive line has had a rough go, especially against top-tier pass rushes.
Seattle brings another one of those. Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II are forces on the interior, and the Seahawks can rotate multiple edge rushers to keep the pressure coming.
On the back end, Devon Witherspoon is putting together a case as the best cornerback in football. His physicality and competitiveness set the tone for a defense that doesn’t miss tackles and doesn’t give up big plays.
In fact, Seattle allowed an explosive play on just 7.4% of snaps this season-the best mark since the 2012 49ers. That’s a problem for Maye, who thrives on the deep ball. If the Seahawks can take that away, they’ll force the Patriots to string together long, mistake-free drives-something they haven’t consistently done.
Add in a strong special teams unit and the best offensive weapon on the field in Smith-Njigba, and Seattle has the edge in the margins, too.
The Final Word
This Super Bowl might not feature the usual suspects, but it’s got everything you want: two elite defenses, two quarterbacks with something to prove, and two franchises that refused to accept the ceilings placed on them. It’s the kind of matchup that reminds us why we watch.
The Patriots have been resilient, and Maye’s future looks bright. But in a game where every inch matters, the Seahawks have the more complete team-and the clearest path to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.