And then there have been two. The New England Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California on Feb. 8.
It’s a rematch 11 years within the making; the 2 franchises produced a Super Bowl XLIX instant-classic 11 years in the past, with Malcolm Butler’s iconic goal-line interception serving to New England maintain on for a 28-24 win. Much has modified since then, as one would count on in a whirlwind league such because the NFL, although the extent of change — Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick coached which groups this season? — continues to be startling.
It’s not Russell Wilson vs. Tom Brady, however it’s a fascinating and unlikely quarterback assembly between Sam Darnold and Drake Maye. Darnold, enjoying for his fifth totally different NFL staff, had by no means received a playoff sport earlier than this season. Maye and the Patriots are the primary staff ever to make the Super Bowl one 12 months after shedding 13+ video games.
Super Bowl 2026 lookahead: Can the Patriots shield Drake Maye properly sufficient to beat Sam Darnold and Seattle?
Garrett Podell
The paths differed. The Patriots have averaged simply 18 factors per sport in these playoffs, having to beat a number of of the NFL’s greatest defenses and enjoying some excellent protection of their very own. The Seahawks, who additionally characteristic one of many NFL’s prime defenses, have averaged 36 factors per sport so far this postseason.
None of these quantity matter now, although, and with two weeks till Super Bowl Sunday, each groups have ample time to relaxation up, examine up and put together to place their greatest foot ahead with the Lombardi Trophy at stake.
Here are 5 bold predictions for what’s going to go down.
NFL odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
1. Drake Maye becomes the most-sacked quarterback in a single NFL postseason
Maye has taken 5 sacks in every of his three postseason video games this 12 months. Rookie left sort out Will Campbell has struggled mightily, and the inside of the road has had its ups and downs, too. Maye, who loves to tear the deep ball, is liable to carry onto the ball for a tick or two too lengthy.
That all performs into the palms of Seattle’s protection, underneath the path of the excellent Mike Macdonald. The Seahawks had the NFL’s sixth-highest strain charge this season and completed tied for seventh in sacks. Though they’ve managed simply three sacks in two postseason video games, the Seahawks have a deep, harmful unit. Four totally different gamers had not less than six sacks this season, they usually come from throughout: Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II (seven every) at defensive sort out and Uchenna Nwosu (seven) and DeMarcus Lawrence (six) on the sting.
Maye’s 15 playoff sacks taken are already second-most in a single postseason. Joe Burrow took 19 within the 2022 postseason. Maye, sadly for him and Patriots followers, will break that “record.”
2. Kayshon Boutte has the longest play of the sport
The Seahawks’ cornerbacks play among the most aggressive protection there’s, and that works for them, as a result of they’re wonderful. Devon Witherspoon is likely one of the league’s greatest, Riq Woolen is extraordinarily gifted (if inconsistent), and Josh Jobe has been large all 12 months. Add in rookie Swiss Army knife Nick Emmanwori and lockdown safeties, and this is likely one of the league’s hardest nuts to crack.
But it is not inconceivable to crack. There’s a large play or two obtainable if the offensive line holds up and if the quarterback is keen to face in there — two admittedly large “ifs,” however ones that the Los Angeles Rams and Matthew Stafford confirmed will be fulfilled.
Maye may simply be capable of do it, and that is why Boutte will register the longest play of the sport. The third-year LSU product has come into his personal this season as a bodily, quick downfield goal for Maye. His 42-yard landing catch towards the Houston Texans within the divisional spherical — dealing with All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr., no much less — may very well be a preview of issues to return within the Super Bowl.
3. Rashid Shaheed performs a pivotal position
Shaheed has been the whole lot the Seahawks may have needed since they acquired him from the New Orleans Saints on the commerce deadline. That’s been very true in large video games. In a key Week 16 matchup towards the Rams, Shaheed had a punt return landing. He opened the divisional spherical towards the San Francisco 49ers with a kickoff return landing. He had a 51-yard catch early within the NFC Championship Game.
Shaheed provides a measure of explosiveness to this offense that nobody else can replicate. Expect him to supply not less than one large play, through a return, a reception or a run. Maybe there’s even some trickery concerned.
4. Sam Darnold has an early turnover …
Darnold has performed very properly this postseason regardless of having to handle an indirect subject. Against the Rams, he went 25-for-36 for 346 yards and three touchdowns. He didn’t have a turnover, and he has not had a turnover in both of his playoff video games. Going again to the common season, he has gone three straight video games with out a turnover.
That could not appear to be a lot, however contemplating Darnold had an NFL-high 20 turnovers this season, it is a noteworthy accomplishment.
It’s additionally a streak that can finish early within the Super Bowl. Whether it is a strip sack off the sting from K’Lavon Chaisson or up the center from Milton Williams or an interception from both Christian Gonzalez or Carlton Davis, Darnold coughs it up early.
5. … however bounces again to win the Super Bowl, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba getting MVP honors
If there’s one factor Darnold has proven the power to do, it is reply. His profession (not less than as a starter) was seemingly over earlier than he landed on his toes with the Minnesota Vikings. When he joined the Seahawks, there was loads of skepticism, particularly given how his time in Minnesota ended. When the Seahawks misplaced to the 49ers in Week 1, Darnold had a turnover and failed to seek out the top zone. It was hardly the beginning he envisioned.
But at each flip, he has responded properly. The Rams had been his Kryptonite till he diced them up within the NFC Championship Game. Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak does an excellent job giving Darnold plenty of simple solutions, however Darnold additionally delivers some robust, tight-window throws, too. It can get him in bother at instances, but it surely additionally takes a high-floor offensive scheme and raises its ceiling.
In a breakout 12 months, Smith-Njigba appears primed to star on the largest stage. A meticulous route runner who’s harmful after the catch, too, Smith-Njigba can have a large sport — suppose one thing much like his 10-catch, 153-yard, one-touchdown NFC Championship Game — en path to MVP honors. We’ll roll with Seahawks 24, Patriots 20 because the Lombardi Trophy returns to the Pacific Northwest.
