Super Bowl LX New England vs. Seattle Preview: Which team will hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy at Levi's Stadium? February 5, 2026 by Marc Jerbs

Super Bowl LX will serve as a long-awaited rematch of Super Bowl XLIX, as the New England Patriots face the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. What makes this championship matchup especially compelling is that both teams arrived here by defying preseason expectations, setting up a Super Bowl that feels as unpredictable as it is intriguing.

Team Narratives and Season Performance

Neither the Patriots nor the Seahawks entered the 2025 season viewed as consensus Super Bowl contenders. Yet both navigated turbulent paths to reach the NFL's biggest stage.

Patriots' Journey

New England began the season amid uncertainty, coming off back-to-back four-win campaigns and a six-year playoff win drought. The organization also turned to its third head coach in as many seasons, fueling doubts about stability and direction. Despite that backdrop, the Patriots surged all the way to the Super Bowl, showcasing resilience and timely execution.

Their postseason run, however, has drawn mixed reviews. New England defeated a Chargers team in the Wild Card round that was ravaged by offensive line injuries, followed by a Divisional Round victory over the Texans in a game where C.J. Stroud struggled mightily. The Patriots then advanced past the Broncos in the AFC Championship, facing a backup quarterback in challenging snowstorm conditions. While the degree of difficulty has been debated, the results speak for themselves: New England is back on Super Bowl Sunday.

Seahawks' Journey

Seattle's return to the postseason spotlight was even more unexpected. After missing the playoffs in 2024 despite a 10–7 record, the Seahawks regrouped and emerged as the NFC's top seed in 2025. They finished the regular season 14–3, tying the Patriots and Broncos for the league's best record while claiming both the NFC West and the conference's No. 1 seed.

Following a Week 1 loss to the 49ers, Seattle rattled off a nine-game winning streak, establishing itself as one of the NFL's most consistent teams. In the playoffs, the Seahawks delivered a dominant win over San Francisco before edging the Rams in a hard-fought NFC Championship Game, reinforcing their reputation as a complete and battle-tested squad.

Key Player Matchups and Statistics

Quarterbacks: Sam Darnold (Seattle) vs. Drake Maye (New England)

Super Bowl LX features a fascinating quarterback duel between a veteran enjoying a career revival and a young star still searching for postseason consistency.

Sam Darnold (Seahawks):

Darnold has enjoyed the finest season of his career, completing 67.7% of his passes for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions during the regular season. His playoff performance has been even sharper, completing 69.8% of his throws for 470 yards and four touchdowns without a single turnover. Darnold's composure was particularly evident in the NFC Championship Game against Matthew Stafford, solidifying his resurgence on the game's biggest stages.

Drake Maye (Patriots):

Now in his second season, Maye was outstanding during the regular season, leading the league in both EPA per pass play and success rate. The postseason, however, has been less forgiving. Among quarterbacks with three or more playoff starts, Maye ranks last in EPA per pass play and success rate, struggling notably under pressure. His pressure-to-sack rate over his last three postseason games sits at 45.5%. Still, Maye's arm talent, downfield precision, and scrambling ability make him a constant threat capable of changing the game in an instant.

New England vs. Seattle Sports Bet Odds

The Seahawks are the favorites to win the game. Here are our latest odds:

• The Seahawks are favored by 5 points, with a money line of -238.
• The Patriots are the underdogs by 5 points, with a money line of +198.
• The Total is set at 45.5 points, with the Over at -110 and the Under at -110.

Offensive Strengths

Seattle Seahawks Offense:

Seattle's offense thrived in 2025, finishing second in net yards per attempt (7.6) and averaging 28.4 points per game, third best in the league. The unit also posted 351.4 yards per game, ranking eighth overall, aided by a much-improved offensive line.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards and added 10 touchdowns on 119 receptions, cementing his status as one of the league's elite receivers. He is joined by Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed, forming one of the most dangerous receiving trios in football. In the backfield, Kenneth Walker III provided balance, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards and totaling 1,309 scrimmage yards in the regular season, while leading Seattle in postseason rushing yards and touchdowns.

New England Patriots Offense:

The Patriots ranked fifth in EPA per drive and sixth in overall success rate across the full season sample. Their greatest strength lies in explosive passing plays, leading the league with nearly 18% of pass attempts resulting in explosive gains. Maye has been especially lethal downfield, ranking first in EPA per pass play on throws traveling 20 or more yards.

The running game, however, is expected to play a secondary role, as New England ranks 24th in rushing success rate on running back carries.

Defensive Strengths

Seattle Seahawks Defense:

Seattle fields one of the NFL's most dominant defenses, allowing a league-low 17.2 points per game and just 1.48 points per drive. They also rank sixth in yards allowed per game and fourth in yards allowed per drive. The Seahawks are particularly strong against the run and disciplined in pass coverage.

Their pass rush is deep and relentless, with five players—DeMarcus Lawrence, Byron Murphy II, Uchenna Nwosu, Leonard Williams, and Boye Mafe—each generating more than 40 pressures. The secondary, anchored by Riq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, Coby Bryant, and Julian Love, has been both physical and opportunistic.

New England Patriots Defense:

New England's defense is highlighted by a cohesive secondary, with Christian Gonzalez emerging as a standout performer. While detailed statistical rankings are limited, the Patriots' defensive backfield has been consistent throughout the season. Offensively, New England's line ranks eighth in the NFL, a factor that could influence how effectively Maye handles Seattle's pressure packages.

Injury Report

Seattle Seahawks:

Questionable players include fullbacks Robbie Ouzts and Brady Russell, along with linebacker Chazz Surratt. Russell's selection as a team captain for Super Bowl LX suggests he is expected to play. Left tackle Amari Kight is listed as doubtful with a knee injury. Several players logged limited participation, including Sam Darnold (oblique), Jake Bobo (hand), Josh Jobe (foot), Ernest Jones IV (chest), and Josh Jones (ankle, knee). Tight end Eric Saubert and tackle Charles Cross did not practice, though neither Darnold nor Cross carries a game-day designation. Running back Zach Charbonnet remains on injured reserve after tearing his ACL in the divisional round.

New England Patriots:

Linebackers Robert Spillane (ankle) and Harold Landry III (knee), along with tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (knee), did not participate in practice on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Quarterback Drake Maye was a full participant despite managing a shoulder injury dating back to the Broncos game. Running back Terrell Jennings remains on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Final Thought

Super Bowl LX shapes up as a contrast in trajectories and styles: Seattle arrives as a dominant, well-rounded powerhouse built on defensive excellence and offensive balance, while New England leans on explosive passing and the high-variance brilliance of a young quarterback. With history, redemption, and legacies all intertwined in this rematch, the outcome may hinge on which quarterback handles pressure best when the moment is at its biggest. One way or another, this Super Bowl promises tension, drama, and a defining chapter for both franchises.

2025-26 New England vs. Seattle Postseason Team Stats

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS	VS	SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
147.7	Passing Yards Per Game	231.5
130.7	Rushing Yards Per Game	125.0
18.0	Points Per Game	36.0
138.3	Passing Yards Allowed Per Game	246.5
713.	Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game	111.0