The New England Patriots. Photo: The Boston Globe.
Super Bowl LX is approaching rapidly, taking place on Sunday, February 8th, at 6:30 p.m. Super Bowl LX features the Seattle Seahawks versus the New England Patriots. These playoffs have been somewhat predictable this year, with no real upsets. However, if you told someone last year that the Seahawks and the Patriots were going to be in the 2026 Super Bowl, they would look at you like you were crazy.
Let’s start with the Patriots. Last year, the Patriots ended with a record of 4-13. This put them at the bottom of the division and landed them the 4th overall pick in the NFL draft. With this pick, they drafted offensive tackle Will Campbell out of Louisiana State University. This draft was a homerun for them, as they landed TreVeyon Henderson in the second round and Craig Woodson in the fourth. TreVeyon Henerson and Will Campbell had immediate impacts on the Patriots’ struggling offense. Craig Woodson added a layer of safety to the Patriots’ defense as an elite rookie. Henderson performed so well that he has earned a nomination for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The Patriots not only had a successful draft but also a successful free agency. The Patriots signed Stefon Diggs to a three-year contract. People were very skeptical of Diggs; he was a former superstar who had struggled with injuries and off-field issues over his past few seasons. Diggs proved all the Skeptics wrong, instantly becoming the Patriots’ number one wide receiver and totaling over 1000 yards receiving. The Patriots also completely revamped their defense by signing Rober Spillane, Harold Landry, Carlton Davis, and Milton Williams. None of these players were superstars by any means, but they were elite defenders looking for a change of scenery, and all found success this season. Now, let’s talk about the big difference for the Patriots in 2026: Drake Maye. The Patriots selected Maye 3rd overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Maye started for the Patriots in the back half of his rookie year and looked good, but not elite. However, in his sophomore campaign, Maye took his game to a whole new level. He had better weapons on his offense, more elite offensive linemen, more receivers, and an elite running back in TreVeyon Henderson. All around, the offense was better, but Drake Maye threw for 4,394 yards with 31 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions, leading the Patriots to a 14-3 record and the third-place seed in the NFL. Maye has also become a favorite to win the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award.
The Seahawks did not have as dramatic a turnaround as the Patriots, but in the previous year, they were only 10-7. The Seahawks being 10-7 was honestly a shock to fans around the league because they were not supposed to be a winning football team. They didn’t have a franchise QB, and their defense was just okay. They were mediocre and didn’t seem to have the most fantastic future. However, they had a young elite WR from Ohio State, Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Njigba was good in his rookie year, catching 10 touchdowns and around 1,200 receiving yards. In his sophomore year, he made a massive jump in production, catching 10 touchdowns and leading the league with 1,793 receiving yards. Njibga solidified himself as the best WR in football and is in the running for the offensive player of the year award, and is a favorite to win. In the Seahawks’ 2025 draft class, they selected a future All-Pro in Nick Emmanwori. Emmanwori quickly became one of the best safeties in the NFL and was nominated for defensive rookie of the year; he transformed the Seahawks’ defense into one of the league’s best. They also signed Sam Darnold in the offseason. Sam Darnold was a quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings who had bounced around the league before becoming the starter in Minnesota. Darnold was initially drafted by the Jets as an early first-round pick, but he never panned out and was considered a bust. However, over the past two years, he has become an elite player. He also transformed the Seahawks offense into one of the best in the NFL. Darnold threw 4048 passing yards, adding 25 touchdowns.
This game could absolutely go either way. Both teams are elite on offense and defense. I would give the Patriots the better offense and the Seahawks the better defense. The Patriots have battled playoff conditions and faced the NFL’s best defenses, beating the Texans and the Broncos. The Seahawks have had a much easier path, beating a significantly injured 49ers and a very elite Rams team. However, the Rams’ defense is much weaker than the Patriots’, and I think that will decide the Super Bowl. The Patriots are used to facing elite defenses, and the Seahawks are not ready for how the Patriots will rush against them. I think this game will be the battle of defenses, but I have the Patriots winning 20-14.
