By CHASE UPTON/ Sports Editor
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — You don’t need to understand blitz packages or coverages to enjoy Super Bowl LX. What you do need is a little context, who’s playing, why it matters and what moments could decide the game, as the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots meet on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
The matchup brings together two franchises with championship pedigrees, new leadership and a shared history that still sparks barbershop debate more than a decade later. Whether you’re watching for the football, the commercials or the halftime show, this game offers plenty to talk about from kickoff to the final whistle.
The History Everyone Remembers
This is not the first time the Seahawks and Patriots have met on this stage. Their previous Super Bowl meeting in 2015 ended with Seattle’s offense at the 1-yard line, trailing 28-24 late, before a pass from Russell Wilson was intercepted by Malcolm Butler to seal a New England victory. The decision by the Seahawks to not hand the ball to running back Marshawn Lynch, arguably the best short distance back in the NFL at the time, remains one of the most debated play calls in NFL history.
While none of Sunday’s players were responsible for that outcome, the memory adds emotional weight and narrative depth to this matchup, especially for Seattle fans.
The Quarterbacks: Experience vs. Emergence
Seattle is led under center by Sam Darnold, the former No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. After a disappointing start to his career in New York, Darnold had stops with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers that didn’t live up to early expectations, but his career was revitalized with a breakout Pro Bowl season in Minnesota last season. The Vikings decided to move on from Darnold which set the stage for his arrival in Seattle.
In his first year with the Seahawks, Darnold has steadily distributed to playmakers and minimized costly mistakes en route to throwing for over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns this season, while leading Seattle to a 14–3 record and the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Darnold comes off a huge NFC Championship performance against the Rams, tossing for 346 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, giving the Seahawks momentum heading into the Super Bowl.
New England counters with Drake Maye, a second-year quarterback from the University of North Carolina whose rapid development has accelerated the Patriots rebuild. An NFL MVP finalist this season, Maye led the league in completion percentage (72%) and yards per attempt (8.9) while finishing fourth in passing yards (4,394). He was also one of only three quarterbacks this season to start all 17 games, toss over 30 touchdowns and throw fewer than 10 interceptions.
While Maye is not yet universally regarded among the league’s elite passers, his production speaks for itself. He gives New England an explosive element capable of changing the game in a single play. Still, questions remain about how he performs against the NFL’s top defenses, a challenge that will be front and center Sunday. Making his first playoff run, Maye faces the league’s No. 1 scoring defense in what is easily the biggest test of his young career.
The Coaches: New Eras on Both Sidelines
Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald is in his second season leading the Seahawks after quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s top defensive minds. Tasked with replacing longtime coach Pete Carroll, Macdonald streamlined Seattle’s identity rather than reinventing it, emphasizing discipline, communication and situational awareness. The result has been a defense that limits explosive plays, wins on third down and keeps games manageable for the offense, a formula that has carried the Seahawks through the postseason.
Across the field, Mike Vrabel is in his second year as head coach of the Patriots, taking over after Bill Belichick’s 24-year tenure. A former NFL linebacker and three-time Super Bowl champion under Belichick, Vrabel has drawn on his experience to quickly reshape the Patriots culture, emphasizing physicality and, like Mike Macdonald, defensive discipline. Rather than relying on star power, Vrabel’s team has thrived through structure and toughness. Their defensive consistency has been remarkable as they enter the Super Bowl allowing less than nine points per game over their three postseason contests. If they maintain that level against Seattle, New England will be in strong position to pursue its seventh franchise championship.
The weapons to know: Both teams bring skill players capable of breaking the game open.
Seattle
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba – SEA primary receiving threat who led the NFL in receiving yards and was an AP All-Pro 1st team selection.
RBs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonett – A good mix of power and speed that has kept defenses honest all season long
CB Devon Witherspoon – Shutdown corner capable of locking down top receivers and creating turnovers.
CB Tariq Woolen – Physical and aggressive in coverage, can match up against elite WRs and support run defense.
DL/Edge Rushers – Seattle’s pass rush led by DeMarcus Lawrence and Leonard Williams pressure quarterbacks, disrupt timing, and force mistakes in critical moments.
New England
WR Stefon Diggs – Veteran receiver who is an elite route runner, led the team in receiving yards in the regular season (1,013)
WR Kayshon Boutte – Patriots leading receiver for the playoffs in yards (147)
RBs TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson – A versatile running back group that can grind out tough yards
CB Christian Gonzalez – Physical, disciplined corner who can shadow elite WRs and make game-changing plays.
LB/Edge Rushers – Their numbers aren’t going to jump off of the stat sheet, but are capable of disrupting both run and pass schemes.
Matchups to Watch
• Seattle WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba vs. NE defensive back Christian Gonzalez – A battle of elite route-running and coverage skills. Can Gonzalez play spoiler to Smith-Njigba’s 1st team All-Pro season by locking him up in the big game?
• Patriot WR Stefon Diggs vs. SEA cornerback Devon Witherspoon – Veteran speed and hands versus lockdown cornerback ability, will Diggs experience lead to a big night vs the shutdown corner?
• Run game showdown – Seattle has the clear edge with two great RBs in Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, but if the Patriots can establish the run early with rookie TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson, it could open up play-action opportunities and give Drake Maye the chance to show why he’s an MVP finalist.
• Sam Darnold vs. New England’s defense – Will Darnold’s pocket presence survive against a disciplined, physical Patriots unit?
• Drake Maye vs. Seattle’s defense – The young gun versus the league’s best. Maye will need precision under pressure and to limit mistakes against the stacked Seahawks D.
• Clock management late in halves – Which team maximizes possessions and capitalizes in critical moments?
• Fourth-down decisions – Risk vs. reward in pivotal situations could define momentum and Super Bowl survival.
• Special teams battles – Field position, returns, and kicking accuracy could be the deciding factor in this game.
Chase’s Take
I expect this Super Bowl to be much closer than many are anticipating, even if it ends up being “boring” for some viewers. This is a matchup between two elite, defensive-minded head coaches with high-level defenses on both sides. Add in the fact that both quarterbacks are still relatively inexperienced in playoff football, especially on a stage of this magnitude, and it reinforces that expectation. I see both quarterbacks struggling early and leaning heavily on their run games to settle in. In the end, Seattle’s elite receiving threat in Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the difference. I predict a close game throughout, with the Seahawks pulling away late for a 23–16 win.
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