Super Bowl LX is set for Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT), broadcast on NBC with streaming on Peacock. This marks a historic rematch of Super Bowl XLIX (2015), where the Patriots edged the Seahawks 28-24 on Malcolm Butler’s iconic goal-line interception. Eleven years later, both teams look vastly different—no Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, or “Legion of Boom”—but the stakes are just as high.
Team Overviews
The Seahawks (14-3) dominated the NFC, earning the top seed and a first-round bye. They advanced with a 31-27 NFC Championship win over the Rams, fueled by a balanced offense and the NFL’s stingiest defense under head coach Mike Macdonald. The Patriots (14-3) staged a stunning turnaround in the AFC, upsetting the top-seeded Broncos 10-7 in the AFC Championship. Led by head coach Mike Vrabel, they boast one of the league’s most improved units.
This matchup pits two elite defenses against explosive offenses, with both teams ranking in the top four for scoring offense and defense.
Key Players to Watch
- Seattle Seahawks:
- QB Sam Darnold: The veteran journeyman has been reborn in Seattle, throwing for over 3,500 yards and leading a high-powered attack.
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN): The star receiver exploded for 1,793 regular-season yards and is a top Super Bowl MVP candidate.
- RB Kenneth Walker III: A dynamic runner who could exploit New England’s front.
- Defense: Elite unit that ranks No. 1 in points allowed (16.4 per game) and hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 27 straight games.
- New England Patriots:
- QB Drake Maye: The second-year sensation is an MVP finalist, leading the league in completion percentage and yards per attempt.
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson: A dual-threat back with explosive runs.
- CB Christian Gonzalez: Could shadow JSN in a critical matchup.
- Defense: Top-tier secondary and run defense, excelling at limiting big plays.
Injury Updates
- Seahawks: RB Zach Charbonnet (knee) is out on IR, putting more pressure on Walker. Other key players are healthy.
- Patriots: LB Robert Spillane (ankle) is questionable; some players like RB Terrell Jennings and DTs are eligible to return from IR.
Predicted Lineups and Matchups
Both teams feature balanced attacks. Key battles include:
- JSN vs. Patriots’ secondary (especially Gonzalez): Seattle’s slot play could create mismatches.
- Darnold vs. Maye: Two contrasting QBs—Darnold’s experience vs. Maye’s upside and mobility.
- Run games: Seattle’s ground attack vs. New England’s trio of explosive runners (Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Maye).
Both defenses excel at limiting explosive plays, setting up a potential low-scoring, grind-it-out affair.
Odds and Predictions
- Spread: Seahawks -4.5 (Seahawks favored)
- Over/Under: 45.5
- Moneyline: Seahawks -225, Patriots +198
- Super Bowl MVP Favorites: Sam Darnold (+110–130), Drake Maye (+230), JSN (+550–600)
Experts lean toward Seattle (around 60% win probability per ESPN analytics), citing their elite defense and recent form. However, the Patriots’ underdog status and Maye’s potential for heroics make this unpredictable.
Fan Expectations
This is one of the most improbable Super Bowls in recent memory—both teams were preseason long shots (50-1+). Fans are buzzing about the “revenge” narrative from 2015 and the young vs. veteran QB storyline. Expect a classic defensive battle with flashes of big plays.
This could be an instant classic—two well-rounded teams fighting for glory on the NFL’s biggest stage!
