Seattle Seahawks @ New England Patriots: Preview, prediction and odds for Super Bowl LX

Preview for Seattle Seahawks @ New England Patriots

The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots face off in Super Bowl LX on Sunday as they each a fairytale ending to their respective remarkable campaigns at Levi’s Stadium.

Neither the Seahawks nor the Patriots were viewed among the favourites to lift the Lombardi Trophy at the start of the 2025 season.

But both have reaped the benefits of astute offseason decisions to move within a win of the championship as they meet in a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX, which the Patriots won in an all-time classic finish 11 years ago.

That game saw Tom Brady author a vintage fourth-quarter comeback before Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception of Russell Wilson saved victory for the Patriots.

New England’s offensive coordinator that day is once again in the same role, with Josh McDaniels helping elevate second-year quarterback Drake Maye to a point where has produced MVP-calibre play throughout the season.

The task of Maye and the New England offense will be to produce against a ferocious Seahawks defense that has laid the foundation for a dominant season from Seattle.

Mike Macdonald’s defense finished the regular season ranked first in the NFL, allowing only 4.6 yards per play (2nd), while tallying 25 turnovers (6th) and racking up 180 quarterback pressures, per Pro Football Focus (3rd). Their fearsome front is complemented by a secondary with highly instinctive and versatile defenders who fit perfectly into Macdonald’s diverse scheme.

On offense, Seattle’s decision to bet that Sam Darnold’s spectacular 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings was not a flash in the pan has been stunningly vindicated, Darnold’s rapport with star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba continually having a devastating impact on opposing defenses.

The Patriots are the underdogs, but their head coach Mike Vrabel, enjoying stunning success in his first year with the team, knows all about prevailing in such circumstances.

Vrabel was part of the Patriots team that stunned the ‘Greatest Show on Turf’ Rams to win Super Bowl XXXVI to start the first phase of the dynasty under Bill Belichick.

And he is under no illusions as to the challenge the Patriots face in their 11th Super Bowl appearance.

“I mean, they’re [the Seahawks] first in the league in scoring on defense, third on offense,” Vrabel said.

“Good mix of veterans and youth. So, any time that you have defenses that are good at keeping points down, it makes it real difficult. They disguise well, they blitz and sometimes they get pressure with rushing four. I mean, they’ve got four or five guys with six or seven sacks each.

“Offensively, it’s a mix of some of the West Coast stuff, some play action, but then just the scheme and Darnold’s ability to operate and function, and not many people slow down JSN [Jaxon Smith-Njigba.] Kenneth Walker [III], the speed, he can hit the edge, he’s not afraid to cut up. They’ve got an excellent special teams unit.

 “So, we’re going to have to be really good in all phases, but this is an excellent football team.”

The Patriots’ regular season featured only one win against a team that ended the year with a winning record. However, they have since reeled off three impressive postseason wins, with their defense coming to the fore in each.

Though their AFC Championship Game win over the Denver Broncos came as both offenses were hamstrung by the snowy conditions, the Patriots’ defensive showings in the playoffs should raise hope of them managing to slow down Darnold and Smith-Njigba.

While the Patriots have faced questions about their strength of schedule, Seattle came through the gauntlet of the NFC West, playing the rival Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers a total of six times across the regular season and playoffs. That disparity is a large factor in why the Seahawks are expected to prevail.

Maye is a long way from reaching the heights of Brady. However, if the Patriots can upset the odds and once again deny the Seahawks a second Super Bowl title, then New England’s seventh Lombardi Trophy will have a strong case for being their most impressive yet.

Key Matchups

Drake Maye vs. The Seahawks’ pass rush

Maye has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL when under fire from the opposing pass rush this season, with his ability to extend plays and turn himself into a runner a key factor in his success.

However, he has been sacked 15 times in three playoff games so far, numbers that should have the Seattle defensive front salivating. If Maye fails to stay out of trouble and avoid third-and-long situations, it will be a difficult day for the New England attack.

“He is a tremendous player, he really is,” Macdonald said of Maye. “He’s strong. He’s fast. All the things. Great arm talent, great decision-making. We’ve got to be on our stuff up front.”

“We’re going through that process right now of how we want to play. I think the key is trying to create as many of those [third-and-long] situations as possible.”

Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Patriots’ secondary

Smith-Njigba has rapidly established himself as arguably the most devastating wide receiver in the game. He boasts tremendously separation ability, has excellent ball skills and is a threat to rip off big plays after the catch.

The former Ohio State star can do damage as an outside receiver and from the slot, meaning he will be a test for the entire New England secondary. As good as number one cornerback Christian Gonzalez is, he is unlikely to shadow Smith-Njigba. Carlton Davis III and slot corner Marcus Jones should each face matchups with Smith-Njigba as well, and it is crucial for the Patriots’ hopes of success that they find a way to at least partially slow him down.

Josh McDaniels vs. Mike Macdonald

The challenge the Seahawks’ defense presents is so great because of its malleability. Macdonald’s group is so much more than just an imposing front.

With the positional flexibility of the likes of Nick Emmanwori, Julian Love and Devon Witherspoon, the Seattle defense rarely has to worry about mismatches in favour of the offense. The players in the back seven are ideally suited for a defensive scheme that thrives on disguise.

McDaniels has done an excellent job turning Maye into one of the best quarterbacks in the game. The challenge for him in the Super Bowl is to ensure the picture is not consistently muddled by the Seahawks’ diversity, and to create mismatches that can put New England in a position to prevail. It will not be an easy job.

Injury Report

Information correct as of Wednesday.

Seahawks

The headline for the Seahawks is the addition of Emmanwori to the injury report.

Rookie defensive back Emmanwori, whose ability to play the slot and in the box at 6ft 3in and 220 pounds is crucial to their defensive flexibility, suffered a low-ankle sprain while defending a pass in practice.

It would drastically alter the Seattle gameplan if Emmanwori is unable to go and provide the Patriots with a huge boost.

Limited participation

• T Charles Cross (foot)
• QB Sam Darnold (oblique)
• S Nick Emmanwori (ankle)
• T Josh Jones (ankle/knee)
• LB DeMarcus Lawrence (not injury related/resting player)
• FB Robbie Ouzts (neck)
• WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (not injury replated/resting player)
• DE Leonard Williams (not injury related/resting player)

Full participation

• WR Jake Bobo (hand)
• LB Ernest Jones IV (chest)
• S Julian Love (shoulder)
• FB Brady Russell (hand)
• TE Eric Saubert (hamstring)
• LB Drake Thomas (shoulder)

Patriots

Any lingering doubts about Drake Maye starting the biggest game of his life have been firmly extinguished.

However, their remain concerns on defense, with starting inside linebacker Robert Spillane and key pass rusher Harold Landry, doubts to feature in a game where the Patriots desperately need to find ways to make Darnold uncomfortable.

Did not participate

• LB Robert Spillane (ankle)

Limited participation

• LB Harold Landry (knee)
• T Thayer Munford (knee)

Full participation

• DT Joshua Farmer (hamstring)
• QB Drake Maye (right shoulder)

Prediction for Seattle Seahawks @ New England Patriots

The Emmanwori injury, depending on the severity, is potentially a huge one for the Seattle defense.

Still, the Seahawks are the most complete team the Patriots have faced all season. Unfortunately for the Patriots, there’s a good chance their unlikely run ends in a heavy defeat.

Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 37 – 16 New England Patriots

How to watch Seattle Seahawks @ New England Patriots

Super Bowl LX kicks off at 6:30pm ET (3:30pm PT, 11:30pm GMT). It will be broadcast in the United States on NBC. Spanish-language broadcasts are available on Telemundo and Universo. The game can be streamed via Peacock and NFL +.

Outside of the United States, the game can be streamed via DAZN worldwide with the exception of China.

In the United Kingdom, Super Bowl LX will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports NFL. There will be an additional broadcast on Channel 5. In addition to DAZN, it can also be streamed through Sky Go.

Here is the full list of international Super Bowl LX broadcasts.

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