Preview for Seattle Seahawks @ New England Patriots

This Seattle Seahawks And New England Patriots They face off in Super Bowl LX on Sunday as each ends their respective remarkable campaigns at fairytale Levina Stadium.

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

But both have capitalized on shrewd offseason decisions to advance to championship victories in a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX, which the Patriots won 11 years ago in an all-time classic finish.

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

That day, New England’s offensive coordinator is once again in the same role, with Josh McDaniels helping second-year quarterback Drake Maye to a position that has produced MVP-caliber play all season.

Maye and the New England offense will be tasked with producing against a ferocious Seahawks defense that has laid the foundation for a dominant season since Seattle.

Mike McDonald’s defense finished the regular season ranked first in the NFL, allowing just 4.6 yards per play (2nd), while allowing 25 turnovers (6th) and 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 varied scheme.

On offense, Seattle’s decision to bet on Sam Darnold’s spectacular 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings has proven spectacular, with Darnold’s relationship with star receiver Jackson Smith-Njigba continuing to wreak havoc on opposing defenses.

The Patriots are the underdogs, but their head coach Mike Vrabel, enjoying spectacular 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 begin the first phase of a dynasty under Bill Belichick.

And he’s under no illusions about the challenge the Patriots will face in their 11th Super Bowl appearance.

“I mean, they (Seahawks) are first in the league in scoring defense, third on offense,” Vrabel said.

“A good mix of veterans and youth. So, any time you have a defense that’s good at keeping points down, it makes it really tough. They disguise well, they blitz and sometimes they force four rushes. I mean, they’ve got four or five guys with six or seven sacks.

“Offensively, it’s a mix of some West Coast stuff, some play action, but then just the scheme and Darnold’s ability to manage and execute, and a lot of guys can’t slow down JSN (Jackson Smith-Njigba.) Kenneth Walker (III), the speed he can get to the edge, he’s not afraid to cut down a special team.

“So, we need to be really good in all phases, but this is a great football team.”

The Patriots’ regular season featured just one win against a team that finished the year with a winning record. However, since then they have racked up three impressive postseason wins, each one featuring their defense.

Although both offenses were hampered by snowy conditions in their AFC Championship Game win over the Denver Broncos, the Patriots’ defensive performance in the playoffs should give them hope of slowing down Darnold and Smith-Njigba.

While the Patriots 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 in the regular season and playoffs. That disparity is a big factor in why the Seahawks are expected to win.

Maye has a long way to go before reaching Brady’s heights. However, if the Patriots can upset the odds and once again deny the Seahawks another Super Bowl title, New England’s seventh Lombardi Trophy will be their most impressive yet.