After a grueling football season, we have finally narrowed down the potential champions to two. The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots face off this Sunday in Super Bowl LX. This is a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX, where the Patriots won 28-24 after a Malcolm Butler interception at the goal line.
For the Seahawks, they made it to the Super Bowl after a 41-6 decimation of the San Francisco 49ers and a tight 31-27 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Seattle is the NFC’s number one seed after going 14-3 in the regular season.
Seattle is led by a strong defense known as “The Darkside,” which boasts multiple pro-bowlers. The Seahawks defense led the National Football League in scoring defense, allowing just 17.2 points per game. Additionally, the defense only allowed 285.6 yards per game in the regular season, good for sixth in the NFL.
The offensive side of the ball is led by wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba, a Pro Bowler and First Team All- Pro, led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,793. He also averaged 105.5 yards per game.
Quarterback Sam Darnold became the second quarterback ever to have back-to-back seasons of at least 14 wins on two different teams, with the other being Tom Brady.
As someone who has followed closely, the Seattle offense has been nothing but explosive in the playoffs, averaging 36 points per game alongside 338.5 yards per game. Darnold has been excellent with no turnovers in the playoffs. He has seemingly proved the doubters wrong and has proved that he can win big games.
New England, on the other hand, had to fight through all three rounds of the playoffs, picking up wins over the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos.
The Patriots boast both a top offense and defense. The offense ranks third in yards per game with 379.4 and second in scoring with 28.8 points per game. The defense allows only 18.8 points per game and 295.2 yards per game.
Second-year quarterback Drake Maye had a tremendous season where he passed for 4,394 yards, threw for 31 touchdowns and ran for four touchdowns. Maye relies on veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs and tight end Hunter Henry in the passing attack.
The New England offense has struggled throughout these playoffs. They have notably struggled when facing a pass rush, with the Texans sacking Maye five times in the AFC divisional round. The Patriots’ offense struggled in Denver as well, even before the game turned into a snow game.
Super Bowl LX is a story of Seattle looking for revenge and its second Super Bowl. The question remains: can Seattle defeat their past ghosts and carve a new legacy?
For New England, they are searching to rebuild their dynasty. They already have six Super Bowl rings and are looking for an NFL-record seventh ring.
These two teams have been the two best throughout the season, but both have their questions. Countless people have questioned whether or not the Patriots have played a tough enough schedule. For Seattle, Sam Darnold and the offense have been questioned every single game this season.
Super Bowl LX is right around the corner, and it’s time for my predictions. I have the Seahawks winning and not in a particularly close fashion either. Coming off a bye this season, the Seahawks have out scored their opponents 79-20.
As Kevin Burkhardt put it, “The Seahawks soar to Super Bowl LX,” and they will soar above the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
My prediction: Seahawks 35, Patriots 17
Jaxson Smith-Njigba wins the MVP by getting at least 100 yards and a touchdown.