After a legendary final month of NFL playoff football, only two teams remain.
The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots meet in a long-awaited rematch of Super Bowl XLIX — a game that ended in dramatic fashion and has haunted Seattle fans ever since. This time, Seattle enters as a 4.5-point favorite in the sportsbooks.
Super Bowl 60 is set to kick off at 4:30 PM MST on NBC and Peacock.
Let’s waste no time and dive into my final preview and prediction of the 2026 NFL season.
Super Bowl 60
Seahawks vs. Patriots
Levi’s Stadium Santa Clara California | 4:30 PM MST | NBC / Peacock
Initial Thoughts
For both teams to reach this point is nothing short of incredible. Neither the Seahawks nor the Patriots even made the playoffs last season, and both entered the year with 60-1 preseason odds to win the Super Bowl.
Regardless of the outcome, this season has already been a massive success for two young, confident squads.
This matchup will ultimately come down to the passing game and defensive secondaries. One of the most exciting individual battles to watch will be Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Christian Gonzalez, which has the potential to be one of the best position matchups we’ve seen on the Super Bowl stage in years. Outside the numbers the Head Coaching chess match between of Mike Vrabel (Patriots) and Mike Macdonald (Seahawks) will be elite.
Keys to the Game
New England Patriots
Stay ahead of schedule
When the Patriots find a rhythm offensively, they become a nightmare for opposing defenses. Where things can go wrong for New England is failing to convert consistently on first and second down.
If Seattle’s defense can force third-and-long situations, it will allow them to get off the field and limit New England’s possessions — something the Patriots cannot afford in a game of this magnitude.
Find ways to involve TreVeyon Henderson
Henderson was barely mentioned during the AFC Championship Game in Denver, as Rhamondre Stevenson carried the load on the ground. New England needs contributions from both backs, but the key will be getting Henderson into space.
If the Patriots can get him to the edge, his speed gives him home-run potential — something he’s shown multiple times this season.
Drake Maye must play his best game of the postseason
Drake Maye hasn’t been bad in these playoffs, but turnovers and costly mistakes have limited his impact compared to the regular season.
He can’t rely on the defense to bail him out this time. The Patriots need a lot to go their way to hoist the Lombardi, and that starts with Maye protecting the football and making plays when it matters most.
Here is how Patriots 2nd year Quarterback Drake Maye uses his faith to stay at bay in moments like this.
Seattle Seahawks
Get the playmakers involved
JSN will command significant attention from the Patriots’ secondary — and rightfully so — but Seattle has other weapons that must step up.
Veterans like Cooper Kupp and the speedster, Rashid Shaheed need to be difference-makers. Finding creative ways to get the ball into their hands will be critical to keeping New England’s defense honest.
Anticipate the blitz
The Patriots blitzed at the third-highest rate in the NFL this season, and it’s paid dividends as their pass rush has improved week after week.
Seattle’s offensive line must give Sam Darnold enough time to make quick decisions. If protection breaks down, things could unravel fast for the Seahawks.
Sam Darnold can’t fall apart
Darnold’s journey to this point is one of the best stories in sports. After everything his career has thrown at him, simply being a Super Bowl starter is remarkable — but winning one would cement a legacy.
He’s done a solid job so far, but this is different. Darnold is 0–4 all-time against New England, but this is not the same quarterback. He must stay poised, play within himself, and trust the pieces around him.
Here is how Seahawks Quarterback Sam Darnold reflected on his mental processing ahead of Super Bowl 60.
Game Prediction
If you’re not absolutely pumped for this Super Bowl, then you just don’t love the game of football.
This is easily the toughest matchup I’ve had to predict all postseason. It can genuinely go either way. Both teams are young, well-coached, and playing with extreme confidence.
I expect a competitive start, with both offenses settling in by halftime. A 13–10 score at the break — in favor of either side — wouldn’t surprise me.
Late in the game, it comes down to the secondary, just as mentioned earlier. Seattle safety Nick Emmanori’s availability remains uncertain after suffering an ankle injury in practice, and that could open the door for key Patriots playmakers.
Expect contributions from Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Hunter Henry, and Demario “Pop” Douglas. Unsung heroes for New England could include Kyle Williams, Elijah Ponder, and kicker Andy Borregales.
For Seattle, players like Rashid Shaheed, Julian Love, and even Jake Bobo have the ability to completely swing this game.
This will be one of the best Super Bowls we’ve ever seen — worth the 11-year wait to watch these two franchises battle for the Lombardi Trophy once again.
Only one team will walk away champions of the 2025–26 NFL season.
That team is the New England Patriots.
Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel is a winner. He gets things done. The toughness, resilience, and scrappiness of this Patriots team will ultimately be too much for Seattle across every phase of the game.
Final Prediction
Patriots 24, Seahawks 20
New England claims a record-setting seventh Lombardi Trophy.
Final Thoughts
It’s bittersweet writing this, knowing it’s the last NFL game for six months. But on the other hand, we’re getting an all-time classic to close one of the best seasons in professional sports history.
Make sure you tune in, make your predictions, and let us know who you’ve got.
Patriots vs. Seahawks — one last ride to end a spectacular journey.
Carter Holden
Feb 10, 2026 at 8:09 am
I think that this was truly an exceptional article. It really showcased all that was riding on this game and how each team will have to step up to win. I especially liked the quotes from the quarterbacks showing how they were dealing with this pressure.
Zachary Schumaker
Feb 10, 2026 at 8:06 am
This was a thoughtfully made report even though I wish the pats won because I highly dis-like the seahawks. Now I owe AJ Ching 10$ for the loss.
Zachary Schumaker
Feb 10, 2026 at 8:03 am
This is a very thoughtfully made news report, and I only wish the Pats won because I highly dis-like the Seahawks. Now I owe AJ Ching 10$ for the loss.
Braxton
Feb 10, 2026 at 8:00 am
That was a really well‑written breakdown — it honestly reads like something straight out of a professional sports preview. You highlighted the key matchups, the coaching battle, and the storylines on both sides in a way that actually pulls you in.
Ryan Tucker
Feb 9, 2026 at 9:21 am
Very well-written story Jack Davis. Unfortunately your prediction was completely abysmal. How is the public going to have any trust in the professionalism and accuracy of the Rocky Roar Newspaper if we are fumbling predictions like this. I think Taylor Porter would have done a better job predicting this game, as his prediction was 31-17. 31-17 is actually quite a good prediction for the final score, especially since he predicted the winning team correctly. Anyway great job overall with the playoff coverage this year Jack Davis I look forward to reading more of your sportswriting moving forward. Hopefully we can get a monthly NBA review or something. Appreciate the work your are doing for the success and publicity of the Rocky Roar Newspaper. You have driven our analytics up in recent months as you have done such incredible coverage of these playoffs. Great job Jack Davis. I am honored to be an editor in the same newsroom as you. Great job.