The Seattle Seahawks were on top of the NFL world after defeating the Denver Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII. Seattle had all the components to be the NFL’s first dynasty since the 2001-04 New England Patriots: a young, dynamic quarterback in Russell Wilson, a beast at running back in Marshawn Lynch and a decorated head coach in Pete Caroll who had just become the third head coach to win a Super Bowl and a National Championship. At the heart of this “soon-to-be” dynasty was a defense that brutalized their opponents, regardless of who they lined up against.
The Seahawks battled their way back into the Super Bowl the following year and were on the doorstep of their second straight title. With 26 seconds left on the clock, at the one yard line, Wilson dropped back to pass, and the trajectory of each franchise was changed forever.
For New England, Super Bowl XLIX was the start of a new dynasty, as the Patriots won two additional championships in the following four years. For Seattle, it was a catastrophic loss that fractured the locker room. For the next 10 years, the Seahawks struggled to make it past the NFC Divisional round. In 2024, Seattle shed the remnants of that championship team, hoping to create a new legacy, one that relied on what could be, not what once was.
Fast forward to 2025, and the Seahawks — under second year head coach Mike Macdonald — are back on the sport’s biggest stage. The only team standing between Seattle and that elusive second title: the New England Patriots, because of course they are.
Enough history. Here’s what to expect on Super Bowl Sunday.
The Patriots and Seahawks are very similar teams. Both teams have great defenses, difference makers at quarterback and neither team was supposed to be here. New England has a ferocious defensive front led by Christian Barmore and Milton Williams, but so does Seattle, with Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II, Derrick Hall, Boye Mafe and Demarcus Lawrence rotating steadily throughout the course of games.
The Patriots have a stout secondary, consisting of names such as Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III. The Seahawks secondary boasts All-Pro corner Devon Witherspoon in the slot, with Josh Jobe and former UTSA standout Tariq Woolen patrolling the boundary. Seattle also has the best athlete on the field in rookie standout Nick Emmanwori. Emmanwori suffered a low-ankle in practice on Wednesday, but is still expected to play on Sunday.
The difference in this game will come on the offensive side of the ball. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has been the topic of conversation all year long, but he silenced critics with a 25-36, 346 yard and three passing touchdown performance against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game. The truth is, the Seahawks’ fate is tied to their quarterback’s performance. If Darnold struggles or turns the ball over multiple times, the Seahawks will lose. The Patriots have forced five turnovers in their last two games. They’re going to try disrupting Darnold early and force him to play from behind — a task he hasn’t been presented with in the playoffs.
Even then, Darnold has shown the ability to overcome turnovers in the regular season. It’s hard to envision the Patriots upsetting Seattle in Super Bowl LX. The Seahawks have no holes on either side of the ball. Rolling with the favorite rarely pays off, but Seattle has been the best team all year and — barring a disastrous performance from Darnold — should soar to their second title in franchise history.
Paisano Pick: Seahawks 31, Patriots 20
