In one of the most unlikely Super Bowl matchups, based off of preseason odds, football fans across the world are treated to a match up between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots on Feb. 8.
Coming into the season, the Seahawks and the Patriots were not expected to be the last two teams standing, as both Seattle and New England had its win total set at just over eight. While that was the case, it was hard to argue that these two teams were not the best two teams throughout the majority of the 2025-26 NFL season.
For Seattle, the story of its offseason was moving on from quarterback Geno Smith and bringing in Sam Darnold, who Minnesota had let go in favor of the younger J.J. McCarthy. Even though Darnold won 14 games with the Vikings last season, the jury was still out on if he could be among the elite signal callers in the league.
Darnold more than proved that to be true, as he finished the season with 4,048 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns, while becoming just the second quarterback to win 14 games in back-to-back seasons, the first being Tom Brady.
“We believe in him, this building believes in him, the city believes in him, and you know, it is awesome to run out on the field with him,” said Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Smith-Njigba is set to continue his magnificent season in the Super Bowl as the Ohio State alum has staked his name as one of the best playmakers in the game. With his ability to line up all over the field, Smith-Njigba brings versatility and will be a problem for the Patriots’ defense all evening.
With Smith-Njigba and Darnold enjoying great seasons, Seattle’s biggest strength on offense has been its run game. Led by offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s run schemes, running back Kenneth Walker will be Seattle’s go-to offensive weapon in the game.
The bread and butter of Seattle’s team this season though has been the stellar play of its defense. Seattle finished the season giving up just 17.1 points per game, which ranked first in the NFL.
Similar to Darnold, Seattle’s defense is loaded with castaway players, including Leonard Williams and DeMarcus Lawrence on the defensive line and Ernest Jones, who acts as Seattle’s quarterback on defense, at the inside linebacker position. The presence of those three in the front seven have given Seattle’s young secondary ample opportunity to shine.
While Seattle’s defense has been arguably the best in the league this season, New England’s is not far behind. The Patriots have given up just 17.3 points per game, which ranks second behind Seattle.
What has been interesting about New England’s defense is that it does not feature many household names. Milton Williams, who slots in at the defensive tackle position, was a major pickup this offseason, after he spent the first four seasons of his career in Philadelphia, winning a Super Bowl.
Defensive back Christian Gonzalez joins Williams as the superstars on this defense, as the 23-year old has quickly established himself as one of the best at his position in the game.
If there is a household name for this defense in the organization, it has to be head coach Mike Vrabel.
Patriots and football fans alike will remember Vrabel from being a fixture on the early 2000’s New England Patriots Super Bowl teams. Racking up sacks and catching touchdowns on offense as a tight end, Vrabel quickly established himself as a fan favorite in New England.
After retiring, Vrabel moved to coaching, where he took various jobs, before becoming the Patriots head coach at the beginning of the season. Using his experience and knowledge as a Super Bowl-winning defensive mind, Vrabel quickly established the Patriots as one of the better defensive units in the league.
In reality, New England and Seattle are built similarly. Vrabel and Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald are defensive minds, both teams feature strong rushing attacks, and both teams are not afraid to win ugly.
The key to winning the game for both teams is going to come down to the play of the quarterbacks. After winning 28 games in the last two seasons, Darnold looks ready to play, while Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is still somewhat of a mystery.
The 23-year old has performed as one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL this season, as he finished the regular season with a real shot of winning the most valuable player award. As he is set to become the second youngest quarterback to start a Super Bowl, behind Dan Marino, keeping his composure is going to be key for the Patriots’ offense to move the ball.
Luckily for Maye, he is at his best when under pressure, as his running ability has allowed him to limit turnovers when the pocket breaks down or receivers don’t get open. With so much of his career ahead of him, Maye is ready for the biggest game of his career.
“We have a chance to go win the Super Bowl and that’s what it is. That’s pretty cool,” said Maye.
With so much attention surrounding the quarterback play and the defensive dominance, one under-the-radar player to watch in this game is Seahawks’ wide receiver and kick returner Rashid Shaheed.
Seattle acquired Shaheed from the New Orleans Saints this season, and he has been a force for Seattle. Shaheed has the ability to provide quick points and great field position, as he has recorded four touchdown returns in his four-year career, including returning the first kick for a touchdown in Seattle’s Divisional matchup against the 49ers.
