The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks played a classic Super Bowl 49. They will try to match that excitement 11 years later in their Super Bowl 60 rematch. The Seahawks (-4.5) are the early favorites for the game (46.5 o/u), set to be played in Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday Feb. 8 (6:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock).

The end of at terrific 2026 NFL playoffs is down to two teams that both posted 14-3 records in the regular season, Although the Patriots and Seahawks make for a pair of surprises, everything points to another close, exciting affair, only with Drake Maye and Sam Darnold dueling at quarterback instead of Tom Brady and Russell Wilson.

Here’s a break down what to expect in the matchup and why the underdog Patriots have the sight edge:

(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)

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Seahawks vs. Patriots picks, predictions against spread

• Seahawks’ offense vs. Patriots’ defense

The Patriots have been dominant on defense during the playoffs. It’s been difficult to run against them as they are allowing only 3.1 rushing yards per carry and 71.3 rushing yards per game through three AFC playoff games. The Seahawks are a 50/50 run-pass team, so they will stick with the rushing attack now featuring Kenneth Walker III minus Zach Charbonnet, but the Patriots’ defensive front, led by DT Milton Williams, will make it hard to find much room between the tackles.

The Seahawks aren’t shut down often on the ground because of their blocking and commitment to running the football with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. It’s imperative to have that rushing threat to help quarterback Sam Darnold’s downfield passing with play-action and bootlegs. But if the Patriots can render the Seahawks one-dimensional the way they did against the Chargers, Texans and Broncos, they can pressure Darnold into more obvious passing situations. New England will look to force some turnovers against the QB who led the NFL with 20 giveaways during the regular season.

Top wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be a tough coverage assignment and one-on-one, should be shadowed in a terrific matchup with Pro Bowler Christian Gonzalez. At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, Gonzalez has the size and quickness to battle JSN (6-foot-0, 197 pounds) well, inside or outside. But Patriots coach Mike Vrabel will borrow from former Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who used a great mix of zone coverage and blitzing to make Smith-Njigba have his worst game of the season vs. the Vikings.

Vrabel and defensive coordinator Zal Kuhr will scheme to try to take away JSN and take their chances with the Seahawks’ committee of more limited receivers, including 32-year-old Cooper Kupp. The Patriots are a tough overall matchup for the Seahawks and will keep up their swarming and ballhawking momentum.

Advantage: Patriots

MORE: Picks, predictions, odds for Patriots vs. Seahawks in Super Bowl 60

• Patriots’ offense vs. Seahawks’ defense

Drake Maye has had a grind in the playoffs. He had five turnovers, including three lost fumbles in his first two career AFC postseason games before having a hard time completing downfield passes in Denver against a tough pass rush, tight coverage and snowy weather. He also has been sacked 15 times, five times in each playoff game so far. But Maye also has come through with big days and key gains rushing, with 66 yards vs. the Chargers and 65 vs. the Broncos, both off 10 attempts.

Maye has proved to be comfortable operating vs. both man and zone looks. The Seahawks tend to play more zone and pick their spots for single coverage. Maye will take advantage of any one-on-ones stretching the field with his accuracy on deep balls. He also can be patient seeing zone and it opens the door for his scrambling to be a big factor.

The Patriots also will keep the Seahawks honest by running with Rhamondre Stevenson between the tackles and the threat of TreVeyon Henderson breaking a big run outside. Maye can use the backs and tight ends well in the passing game and Josh McDaniels can help him by calling for quick pass plays. The home-runs downfield to Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins and others will be tough but under Vrabel, the Patriots don’t mind having long, methodical drives toward paydirt.

Advantage: Patriots

The Patriots have the running of Maye as something that can throw off the Seahawks’ best laid defensive game plan. They also are not afraid mix up their personnel and scheming to get unsung players involved. The Seahawks have a few wrinkles available, but they likely won’t be as aggressive.

MORE: How Drake Maye’s rushing propelled the Pats to victory in AFC title game

Advantage: Patriots

The Patriots are solid with punter Bryce Baringer, kicker Andy Borregales and top return man Marcus Jones, but the Seahawks are spectacular with their counterparts, Michael Dickson, Jason Myers and Rashid Shaheed.

Advantage: Seahawks

Macdonald and Kubiak have given the Seahawks a great sense of top complementary football. But Vrabel and McDaniels have the bigger winning experience with past Patriots teams. Vrabel should be the coach of the year not only for the Patriots’ 10-game turnaround from 4-13 in 2024 to 14-3 in 2025, but also his shrewd game management, master motivation and defensive acumen. He’s right up there with Sean McVay and Andy Reid as one of the most trusted coaches in Super Bowl moments.

Advantage: Patriots

The Patriots had the bigger turnaround but given their massive history of winning Super Bowls (six), the Seahawks feel like the surprise team and underdogs, despite their favorite status on paper. The Seahawks will have the spirit of the “12th Man’ follow them from Seattle to San Francisco. It’s a shorter trip for their fans to be in full force for inspiration. The Seahawks have the “emotional team of destiny” mojo on their side.

Advantage: Seahawks

Super Bowl 60 prediction

The Patriots have proven themselves with their defense in the playoffs, taking most of the winning burden away from Maye. That defense will be a difference-maker again, with Maye getting well prepared by McDaniels during the bye to attack the Seahawks. Maye has more assets with his physical skill set to believe that his talent will help him overcome his youth and inexperience. Maye joins Brady in winning a Super Bowl in his second season, while Darnold drops to 0-5 in his career vs. the Patriots.

MORE: Three reasons the Patriots defense has dominated in playoffs

Pick: Patriots (+4.5) win 27-24 straight up with the total going OVER 46 points.