Jan. 31, 2026, 11:12 p.m. ET

Two divisions, 32 teams, 18 weeks, 42,160 plays. That’s what an NFL team has to make it through just to reach the Super Bowl, then you have just one more game to empty the tank and win.

 The Seahawks, led by the once-thought-of prodigal son Sam Darnold, will face off against a second-year quarterback in Drake Maye. These two teams have faced very different journeys to reach this point. Let’s dig into what got them here and what they’re up against, and how they can win.

Seattle’s Journey to the Super Bowl

Before the season started, the Seahawks had a power ranking that sat anywhere between number 16 and 22, depending on where you looked. Other publications and analysts reached those conclusions for their own reasons, but no one saw the Super Bowl. 

Sam Darnold became a man possessed after reviving his career after a horrible showing with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings. During the regular season, Darnold threw for 4,048 yards (5th in the NFL), 25 touchdowns (tied for 9th), 14 interceptions (third-worst among starters with 10 or more games), but a low QBR of 55.7 (19th). 

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Entering 2025, Darnold had played only one NFL playoff game – last season against the Los Angeles Rams – and he got rolled. But that was a different team, and it gave him the experience he needed to play on that stage. This season, however, we’ve seen a complete 180-degree turnaround from past play, and he has been a stud most of the year. But it’s not just about Sam Darnold’s quarterback play; it’s been a team effort.

The Seattle Seahawks are averaging 36 points per game while allowing just 16.5 points per game. Ranking 6th in overall offense and defensive as one of the most well-balanced NFL teams.  Some people say offensive wins championships, some people say defense does, but what happens when you have just enough of both? Will it be enough to stop what looks like an unstoppable Drake Maye and New England Patriots team?

Can The Patriots Finish The Job?

Ranked third in the NFL in the regular season for overall offensive rankings, Drake Maye has been an unexpected surprise. My one concern with Maye is that he has thrown for more than 300 yards only once all season. Maye rose to the occasion, outplaying the Baltimore Ravens with 380 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. The Patriots that game 28-24. You think that arm can keep up with Sam Darnold? This Seahawks team is going to force him to.

The Patriots rank 8th in the NFL in scoring at 27.2 ppg, but lately that has taken a sharp dive. In their last three games, they’ve averaged just 18 points, with a lowly 10 points last week against the Denver Broncos, and two weeks earlier, they beat the Chargers just 16-3. None of that will be enough to beat this high-scoring Seahawks team.

I will leave you with a few facts about Drake Maye that might give you some hope in his ability to compete in a shootout:

Completion Percentage 71.9% (354/492) New single-season Patriots record.Games with a 100+ Passer Rating 13: Breaking Tom Brady’s 2010 record of 12.Passing yards: 4,394 yardsAnd The Champions Are?

This might be the hardest game I’ve had to call all season. Both teams have their positives and negatives. You have two great story lines. Can the young quarterback Drake Maye revive the greatest NFL dynasty of all time?

 Or will the greatness of Sam Darnold finally be recognized? It’s been quite the journey for him, fighting through bad teams, injuries, and more, yet he continued to improve. Sometimes destiny is just waiting for you to grow into it.

The calling for these two is undeniable. This could be one of the greatest Super Bowls of the last 20 years, and I wholeheartedly believe that.

I’m taking the New England Patriots +6 (-132)