Updated Feb. 8, 2026, 9:10 p.m. CT

Maybe one day the Houston Texans will make the trip out to the big game as the AFC representatives. Some believe that Houston was talented enough this season to make it happen.

Instead, fans back home will watch former wideout Stefon Diggs headline a group of New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks as the two battle it out for the Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara.

Led by MVP-candidate Drake Maye, the Patriots secured their spot in the big game with an AFC Championship win over the Denver Broncos on the road. Before that, Maye tossed three interceptions while the Texans had five turnovers in the divisional round matchup at Gillette Stadium.

On the other side, second-year coach Mike Macdonald orchestrated elite play-calling behind a stellar defense to give Seattle the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The arrival of new quarterback Sam Darnold propelled Seattle to wins in the playoffs over the 49ers and Rams en route to the Super Bowl.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of Sunday’s big game:

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.When does the Super Bowl start?

Super Bowl LX is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 p.m. CT / 3:30 p.m. PT

How to watch the Super Bowl

Super Bowl LX will air on NBC. You can stream the game via Peacock, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, YouTube TV, NFL+ and Hulu + Live TV

Stream the Super Bowl on Peacock TVWho are the broadcasters for Super Bowl LX?

Mike Tirico will handle the play-by-play duties for NBC, along with color commentator Cris Collinsworth. Melissa Stark and Kaylee Hartung will conduct sidelines interviews while Maria Taylor will lead the pregame festivites.

Who is performing the Super Bowl Halftime Show?

Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny is the headliner for the Super Bowl LX halftime show, which is expected to begin sometime between 7 and 7:30 p.m. CT.

Seahawks vs Patriots odds, money line, over/under

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, February 8th, 2026

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.

Moneyline: Seahawks -245Spread: Seahawks -4.5Over/under: 45.5Seahawks vs Patriots predictions, picks for Super Bowl LX

Kole Musgrove – Seahawks Wire Managing Editor

Seahawks 24, Patriots 20: Under no circumstances do I think this Super Bowl is going to be the cakewalk some in the media think it could become. New England is a real team, and if you’re in the Super Bowl you can obviously win it. All ten of the last Seahawks/Patriots games have been within a score with less than two minutes to play, and nine of them were decided by less than a touchdown. However, I think the Pats’ pathway to victory is much narrower than Seattle’s, and that relates to the talent gap between these teams. The Seahawks are playing their best football of the season at the right time and they are eager to show the world they have arrived. Give me Seattle with a defensive stop late to seal the deal.

Matt Legros – Patriots Wire Contributor

Seahawks 24, Patriots 20: Though Maye has struggled in the playoffs, he’s gone for 60 or more yards on the ground in two of three games. Maye passes for a touchdown. Stevenson rushes for one. Maye will put the Patriots in field goal range multiple times. Kicker Andy Borregales, who’s gone 4-6 on FG attempts, makes two. In the end, the Seahawks’ passing attack proves to be too much. Seattle reaches the end zone three times and hangs on to a narrow lead throughout the second half to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. 

Cole Thompson – Texans Wire’s Managing Editor

Seahawks 28, Patriots 14: Drake Maye delivered against the Texans’ defense with three touchdown passes, but he also was sacked five times and had three fumbles. Outside of Houston, Seattle had arguably the league’s most consistent defense at every level. Even though Sam Darnold might never reach the initial goals set in 2018 when drafted out of USC, he’s not going to be asked to take over the game. In the end, give me a defensive touchdown late to seal it for Seattle, thus securing the NFC West franchise its second title in franchise history.

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