Super Bowl Sunday is almost here.
In the 2025-26 season’s final game, the Seattle Seahawks will face the New England Patriots in a championship rematch from just over a decade ago.
Which side will emerge victorious? Our columnists and beat writers give their predictions below:
Tim Cowlishaw
Cowboys
A few months ago the idea that Sam Darnold would be not only a Super Bowl quarterback but “the favored Super Bowl quarterback” seemed out of the question. Nothing stopping him or the Seahawks now. The Patriots’ solid defense will keep them around, but they lack explosion and their O-line has been getting young Drake Maye beaten up (15 sacks) in the playoffs. This is Darnold’s and JSN’s and Klint Kubiak’s time to shine.
Seahawks 29, Patriots 14
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Joseph Hoyt
I just don’t think New England has the firepower to overcome Seattle’s swarming defense. If New England pulls off the upset, however, it’s hard to believe that it doesn’t involve Sam Darnold reverting back to his old turnover ways. Darnold has been excellent this playoff run. If he can keep that up, then he and the Seahawks will likely hoist the Lombardi.
Seahawks 27, Patriots 14
Damon Marx
Seattle’s Sam Darnold is the first quarterback from the 2018 draft, held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, to reach a Super Bowl. Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson will be watching as Darnold looks to close out his prove-it season. Patriots QB Drake Maye, in his second season but first postseason, has been less impressive in the playoffs. That matchup will prove to be the difference as the Seattle defense and special teams also make some momentum-changing plays.
Seahawks 32, Patriots 17
Abraham Nudelstejer
Sam Darnold is set to deliver yet another sting to Vikings Nation. The quarterback once dismissed by a GM who’s now watching from the unemployment line will soon be sizing up a diamond‑studded ring of his own after the Seahawks push past the Patriots to capture the second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history. It should be a tight, entertaining showdown, but Darnold’s steady hand will ultimately tilt the night in Seattle’s favor.
Seahawks 24, Patriots 21
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Kevin Sherrington
Since the last time the Seahawks and Patriots played in a Super Bowl 11 years ago, both organizations have cratered and come back again. Meanwhile, the Cowboys remain stuck. DeMarcus Lawrence was right. He wasn’t going to win a Lombardi Trophy with the Cowboys.
Seahawks 27, Patriots 21
Calvin Watkins
Will this be a defensive Super Bowl? Both teams have defenses designed to slow a game down. Seattle QB Sam Darnold has been on a revenge tour of sorts, and so has former Cowboy DeMarcus Lawrence. The second half of this game should have plenty of scoring, and Darnold will do enough to get the MVP.
Seahawks 27, Patriots 20
Super Bowl matchup proves defense is back in style. Can the Cowboys follow the trend?
Defense will win a championship on Sunday. Which is something that might scare Cowboys fans after this past season.
Watch: NFL Honors host Jon Hamm takes a jab at Jerry Jones over Micah Parsons trade
The actor, best known for Mad Men, hosted the awards ceremony and opened the show with some jokes, including one at Jones’ expense.
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