The Super Bowl LX matchup is set. It’s the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks in a rematch. The Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams with a 31-27 victory in the NFC Championship Game while New England fought a snow storm for a 10-7 win in the AFC Championship Game.
With twelve days left until the final four quarters of the 2025 season, it’s already time to have a quick look at the key matchups for a game that, from the outside, promises excitement until the very last second.
1. Sam Darnold vs. the Patriots’ defense
GettyCornerback Malcolm Butler’s interception at the 1-yard line to secure a 28-24 victory in Super Bowl XLIX.
The image of cornerback Malcolm Butler stepping in front of the pass at the 1-yard line in Super Bowl XLIX still defines the Seahawks–Patriots rivalry, sealing a 28–24 victory to cap the 2014 season. And there is a possibility that Super Bowl LX could end the exact same way.
The Patriots’ defense managed to stifle quarterbacks all season long, especially in the playoffs. They allowed only two touchdowns — and none on the ground. Looking at playoff performances since 2000, they rank second in fewest points allowed per game (8.7) among teams with a minimum of three games played.
And now they will play against Sam Darnold. What a journey it has been for Seattle’s new quarterback.
It’s difficult to imagine the Seahawks signal-caller playing better than he just did in his team’s win over the Rams. The biggest question is if Sam Darnold can maintain his momentum after throwing for 346 yards and three touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game against a Patriots defense that generated 95 pressures, 12 sacks and 8 takeaways in the playoffs.
Turnovers are Darnold’s kryptonite. During the regular season he threw 14 interceptions. So, for the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl, Darnold must avoid turnovers.
2. Christian Gonzalez vs. Jaxon Smith-Njigba
GettyChristian Gonzalez recorded his first interception of the 2025 season in the AFC Championship Game.
With Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the field, the Patriots’ secondary must prepare for the league’s top wide receiver and stay one step ahead of him. It’s likely that Christian Gonzalez will carry the primary responsibility for covering JSN.
Despite playing in only 14 of 17 regular-season games—missing the start of the season due to a hamstring injury—Gonzalez still recorded 69 total tackles, including 54 solo tackles, and 10 pass deflections. He also recorded his first interception of the season in the AFC Championship Game against the Broncos, where he added a quarterback sack as well.
Smith-Njigba finished the regular season with 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. In the NFC title game, he recorded 153 receiving yards and a touchdown. At the same time, the Patriots remain unbeaten when Gonzalez and Milton Williams are both on the field. In this game, even the smallest mistake could be costly.
3. Drake Maye vs. the Seahawks’ defense
GettyDrake Maye led the NFL in completion percentage (72%), passer rating (113.5) and yards per attempt (8.93) in the regular season.
New England isn’t playing in its record-setting 12th Super Bowl due to eye-popping numbers from Drake Maye in the playoffs. Instead, the Patriots reached the top of the AFC because of his ability to deliver when it matters most. In Sunday’s win over Denver, Maye finished 10-of-21 for 86 yards without a touchdown. To win the Super Bowl, quarterback Drake Maye must bounce back from his 86-yard performance in the AFC title game. He also got sacked 15 times in the postseason.
However, that is easier said than done, because the Seahawks have an elite defense. With only 16.4 points allowed per game, Mike Macdonald’s unit allowed the fewest points in the NFL in the regular season. In the playoffs, they’ve especially put a nail on the coffin of the San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl hopes.
4. Mike Vrabel vs. Mike Macdonald
GettyMike Vrabel turned a 3–14 Patriots team into a 14–3 team in just one season.
In his first season with the New England Patriots, head coach Mike Vrabel orchestrated a turnaround that took a 4-13 team to a 14-3 team. The Patriots won their first division title since winning 11 straight from 2009 to 2019. Even with a so-called “cupcake schedule,” the Patriots earned their right to play for the Lombardi Trophy.
Mike Macdonald led the Seattle Seahawks to a 10-7 record in his first season, winning the NFC West and earning the No. 1 seed in Year 2.
What happens when two of the season’s biggest coaching masterminds meet in the Super Bowl? Each coach is leading a quarterback making his first appearance on football’s biggest stage. Although Sam Darnold has been on a 49ers roster that reached the Super Bowl before, he has never started one.
The outcome will likely be decided by one crucial factor — who has done the better job preparing their quarterback for the opposing defense, and which Mike is willing to gamble more.
One thing is clear: in this second-least likely match-up in major North American sports history, after the 1991 World Series between Minnesota (+8000) and Atlanta (+20000), one of these teams is about to rewrite the record books.
New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks: Super Bowl LX Key Matchups