Super Bowl LX Preview: 5 Key Battles That Will Decide the Seahawks-Patriots Rematch
Levi’s Stadium is set to host a defensive masterclass this February. When the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots meet in Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX, fans expecting a shootout might want to adjust their expectations. The Patriots have surrendered a mere 26 points total across three postseason games, while the Seahawks boast a defense that has ranked among the league’s elite all season.
History hangs heavy over this matchup. It recalls the low-scoring grind of New England’s victory over the Rams years ago, but this game features its own unique tensions. From redemption arcs under center to speedsters on special teams, the margins for error are razor-thin.
Here are the five critical position battles that will determine who lifts the Lombardi Trophy.
Quarterback: Sam Darnold vs. Drake Maye
The narrative center of this game lies under center, where two quarterbacks at vastly different career stages face the pressure of their lives.
For Seattle, Sam Darnold has found a rhythm that eluded him for years. His performance in the NFC Championship was a revelation. Darnold threw three touchdowns against pressure, showcasing a poise that statistics back up. He posted a 108.6 passer rating in the playoffs and improved his EPA per dropback significantly compared to the regular season. He is playing “in rhythm,” delivering the ball between 2.5 and 4.0 seconds with surgical precision.
On the opposing sideline stands Drake Maye, a second-year MVP candidate who brings a different dimension to the Patriots offense. While his passing numbers have dipped slightly against elite postseason defenses, Maye has unleashed his legs as a legitimate weapon. He has scrambled for 125 yards in the playoffs, averaging nearly 14 yards per carry. Only Patrick Mahomes has scrambled for more yards in a recent postseason run. Maye faces a Seahawks defense that ranks 14th against quarterback scrambles, creating a distinct tactical opening for New England.
Wide Receiver: Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Malcolm Butler
This matchup offers a fascinating clash of styles and eras. Jaxon Smith-Njigba enters the Super Bowl as the most dangerous weapon on the field. His explosive play rate per route led all receivers this year, and he was virtually unstoppable in the NFC title game. Seattle relies on him to break open games when the trench warfare stalls.
Lined up across from him is Malcolm Butler, whose history in this specific Super Bowl matchup is etched in NFL lore. While Smith-Njigba represents the new guard of explosive route running, Butler brings veteran savvy and a history of clutch Super Bowl performance. The Seahawks must find a way to get Smith-Njigba free releases, while New England will likely rely on Butler’s physicality to disrupt the timing that Darnold has perfected.
Cornerback: The Secondary Struggle
The battle on the perimeter extends beyond a single individual matchup. The Patriots secondary has been suffocating, allowing an explosive play on just 4.8 percent of snaps in the playoffs. It is a staggering statistic that forces offenses to be patient, a trait that isn’t always easy to maintain in the Super Bowl.
Seattle’s secondary is equally imposing. The Seahawks allowed the fewest yards per carry to non-running backs during the regular season, forcing teams to become one-dimensional. However, they have shown vulnerability to scrambling quarterbacks, which ties directly back into the threat posed by Maye. If the Seahawks cornerbacks can lock down the Patriots receivers long enough to force Maye to stay in the pocket, the advantage swings heavily to Seattle.
Defensive Line: The War for Explosive Plays
This game may well be decided by which defensive front cracks first. The Patriots defense has been historic in preventing big plays, but they are facing a Seahawks offense that ranks highly in deep passing efficiency.
Seattle’s defensive line faces a unique challenge against a Patriots rushing attack that is finding its footing. New England’s duo of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, combined with Maye, are the only trio in the league with exactly 19 explosive runs each. Conversely, the Seahawks defense is stout, ranking first in overall defensive rushing efficiency. The Patriots offensive line must create lanes against a Seattle front that allows very little on the ground to running backs. If Seattle’s Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II can control the interior, New England’s run game could stall.
Special Teams: The X-Factor Returners
In a game projected to be a defensive stalemate, field position will be paramount. Both teams possess game-breaking speed in the return game that could flip the field in seconds.
The Patriots feature Marcus Jones, who tallied four punt-return touchdowns this season. He is a threat to score every time he touches the ball, having clocked speeds over 20 miles per hour twice on scoring plays. Seattle counters with Rashid Shaheed, an in-season trade acquisition who has been electric. Shaheed scored three kick-return touchdowns this year, including a 95-yarder to open the Divisional Round.
With two defenses this dominant, it wouldn’t be surprising if the only touchdowns scored come from these special teams units. The team that maintains discipline in their coverage lanes and kicks away from these dangerous returners will likely have the upper hand.
