SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The script writers couldn’t have penned a more chaotic redemption arc. Two years ago, the New England Patriots were drowning in the AFC East cellar with back-to-back 4-13 finishes. The Seattle Seahawks were stuck in NFC purgatory, watching the postseason from the couch since 2022. Now, all eyes turn to Levi’s Stadium this Sunday for Super Bowl LX, a clash that defies every preseason algorithm.
Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 8. The oddsmakers at DraftKings Sportsbook have installed Seattle as the 4.5-point favorite, setting the over/under at a tight 45.5 points. It’s a battle of defensive masterminds: Seattle’s Mike Macdonald, who has turned the Seahawks into a brick wall since Week 12, versus a Patriots unit revitalized by playcaller Zak Kuhr.
The Redemption Bowl: How We Got Here
For Seattle, the story begins and ends with Sam Darnold. The free-agent acquisition has silenced critics, orchestrating an offense loaded with weapons like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and veteran Cooper Kupp. They face a New England squad led by sophomore quarterback Drake Maye, who has shown flashes of brilliance but faces his toughest test yet against a Seattle secondary that eats inexperienced passers for lunch.
The money line screams confidence in the NFC champs: Seahawks -230 (risk $230 to win $100), with the Patriots sitting as +190 underdogs. But in a game defined by elite defenses, the sharp money might be looking elsewhere.
“It’s been four months since a team not named the Rams excelled offensively versus Seattle’s No. 1 defense. Unless Drake Maye runs wild, I have a hard time seeing the Patriots getting to 20 points.” — Larry Hartstein, SportsLine NFL Expert
Expert Score Predictions
We’ve compiled the final calls from SportsLine’s top NFL betting experts. The consensus? Seattle raises the Lombardi Trophy. The debate? Whether they cover that 4.5-point spread.
R.J. White: The Defensive Grind
Prediction: Seahawks 19, Patriots 16
White, SportsLine’s all-time No. 1 spread expert, sees a gritty, old-school slugfest. He points to a Seahawks defense that has allowed just two touchdowns in their last six non-Rams games. “There’s no denying the talent on these offenses, but I see two defensive units that will be tough to crack in the red zone and a lot of kicking points in this game,” White notes. His pick leans on the Patriots covering the +4.5 as underdogs in a tight contest.
Larry Hartstein: The Darnold Redemption
Prediction: Seahawks 23, Patriots 16
Hartstein is riding a hot 43-33 run and doesn’t see New England keeping pace. He specifically highlights Seattle’s weaponry: “Seattle has better weapons, led by the unstoppable Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp will make enough plays to complete the Sam Darnold redemption story.”
Jeff Hochman: The Sack Differential Edge
Prediction: Seahawks 27, Patriots 20
Hochman digs into the trenches with a jarring stat: “The Patriots’ sack differential of -13 is the lowest ever for a championship team in this span.” Comparing that to Seattle’s +20 differential, he sees the Seahawks dominating the line of scrimmage. He’s the lone voice calling for the Over (45.5), predicting a 27-20 finish.
Alex ‘PropStarz’ Selesnick: The Turnover Regression
Prediction: Seahawks 23, Patriots 19
Selesnick expects Mike Macdonald’s scheme to confuse Drake Maye, noting the young QB “has not been the same player that was a bonafide MVP candidate through the entirety of the regular season.” He predicts a low-scoring affair decided by less than 4 points, backing the Under (45.5).
What This Means for Bettors
The experts are unanimous on the winner but split on the flow of the game. If you trust the defensive metrics, the Under 45.5 looks appealing. If you believe in the “Team of Destiny” narrative surrounding Darnold and Seattle’s explosive wideouts, the Seahawks -4.5 might be the play.