SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The ghosts of Super Bowl XLIX have officially been summoned. Eleven years after Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception shattered Seattle’s dynasty dreams, the Seahawks and New England Patriots collide again—this time at Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl LX. But the narrative in 2026 isn’t about the past; it’s about a lopsided expectation for the future.
The betting lines are tight, but the expert consensus is overwhelming: Seattle is the clear favorite to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Mike Macdonald’s terrifying “Dark Side” defense has strangled opponents all postseason, and analysts expect them to do the same to New England’s young core. We aggregated picks from CBS, NFL.com, and FOX Sports to find the signal in the noise. Here is how the pros see Super Bowl 60 playing out.
If you like shootouts, look away. The majority of experts project a gritty, defensive battle, with nearly every score prediction hovering in the low 20s. The Patriots, led by their defensive-minded head coach Jerod Mayo, have dragged teams into the mud all year, but analysts believe Seattle has the firepower to escape with a win.
The Defining Stat: Of the 16 experts surveyed below, 14 picked the Seahawks to win. Only two brave souls are backing New England to pull off the upset.
The crew at FOX Sports is nearly unanimous. The most common predicted margin of victory is exactly 4 to 7 points, suggesting a game that comes down to the final possession—but one where Seattle makes the crucial stop.
“We know what happened in 2015. We hear about it every day. But that was a different team, a different era. We aren’t playing against ghosts; we’re playing against the 2026 Patriots. And we plan to hit them in the mouth.” — D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks Wide Receiver
The Quarterback vs. The System: New England’s Drake Maye faces the toughest test of his young career. Seattle’s secondary has allowed the fewest passing yards in the league this season. If Maye can’t find a rhythm early, this game could get ugly fast, as predicted by Geoff Schwartz (24-13) and Patrick Everson (31-17).
The X-Factor: Keep an eye on the ground game. With both secondaries playing at an elite level, the team that establishes the run—likely leaning on Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III—will control the clock and the trophy presentation.
How to Watch:
Date: Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Stream: Peacock, NFL+
