Super Bowl LX Sportz Nation's Picks and Predictions

Sportz Nation Staff
9 hours ago
2 min read

by Zak Drapeau, Matt Hylen,

Joseph McLaughlin, Joel Piton

and Elias Meredith

Sportz Nation - 2/7/2026

Zak Drapeau

Winner: Seahawks

Score: 21-17

This game is going to come down to turnovers and 4th down conversions. Whichever team can hold on to the ball and keep drives alive is going to win. The growing trend of going for it on 4th downs could be crucial because in a defensive game like this, not taking field goals could be the difference when it comes down to the wire.

Matt Hylen

Winner: Patriots

Score: 24-16

People are writing off the Patriots far too much in this game. I write more about this in my Super Bowl preview (go check it out!), but New England is due for a big offensive performance in my mind. Sam Darnold has always had a tough time when playing the Patriots, which I think plays into effect on Sunday. Yes, Darnold looked fantastic in the NFC Championship game, but there were multiple instances this year against good defenses where he lost his team the game by turning the ball over. I think we see a version of Darnold that struggles, while Drake Maye does what he needs to do to get his first Super Bowl ring.

Joseph McLaughlin

Winner: Patriots

Score: 20-17

I expect this game to be closer than most people think. By far, this is the toughest game the Patriots will play all season, going against an amazing offense playing at a high level and a highly ranked defense. However, many are still sleeping on the Pats' defense. I expect New England's secondary and front seven to give Sam Darnold a run for his money. Drake Maye won't have an easy time either with the Seahawks' pass rush. He will need to play his best to have a chance, and I expect his best playoff performance in nicer California weather. That said, I believe this will be a defensive game until the end, with the game being decided in the final two minutes. To me, the lead-up to this Super Bowl has been eerily similar to Super Bowl XXXVI, with the Patriots bringing in a second-year quarterback as heavy underdogs against a tough NFC West team. So, why not have this game end the same way that one did? I think it will be a 48-yard game-winning field goal by Andy Borregales after a game-winning drive orchestrated by Maye that decides it.

Joel Piton

Winner: Seahawks

Score: 24-20

As much as I'd like to see the underdog Pats take over, it's going to be an uphill battle for sure, and the Seahawks simply have the bigger advantage. The Seahawks are battle-tested, and their defensive rating was the best in the league this season. Drake Maye's been a stud this season and one of my favorite QBs to watch, but Seattle's going to harass the living hell out of him. I'd love to be proven wrong here, though.