Super Bowl LX Preview: When, Where, & How This NFL Matchup Happened
by Tyler Doty | by Tyler Doty
The AFC champion New England Patriots meet the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. A rematch of Super Bowl XLIX, this is a clash of two teams who were rank outsiders before Week 1.
Sam Darnold, rejected by the Minnesota Vikings less than a year ago, is one of the NFL's all-time underdog stories. Neither the Seahawks nor Patriots were considered postseason teams per their preseason win totals, with both projected to hover around the .500 mark.
Mike Vrabel took a second-year quarterback in Drake Maye and made it to the Super Bowl. Mike Macdonald has broken a four-year streak of mediocrity for Seattle with elite play on both sides of the ball.
Before we look at the details, we broke Super Bowl LX down in our latest Super Bowl Talks video, check it out here:
Advantage Seattle
The Seahawks have been an elite team all season long, despite initially facing low preseason expectations. New England has played at a very high level, but there’s no ignoring a favorable schedule.
Maye hasn’t inspired confidence in these playoffs. Darnold, who came into this postseason with questions about his credentials when the lights are brightest, has thrown for almost 500 yards with no interceptions in two games.
While Maye had the far superior regular season, Darnold has been playing at a higher level in recent weeks in the NFL.
Seattle has better offensive weapons, even with Zach Charbonnet ruled out for the rest of the season. New England has a less dangerous receiving corps, and Seattle’s running game has been more consistent throughout the year.
Both teams are great defenses. Seattle just about has the edge statistically.
Maye needs to play at his very best for the Patriots to win this game. It’s not a foregone conclusion, but it’s clear the Seahawks are deserving favorites.
How the Seahawks Reached the Super Bowl
Seattle was dominant in the regular season, going 14-3 and earning a first-round bye in the NFC. An elite defense ranked among the league leaders in EPA conceded and topped the NFL in opponent points per game.
Starting off with a kickoff return touchdown from Rashid Shaheed, the Seahawks blew out the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round. A 41-6 win ensured a place in the NFC Championship Game and meant Darnold wasn’t challenged too much as he tried to get over an oblique injury.
The Los Angeles Rams met the Seahawks in the Championship Game. Seattle was a narrow favorite, largely due to home advantage, and ran out 31-27 victors in an instant classic. Darnold was near perfect, Jaxon Smith-Njigba was spectacular, and Seattle’s defense lived up to the standards it set throughout the regular season.
How the Patriots Reached the Super Bowl
Like Seattle, New England won their division with a 14-3 record. The Patriots didn’t have the luxury of a first-round bye, so had to overcome the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round.
It wasn’t a vintage offensive performance by any stretch, with Maye far from his best. The Pats were 16-3 victors over a depleted Chargers team, taking them into a Divisional Round contest with the Houston Texans.
Great defense – and some woeful play from C.J. Stroud – saw the Patriots build an early lead. New England ultimately won by 12 points, but it wasn’t the most assured performance.
The AFC Championship Game took the Patriots to Denver. The Broncos were without starting quarterback Bo Nix after he suffered a broken ankle in the previous round. New England fell behind early on, but the defense again delivered in a big way to nullify Jarrett Stidham. Vrabel’s shrewd playcalling ensured the Patriots clung on to a 10-7 win in a Coloradoan blizzard.
Where is Super Bowl LX?
Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, is the venue for Super Bowl LX. The Seahawks are familiar with the stadium due to playing in the same division as the San Francisco 49ers.
This marks the third time the San Francisco Bay Area has hosted a Super Bowl and the first time since 2016. It is only the second time the Big Game has been played at Levi’s Stadium.
When is Super Bowl LX?
Super Bowl LX will take place on Feb. 8. The game is scheduled to kick off at 6:40 p.m. ET.
The halftime show will likely take place between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. There is no exact time for Bad Bunny’s performance, however, as it depends on how the game progresses.
Who is the Favorite for Super Bowl MVP?
Per FanDuel, Darnold is the favorite for Super Bowl MVP at +125. Maye trails Darnold at +230.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Kenneth Walker III are the only other players shorter than +3000 at +500 and +700, respectively.
Last 10 Super Bowl Winners
- LIX – Philadelphia Eagles
- LVIII – Kansas City Chiefs
- LVII – Kansas City Chiefs
- LVI – Los Angeles Rams
- LV – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- LIV – Kansas City Chiefs
- LIII – New England Patriots
- LII – Philadelphia Eagles
- LI – New England Patriots
- 50 – Denver Broncos
Last 10 Super Bowl MVPs
- LIX – Jalen Hurts
- LVIII – Patrick Mahomes
- LVII – Patrick Mahomes
- LVI – Cooper Kupp
- LV – Tom Brady
- LIV – Patrick Mahomes
- LIII – Julian Edelman
- LII – Nick Foles
- LI – Tom Brady
- 50 – Von Miller
