The wait for Super Bowl LX is finally over. The Patriots and Seahawks will take the field at Levi’s Stadium with the Lombardi Trophy on the line.
The Seahawks enter as 4.5-point favorites, but as Patriots fans know, anything can happen in a Super Bowl.
The Herald sports staff did their best to predict what will happen in the big game, from picking an X-factor to MVP and the final score. Here’s what we think could happen:
Andrew Callahan
X-Factor: Pressure
Drake Maye has been a completely different quarterback under pressure in the playoffs compared to the regular season, when he would calmly escape, scramble or extend plays. If he can return to his regular-season form, while the Patriots make Sam Darnold melt into a puddle of pressure, this is the Patriots’ game to win.
Bold Prediction: Maye throws to an O-lineman
Over the last two months, the Patriots have used a sixth offensive lineman more than any team in the NFL. But Josh McDaniels has yet to call a play-action pass for one of his jumbo blockers, like backup offensive tackle Thayer Munford or defensive tackle-turned-fullback Khyiris Tonga. That ends tonight.
MVP: Drake Maye
If the Patriots win, Maye has to be the pick. He throws a couple touchdown passes, including one in the fourth quarter, to seal a squeaker for the Pats.
Final score: Patriots 23-20
Mac Cerullo
X-Factor: Christian Gonzalez
Can the star cornerback shut down Jaxon Smith-Njigba? He’ll have a tall task keeping the high-powered Seahawks passing offense in check.
Bold Prediction: Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers
The Patriots defense will come up big again, forcing at least three Seattle turnovers.
MVP: Drake Maye
If the game is close and the Patriots have the ball late, expect Maye to make a big play to seal the deal.
Final score: Patriots 24, Seahawks 21
Steve Conroy
X-Factor: Drake Maye
The age of the anti-hero is finally over. First Fernando Mendoza, now Drake Maye. Squares rule!
Bold Prediction: Defensive struggle
While the Patriots offense has been opportunistic in the playoffs, the defense has been dominant.
MVP: Milton Williams
Williams has been the heart of the Patriots defense and will lead the way in Super Bowl LX.
Final score: Patriots 21, Seahawks 17
Zack Cox
X-Factor: Robert Spillane’s health
The Patriots middle linebacker and leading tackler said there’s no way he’s missing his first Super Bowl. But will he be full-go after sitting out multiple practices with the ankle injury he suffered in the AFC title game? If not, that’s a major blow to the Pats’ defense.
Bold Prediction: Sam Darnold’s regular-season turnover issues resurface
Amid heavy pressure from Milton Williams, Christian Barmore and the rest of New England’s pass rush, Darnold will revert to his turnover ways. Not quite to “seeing ghosts” levels, but enough to limit a Seattle offense that’s scored 72 points through two playoff games.
MVP: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
As talented as Christian Gonzalez is, there’s no tougher cover in the NFL than Smith-Njigba. The Patriots will make containing Seattle’s superstar wideout a priority, but he makes enough plays to lead the Seahawks to a narrow win.
Final score: Seahawks 23, Patriots 20
Greg Dudek
X-Factor: Mack Hollins
Hollins, who caught 46 passes for 550 yards with two touchdowns in the regular season, is a trusted target for Maye and should be as healthy as he’s been in a while after missing the start of the postseason due to an abdomen injury.
Bold Prediction: TreVeyon Henderson breaks big run
The rookie played just four snaps in the AFC title game, but has the potential to burst through a hole at any moment. He has four 50-plus-yard runs on the season and will make it five Sunday.
MVP: Drake Maye
While I expect a lower-scoring game, the MVP goes to the quarterback a majority of time. So, here you go Drake Maye. He might have a couple mistakes, but will make one or two signature plays to take home the hardware.
Final Score: Patriots 20, Seahawks 17
Doug Kyed
X-Factor: Christian Gonzalez
I don’t think Gonzalez shadows wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, because the Seahawks move him around the formation too much. But Gonzalez does need to lock his side of the field down and prevent Seahawks QB Sam Darnold from finding anyone else in the offense.
Bold Prediction: The Patriots pull out a trick play early in the game
Josh McDaniels loves getting in his bag early. Expect the Patriots to come out with something you haven’t seen this season.
MVP: Drake Maye
Maye has to play better than he’s performed this postseason run. Maye was an MVP candidate for a reason, and if he can be as efficient and explosive as he was during the regular season, then the Patriots can win this game.
Final score: Patriots 24, Seahawks 23
Jack Murray
X-Factor: Milton Williams
The free agent signing has been a huge factor in the trenches and commands a lot of attention from opposing offensive lines. His presence allows other players from the defense to get opportunities, and his experience on this stage last year should help him.
Bold Prediction: Offensive line benefits from rest
The offensive line, while overall improved this year, has had its struggles in the postseason. However, a bye week should have allowed some time for rest and recovery and the finality aspect of the Super Bowl should allow the unit to empty the tank and have its best game of the season.
MVP: Drake Maye
If the Patriots win, it’s unlikely that the second-year quarterback does not have his best game of the postseason. Also, the MVP has been the winning quarterback for seven of the last nine Super Bowls, so Maye and Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold should be the favorites based on history.
Final Score: Patriots 31, Seahawks 28
Barry Scanlon
X-Factor: Kenneth Walker III
With Milton Williams back healthy and Christian Barmore playing at a high level, the Patriots have been difficult to run on. But look for Seattle to pound the ball with Walker, who runs haaaard.
Bold Prediction: Safety dance
With two defenses playing at a high level, look for one of them to record a safety.
MVP: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
It doesn’t matter whether it’s Sam Darnold or Sam Malone from “Cheers” throwing the ball for Seattle. This guy catches everything. Smith-Njigba will catch at least one TD pass and go well over the 100-yard mark.
Final score: Seahawks 26, Patriots 19
Gabrielle Starr
X-Factor: K’Lavon Chaisson
The Patriots defense has been criminally underrated all season and Chaisson has been very effective in his role, but isn’t getting talked about enough.
Bold Prediction: Drake Maye is the Patriots’ leading rusher
The Seahawks may have a great run defense, which will hold up TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson, but so far no team has shown they can stop Maye from changing the game with his legs.
MVP: Christian Gonzalez
Gonzalez is a difference-maker and I’m not totally sold on Sam Darnold in this spot, which could lead to interceptions.
