Super Bowl Sunday has arrived, and if this year’s showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots is even half as thrilling as the last time these franchises met on this stage, fans are in for a wild ride. Eleven years after their Super Bowl XLIX classic, the teams meet again tonight with the Lombardi Trophy on the line.
The Seahawks, much like their previous Super Bowl runs, have been powered by one of the NFL’s best defenses. Seattle allowed the fewest points in the league this season and finished first in both yards per pass attempt allowed and yards per rush attempt allowed. The unit flexed its muscle in a 41-6 divisional-round win over the San Francisco 49ers, surrendering just 3.9 yards per play – San Francisco’s worst mark all season.
Seattle’s offense delivered its biggest statement in the NFC Championship Game. Sam Darnold threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams, with 153 yards and a score going to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Kenneth Walker III added 111 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown, while Cooper Kupp and Jake Bobo also reached the end zone.
Turnovers have also defined New England’s playoff run – but on the other side of the ball. No defense has forced more this postseason than the Patriots, who have wreaked havoc against the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos. New England is allowing just 8.7 points per game in the playoffs, the fewest by any team through three games since the 2000 Baltimore Ravens historic defense.
Here’s how to watch tonight’s game:
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 8
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
- Halftime performer: Bad Bunny
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock
- Live updates: CBS Sports App
Betting odds: Seahawks -4.5 | O/U 45.5 (DraftKings Sportsbook)
