The date every sports fan has had circled on their calendar for several months is almost here: Super Bowl Sunday. The NFL playoffs have been in full swing since Jan. 10, but now only two teams remain — the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. In a battle between two of the best teams in the league this year, there is sure to be plenty of drama in this heavily anticipated matchup. 

Here are some thoughts and predictions from Hustler staff members ahead of Super Bowl LX on Sunday.  

Henry Oelhafen, Sports Editor 

Prediction: Patriots 31, Seahawks 27

Given that my Carolina Panthers were knocked out of the playoffs in the Wild Card round a few weeks ago, I’m not super partial to either team in this year’s Super Bowl. That said, I’ll stick with my North Carolina roots and go with the Patriots, who are led by North Carolinian Drake Maye. I remember when Maye was just a teenager at Myers Park High School in Charlotte a few years ago, and the hype around him then in local circles was very real. Now, as an MVP candidate, I’m not going to lose faith in him. Seattle has one of the best defenses in the league, and offensive superstar Jaxon Smith-Njigba will surely give Mike Vrabel’s squad some trouble, but I’m rolling with the Pats in this one. 

Tristan Rutman, Sports Podcast Producer 

Prediction: Seahawks 28, Patriots 20

Shoutout to the Patriots for waltzing their way through one of the easiest paths to the Super Bowl ever! Unfortunately for Vrabel and his squad, they are taking on the juggernaut Seahawks, who have arguably the best defense in the NFL and the overwhelming favorite to win Offensive Player of the Year in Smith-Njigba. Seattle should have a relatively comfortable win in this one to avenge their loss in Super Bowl XLIX. 

Grace Hall, Deputy Sports Editor 

Prediction: Patriots 31, Seahawks 28

If you’ll notice, everyone who chose the Seahawks has one of two things in common: they are New York or Philadelphia fans (yikes), or they are Seahawks fans. I’ll say this: as a resident of New England, I grew up seeing the Patriots be the standard for excellence. This organization lost that after Brady left, but under Vrabel and Maye, they earned it back. They also have that New England grit that brought the city six Super Bowls in the Brady-Belichick era. Finally, it is about time Boston has another championship come to town — we haven’t had one in two whole years. 

Jack Frutkin, Deputy Sports Editor 

Prediction: Seahawks 30, Patriots 24

As a diehard Eagles fan, I’m trying to buy time until the Super Bowl, so I don’t have to give up the “reigning champs” title. That said, I love this Super Bowl LX matchup. Seeing Vrabel and Maye thrive in their first season together has been remarkable, while Sam Darnold has silenced his critics once and for all by propelling his team to the big game before any other quarterback in his draft class — including Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield. The Seahawks’ point differential is No. 1 in the NFL (191) — a reflection of their dominance on both sides of the ball. Seattle is the more complete team and has more bona fide playmakers across the roster, so I expect Mike MacDonald and company to prevail in a close one. 

Legacy Henry, Non-Revenue Sports Specialist 

Prediction: Seahawks 27, Patriots 13

The only “ghosts” Darnold will be seeing on Sunday are those of New England’s defensive backs as he obliterates them for 300 yards and three touchdowns. The Patriots might be the most fraudulent AFC Champion in recent memory. I hope Maye will prove me wrong, but it’s hard to envision a world in which the Seahawks don’t hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Give me Seattle by two scores. 

Eli Landers, Deputy Sports Editor 

Prediction: Patriots 28, Seahawks 27

As has been the story in the NFL this century, the Patriots find ways to win championships. History repeats itself, and just as Tom Brady won his first ring in year No. 2, so will Maye, in an all-time classic Super Bowl. I feel that Darnold’s past will finally catch up to him, and he will throw multiple picks in the heat of the moment. Ultimately, the better-coached team will find a way to get it done, and in a few days, the duck boats will be back out in Title Town. 

David Hernandez, Senior Sports Analyst 

Prediction: Seahawks 28, Patriots 27

As a fan of the New York Jets, watching the Patriots play in another Super Bowl against the quarterback the Jets let down is a nightmare in all regards. I feel that the Seahawks defensive line will make Maye uncomfortable early on, and as solid as Christian Gonzalez is defensively, I’m unsure if he’ll ever properly be able to shadow the future Offensive Player of the Year, Smith-Njigba. It’ll be a close one, but I believe Seattle will be a city of champions once again.  

Claire Kelly, Staff Writer 

Prediction: Seahawks 34, Patriots 17

It’s very easy to buy into the Patriots this year (which, honestly, is a sentence I never thought I’d say). Between Ann Michael Maye’s legendary Bakemas and all the amazing content from @drakemayelover, the Patriots seem to have everything going for them.  Even with Drake Maye single-handedly carrying me to a Fantasy Football Championship this year, I’m going with the Seahawks. Seattle is due for revenge after falling just short in 2015, and I’m a sucker for a good Sam Darnold comeback story. 

Kathleen Olsen, Staff Writer

Prediction: Seahawks 31, Patriots 10

Simply put, Darnold and the Seahawks have more to lose than Maye and the Pats. Seattle looks to validate this current version of themselves, while New England can afford to let Maye grow into the future without the pressure of needing it all at once. I just don’t see the Patriots executing to the level of the explosive Seattle offense. But for old time’s sake, I hope former Eagle and Super Bowl LIX Champion Milton Williams has a career game, too.  

Alexander Cheng, Data Editor 

Prediction: Seahawks 42, Patriots 13

There is no denying that the Patriots have a hopeful future behind Maye. The only problem is that New England is facing the team of destiny in the 2025-26 Seahawks. Prepare to find the Hawks dominate in all three phases of the game. Rasheed Shaheed will flip the field, JSN will devastate through the air and the Seattle defense will smother the Patriots. For fans, this is a revenge game for the dynasty that almost was. Seattle just hopes that Macdonald will trust Kenneth Walker with the ball at the one-yard line.