Seahawks vs. Patriots: NFL Super Bowl 2026 picks, odds

Post sports gambling editor/producer and digital sports editor Matt Ehalt is back for his second season in the NFL Bettor’s Guide. It seems there are very few people who believe the Patriots can actually win this game outside of those in New England.The Seahawks have the better roster, downed tougher foes on their way to Super Bowl 2026, and have the ingredients to slow down Drake Maye.We agree that the Seahawks are the superior team, but there’s just something about this Patriots team that leads us to believe this game will be close.Let’s start with all the doubt that has been thrown their way.Yes, they have enjoyed a ridiculously easy path to this point.They played a cupcake schedule filled with pushovers, landing Justin “Is he now a playoff choker?” Herbert, without his offensive tackles in the first round, faced CJ “Hey Sam, how do I stop seeing ghosts” Stroud in the second round and then battled uninspiring backup Jarrett Stidham in snowy conditions in the AFC Championship game.There are also questions about Drake Maye’s health after landing hard on his shoulder in the 10-7 win over the Broncos, plus his skittish play this postseason.Add in that Seattle’s offense and defense have been humming in the playoffs, and it’s easy to see why everyone and their mother is backing the Seahawks.While those factors may make it easy to fade the Patriots, we’re gonna zag here.Sure, the easy schedule thing may expose the Patriots on Sunday, or it may just be that New England was a really good team this year, regardless of the schedule.Winning games in the NFL is hard, no matter the opponent.

The Patriots have the 2025 MVP runner up in quarterback Maye, a stout rushing attack with Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, plus capable weapons in the passing game.The defense has put on a clinic this postseason, holding the Chargers, Texans, and Broncos to 26 combined points (9.7 points per game).Again, we’re not gonna pretend that the Herbert-Stroud...