The Seattle Seahawks have shown remarkable resilience in staying competitive despite considerable changes within the organization. Over the last five years, the team let go of Russell Wilson, took a chance on Geno Smith, parted ways with Pete Carroll, traded Smith for DK Metcalf, and brought in Sam Darnold, who many considered a short-lived phenomenon. Yet, they maintained a record just above .500, with a 7-10 season that never saw them truly bottom out.
Essentially, the Seahawks’ strategic decisions have largely paid off. Surprisingly, many general managers in the league don’t excel in their roles, which is quite surprising considering the rapid turnover in coaching staff. Now, with the Super Bowl looming, the Seahawks have emerged as serious contenders and are widely regarded as the best team in the NFL. There are three key reasons they ought to lift the Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara.
Part 1: Nearly flawless defense
It’s common for teams with strong defenses to make it to the Super Bowl; historically, they have been pivotal in many championship runs. The Seahawks’ previous Super Bowl win was largely credited to the Legion of Boom. Teams like Eli Manning’s Giants and the 2015 Broncos had powerful defensive lineups that wreaked havoc on opponents.
If we examine the 2025 Seahawks, their defense, while effective, doesn’t seem especially unique at first glance. The scheme itself is what sets them apart. Mike McDonald’s 3-4 hybrid system has posed challenges for even the most formidable offenses, cleverly disguising pressure and coverage simultaneously. This tactical shift transformed an already strong roster into a dynamic powerhouse.
This season, Seattle ranked 10th in passing yards allowed, 3rd in rushing yards allowed, 1st in points allowed, and 6th in turnovers allowed. They excel in nearly every defensive category, which will likely overwhelm the less experienced Patriots.
No receiver outperformed Jackson Smith-Njigba in 2025. There was ongoing discussion about whether he or Puka Nacua had the edge, yet Nacua benefited from playing alongside quarterback Matthew Stafford and having Davante Adams on his team.
Smith-Njigba didn’t have that luxury. He’s a skilled receiver who can take control of games by himself. His soft hands and impressive body control have drawn comparisons to Jerry Rice, which might be a bit much, but his potential is certainly noteworthy.
The Patriots do have a decent secondary, but Christian Gonzalez isn’t quite the lockdown corner when up against Smith-Njigba this season. Even if the man coverage holds up, the Seahawks can effectively use routes that create mismatches, which is why he has accumulated over 1,700 receiving yards this year.
But here’s the crux: the important thing is translating opportunities into points. The Seahawks tend to capitalize on drives better than the Patriots do on defense.
3rd point: Drake May isn’t ready yet
I’m all in on Drake May. I suspect it won’t be long before he’s considered a top-three quarterback in the NFL. His potential is certainly high, but what we’ve observed during these playoffs suggests the pressure may have been a bit intense for him.
This postseason realization is somewhat reminiscent of Joe Burrow’s early playoff experience in 2021, where he led the Bengals to the Super Bowl. He performed adequately but not exceptionally. Burrow faced strong sack pressure against the Rams, and it’s fair to believe that a similar situation could unfold for May.
It’s perhaps too soon for Drake May and the Patriots, which gives the Seahawks a significant edge.
