Chris Berman, ESPN’s veteran sportscaster, has selected the Seattle Seahawks as his pick to win Super Bowl LX, projecting a 26-17 victory over the New England Patriots. This prediction aligns with a widespread analyst consensus that favors Seattle in the upcoming championship game.
In his latest “Swami Sez” column, Berman draws on decades of experience to break down the matchup, noting the Seahawks’ defensive prowess and late-season momentum. He highlights Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense, which allowed the fewest points in the NFL, and their clean playoff performances against tough opponents like the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams. Berman also points to the connection between quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a key offensive advantage.
The 2025 NFL season was marked by unpredictability, with only one division having a repeat winner and traditional powerhouses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens struggling. Both the Seahawks and Patriots defied expectations, missing the playoffs last year but now meeting in the Super Bowl. New England, under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, transformed from a four-win team to AFC champions, while Seattle secured the NFC’s top seed with a seven-game winning streak to end the regular season.
Seattle’s path to the Super Bowl has been bolstered by a defense built from the front line, with players like Leonard Williams and DeMarcus Lawrence creating constant pressure. Under coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks have developed a unit that excels at closing gaps and forcing mistakes, holding opponents to single digits in several recent games. Offensively, Sam Darnold has shown playoff poise, efficiently leveraging his chemistry with Smith-Njigba, who led the league in receiving yards.
On the other side, the Patriots have relied on the efficient play of quarterback Drake Maye, who led the NFL in completion percentage and yards per attempt. Maye’s ability to connect with targets like Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry has made him an MVP contender, while the running game and defense have improved throughout the season. New England’s defense, familiar with postseason intensity under Vrabel, has stifled elite AFC offenses in the playoffs.
Historically, this matchup recalls Super Bowl XLIX from 11 years ago, where the Patriots narrowly defeated the Seahawks in a classic game. Berman notes that a Seahawks win this time would set a record for assistant coach Leslie Frazier, who would have the longest gap between Super Bowl rings at 40 years. The broader ESPN expert panel overwhelmingly supports Seattle, with more than 80% of voters picking the Seahawks, reflecting confidence in their balanced approach.
As Super Bowl LX approaches, the focus will be on whether Seattle’s defense can contain Maye and if New England can disrupt the consensus. With both teams entering as preseason long shots—New England at 75-1 and Seattle at 60-1—this game promises a fresh and competitive showdown. Fans and bettors alike will watch to see if Berman’s “Swami” intuition proves accurate once again.
