Statistics against common opponents show an edge for the Seahawks ahead of the decisive rematch of the 2015 final. Seattle fans are actively preparing for the game, organizing watch parties and traveling to San Francisco.
Strength of schedule: how common opponents reveal Seattle's advantage over New England in the Super Bowl
Ahead of the Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, fans are debating which team faced a tougher road to the final. An analysis of performance against common opponents gives a clear answer, showing a distinct edge for the Seahawks in key aspects of the game.
An article on Seattle Sports (https://sports.mynorthwest.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/super-bowl-common-opponents-seattle-seahawks-new-england-patriots/1838124) digs into the numbers, setting aside general talk about strength of schedule. The author notes that the Patriots, who finished last in their division the previous season, had the easiest schedule in the league in 2025: only three of their 17 regular-season games were against teams with winning records. Meanwhile the Seahawks went 14-3 as well but played seven teams with winning records, giving them the seventh-toughest schedule in the NFL. To get a more objective picture, it's useful to examine how both teams performed against the seven common opponents: the Houston Texans (12-5), Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7), Carolina Panthers (8-9), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9), Atlanta Falcons (8-9), New Orleans Saints (6-11) and Tennessee Titans (3-14). Both teams went 6-1 in those games, but the detailed stats reveal a substantial difference. The Seahawks averaged 33 points scored and allowed 18.6. Their passing attack averaged 7.89 yards per attempt, and their rushing averaged 4.31 yards per carry. Seattle's defense allowed 5.24 yards per pass attempt and 3.25 yards per rush. The Patriots, meanwhile, posted more modest figures: 27.4 points scored and 17.7 allowed per game, 7.25 yards per pass attempt and 3.93 yards per rush on offense, and 5.55 and 3.63 yards allowed per pass and rush, respectively, on defense. The only categories where New England has a slight edge are a marginally better scoring defense (allowing 0.9 fewer points per game on average) and a slightly better turnover differential (minus-2 versus Seattle's minus-3). However, Seattle leads across the main offensive and defensive efficiency metrics. This analysis helps explain why, despite identical overall records and the Patriots’ impressive 17-game winning streak, bookmakers and analysts favor the Seahawks for the upcoming Super Bowl. Strength of schedule, corroborated by the common-opponent stats, indicates Seattle is accustomed to tougher resistance — which could be decisive in the title game.
Super Bowl LX: Patriots vs. Seahawks — a new chapter in rematch history
In the world of American football, history is not merely repeating itself — it is pitting titans against each other again on the grandest stage. In Super Bowl LX the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will meet, teams that scripted a shared drama on this field nine years ago. This will be the tenth rematch in NFL Super Bowl history and the fourth for the Patriots, and it begins a unique run of three consecutive Super Bowls that are rematches of past clashes. A detailed overview of all historic rematches can be found in the ESPN piece (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47774892/nfl-super-bowl-all-rematches).
In 2015’s Super Bowl XLIX the Patriots prevailed 28-24 in one of the most memorable finals. The ending was truly shocking: late in the fourth quarter, on second-and-goal at New England’s one-yard line, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was intercepted by Malcolm Butler. That moment is etched into league history. Seattle did not return to the final until the current season, while the Patriots went on to win again in 2016 and 2018. Interestingly, in regular-season matchups since that fateful final, Seattle has beaten New England in all three meetings, adding intrigue to the upcoming game.
Looking at rematch history, a recent example is the Chiefs vs. Eagles rivalry. After Kansas City beat Philadelphia in Super Bowl LVII in 2023 — Patrick Mahomes delivering a game-winning field goal — the Eagles got revenge two years later, routing the Chiefs 40-22 and ending their bid for a threepeat. Another notable duel: the Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. In 2020 Kansas City came back from a 21-point deficit with a massive fourth-quarter rally, and in 2024 the title in Las Vegas required overtime, where Mahomes once again calmly led his team to victory.
Special mention goes to Patriots–Giants matchups. In 2008 the Giants ended New England’s undefeated season thanks to the famous “helmet-catch” by David Tyree and an Eli Manning touchdown. History repeated in 2012 when the Giants again beat the Patriots in a dramatic final. Another rematch pair is Patriots vs. Eagles: New England won in 2005, but Philadelphia took revenge in 2018, largely due to the outstanding play of backup quarterback Nick Foles, who both passed and ran in a touchdown on a clever trick play.
Historical parallels also appear in Patriots vs. Rams (New England’s first and, so far, most recent Super Bowl victories were 17 years apart), and in the only consecutive finals in league history between the Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys in 1993 and 1994, both won by Dallas. Legendary clashes between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cowboys in the 1970s, as well as the Cincinnati Bengals and the 49ers in the Joe Montana era, round out this rich picture.
Returning to the upcoming Super Bowl LX, one can expect a tense battle where each team will seek to prove its superiority, drawing on the lessons of past meetings. For the Seahawks, it is a chance to heal old wounds and avenge the 2015 loss; for the Patriots, with their wealth of rematch experience, it's an opportunity to reaffirm their status. This game is more than a sporting event — it continues a narrative where history, statistics and emotion intertwine to create a unique spectacle for fans worldwide.
Seahawks fans gear up for the Super Bowl: watch parties in Seattle and a pilgrimage to San Francisco
A feverish anticipation has gripped Seattle ahead of the Super Bowl, the NFL’s marquee game. While some devoted Seahawks supporters are traveling to San Francisco for the game itself, others are planning large-scale watch parties in the city’s heart near the team’s home, Lumen Field. This dual wave of enthusiasm — from personal pilgrimages to mass civic celebrations — vividly shows the deep bond between the team and its fans, known as the "12th man."
The pregame energy is everywhere. As KING5.com reports (https://www.king5.com/article/sports/nfl/seahawks/seahawks-fans-super-bowl-seattle-watch-parties/281-2343158b-4e44-4061-8b24-032631273cd9), the city’s devotion is visible in freshly painted murals honoring the team and countless No. 12 flags flying across Seattle. The number symbolizes fans, regarded as an additional, twelfth player on the field providing moral support. The area around Lumen Field hums with activity: bars and restaurants are stocking up in anticipation of a surge of visitors. One such pub, Gantry Public House, steps from the stadium, is preparing to host fans who stayed in town. “We’re getting ready, setting everything up. We’ve got big screens,” says manager Chase Kogi. “There’s a great vibe. People like to be near the stadium and cheer on the Seahawks.”
For many, the trip to the Super Bowl is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Nancy Peterson of Everett, a season-ticket holder for 30 years, is heading to the final for the first time. “I’m incredibly excited. It was on my bucket list,” she says. Nick Larson of Seattle, traveling with his wife Laura, sees the trip as “a time of redemption,” since he attended previous Seahawks Super Bowls that the team lost. “The energy is amazing, and it’s great to be among like-minded fans, especially when you’re all rooting for the same team,” Laura adds.
Expectations in the city are huge: as Chase Kogi notes, more than a decade has passed since the last Super Bowl, and everyone is hoping for a new victory and a grand championship parade. The economic impact of fan activity is already noticeable. According to the Pioneer Square district alliance, key game days last month drew more than 67,000 visitors to the historic neighborhood. This coming Sunday many venues in the area plan to host watch parties to give fans a shared viewing experience. Thus, whether fans are in the stands in California or packed into Seattle pubs, their passion and support will be an integral part of this grand sporting event.
