NFL Super Bowl 2026: Score predictions, key players, who is winning, and more

The Super Bowl is already the biggest night on the NFL calendar. For many fans, though, it becomes even more exciting once betting enters the picture. Even if one’s team is not playing, the game nonetheless feels exciting, and predictions start to trickle down. Super Bowl LX, featuring the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium, offers a massive menu of options for who will come out on top and which players are going to be key for each team.Many have already brainstormed about how the game will turn out. The game is indeed going to be spectacular, and key players are set to be crucial in making sure that their respective team has the edge over the other. There will also certainly be moments and surprises that will occur that no one expected. Below are some potential events, key players, and the ultimate score that will determine the winner of Super Bowl LX.If one is looking at New England, the biggest question is whether Drake Maye can rise to the occasion. Up front, the Patriots may lean on Milton Williams to create chaos. The defensive lineman has been a one-on-one problem all year and could be especially dangerous against Seattle’s interior line.On offense, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has quietly turned into a serious downfield weapon. If Maye hits a couple of early deep shots, New England’s confidence could spike fast. Defensively, Christian Gonzalez has played like a future star, and his ability to limit Seattle’s top receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, could decide the entire flow of the game.For Seattle, the path to winning starts with RB Kenneth Walker. The Seahawks' run game improved late in the season, and Walker is the type of back who can turn a small crease into a 40-yard gain. Even if the Patriots hold strong early, Walker only needs one clean lane to flip the scoreboard. Seattle’s defense also has a wrecking ball in the form of Byron Murphy II. The second-year tackle has been disruptive all season and has anchored a run defense that has not allowed an opposing back to top 55 rushing yards in Seattle’s two playoff games. Then there is Rashid Shaheed, who adds a dangerous layer as both a receiver and return specialist. In a tight Super Bowl, one explosive return can change everything.A bold prediction for the final score is that the Seahawks win, 27-17. The reasoning is that Seattle’s defense has been the best unit on the field, and that edge matters most in a Super Bowl. Their pass rush is relentless and loaded with depth. Six different Seahawks recorded at least 35 pressures this season, while no other team had more than four. New England’s offensive line is vulnerable, and pressure usually decides championship games.