Super Bowl 60 between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks is almost here, and the debate over who will come out on top is already heating up. Whenever that question comes up, one name naturally enters the conversation: seven-time Super Bowl champion and former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
NFL Legend Tom Brady Points to One Factor That Could Decide Seahawks vs Patriots Showdown
The topic even surfaced in a surprising setting. During an appearance on “The Tonight Show,” starring Jimmy Fallon, Brady’s friend, model Kendall Jenner, FaceTimed him and put him on the spot about the Feb. 8 matchup between the Patriots and the Seahawks. The five-time Super Bowl MVP did not hesitate to share his thoughts.
When Jenner asked him during FaceTime who he thinks is going to win this year’s Super Bowl, Brady said, “I don’t know. Look, I think this Seattle defense, they’re, like, all-time.” He added, “They can get pressure with four. It lets them drop seven guys into coverage. They can cover all day, long six different guys, at over 20 miles per hour at some point during the year.”
Brady then named one defensive player who will be the most challenging. “And you guys know, Nick Emmanwori. Right, Kendall? He played a huge part in the Seahawks ending up as the number one overall defensive DVOA,” Brady said.
.@KendallJenner FaceTimes @TomBrady mid-interview to ask him who he thinks will win the @SuperBowl this year! #FallonTonight #SBLX pic.twitter.com/vzEcjDumFI
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) January 29, 2026
In the 2025 season, 21-year-old safety Emmanwori played 14 games for the Seahawks and recorded 81 total tackles with 56 solo and 25 assisted stops. He finished with 2.5 sacks, 11 passes defensed, and 1 interception while not forcing or recovering any fumbles and scoring no defensive touchdowns.
But apart from this, the Seahawks’ defense has outperformed everyone in 2025. They finished the regular season with a 14-3 record and allowed only 292 total points, averaging 17.2 per game. That was the best mark in the entire NFL compared to the other 31 teams. They were just as strong in limiting yards, allowing only 267.0 yards per game, which also ranked first in the league.
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Over the full season, the Seahawks’ defense allowed 4,860 total yards and consistently made big plays. They piled up 47 sacks, picked off 15 passes, and forced 12 fumbles. When you compare them to other top defenses like the Texans and Broncos, the Seahawks still came out ahead in points allowed, which is the stat that matters most.
Advanced numbers backed this up, too, with their defense ranking 12th best in DVOA history since 1978, showing how efficient they were compared to teams from many different seasons.
The Seahawks were not just good. They were the league’s top-scoring defense and one of the most effective units, as measured by both traditional stats and deeper analytics. That is why the Super Bowl champion thinks that the Seahawks have an upper hand in the matchup.
Meanwhile, a major injury news report about the Patriots’ star QB Drake Maye popped up on Thursday, with only 10 to 11 days left for the Santa Clara matchup.
Major Injury Update About the Patriots’ Drake Maye Ahead of Seahawks Game
The Patriots quarterback, Drake Maye, is dealing with a right shoulder injury. Maye hurt his right shoulder when he was brought down at the end of a 13-yard run in the third quarter of the AFC Championship Game against the Broncos, landing hard in an awkward position. Even so, he stayed in the game and did not look rattled, throwing a 30-yard flea-flicker pass to Hollins just two plays later.
Meanwhile, the Patriots did not hold a practice on Wednesday, but the team was still required to submit an official practice participation and injury report ahead of Super Bowl LX. In that report, Maye was listed as a limited participant due to the shoulder issue, reflecting his status if the team had practiced.
“I’m feeling good. I got some extra rest,” Maye said when talking about the shoulder injury. “I don’t think it’s from the game. I think it’s just the buildup of throwing, including training camp, 30 weeks straight of throwing and four days a week. It can add up. But I got some extra rest and I’m feeling good and ready to go for the Super Bowl.” So, basically, there is no doubt that it is not playing at Levi’s Stadium.
Though Super Bowl 60 feels like it tilts toward the Seahawks, with their defense giving them the edge, the Patriots still have a shot if their offense delivers and Maye holds up. Let’s see what happens on Feb. 8, 2026.
