Greg Cote's NFL Super Bowl LX pick

Greg Cote, Miami Herald on Feb 6, 2026

Published in Football

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Yes, I did. I predicted a Rams-Broncos Super Bowl and quite literally could not have been more wrong on that (though at least I had Denver covering the spread.) Would I rather see Matthew Stafford and L.A. playing in el Gran Partido? Yes, even beyond picking ‘em. Oh well. We’re even through 12 playoff games and need to nail the Super Bowl to avoid a losing postseason. So it’s a must-win for me. Also for the Seahawks and Pats, I suppose.

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— Championship playoffs: 0-2, .000 overall; 1-1, .500 against the spread.

— Postseason total: 6-6, .500 overall; 6-6, .500 against the spread.

— Final regular season: 175-96, .646 overall; 131-135-5, .493 against the spread.

— Final 2024: 186-86, .684 overall; 139-128-5, .521 against the spread.

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GREG COTE’S NFL SUPER BOWL LX PICK

No. 2 seed PATRIOTS (17-3) vs. No. 1 seed SEAHAWKS (16-3)

Line: SEA by 4 1/2.

Cote’s pick: NE, 27-23.

TV: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, NBC/Peacock.

Upset! A big one, too. If the point spread stays at Seattle by 4 1/2, New England winning would be the biggest Super Bowl betting-line upset since the 2017 season, when the Brady/Belichick-era Patriots were favored by the same number and Philly won outright. The last upset with a larger spread was the 2007 season when the Pats (again) were favored by a massive 12 points only to stunningly lose to the Giants. OK enough point-spread talk. I’ll get to why I like a Sunday upset in a second. First a few subplots that make this, for me, an intriguing matchup (and I’m not even counting the cocktail of excitement and controversy over Bad Bunny at halftime): 1) Is this the launch of a New England dynasty 2.0? After winning six Super Bowls from 2001-2018 and then a brief lull, the Pats seem all the way back led by a budding superstar in quarterback Drake Maye, who’s only 23. 2) Is Seattle poised to win only its second SB ever and first since 2013 — and avenge its ‘14 collapse vs. the Patriots? It’s 11 seasons later but very much feels like a Rematch Bowl after the Seahawks were headed to back-to-back championships but handed The Vince to NE with a last-minute interception. And 3) The QBs. Maye if he leads the upset win may be seen as having joined the select ‘elite’ club fronted by Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. And Sam Darnold, if he finishes the job for SEA, will have crowned his career renaissance and be seen as the recovered bust who proved everybody wrong. Enough drumroll. I think the Pats will win because Maye is the real deal, maybe the best deep-threat QB in the NFL, great vs. a strong pass rush, and tops at improvisation when an 8-yard first down scramble might be needed. I also don’t see Seattle’s very good defense as without flaws. Stafford’s Rams for example figured out how to put up 85 points on the ‘Hawks in three games this season. Finally, I think the Pats defense Mike Vrabel has shaped is underrated and top-notch ... and able to force Darnold into a turnover or two. OK, bring on Sunday! Not sure what I’m looking forward to more: The game, my upset pick proving right, the commercials, Bad Bunny or this year’s party specialty in honor the game being in greater San Fran: Cioppino!

(Note: Betting line courtesy DraftKings as of midday Friday.)