The odds heading into the season were steep: Bet MGM had New England at 80-1 and Seattle at 60-1 to win the title. Combining those odds would have produced an exceptionally long shot, underscoring how improbable a NE–SEA matchup appeared in August.
NFL insiders have noted that someone did pick this exact matchup before the season, with Adam Schefter and ESPN’s Mike Reiss reporting the bet existed and that the bettor’s ties to the teams were notable. The familial connection emphasized by Westover adds intrigue to that broader reporting.
New England’s path to relevance followed two difficult campaigns in 2023 and 2024, totaling an 8-26 record. The 2024 draft brought Drake Maye with the No. 3 overall pick, a move viewed as foundational to the turnaround. In 2025, the Patriots added a wave of players—Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, TreVeyon Henderson, Craig Woodson, and Kyle Williams—along with marquee signings such as Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, Milton Williams, and Robert Spillane, in an effort to accelerate results.
Seattle’s season had a different roadmap, coming off a 10-7 finish in 2024 but with turnover at quarterback that led to Sam Darnold taking the helm. The Seahawks have benefited from Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s standout play, with him emerging as a leading figure in the race for Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Super Bowl LX is scheduled to kick off at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. This summary is based on reporting from Heavy Sports, which first published the underlying story about the Westover family bet and the broader context surrounding Patriots and Seahawks’ paths to the title.
