The NFL has reached its final four, and the Super Bowl is coming into focus.
There are just four potential matchups for the Big Game in Santa Clara, California. Each has a certain level of intrigue, but which one is the best and which one is the worst?
At a Glance
- The NFL’s final four teams create four possible Super Bowl LX matchups
- Patriots vs. Rams ranks as the most intriguing potential showdown
- All matchups feature rematches from previous Super Bowls or playoff games
- Why it matters: Fans could see historic rivalries renewed with new star quarterbacks and coaches
On the AFC side, the No. 1 Denver Broncos are hosting the No. 2 New England Patriots in a rematch of the AFC title game from 10 years ago. In the NFC, division rivals will battle it out for the third time this season as the No. 5 Los Angeles Rams visit the No. 1 Seattle Seahawks.
Here’s a ranking of the four possible Super Bowl LX showdowns:
1. Patriots vs. Rams
If the league office was deciding the matchup, this would be the one. It has the likely top-two MVP finishers (Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford), two high-profile coaches (Mike Vrabel and Sean McVay) and it would be a rematch of two previous Super Bowls (both won by Tom Brady’s Patriots).
Things would look a lot different this time around compared to Super Bowl XXXVI and LIII, when Brady and Bill Belichick led the Patriots. Vrabel played in the first game for New England (which, like Maye, was in Brady’s second season). McVay coached the second game for Los Angeles (with Jared Goff under center). But both quarterbacks would be newcomers to the rivalry, creating a brand new chapter in their storied history.
2. Patriots vs. Seahawks
Another rematch from the Brady-Belichick era, and their matchup with Seattle was one of the best Super Bowls in history. It ended, of course, with Malcolm Butler’s interception of Russell Wilson at the goal line after Brady led a 10-point fourth-quarter comeback.
This time around, it could look similar with the Seahawks having a dominant defense. Seattle coach Mike Macdonald would be making his first trip to this stage, but his defense has passed every test this year. Quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Maye would both be making their Super Bowl debuts after each won their first playoff games this year. So, even though the uniforms would look the same, there would be a lot of newness in this matchup.
New England survives Houston in the snow, Denver edges Buffalo in overtime, Seattle overwhelms San Francisco, and the Rams win in overtime.
3. Broncos vs. Seahawks
Sticking with the rematch theme, this would be another one. The Seahawks won their first and only Super Bowl in a 43-8 drubbing over Peyton Manning’s Broncos in February 2014.
Seattle, again, would bring a powerful defense into this game — and Denver would be the question mark. Jarrett Stidham would presumably be making his second start after winning his postseason debut in the AFC title game for the injured Bo Nix. Seeing Macdonald, who has become the premier defensive coach in the NFL, go up against Broncos coach Sean Payton, an all-time great offensive mind, is enough to put this at No. 3.
4. Broncos vs. Rams
Even if this is the matchup, it would still be great. There’s the Stidham aspect, with him riding high after beating his old team for the AFC title. Then there’s the Rams side, with Stafford and McVay looking to stamp their legacies with a second ring together.
This matchup could also get personal for Payton, who was once the young offensive hot-shot coach before McVay stepped into those shoes. Now 62 years old and 16 years removed from his only Super Bowl win (and appearance), Payton would undoubtedly want to get the better of his colleague.
Here are five things to know about Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Key Takeaways
- All four potential matchups offer compelling storylines and historical connections
- Patriots vs. Rams stands out with MVP candidates and coaching star power
- Seahawks’ dominant defense could factor heavily in three of the four scenarios
- New quarterbacks would bring fresh narratives to familiar team matchups
