In the buildup to the Super Bowl, some social media chatter has focused on the strength of schedule of both teams.
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The New England Patriots were 14-3 after they benefited from a last-place finish in the AFC East last year by getting the easiest schedule in the NFL in 2025. Only three of their 17 games were against a team that finished with a winning record. The Seattle Seahawks achieved the same 14-3 record against seven teams with a winning record, and the seventh-best strength of schedule.
Does it matter? Patriots fans will point out that their team gutted out wins against the Chargers, Texans and Broncos in the playoffs. Seahawks fans will point to their current nine-game winning streak has even more impressive wins over the Rams (twice) and 49ers (twice).
Let’s take a step back and remember that these two teams have seven opponents in common, because there is a lot to be learned from how they performed in these games.
I distilled stats from both the Seahawks and Patriots in their games against common opponents, which were:
• Houston Texans (12-5)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
• Carolina Panthers (8-9)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
• Atlanta Falcons (8-9)
• New Orleans Saints (6-11)
• Tennessee Titans (3-14)
The team with the advantage is listed in bold. All statistics are averaged out across seven games.
Seattle Seahawks
Record vs. common opponents: 6-1 (lost to Buccaneers)
Average points scored: 33
Average points allowed: 18.6
Passing yards per dropback: 7.89
Rushing yards per attempt: 4.31
Passing yards allowed per dropback: 5.24
Rushing yards allowed per attempt: 3.25
Total turnover margin: Minus-3
New England Patriots
Record: 6-1 (lost to Steelers)
Average points scored: 27.4
Average points allowed: 17.7
Passing yards per dropback: 7.25
Rushing yards per attempt:3.93
Passing yards allowed per dropback: 5.55
Rushing yards allowed per attempt: 3.63
Total Turnover Margin: Minus-2
The Seahawks almost sweep every category. When it comes to passing offense, rushing offense, passing defense and rushing defense, the numbers don’t lie. The only categories where the Patriots stand out are giving up 0.9 fewer points per game and allowing just one less total turnover.
You can’t look past the Patriots’ 16-3 record, but a closer look at these common opponents reveals why the Seahawks are favorites.
Super Bowl: Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots
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