Seahawks And Patriots Set For Super Bowl Showdown In Santa Clara

Super Bowl 60 fever is sweeping across Santa Clara, California, as the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots prepare to clash in the NFL’s biggest spectacle of the year. The showdown is set for Sunday, February 8, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time (4:30 p.m. Mountain), and all eyes will be on Levi’s Stadium, the home of the San Francisco 49ers. For fans, players, and coaches alike, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and the anticipation is palpable as two storied franchises look to etch their name into football history.

This year’s Super Bowl is loaded with compelling storylines, not least of which is the return of both teams to the championship stage. The Seattle Seahawks, NFC champions, are making their first Super Bowl appearance since 2014, when they claimed their only Lombardi Trophy. Across the field, the New England Patriots, fresh off their AFC title, are eyeing another ring after last hoisting the trophy in 2019. The matchup promises a battle of contrasting histories and renewed ambitions, with the Patriots’ dynastic legacy facing off against a Seahawks squad eager to cement a new era of success.

But the action on the gridiron is only part of the story in Santa Clara this weekend. In the shadow of the stadium, immigration advocates across the Bay Area have expressed ongoing wariness about the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Super Bowl festivities. Despite repeated assurances from both the NFL and local law enforcement that large-scale immigration raids are not expected, years of high-profile enforcement actions and limited agency transparency have left some communities skeptical. “I don’t trust these characters at all,” said Rep. John Garamendi of Walnut Creek, underscoring the skepticism rooted in what he described as a lack of responsiveness from federal officials and hindered congressional oversight of ICE. While ICE and the Department of Homeland Security have typically maintained a Super Bowl presence to combat counterfeit merchandise, lawmakers worry that the sight of uniformed agents near the stadium could stoke confusion and fear among local immigrant populations.

To address these concerns, Rep. Ro Khanna of Santa Clara has taken proactive steps, announcing that his office will hold virtual office hours on Super Bowl Sunday to provide constituents with information and guidance in the event of any unexpected immigration enforcement activity. “Hopefully nothing bad happens, but I think people can rest easier if they know that they have a place to turn to in case something does,” explained Marie Baldassarre, Khanna’s chief of staff. The move reflects the broader efforts by local leaders to maintain calm and ensure that the focus remains on the game itself, not on external anxieties.

Returning to the gridiron, this year’s Super Bowl is especially meaningful for fans and alumni of Colorado State University and the broader Fort Collins area. The Seahawks’ coaching staff is brimming with Northern Colorado connections, and many in Fort Collins will be rooting for familiar faces on the Seattle sideline. Leading the charge is Klint Kubiak, Seattle’s offensive coordinator, who starred as a safety at CSU from 2005 to 2009 and served as team captain his senior year. Kubiak, in his first year at the helm of the Seahawks’ offense, has orchestrated a remarkable campaign, guiding Seattle to an impressive 483 points in the regular season—a franchise record. Under his guidance, the Seahawks ranked third in the NFL in points per game (28.4), eighth in total yards (351.4), and boasted a balanced attack that finished in the top ten for both rushing and passing yards. Kubiak’s success has not gone unnoticed, as he is reportedly the frontrunner to become the next head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, according to ESPN and other national outlets. If so, Sunday’s game could be his last with Seattle—a fitting finale on the sport’s biggest stage.

Kubiak isn’t the only CSU connection making headlines. Rick Dennison, Seattle’s run game coordinator and offensive senior advisor, is also a proud CSU and Rocky Mountain High School graduate. Dennison, a three-time Super Bowl winner with the Denver Broncos’ coaching staff, joined the Seahawks ahead of the 2025 season and is chasing his fourth ring this weekend. John Benton, the Seahawks’ offensive line coach, rounds out the CSU contingent, bringing decades of coaching experience and a deep Fort Collins pedigree to Seattle’s sideline.

The Seahawks’ roster also features a pair of Northern Colorado standouts. Receiver Tory Horton, a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of CSU, made an immediate impact as a rookie, recording 13 catches for 161 yards and five touchdowns in just eight games. He also dazzled on special teams, notching 238 punt return yards and a memorable 95-yard touchdown. Unfortunately, Horton has been sidelined with a shin injury since November and is not expected to suit up for the Super Bowl. His absence will be felt, but his future in Seattle looks bright. Meanwhile, fullback Brady Russell, a Fossil Ridge High School graduate and key special teams contributor, has been named a team captain for the Super Bowl. Russell’s journey from local high school star to undrafted NFL player to Super Bowl captain is a testament to perseverance and grit, and he’s sure to have plenty of supporters cheering him on from Colorado.

As the anticipation builds, fans can also look forward to a star-studded pregame show, with chart-topping artist Charlie Puth set to perform the national anthem. The glitz and glamour of Super Bowl Sunday will be on full display, but for many, the real drama will unfold between the hash marks as the Seahawks and Patriots vie for football’s ultimate prize.

On the field, the matchup pits two teams with contrasting strengths and storylines. The Patriots, led by a tradition of playoff excellence, are eager to add another chapter to their storied history. The Seahawks, buoyed by an explosive offense and a staff loaded with local ties, are hungry to bring another championship back to Seattle. Oddsmakers have installed the Seahawks as slight favorites, but in a game of this magnitude, anything can happen. Will Kubiak’s offensive wizardry be enough to outmaneuver the Patriots’ vaunted defense? Can Seattle’s special teams, anchored by Russell, make a game-changing play? Or will New England’s experience and pedigree carry the day?

While the action is sure to be fierce and the stakes immense, the 2026 Super Bowl is also a celebration of football’s power to unite communities, showcase talent, and inspire dreams. Whether you’re cheering from Santa Clara, Seattle, New England, or Fort Collins, Sunday promises an unforgettable chapter in NFL history.

As the countdown to kickoff continues, the excitement and tension are only growing. With so much on the line, one thing is clear: Super Bowl 60 is set to deliver drama, spectacle, and memories that will last a lifetime.