‘Despite that gaudy mark, the main complaint is the Patriots didn’t have to play anybody too tough. Numbers back that up. The Patriots played the easiest schedule of any team since that ’99 Rams squad. That’s any team, period, not just one to reach the Super Bowl. New England’s opponents had a .391 win percentage, which is the third-easiest schedule of any team in the last 50 seasons.’
Archives for February 8, 2026
Four keys for Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX
‘The Seahawks’ offense will be dictated by quarterback Sam Darnold. But which version of the former No. 3 overall pick will Seattle see on Sunday? He has been solid in the playoffs, and the Seahawks will want his ball security to continue. In two postseason games, Darnold was able to avoid turning the ball over, either through an interception or strip-sack fumble, across 21 pressures, per Next Gen Stats. It was an important contrast for Seattle to the regular season, when Darnold turned the ball over on 7.2% of his pressured dropbacks, the highest rate in the league. If Darnold can keep it clean and move the ball downfield, he can mimic some of the more successful parts of his season.’
Numbers to know: 4 trends to watch for Super Bowl LX
‘In two playoff wins, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold completed 69.8% of his passes for 470 yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions. The Patriots, meanwhile, have held quarterbacks to a 51.4% completion percentage with only 415 yards with two touchdown passes and four interceptions in three playoff games. New England has forced eight turnovers, while its offense has committed five.’
Bills Mailbag: How many changes should be expected with new defensive scheme?
‘Terrel Bernard is coming off a down season because of injury. Both Shaq Thompson and Matt Milano are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next month. The possibility of a total overhaul of that room exists. As for Milano, he had a tough start to 2025 due to injury, but rounded into form as the season went on. It’s hard to count on him to be able to stay healthy. If Leonhard determines he’d be a good fit in his system and the price tag is low, I wouldn’t be against a reunion, but it would have to be on the Bills’ terms.’
Alan Pergament: Will Bills fans hate-watch the Super Bowl?
‘Love them or hate them, the Patriots have been a big Super Bowl draw here.’
Erik Brady: Hate the Patriots, of course. But save some bile for the Bruins, Celtics and Sox
‘But hating on the Pats is too limiting. Buffalo fans have good reason to hate the Boston/Foxboro entries in all four of North America’s major team sports.’
Josh Allen is rewriting NFL history but still chasing one thing
‘Even though Josh Allen was the 2025 NFL MVP, he has a modest 8-7 record in the playoffs. In fact, he has never advanced beyond the AFC Championship despite being on the doorstep in January 2025.’
Bills last reached the Super Bowl during their historic four-year run
‘Buffalo had seven Hall of Fames on those teams: quarterback Jim Kelly, running back Thurman Thomas, wide receivers Andre Reed and James Lofton, defensive end Bruce Smith, head coach Marv Levy, and general manager Bill Polian.’
How Hailee Steinfeld became part of Bills fans’ favorite couple
‘She has received 87 nominations and 31 awards so far in her acting and music career, including Critics Choice awards for Best Ensemble Cast 2026 in “Sinners” and Best Young Performer 2011 in “True Grit”; Top Covered Artist at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards; and a 2019 Peabody Award for her role as Poet Emily Dickinson in the Apple TV series “Dickinson.”‘
Buffalo Bills rookie Dorian Strong just shared a major update on his career
‘Dorian Strong’s rookie season came to an end about one month into the regular season when he suffered a neck injury. Months went by without much of an update on the Buffalo Bills’ cornerback, but we recently learned that his future in football is uncertain. General manager Brandon Beane spoke on Strong’s injury recently with the media. “It’s a very serious deal,” Beane said. “He’s potentially going to have a procedure that will determine whether he can play.” Strong provided an update on Saturday, revealing that he is going ahead with the procedure.’
Khalil Shakir’s connection to heartwarming Puppy Bowl story
‘The opportunity came after Button was rescued by Nickel City Canine Rescue, a nonprofit dog rescue in the Buffalo area that Shakir and his Shakir Family Foundation have partnered with many times. Helping rescue dogs and getting them adopted has become Shakir’s passion and an area that he is involved with in the community.’