Happy Sunday! We are starting today with clear skies compared to the clouds that moved into Albuquerque throughout Saturday. Temperatures around the state have bottomed out in the teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s, so far, this morning. Sunnier skies are expected to take hold of a majority of the state while temperatures warm up […]
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Trending unseasonably warm with fire risk on Monday
Which One Is Right for You?
Pros
- Flexible funding: Helocs let you use the money for various purposes and draw on the line of credit as needed rather than getting a single lump sum.
- Lower interest rates: Helocs often have lower interest rates than personal loans or credit cards, so they are a more affordable option. Plus, you only pay interest during the draw period, so if you don’t have a balance, you don’t pay anything.
- Potential tax benefit: The interest you pay on a Heloc for the portion used for home improvements might be eligible for a tax deduction.
Cons
- Variable interest rate: Most Helocs have variable rates, so your payments can increase if interest rates rise, making it harder to plan your monthly budget.
- Closing costs: Like a home equity loan, a home equity line of credit often comes with closing costs and other potential fees, increasing your overall cost of borrowing.
- Risk of losing your home: A Heloc is secured with your home’s equity, meaning you could lose your house if you can’t make payments on your line of credit.
Deciding factors
Whether you choose a Heloc vs. home equity loan depends on your financial goals.
Use a Heloc if:
- You’re not sure how much you need to borrow and want flexibility to access more funds without reapplying.
- You plan to access the money over time instead of all at once.
- You want the Heloc available if needed, but might not draw on the line of credit immediately.
Use a home equity loan if:
- You know how much you want to borrow, and you’re reasonably sure you won’t need additional funds.
- You want the stability of regular, fixed payments for a predetermined period of time.
Differences between Helocs and home equity loans
Both Helocs and home equity loans are based on the value you’ve built up in your home. A Heloc is a subset of home equity loan. Here are some of the major differences between the two:
- A Heloc is a line of credit while a home equity loan is generally disbursed in a lump sum.
- Helocs allow you to continue drawing on the credit line, up to your available balance, without the need to reapply for funds. If you want additional funds with a home equity loan, you generally need to apply for a new loan.
- Repayment on a home equity loan typically begins immediately, while you’re normally required to only pay interest on a Heloc during the initial draw period. After the draw period on a Heloc, you begin making regular payments.
- Interest rates on a home equity loan are generally fixed, while Helocs usually have variable rates. Once the draw period is over, some lenders allow you to convert a portion of your Heloc to a fixed rate.
Requirements for a Heloc or home equity loan
When applying for any loan based on the equity in your home, you generally need to have adequate value available. For example, a lender might allow you to borrow an amount that brings your combined loan-to-value (CLTV) ratio up to 80%. This means that you need to have built up enough equity so that your new home equity loan or Heloc, when added to your existing mortgage, doesn’t exceed 80% of your home’s value.
Let’s say you owe $230,000 on your home. However, it’s worth $325,000. The difference between what you owe and what your home is worth—your equity—is $95,000. If the lender allows an 80% CLTV, you can bring your total debt up to $260,000 (80% of $325,000). You can borrow up to $30,000 ($260,000 – $230,000) using this formula.
Some lenders allow a 90% or 95% CLTV, which could lead to a higher amount of available equity. However, it’s important to note that you aren’t usually able to access your entire equity.
In addition to adequate equity in your home, lenders also usually require that you have good credit and stable income. You typically need to show that you’re likely to make regular on-time payments. As with any loan, your credit history, income and term length influence your approval chances and your interest rate.
FAQ
Are interest rates higher on Helocs or home equity loans?
Helocs typically have lower initial interest rates than fixed-rate home equity loans. However, over time, if interest rates rise, a Heloc could end up with a higher interest rate than a home equity loan. Currently, the average Heloc APR is 7.44%, while a 15-year home equity loan rate is 8.09%.
How does repayment differ between a Heloc and a home equity loan?
Repayment on a Heloc usually only requires interest payments during the draw period, while repayment on a home equity loan usually begins immediately after you receive the funds.
Can I use a Heloc or home equity loan for investment purposes?
You can typically use the money from both home equity borrowing options for any purpose, including investing.
What are the tax implications of a Heloc vs. a home equity loan?
Loans aren’t usually considered income for tax purposes. However, with both Helocs and home equity loans, you might be able to deduct the interest you pay if the funds are used for home improvements.
Super Bowl LX: Seahawks-Patriots picks, key stats, predictions
Super Bowl LX kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday (NBC/Peacock), with the Seattle Seahawks facing the New England Patriots.
New England is looking to make history by becoming the first NFL team with seven Super Bowl wins. The last time the Seahawks played in the big game was against the Patriots in 2015 for Super Bowl XLIX, where Seattle lost a 28-24 heartbreaker. New England entered the playoffs as the AFC’s No. 2 seed, while Seattle entered as the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
We have you covered with everything you need to know, including team previews, a breakdown of Super Bowl MVP candidates and game picks. We also provide advice from our sports betting experts and in-depth statistics from ESPN Research. We look at the two quarterbacks, coaches, officiating, positional advantages and X factors. And scroll all the way down to check out our preview of Bad Bunny’s halftime show.
Let’s dive into this one-stop cheat sheet, starting with a preview of the matchup.
Jump to a section:
What to know | Meet the teams | QBs
Biggest questions | One-on-ones
Keys to Seahawks win | Keys to Patriots win
Picks | MVP watch | Stats to know
Bold predictions | Injuries | Officiating
Last meeting | Betting | Halftime | FAQs
Previewing Seahawks vs. Patriots
When: Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET
Where: Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
Television: NBC/Peacock
Depth charts: Seahawks | Patriots
Call it the Explosive Play Bowl. The big play has always mattered, but in the past few years, NFL games have become battles between teams trying to create and prevent explosive plays.
Defenses have raised their rates of two-high safety looks, funneling teams toward the run and short passes. Offenses have accordingly taken what the defense has given. With a leaguewide increase in willingness to go for it on fourth down, third-and-short has become an opportunity to hit those explosive plays. And the dynamic kickoff and placing touchbacks at the 35-yard line have made it more difficult to play the field position game as a defense.
All this has created a league where explosive plays are the great differentiator. Manufacture one explosive play on offense after a kickoff and you’re probably already in field goal range. Successful defenses either force a ton of takeaways or stall the opposing offense from hitting a big play, trusting that they’ll come up with a sack, force a penalty or produce a negative play to throw the offense off schedule. Great offenses either force teams out of the two-high world by running the football too effectively or reliably hit throws into narrow windows downfield.
In terms of explosive-play differential — the gap between the rate at which teams generated explosive plays and prevented their opposition from doing the same — each of the four teams in the conference championship games ranked in the top five during the regular season. The Patriots were fourth at 2.8 percentage points, buoyed by a league-best explosive creation rate of 13.6% on offense. And the Seahawks’ explosive-play differential of 4.7 percentage points was the best mark in the NFL and the ninth-best figure posted by any team of the past 25 years. They were truly elite on defense, meaning we’ll get the league’s best offense at creating explosive plays versus the league’s best defense at stopping them Sunday.
Of course, one-game variance can swamp regular-season stats. The six best teams by explosive-play differential over the past 25 years made it to the Super Bowl; they all lost. A Patriots defense that was ordinary during the regular season by advanced metrics has allowed just six explosives through three postseason games while playing a series of compromised, injury-impacted offenses. The Seahawks gave up 12 explosives to the Rams in the NFC Championship Game. They won that matchup because quarterback Sam Darnold responded to two months of middling football by playing one of the best games of his life. His opponent, Drake Maye, has followed an MVP-caliber regular season with a wildly inconsistent postseason, mixing turnovers with spectacular plays.
In this postseason, we’ve seen individual games decided by unexpected injuries, fumble luck, missed kicks and ill-timed weather systems. One of those unpredictable factors might decide Sunday’s game too. All things being equal, though, this should be a fun Super Bowl matchup of two of the league’s explosive-play kings in 2025. Whoever manages to win that battle should be the favorite to take home the Lombardi Trophy. — Bill Barnwell, NFL analyst
Read more: Barnwell previews the Super Bowl … How the Patriots, Seahawks won their conference title games
Meet the teams
2025 record: 14-3
ESPN’s Football Power Index: No. 1
Coach: Mike MacDonald
Macdonald didn’t play football past high school due to injuries. But he’s built like an NFL fullback, and as the son of a West Point graduate, he has a sternness to go along with his analytical brain. When the Seahawks hired Macdonald to replace Pete Carroll in 2024, they knew they were getting a defensive mastermind. But he has also grown as a leader, with players saying his willingness to admit mistakes helps them take his direct coaching style. At 38, he would become the third-youngest coach to win a Super Bowl.
1:39
Kyle Juszczyk: I like the Patriots’ chances to win the Super Bowl
San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk joins “The Rich Eisen Show” to explain why the Patriots have the edge over the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
How did they get here?
It started when team owner Jody Allen moved on from Carroll after the 2023 season, which was a difficult decision because Carroll had delivered the franchise its only Lombardi Trophy (XLVIII). General manager John Schneider tabbed Macdonald as Carroll’s replacement, and since then, the GM has continued his personnel tear.
The most notable of his several home run moves last offseason was trading quarterback Geno Smith and signing Sam Darnold to replace him. Darnold and new coordinator Klint Kubiak transformed Seattle’s offense, while Macdonald’s defense took a significant step forward in Year 2 by allowing the fewest points per game (17.2) in the NFL. The Seahawks, with six Pro Bowl selections, have plenty of talent. But Macdonald has fostered a connectedness that has helped his team play even better. — Brady Henderson, Seahawks reporter
2025 record: 14-3
ESPN’s Football Power Index: No. 10
Coach: Mike Vrabel
A three-time Super Bowl champion as a linebacker with the Patriots in the 2000s, Vrabel still looks as if he might have a snap or two left in him. He puts on a chest pad at practice and lets players fire away at him. He’ll chug a beer in the locker room after a playoff win. He has a mastery of the rulebook and an empathetic approach — in part because he says a coach is only as good as his players.
How did they get here?
Faster than some of the players thought they would. They credit Vrabel and the culture he built, which included sharing their “4 Hs” — history, heartbreak, hope and hero — when they first met as a team in the spring. What resulted was a strong connection that players say made them want to play more for their teammates because they understood them better. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have an MVP candidate in second-year QB Drake Maye, who blossomed under the direction of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. — Mike Reiss, Patriots reporter
0:39
Who is Jerry Rice’s pick for Super Bowl LX?
Jerry Rice explains to Rich Eisen why he’s siding with the Seahawks over the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Read more: What makes Macdonald’s defense so good? … The team that Vrabel built … Moments from past and present with Vrabel … Why Vrabel was the perfect coach hire
QB breakdown
Darnold’s regular season was truly the story of two halves. In the first 10 weeks, he was legitimately lights-out, with a league-leading 77.9 QBR and 9.3 yards per dropback. But from Week 11 on, his efficiency plummeted, with a 35.3 QBR (27th best) and 6.3 yards per dropback (15th). In the playoffs, he has looked more like the first-half version. But which Darnold will show up in the Super Bowl?
Strength: At his best, Darnold pushes the ball downfield accurately. In the first 10 weeks, he averaged 9.4 air yards per attempt (highest among QBR qualifiers) and had a league-best plus-10% completion percentage over expected, per NFL Next Gen Stats. And he did all of that while avoiding sacks (4.2% sack rate in that span).
Weakness: Turnovers were a problem during the regular season. Darnold’s 3.5% turnover rate was the worst among all QBR-qualifying quarterbacks. The good news for Seattle is that in its two playoff games, he has yet to turn the ball over. But given his track record, the issue is always a concern. — Seth Walder, analytics writer
Although he finished runner-up for MVP, Maye was the best quarterback in the NFL this season. Despite a middling offensive line and a lackluster receiving group, he led the league in QBR (77.1) in the regular season by a solid margin — even though it’s a metric that controls the quality of opponent. And the Patriots leaned heavily on him. They had a plus-4% pass rate over expected, the second highest, per Next Gen Stats.
Strength: Accuracy. Maye’s plus-9% completion percentage over expected was not only the highest among quarterbacks this season, but the highest among QB seasons since the metric began in 2016. Other numbers convey the same idea. Maye’s 12% off-target rate was the seventh best, and he achieved that while averaging 8.7 air yards per attempt, third most in the NFL.
Weakness: While the offensive line, receivers and scheme undoubtedly play a role, the biggest factor affecting sack rate is the quarterback. Maye was brought down 47 times during the regular season, fourth most in the NFL, and his 8.8% sack rate ranked fifth worst. He also had a 1.8% fumble rate that ranked third worst. — Walder
Read more: High school stories of 13 Super Bowl stars, coaches … Maye feels good about shoulder, threw at practice … Darnold says oblique ‘feels really good’
Biggest questions
How can Seattle get wide receiver Rashid Shaheed more involved in the pass game?
The Seahawks don’t necessarily have to get him more involved, but it certainly won’t hurt if he can do what he did early in the NFC Championship Game, when he got open behind the Rams’ defense for a 51-yard gain. Shaheed had been using his game-breaking speed to make an impact in other ways, most notably on special teams. He has three return touchdowns since his arrival in a midseason trade from the Saints.
But before the title game, his impact on the offense was mostly on short and intermediate throws. He also took some end arounds and pitches out of the backfield. There are only so many targets to go around in a run-heavy offense that features All-Pro receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the primary option in the passing game. But Shaheed has the speed to make a big play. — Henderson
Will the Patriots’ offensive line be able to keep Maye clean against Seattle’s pass rush?
Vrabel said the Seahawks are probably the NFL’s best team at executing stunts to create pressure. That has given the Patriots’ offensive line trouble at times this season. New England is the first team to start multiple rookies on the offensive line in a Super Bowl, per ESPN Research, and the Patriots will need first-round pick Will Campbell (left tackle) and third-round pick Jared Wilson (left guard) to play well beyond their years. It’s an immense challenge against a defense that has shown a knack for creating pressure with the standard four rushers. — Reiss
Key one-on-one matchup
Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Christian Gonzalez
While Smith-Njigba was primarily a slot receiver when he first joined the Seahawks, he is no longer limited. Across the regular season and playoffs, 24% of his routes and 20% of his targets have come from slot alignments. If the Patriots want to get Gonzalez matched up on Smith-Njigba, they won’t need to constantly travel him inside. Whether Gonzalez will travel with him at all is an interesting question, though.
In his first two seasons with the Patriots — when the defense played more man coverage — Gonzalez regularly followed the opponent’s best WR on the outside. This season, as the Patriots have run more zone and enjoyed a strong CB2 in Carlton Davis III, Gonzalez has primarily stayed to one side of the field, lining up as the right cornerback on 72% of snaps. I imagine we’ll see him travel with Smith-Njigba some, but it doesn’t need to be the linchpin of the Patriots’ game plan.
Expect to see Smith-Njigba sent in motion often — doubly so on the first few series. If Gonzalez is shadowing him, the Seahawks will motion Smith-Njigba into the slot to force nickel corner Marcus Jones to endure the one-on-one matchup. Jones is a great slot corner, but the Pats will need to dial up double-teams to handle Smith-Njigba if he suddenly becomes a true slot receiver in this game.
The lean in this matchup goes to Smith-Njigba. There’s a bright spot for New England, though: Gonzalez can’t single-handedly erase Smith-Njigba, but if he can hold his own at the line of scrimmage, he can force Darnold to take longer dropbacks and target other receivers. That would be a win for the Patriots’ defense. — Ben Solak, NFL analyst
Read more: Five key matchups to watch
1:22
What Marcus Spears loves about Super Bowl LX matchup
Marcus Spears joins Rich Eisen and details what he finds cool about the Super Bowl matchup between the Patriots and Seahawks.
Keys to a Seahawks win
Positional advantage: Secondary
This unit is built on speed and physicality. It played a league-high 815 snaps of nickel and allowed only 5.5 yards per attempt. The Seahawks can major in on Cover 2 to limit the vertical opportunities for Maye, while also mixing in man schemes to challenge the timing of New England’s passing game.
With cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe on the perimeter, plus rookie Nick Emmanwori playing as a low zone disruptor in the slot, the Seahawks can close throwing windows and create edges in the run game. And over the top, safeties Julian Love and Coby Bryant have the instincts to make plays downfield. — Matt Bowen, NFL analyst
Seahawks’ X factor: Rashid Shaheed, WR
Shaheed is the Seattle player most likely to produce a big play, either in the passing game or on special teams. He was always a good return player for the Saints, but he has kicked it into another gear after combining with Seattle’s strong blocking units. In 11 games with the Seahawks, including the postseason, Shaheed has returned one punt and two kickoffs for touchdowns.
Shaheed has not played as big of a role in the Seattle passing game as expected. He caught only 15 passes for 188 yards during the regular season with no touchdowns. But he’ll likely be covered by cornerback Carlton Davis III, who led New England with six defensive pass interference penalties in 2025. — Aaron Schatz, NFL analyst
Rookie to watch: Nick Emmanwori, S
Emmanwori has quickly turned into one of the team’s best defensive players. He is a hybrid defender who primarily occupies the nickel position in Macdonald’s defense, but he’s capable of playing multiple roles. He has an intense wrap-up and brings a lot of energy to the unit. Emmanwori did not practice Thursday after an ankle injury, but he returned Friday. It could cause issues for Seattle if he’s not at 100%. — Jordan Reid, NFL draft analyst
Keys to a Patriots win
Positional advantage: Running backs
With two dual-threat backs in Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson, the Patriots must create an offensive tempo by running the ball, while also getting them to contribute in the pass game. Stevenson led the NFL with 2.8 yards after contact per rush, showing off his short-area speed and power. Henderson gives the Patriots more juice on the perimeter and big-play ability, as he had 18 rushes of 10 or more yards this season. With the zone coverage tendencies of the Seattle defense, Stevenson and Henderson can produce as underneath outlets for Maye. — Bowen
Patriots’ X factor: Marcus Jones, CB
You will mostly see Jones as the Patriots’ nickelback. That means he’ll spend a lot of time covering receiver Cooper Kupp. But he might have to cover Smith-Njigba, considering how the Seahawks will sometimes move JSN into the slot or the backfield to get him open. Jones had good coverage this season, although his coverage DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) is closer to average after adjusting for the quality of the receivers.
When Jones gets active, however, he makes plenty of big plays. Jones led the Patriots with 23 defeats, a metric that combines turnovers, tackles for loss and plays to prevent a conversion on third or fourth down. He was one of five defensive backs to lead their teams in this metric. Jones had three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and two interceptions (plus a third pick returned for a touchdown in the divisional round against Houston). He also had two sacks and four pressures as part of New England’s blitz packages.
Jones is also an X factor because of his impact on the kicking game. He was the second-team All-Pro punt returner this season with an average of 17.3 yards and two touchdowns. — Schatz
Rookie to watch: Will Campbell, OT
The rookie will have his hands full against a Seattle defense that brings pressure from many different areas instead of a straight four-man rush. Campbell, who was attributed seven sacks in the regular season, will be tasked with not just stopping a right-side defensive end, but also with keeping delayed pressures and blitzes off Maye. Campbell’s poise as a pass protector is what made him the top tackle drafted in 2025, but this will be the biggest test of his career. Campbell’s performance will be crucial to keep Maye and the offense moving. — Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst
ESPN’s FPI has the Seahawks winning 59.6% of the simulations — and they are favored to win by an average of 3.6 points.
This matchup is a showdown between two top-10 teams in FPI: the No. 1 Seahawks (7.0) and the No. 10 Patriots (2.6). The Patriots are ninth on offense and the Seahawks rank 11th. On defense, Seattle ranks first and New England is 11th.
In the preseason, the Seahawks had the 21st-best chance to make the Super Bowl (2.6%) and the Patriots had the 25th-best odds (2%). Seattle was given a 1.1% chance to win it, while New England was at 0.9%.
1:45
Mark Schlereth’s Super Bowl MVP prediction
Mark Schlereth joins Rich Eisen to give his predictions for the Super Bowl LX winner, score and MVP.
Who wins the game?
Of the 58 experts who weighed in, the Seahawks were favored by 48 of them (82.8%), while the Patriots claimed 10 votes (17.2%). The most common score prediction was 27-17 in favor of Seattle (picked by four of our experts).
Read more: ESPN staff predictions
Of the 58 experts who weighed in, 23 (39.7%) picked Darnold to win Super Bowl MVP. Darnold (+115), Maye (+240) and Smith-Njigba (+550) are the favorites, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. We asked a few experts to explain their MVP prediction.
Jason Reid, Andscape senior writer: Darnold. He is on quite the run. He was efficient in the Seahawks’ 41-6 rout of the 49ers in the divisional round, and he played the best game of his career in a 31-27 victory over the Rams in the NFC Championship Game. Darnold has never been more settled in the pocket. On Sunday, that will be clear again.
Liz Loza, fantasy and betting analyst: Darnold. Since I’m taking Seattle to win outright, it makes sense to fold in Darnold as the MVP. The Super Bowl winner’s QB has been named MVP in 34 of 59 Super Bowls, including seven of the past nine.
Todd Archer, Cowboys reporter: Maye. Maybe there’s something wrong with his right shoulder, but the Patriots will not have to worry about the elements like they did against Houston and Denver. Maye will come up with the big plays late in the game and bring home a seventh Lombardi Trophy.
Eric Moody, fantasy and betting analyst: Smith-Njigba. He was the engine of the Seahawks’ offense all season, finishing with 119 catches for 1,793 yards and earning first-team All-Pro honors. He further proved himself against Los Angeles with 10 catches, 153 yards and a touchdown. If JSN sees similar target volume on football’s biggest stage, he’ll be well-positioned to emerge as the MVP.
2:06
Stephen A.: The Seahawks are a great story
Stephen A. Smith explains why the Seahawks are on a more impressive Super Bowl run than the Patriots.
Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst: Smith-Njigba. He has been a matchup nightmare for every team throughout the 2025 season and the playoffs. As great as the Patriots’ defense has been, his ability to uncover himself as a route runner and Darnold’s short-area accuracy/timing should add up to a big night for the All-Pro wide receiver.
Ben Solak, NFL analyst: Shaheed. I expect a low scoring game overall, which means that one game-changing touchdown might warrant the MVP award. Shaheed has the ability to score in all three phases: receiving, returning and even on a handoff. He’s the fun long shot bet that might actually pay out.
Read More: Experts predict Seahawks-Patriots score, MVP … Can a defender SB MVP win for first time in a decade?
Stats and trends to know
Team stats: Seahawks | Patriots
Seahawks
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Seattle has won nine straight games, including the playoffs, which is the longest active streak in the NFL and the second longest in franchise history (11 in 2005).
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Darnold is 0-4 in his career versus the Patriots, the second-most losses without a win by a quarterback in their career against an opponent entering a Super Bowl matchup.
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Including the playoffs, Smith-Njigba is seeking his 11th game with at least 100 receiving yards. If he reaches the mark, he will tie for the third most in a season in NFL history.
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Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence recorded a sack and forced fumble in both Seahawks wins this postseason. If he does so again in the Super Bowl, he will be first player this century to do so.
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The Seahawks are the first team to lead the NFL in scoring defense in the regular season and make it to the Super Bowl since the 2016 Patriots. Teams that led the NFL in scoring defense in the regular season are 14-4 in the Super Bowl.
Patriots
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New England has averaged 18.0 points this postseason, fourth fewest by any team entering the Super Bowl all time and the fewest since the 1979 Rams (15.0, lost 31-19 in XIV).
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The Patriots are the first team since the 1970 merger to defeat three of the top five teams in total defenses (yards per game) en route to their Super Bowl appearance (Chargers were fifth, Texans were first and Broncos were second).
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Including the playoffs, New England has led at halftime in 17 of 20 games this season, tied with the 1984 49ers for the most such leads in a season in the Super Bowl era (since 1966).
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Maye has had 129 rushing yards on scrambles during the playoffs, which is the fourth most by any QB in a single postseason in the past 20 years.
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Including the playoffs, the Patriots have a 12-0 record (14.5 PPG allowed) in games that Christian Gonzalez and Milton Williams play this season.
Read more: Seahawks and Patriots records, stats, facts … Super Bowl records, stats, facts … How Patriots’ investment in Milton Williams has paid off
Bold stat line predictions
Shaheed finishes with 100-plus all-purpose yards and scores a touchdown. He delivered a punt return touchdown in Week 16, a kickoff return TD in the divisional round and a 51-yard catch in the NFC Championship Game, showcasing his game-breaking upside. With Smith-Njigba drawing constant double teams, this could be a great opportunity to unleash Shaheed on offense. — Eric Moody, fantasy and betting analyst
Smith-Njigba goes well over 100 yards. I’m predicting he’ll catch 14 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns to run away with the Super Bowl MVP award. He’ll get to leave Santa Clara as the unquestioned best WR in football. — Mike Tannenbaum, NFL analyst
Kenneth Walker III posts 150-plus yards from scrimmage. Walker has averaged over 120 yards from scrimmage in his past five games (including the playoffs), and he was in a committee the bulk of that time. Zach Charbonnet‘s torn ACL means Walker projects to be the go-to RB on Sunday. Walker will have two things working in his favor: an elite WR in JSN, who demands high levels of defensive attention, and a QB in Darnold, who opens things up by being one of the best in play-action. — Stephania Bell, fantasy and injury analyst
2:35
Stephen A. calls out Woody’s take on Pats’ path to Super Bowl
Stephen A. Smith gets fired up after hearing Damien Woody’s take that the Patriots had a harder path to Super Bowl LX than the Seahawks did.
Maye throws for 300 yards and multiple touchdowns. He had a remarkable regular season, but he has had moderate production this postseason against three top-five defenses from the regular season — with yet another enormous challenge in the Seahawks. A stat-stuffing game doesn’t seem likely on paper, but the second-youngest quarterback to start a Super Bowl has uncommon poise and the talent to step up in a major way. — Field Yates, NFL analyst
Who is in, and who is out?
Injury reports: Seahawks | Patriots
There’s no question about Darnold’s availability for the Super Bowl. But the left oblique injury he has played through in both of Seattle’s playoff games has remained something he has had to manage. He didn’t look bothered by it while throwing three touchdown passes in the NFC Championship Game. “It feels great,” Darnold said of his oblique Monday. He was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday.
Emmanwori hurt an ankle while defending a pass late in practice Wednesday afternoon, and he did not practice Thursday. But he is officially good to go for the Super Bowl. He has no game designation and was listed as a full participant on Friday, though the Seahawks only worked at walk-through tempo in their second-to-last practice before facing the Patriots. Left tackle Charles Cross was also a full participant Friday, coming off a foot injury.
Fullback Robbie Ouzts (neck) is listed as questionable for the Super Bowl. Brady Russell would step in for him if needed. — Henderson
Maye’s right shoulder limited him on Jan. 29 at the team’s first practice leading into the Super Bowl, and then an illness kept him off the practice field the following day. So while Maye is playing in the game, it is unclear how much he will be affected by the shoulder and having his regular routine altered. But regardless, Maye is off the injury report and has no game designation.
Starting linebacker/defensive signal-caller Robert Spillane (ankle) and veteran edge rusher Harold Landry III (knee) are officially questionable, although both expressed optimism in recent days that they would play. — Reiss
1:15
Stephen A.: Drake Maye’s mobility ‘problematic’ for Seahawks
Stephen A. Smith says the Seahawks should plan around Drake Maye’s abilities as a dual threat.
What to know about the officiating
In naming Shawn Smith its Super Bowl referee, the NFL broke its recent pattern of using a small group of rotating officials to caretake its most important game. Carl Cheffers, Bill Vinovich and Ronald Torbert each refereed two of the past six Super Bowls.
Smith has been a strong performer for a while, based on merit-based playoff assignments in each of the past five seasons. But his relatively quick rise — the NFL hired him as an umpire in 2015 and promoted him to referee in 2018 — makes him one of the least experienced Super Bowl referees in recent memory. Smith will have a strong support group, most notably umpire Roy Ellison and side judge Eugene Hall, each of whom have worked three Super Bowls. — Kevin Seifert, Vikings reporter and officiating analyst
What happened the last time these two teams met in the Super Bowl?
It’s a game forever etched in the memories — or nightmares — of Patriots and Seahawks fans. Seattle was 26 seconds and one touchdown away from hoisting back-to-back Lombardi trophies until quarterback Russell Wilson took the snap at the 1-yard line and threw to Ricardo Lockette on his right, only to watch rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler intercept the pass at the goal line.
More stunning than Butler’s interception was Seahawks coach Pete Carroll’s decision for Wilson to not hand the ball off to running back Marshawn Lynch, who powered the offense that season behind 1,306 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. The Patriots entered the fourth quarter trailing by 10 points before quarterback Tom Brady led consecutive touchdown drives to take the lead and earn his fourth title. — Lindsey Thiry, national NFL reporter
How to bet Super Bowl LX
Current line from DraftKings Sportsbook: Seahawks -4.5, O/U 45.5
This is one of the most improbable Super Bowls — the first since at least 1977 when both teams entered the season at 60-1 to win. But one team has a clear advantage in the eyes of the sportsbooks.
The Seahawks opened as 3.5-point favorites and quickly moved to 4.5-point favorites. Seattle is the biggest Super Bowl favorite since the 2021 Rams (-4.5), but big favorites have not been immune to getting upset. The past seven teams favored by at least 4 points in the Super Bowl all failed to cover the spread, with five of the seven losing outright.
The underdog has won each of the past three Super Bowls and has covered in each of the past five. This is all welcomed news for the Patriots, who are embracing the “road warrior” mentality in Santa Clara. AFC teams are also 8-3 ATS in the past 11 Super Bowls.
Best bet: Patriots +4.5
Darnold’s splits are stark. When kept clean, he’s efficient and dangerous. But when under pressure, his completion rate drops to 50% and his yards per attempt falls to 6.4. New England blitzes often and limits explosive passes, which forces Darnold into the exact environment where his efficiency collapses. Combine that with the Patriots’ willingness to absorb sacks, lean on Stevenson and bleed the clock, and you get a game that stays tight by design. Seattle can win, but New England and the points make sense. — Pamela Maldonado, betting analyst
Read more: Sixty bets for Super Bowl 60 … Bettors raising stakes on what Super Bowl announcers say … Super Bowl betting buzz … What to know when betting on Super Bowl LX
Who is playing the halftime show?
Bad Bunny will perform at the halftime show. He is a six-time Grammy award-winning artist and a 17-time Latin Grammy Awards winner. At the 68th Grammy Awards, he won Album of the Year for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.”
Some of Bad Bunny’s most popular songs include “Dákiti,” “Titi Me Preguntó” and “Me Porto Bonito.” He also has song collaborations with Cardi B and J. Balvin (“I Like It”) and Drake (“Mia”).
Read more: Why the NFL stood by Bad Bunny … How Up with People paved a Super Bowl path for Bad Bunny … Hispanic icons who owned Super Bowl halftime … Bad Bunny to headline Super Bowl LX halftime show
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Who does Gronk like in Super Bowl LX?
Who does Gronk like in Super Bowl LX? Rob Gronkowski makes his prediction for the Super Bowl between the Seahawks and Patriots.
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Breezy Johnson wins Olympic downhill gold medal, joining Lindsey Vonn as only Americans to accomplish feat
MILAN — Breezy Johnson became the second American woman ever to win the Olympic gold medal in downhill skiing Sunday, hours after the first person to accomplish the feat, Lindsey Vonn, crashed violently on the famed Tofane course.
Johnson finished in 1:36.1 to earn the first Olympic medal of her career. A native of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Johnson was skiing in her second Olympics. The win was not an upset — Johnson entered the competition as the reigning world champion in downhill.
It was the United States’ first medal of the Milan Cortina Olympics. Johnson extended both arms above her head as she stepped atop the podium before accepting her gold medal. She held back tears while mouthing the words to the U.S. national anthem.
“I had a good feeling about today, I sort of still can’t believe it yet, I don’t know when it will sink in yet,” Johnson said. “I knew I had to push and go harder than I did in training. I had to be super clean and I felt like I did that.”
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Emma Aicher of Germany earned the silver medal, just four-hundredths of a second behind Johnson. Italy’s Sofia Goggia earned bronze to win the host country’s fourth medal of these Olympics.
The victory required Johnson, 30, to confront and overcome her own history of difficulty on this course. In 2022, she crashed on a training run in Cortina and tore cartilage in her right knee, forcing her to miss that year’s Olympics in Beijing.
“I’m going to have to come back to this same place with a body that’s been put back together and try to accomplish my goals,” she told NBC last May. “It’s a beautiful place, (but) it has teeth and has also hurt a lot of people.”
Johnson survived the 1.6-mile course with more than 2,000 feet of elevation drop on Sunday by making up time on the five women who taken the course ahead of her during the back half of the race.
Seven skiers later, however, Vonn did not — crashing violently after only 13 seconds. She was airlifted off the course, which reopened after an approximately 30-minute delay. It came 16 years after Vonn won the Olympic gold medal in Vancouver, Canada.
All the while, Johnson sat in a “leader’s chair” at the bottom of the run, waiting out the 30 competitors behind her to see whether any could dip under her time. She wore a headband she had hand-knit herself, as has become her habit to pass the time before races. By halfway through the field, after the world’s top-10 ranked skiers had already had their runs, it became a much clearer likelihood that Johnson would emerge the winner, and she became emotional, and was seen tearing up.
“Last year at world championships, I won from Bib 1 (the first racer), so I had to wait through the entire race, so I know a little bit about what that’s like. I personally prefer to run early.”
Like the Tofane course itself, Johnson’s path to gold was not a straight line. In May 2024, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency suspended her for 14 months for missing three anti-doping tests in 12 months. Johnson has said the missed first test was her own fault, but told NBC News in July that issues with the doping agency’s app led to the second and third misses.
Last fall, Johnson injured her back while lifting weights, about eight weeks before the skiing season began, calling it on social media “the worst pain of my life, and that includes the three knee surgeries, the dislocations, and the broken leg.”
Sunday’s race will be remembered for more physical pain — after Vonn could be heard screaming following her fall and crash. The 41-year-old was attempting to become the oldest Alpine skier, man or woman, to medal at an Olympics, and was competing only nine days after tearing the ACL in her left knee.
“My heart goes out to her, I hope it’s not as bad as it looked and I know how difficult it is to ski this course,” Johnson said. “And how sometimes, because you love this course so much, when you crash on it and it hurts you like that, it hurts that much worse.”
mmigration enforcement at the Super Bowl unclear
The Department of Homeland Security is declining to provide details about potential immigration enforcement at the Super Bowl.The halftime show’s headliner has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s crackdown, prompting some conservatives to turn to counterprogramming.Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem previously said that ICE would have a presence at the event.”We’ll be all over that place,” Noem told a conservative commentator last year. “I think people shouldn’t be coming to the Super Bowl unless they’re law-abiding Americans who love this country.”But the NFL’s chief security officer, Cathy Lanier, seemed to contradict that message last week. “There are no known, no planned ICE or immigration enforcement operations that are scheduled around the Super Bowl or any of the Super Bowl-related events,” Lanier said. Asked about the mixed messages on Saturday, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said they would not disclose future operations or discuss personnel. “Super Bowl security will entail a whole-of-government response conducted in line with the U.S. Constitution,” McLaughlin said. “Those who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear.”It comes as immigration enforcement tactics are under heightened scrutiny. Democrats are demanding a list of reforms to rein in ICE after two American citizens were killed by federal officers in Minneapolis amid widespread protests in the Twin Cities. If Congress doesn’t reach a deal by Friday, DHS funding could lapse once again. Bad Bunny, who is headlining the Super Bowl halftime show, criticized ICE while accepting his first of several awards at the Grammys last weekend. “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” he said. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”The Spanish-speaking singer from Puerto Rico skipped the continental U.S. during his recent tour, partly due to concerns that his fans would be targeted by ICE. Some conservatives have criticized the selection of Bad Bunny for the halftime show. Turning Point USA, which was founded by the late activist Charlie Kirk, is putting on an alternative show featuring musical performances from Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett.“The All-American Halftime Show is an opportunity for all Americans to enjoy a halftime show with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family, and freedom,” said Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, in a statement.Asked which show President Donald Trump would be tuning into, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “I think the president would much prefer a Kid Rock performance over Bad Bunny.” Trump went to last year’s Super Bowl in person. This year, he is expected to attend a watch party in Palm Beach, Florida.
WASHINGTON —
The Department of Homeland Security is declining to provide details about potential immigration enforcement at the Super Bowl.
The halftime show’s headliner has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s crackdown, prompting some conservatives to turn to counterprogramming.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem previously said that ICE would have a presence at the event.
“We’ll be all over that place,” Noem told a conservative commentator last year. “I think people shouldn’t be coming to the Super Bowl unless they’re law-abiding Americans who love this country.”
But the NFL’s chief security officer, Cathy Lanier, seemed to contradict that message last week.
“There are no known, no planned ICE or immigration enforcement operations that are scheduled around the Super Bowl or any of the Super Bowl-related events,” Lanier said.
Asked about the mixed messages on Saturday, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said they would not disclose future operations or discuss personnel.
“Super Bowl security will entail a whole-of-government response conducted in line with the U.S. Constitution,” McLaughlin said. “Those who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear.”
It comes as immigration enforcement tactics are under heightened scrutiny. Democrats are demanding a list of reforms to rein in ICE after two American citizens were killed by federal officers in Minneapolis amid widespread protests in the Twin Cities. If Congress doesn’t reach a deal by Friday, DHS funding could lapse once again.
Bad Bunny, who is headlining the Super Bowl halftime show, criticized ICE while accepting his first of several awards at the Grammys last weekend.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” he said. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”
The Spanish-speaking singer from Puerto Rico skipped the continental U.S. during his recent tour, partly due to concerns that his fans would be targeted by ICE.
Some conservatives have criticized the selection of Bad Bunny for the halftime show. Turning Point USA, which was founded by the late activist Charlie Kirk, is putting on an alternative show featuring musical performances from Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett.
“The All-American Halftime Show is an opportunity for all Americans to enjoy a halftime show with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family, and freedom,” said Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, in a statement.
Asked which show President Donald Trump would be tuning into, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “I think the president would much prefer a Kid Rock performance over Bad Bunny.”
Trump went to last year’s Super Bowl in person. This year, he is expected to attend a watch party in Palm Beach, Florida.
Epstein Island Emails Reignite Feud Between Elon Musk and Reid Hoffman
FBI documents show both tech billionaires exchanging friendly messages with Jeffrey Epstein long after his Florida conviction.
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Where is Super Bowl 2026? Date, kickoff time, location, TV channel, streaming
Somehow another NFL season is almost complete and on Sunday an NFL champion will be crowned. Super Bowl 60 will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, home of the San Francisco 49ers. The big game, known as Super Bowl LX for the purists, will take place on Sunday, Feb. 8, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
Levi’s Stadium officially opened in July of 2014 and has a capacity of 68,500. The stadium has hosted numerous events including WrestleMania, their highest attended event, concerts, NFL games, MLS games, College Football Playoff contests and more.
The New England Patriots will represent the AFC and it will be the Seattle Seahawks representing the NFC.
Super Bowl LX will be the third Super Bowl in the San Francisco Bay Area and is the second at Levi’s Stadium. The Broncos are the last team to win a Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium, doing so against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 in 2016.
The other NFL championship in the area was Super Bowl XIX, which took place in 1985 at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California. That year, the 49ers defeated the Miami Dolphins, 38-16.
California is about to host its 14th Super Bowl — second to Florida’s 17 — which includes Super Bowl I in 1967. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 35-10, in the game at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The most recent game in California was at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood between the Rams and Cincinnati Bengals at the end of the 2021 season. And Super Bowl LXI will return to SoFi Stadium, home of the Chargers and Rams, next season. The game, scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 14, 2027 — Valentine’s Day — will be the latest championship ever played.
Where to watch 2026 Super Bowl?
Date: Sunday, Feb. 8 | Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium — Santa Clara, California
TV: NBC, streaming on Peacock
Follow: CBS Sports App
Skier Breezy Johnson wins Team USA’s first gold medal of Milano Cortina Games in women’s downhill race were Lindsey Vonn crashed
American skier Breezy Johnson won Team USA’s first gold medal of the Milano Cortina Winter Games in the women’s downhill, a bittersweet victory after teammate Lindsey Vonn crashed out during the race.
Johnson, 30, was the first of four American skiers down the course on Saturday and took the lead early on after flying down the mountain in 1:36.10. It is her first-ever Olympic medal.
Christophe Pallot / Agence Zoom / Getty Images 
Emma Aicher of Germany and Sofia Goggia of Italy rounded up the podium.
Vonn crashed just 13.4 seconds into her downhill run. She lost control over the opening traverse after cutting the line too tightly and was spun around in the air. She was heard screaming out after the crash as she was surrounded by medical personnel before she was strapped to a gurney and flown away by a helicopter, possibly ending the skier’s storied career.
The other Americans in the race — Jacqueline Wiles and Isabella Wright — finished in 5th and 21st places, respectively.
Together in Love gala showcasing local artists
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – On Saturday evening, community members gathered to raise donations for those in need. Tenderlove Community Center hosted its fundraising gala “Together in Love,” highlighting community members making a difference in the city and showcasing local artists. The center first opened in 2013, helping people experiencing homelessness find stable housing and employment, providing […]
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How Much Money Can You Make Chasing High-Yield Savings Rates?
How much can you earn with a high-yield savings account?
Banks offer interest rates on savings accounts in order to attract deposits, which they lend out to other consumers in the form of mortgages, business loans and more.
Savings rates climbed dramatically in 2023 and early 2024 but began falling with Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2024. Rates have been relatively stable since the Fed stopped cutting rates in 2025, with the most recent decision following suit. As of September 2025, the top-paying 1% of savings accounts pay roughly 4.10%, according to DepositAccounts.com. Meanwhile, rates offered by many of the biggest brand-name banks remain far below that level. In fact, the national average rate calculated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is 0.39% as of August 18, 2025.
Just how much money is at stake? On a $10,000 investment, a 4.10% rate translates to $410 a year in interest, while a 0.39% rate is $39.
Note: Rates fluctuate frequently, so rather than searching for the highest possible rate on the date you open your account, it might make more sense to consider a bank with generally strong rates and other conveniences, such as a robust branch network and a user-friendly banking app. You can check out Buy Side’s picks for the Best High-Yield Savings Accounts.
When savings accounts aren’t just about the rate
It can take from three to 15 minutes to set up a new savings account. You’ll be asked for your Social Security number, address, email address, phone number and whether you want to make it a joint account. Many banks send a code to confirm your information, so arrange easy access to your email inbox while applying.
“High-yield savings accounts at online banks are easy to open and link to your existing checking account, so you don’t have to close any other checking or savings accounts,” says Ken Tumin, founder and editor of DepositAccounts.com. “The link allows you to electronically transfer money between your checking and high-yield savings accounts.”
Though if you’re planning to use your high-yield savings account for automatic payments such as utility bills or streaming services, you’ll have some additional setup to do after opening the account.
If you’re planning to open a high-yield savings account but still keep your current checking account, you’ll want to maintain any required minimums in both to avoid paying monthly fees and service charges. You may also want to test the amount of time it takes for money to transfer between accounts, which could be instantaneous or take several days.
Stocks, CDs and other investments to consider
A high-yield account is a good place for your short-term money needs and emergency funds, but experts say it isn’t a replacement for an investing strategy. It will likely never catch up to stock-market returns, says Tatiana Tsoir, a certified public accountant and chief executive of Linza Advisors Inc. “And even then, the financial market long-term will always beat it,” Tsoir says.
If you’re looking for a higher return on your money than what is offered by a savings account, you need to take on some risk in the form of stocks, bonds or other investments. Certificates of deposit (CDs) are another option, but they don’t earn much more and will lock up your money for a few months to a few years.
If you do open a high-yield savings account, you may find yourself enjoying a better rate and saving more than in the past.
“If you can use an automatic savings program that puts additional money in your account from a checking account, you can earn more interest on those additional deposits,” says Gabe Krajicek, chief executive of Kasasa, a financial technology company in Austin, Texas, that provides community banks with financial products.
If you’ve decided to move to a higher-yield savings account, you should “compare yields at least once a year,” says Maya Nijhawan, director of product marketing at Arc, a capital management platform, to make sure you’re still getting the best deal.