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The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are the final two teams standing in the 2025 NFL season, which will meet at Levi’s Stadium on February 8 to determine who will hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy as Super Bowl LX champions.
As the debates begin over who has the X-factor and who will win the Super Bowl, “NFL RedZone” host Scott Hanson can help take a step back and look at what this matchup really means for the league.
In fact, Hanson has a different name for the final game of the season.
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NFL Network host Scott Hanson presents on stage during Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
“I’ll tell you what: Super Bowl LX is the ‘Hope Bowl,'” he told Pakinomist Digital, while also discussing his excitement for Lowe’s “Earn Your Sunday Bucket Belt.” “This year’s Super Bowl is the ‘Hope Bowl,’ and that may sound strange.”
It may sound strange at first, but when you really look at these two teams playing in Santa Clara, California, Hanson’s vision comes to life.
“Seahawks fans are sky high, Patriots fans are sky high. I’m not even talking to them right now,” he continued. “I’m talking to the other 30 NFL fan bases that have had their season end in disappointment in the playoffs, or disappointment in the last week of the regular season, or by Thanksgiving, their team was out of it. There is hope, my friends, because we’re going to see, on Super Bowl Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks, a non-playoff team from a year ago, the Seattle market a year ago. The Seahawks, who have a second-year head coach who had never been a head coach before— they’re playing in the biggest game in American sports.”
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When the Seahawks hired Mike Macdonald two years ago, he hadn’t been an NFL head coach despite his defensive prowess under John Harbaugh with the Baltimore Ravens. But there was hope for Seattle as they went 10-7 in his inaugural season, despite missing the playoffs.
To build on that season, the Seahawks were quick to make trades, including a big one to the Las Vegas Raiders. Geno Smith, the journeyman quarterback, was reunited with Pete Carroll in Sin City, while the Seahawks set their sights on the free agent market and Sam Darnold.
Hanson called Darnold the best “human interest story” in this game given his path to this moment two weeks from now. But Darnold was clearly the right call by Macdonald, GM John Schneider and the rest of the organization, leading Seattle to a 14-win season after doing the same with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold lifts the trophy next to Michael Strahan, left, after a victory over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
Unlike the season that ended against the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round, Darnold got some redemption with a three-touchdown game to win the NFC conference and earn a spot in the “Big Game.
On the other hand, Hanson sees even more hope for the fan bases that may be at the bottom of the barrel in the standings this year.
“Taking on the New England Patriots, who were a four-win team a year ago. A four-win team two years ago,” he added. “They’re completely hitting the reset button at head coach, at quarterback, at so many other key positions, and they’re playing in the biggest game in American sports.”
Head coach Mike Vrabel came into his old franchise as a player and immediately helped turn things around. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye was an MVP finalist with his production throughout the season, while Vrabel’s aggressive defensive nature permeated this unit all season.
While some say they had an easy road to the Super Bowl, the Patriots faced three of the league’s top-five defenses, two of them in games where snow played a big role. The schedule may have been easier than others, but the Patriots beat who they should, reaching this height for the first time since the Tom Brady days in Foxborough.
“No matter what team you root for in the NFL, Super Bowl LX gives you hope that in 365 days you and I, Scott, will be talking here on Fox about, ‘So-and-so vs. so-and-so in the Super Bowl. Can you believe it?'” Hanson said.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye celebrates with the trophy after the AFC Championship NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/John Locher)
“I think it’s a great, inspiring Super Bowl game.”
As you sit and watch Super Bowl LX, heed Hanson’s words – there is hope for your favorite team.
The Patriots and Seahawks are the proof.
EARN YOUR SUPER BOWL SUNDAY WITH LOWE’S
All season long, Lowe’s has found ways to help NFL fans “earn their Sundays,” and their best way for Super Bowl LX is something Hanson is very excited about.
The “Earn Your Sunday Bucket Belt” looks like a regular tool belt that would go around a Lowe’s five-gallon bucket, but Hanson would like to see snacks, drinks, grilling tools and more on it for the Big Game.
Lowe’s is introducing the Bucket Belt ahead of this year’s Super Bowl LX game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. (Lowe’s)
Gameday essentials are reimagined, and Hanson thinks everyone should have one for February 8th.
“Theoretically, it’s for all your tools. But on Super Bowl Sunday, it’s beverages, it’s snacks. The only tools are grilling tools that we want to see in there,” Hanson said. “Strap on top of the bucket here and you can fill it up with ice for your favorite drinks. There’s some football goodies and you’ll earn your Super Bowl Sunday and enjoy Super Bowl LX Lowe’s style.”
The belt belt can be purchased now exclusively for MyLowe’s Rewards and MyLowe’s Pro Rewards members.
