Charli XCX praises Kylie Jenner’s performance in ‘The Moment’
Charli XCX has applauded Kylie Jenner for her performance in a new mockumentary, The Moment.
In a new interview with Deadline, the 33-year-old singer called Kylie a “great actress,” describing her performance in the mockumentary “phenomenal.”
“The sort of people who are playing themselves, as you mentioned Kylie, she was just phenomenal. She totally got the assignment,” said the 360 hitmaker. She is a really great actress.”
Charli also praised other cast members, including Rosanna Arquette, Jamie Demetriou, Hailey Benton Gates, and Alexander Skarsgard.
“Rachel [Sennott] as well, who is playing herself, also incredible. There’s a little Julia Fox cameo moment in there too … Bringing all of these amazing people into the world was just so fabulous,” she said.
The Moment, inspired by Charli’s real-life music tour, will release on January 30, 2026.
Talking about the forthcoming mockumentary, the Boys songstress said, “Of course, this story is entirely fictional, entirely scripted, but we’ve often thought that what we were able to do with this film is hopefully touch on something that’s even more honest and more vulnerable than perhaps what a documentary might have done.”
Every parent wishes to secure a stable and comfortable future for their children. Many parents are particularly concerned about ensuring that their daughters do not face financial difficulties when it comes to crucial milestones such as education or marriage. For such families, there is a highly beneficial savings option offered by the central government, officially known as the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana. Let’s take a closer look at this scheme for more details.
What Is Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana? Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a government-backed savings scheme introduced by the central government in 2015 for girls below the age of 18. The scheme is designed to help parents or legal guardians build a financial corpus for their daughter’s education and marriage. An account can be opened in the girl’s name at any time from birth until she turns 10. It is regarded as one of the safest and most rewarding long-term savings schemes provided by the government.
What Is The Interest Rate? Under this scheme, parents can invest small amounts regularly in their daughter’s name and accumulate a substantial sum over a period of 21 years. The interest rate offered is higher than that of most bank fixed deposits. In addition, the returns from this scheme are completely tax-free, making it even more attractive for long-term savings.
How Much Can You Deposit? This Savings Scheme currently offers an annual interest rate of 8.2%, which is applicable until March 2026. This rate is reviewed by the government every quarter and may be revised thereafter. An account can be opened with a minimum deposit of Rs 250. The maximum amount that can be deposited in a financial year is Rs 1.5 lakh, which can be paid either as a lump sum or in instalments.
By saving Rs 12,500 per month, parents can invest the full Rs 1.5 lakh in a year. If investments begin when the girl is five years old, the savings can grow significantly over time. Contributions are required for only 15 years, while the account matures when the girl turns 21. At maturity, the total investment of Rs 22.5 lakh over 15 years can grow to approximately Rs 72 lakh. This includes interest earnings of around Rs 49 lakh or more. In total, after 21 years, the maturity amount can reach approximately Rs 7,182,119.
It is important to note that deposits are required only for the first 15 years from the date the account is opened. After this period, no further deposits are needed, but the accumulated amount continues to earn interest until maturity. Once the contribution period ends, the balance grows passively until the girl child reaches 21 years of age.
However, while this maturity amount may appear substantial, inflation can significantly reduce its real value over time. If inflation averages between 5-6% annually, Rs 71 lakh after 21 years would be equivalent to only about Rs 22 to 28 lakh in today’s terms. This highlights the importance of factoring in rising education costs and living expenses while planning long-term financial security for children.
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The dangerous winter storm in the central and eastern United States has led to at least seven deaths. Roughly 185 million people were under winter alerts, and thousands were without power. The storm has also caused about 12,000 scheduled flights to be canceled. NBC News’ Jessica Layton and Michelle Grossman have the update on the severe weather.Jan. 26, 2026
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Chase Infiniti reveals what Elisabeth Moss told her ahead of ‘The Testaments’
Chase Infiniti got guidance from her onscreen mom Elisabeth Moss while filming The Testaments, the sequal to The Handmaid’s Tale.
The Testaments will pick up where the Handmaid’s Tale left off and see Moss’ character June’s first daughter Hannah or Agnes still trapped in Gilead. It will follow the younger generation of women growing up in the suffocating environment, “grappling with the bleak future that awaits them,” per series creator Bruce Miller.
Infiniti, 25, who plays Agnes, shared that she met the lead star of the Handmaid’s Tale while filming for the sequel and the actress was highly encouraging and supportive.
“I actually didn’t get to meet Elisabeth Moss really until the end [of filming],” Infiniti told People. “But she kind of immediately after I met her, like, wrapped me into a big hug and was kind of like, ‘You got this. You got this. Okay? You got it.'”
Back in April, Miller shared some insight into the upcoming sequel, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “We tried not to make the same show — it’s got younger voices, it’s got a completely different feel and a completely different vibe but it’s still Gilead.”
The Testaments will also be based on the events from Margaret Atwood’s book of the same name. The show will drop on Hulu in April. Alongside Chase Infiniti, the show will star Lucy Halliday and Rowan Blanchard. Ann Dowd will return as Aunt Lydia.
Natalie Portman slams Oscars’ double standards ahead of 2026 ceremony
Natalie Portman has criticized the Academy Awards for snubbing female directors in the 2026 nominations.
The 44-year-old actress addressed the Oscars’ double standards while promoting her new film, The Gallerist, at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday.
“So many of the best films I saw this year were made by women,” Natalie said while speaking with Variety.
“You just see the barriers at every level because so many were not recognized at awards time,” she continued.
The Black Swan actress added, “Between Sorry Baby and Left-Handed Girl and Hedda and The Testament of Ann Lee… Extraordinary films this year that I think a lot of people are enjoying and loving, but are not getting the accolades that they deserve.”
For those unversed, Chloé Zhao, director of Hamnet, is the only woman nominated for Best Director at this year’s Academy Awards.
The other nominees in the category are Josh Safdie, Paul Thomas Anderson, Joachim Trier, and Ryan Coogler.
Natalie also discussed the challenges of getting a movie made today.
“Even when you pass the barriers of getting your financing, which is harder, getting into festivals, which is harder. Every step of the road is harder, and then you’re out and it’s great, and then it also doesn’t get the attention,” she said. “We have a lot of work to do still.”
“But joyfully, with a lot of joy, working with each other,” added the Thor star. “It’s a very special process to be in community with women on set.”
Gold and silver prices hit record highs in both international and local markets on Monday.
In the international bullion market, the price of gold per ounce surged by $109 to $5,097.
In local markets, the price of gold per tola rose by Rs10,900 to Rs532,062, while gold per 10 grams increased by Rs9,345 to Rs456,157.
Silver prices also climbed sharply, with silver per tola gaining Rs537 to Rs11,428, and per 10 grams rising by Rs537 to Rs9,797.
Spot gold was up 2.2% at $5,089.78 per ounce by 0656 GMT, after earlier touching an all-time high of $5,110.50. US gold futures for February delivery also gained the same amount to $5,086.30 per ounce.
Spot silver advanced 4.8% to $107.903, after hitting a record of $109.44. Spot platinum climbed 3.4% to $2,861.91 per ounce, after hitting a record high of $2,891.6 earlier in the session, while spot palladium was 2.5% higher at $2,060.70, having touched a more than three-year high.
Earlier on Saturday, in the local market, the price of gold per tola rose by Rs6,500 to reach Rs521,162, while 10-gram gold increased by Rs5,573 to settle at Rs446,812, according to rates released by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA).
The latest surge follows Friday’s sharp rally, when gold per tola climbed Rs9,100 to close at Rs514,662.
Silver also registered a historic breakout. In Pakistan, silver prices surged by Rs526 to Rs10,801 per tola, marking a new all-time high. Internationally, silver vaulted above $100 per ounce on Friday, extending a powerful rally that began in 2025 and has continued in the new year, supported by tight physical market conditions and momentum-driven buying.
According to Reuters, silver’s rally above $100 is driven by strong retail investor activity, momentum trading, and tightness in physical supply. Technical analysts, however, warn that the rapid gains could trigger a sharp correction.
Regional markets are also seeing some strain. In India, gold premiums jumped to their highest in over a decade, reaching $112 per ounce above official prices ahead of a potential import duty hike.
Local prices hit 159,226 rupees per 10 grams despite weak jewellery demand. In China, gold traded at an $8 premium above spot as global prices neared $4,967 per ounce.
Residents leave with their belongings ahead of an operation in the Maidan area of Tirah Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, January 9, 2026. — Geo News
Centre denies ordering evacuation from Tirah Valley.
KP govt urged to clarify stance on militants.
KP govt did not evacuate Tirah residents: CM Afridi.
PESHAWAR: After hundreds of Tirah residents vacated their homes due to heavy snowfall and a planned operation against terrorists in the tribal district, the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments traded barbs as Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said people were “forced” to leave their homes.
Speaking on Geo News programme “Naya Pakistan”, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal questioned why residents were being displaced from Tirah, saying the provincial government must explain the circumstances.
He categorically said that the federal government had not issued any directive or appeal for evacuation from the area.
Referring to the statement issued late Saturday night, Iqbal stressed that the Ministry of Information had already denied reports suggesting a large-scale military operation in Tirah, adding that linking the displacement to the armed forces amounted to deliberate misinformation.
He said law and order fell squarely under the provincial government’s jurisdiction, slamming the KP administration for failing in its responsibility.
“The KP government must decide whether it stands with terrorists or with the people of Pakistan,” Iqbal said, adding that the PTI-led provincial government was continuously running campaigns against state institutions and appeared sympathetic to extremist elements.
Echoing these remarks, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the federal government had taken serious notice of what he described as false propaganda surrounding Tirah. He reiterated that associating the evacuation with the military was misleading and factually incorrect.
The response comes amid worsening humanitarian conditions in Tirah, where families fleeing the Maidan area have been stranded on snow-covered roads due to heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.
The evacuation from the area began on January 9 ahead of a planned operation expected to conclude within two months, with rehabilitation and return scheduled to start from April 5.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the Miraban–Tirah Valley Road was blocked following heavy snowfall, while multiple routes across KP — including Kaghan-Naran, Battal and the Lowari Tunnel — were also closed, leaving locals and tourists stranded.
Snow accumulation has further affected roads in Buner, Swat, Chitral, Lower Dir and Kolai-Palas, with clearance efforts underway using heavy machinery.
Rescue 1122 officials said emergency operations were ongoing in Tirah, involving 103 personnel deployed from Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera and Khyber districts. So far, more than 25 vehicles carrying 65 stranded individuals have been rescued, with the scope of the operation continuing to expand.
‘Forced to leave’
Meanwhile, KP CM Afridi said that residents of the Tirah Valley were “forced to leave”, stressing that the provincial government did not evacuate them.
Addressing party workers in Chakdara, Afridi said the people of Tirah were facing severe hardship and warned that if the ongoing operation was not halted within the next two to three days, the provincial government would formulate its own strategy.
The chief minister clarified that his party was neither hostile to the armed forces nor to state institutions, but opposed those who, he said, interfere in politics.
Separately, KP government spokesperson Shafi Jan dismissed the federal government’s claim regarding the release of Rs4 billion for families displaced from Tirah as “highly ridiculous”.
He said the provincial government had released funds in a timely manner to provide relief to the displaced families, adding that residents of Tirah were being compelled to leave their homes due to an operation.
Jan further accused the federal government of making a failed attempt to shift responsibility for the operation onto the KP government.
Smoke rising from the site of crash seen in this screengrab taken from a video. — Reuters
A private jet crashed in flames as it was taking off from a Maine airport with eight aboard, the US aviation regulator said, but their fate and identities were not immediately known.
Sunday’s crash of a twin-engine turbo-fan jet Bombardier Challenger 600 at Bangor International Airport happened at about 7:45pm, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement, adding that it planned to investigate.
Few details were available, but a government official briefed on the matter told Reuters there was a significant fire after the crash.
Light snow had started falling at the airport before the crash, weather reports showed, but authorities gave no immediate indication that weather played a role in the accident.
A winter storm warning covered most of Maine, including Bangor, the state’s third-largest city.
The plane had arrived in Maine from Texas, the government official said. The company listed as its registered owner shares a Houston address with Arnold & Itkin, a personal injury law firm.
FAA records show the craft went into service in April 2020.
The FAA said it would investigate the crash along with the National Transportation Safety Board.
The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will meet in Super Bowl LX in what will be a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX.
The Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game, which turned into an epic snow game. Drake Maye picked up the win over Jarrett Stidham as he scored a rushing touchdown and did just enough to get past the incredible Broncos defense.
Sam Darnold led the Seahawks over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game. He had three touchdown passes and will have another test in the Patriots’ defense.
In Super Bowl XLIX, the Tom Brady-led Patriots got the better of the Russell Wilson-led Seahawks. Wilson threw an interception in the end zone to seal New England’s victory.
Here’s what to know about this year’s game.
When is Super Bowl LX?
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)
Super Bowl LX will take place on Feb. 8, 2026. Kickoff is set for 6:40 p.m. ET.
Who is playing in Super Bowl LX?
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, center, celebrates with quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) quarterback Drew Lock, left, after the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle.(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Patriots will take on the Seahawks in a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX.
Super Bowl LX will be broadcast on NBC this year. Super Bowl LIX was on FOX and it shattered viewership records with a projected average of 126 million viewers.
Who is performing at halftime?
Bad Bunny accepts the award for best música urbana album for “Un Verano Sin Ti.”(Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Bad Bunny was tapped as the Super Bowl halftime show performer this year despite criticism of the move. The Grammy Award winner has been critical of U.S. policies over the last year, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arresting illegal immigrants.
However, Bad Bunny has found support from Jay-Z and Dallas Cowboys executive Charlotte Jones.
Who is singing the national anthem?
Charlie Puth will be singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the game begins. Green Day is also expected to be a part of the pregame festivities.
Brandi Carlisle will sing “America the Beautiful.” Coco Jones will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black national anthem.
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Where is Super Bowl LX being held?
A detail view of the Super Bowl LX logo on a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail car on Dec. 29, 2025 in Santa Clara, California.(Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LV will take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It’s the first time the stadium has held the Super Bowl since Super Bowl 50 between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers.
The Seahawks and Patriots are officially headed to Super Bowl LX, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 8, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
With two weeks until the big game, we’re taking an early look at what you can expect in the matchup. Lindsey Thiry sets it up with what to know, and our NFL Nation reporters Mike Reiss and Brady Henderson pick reasons for hope and concern for both teams. Seth Walder gives you some key stats, Matt Bowen picks a key matchup and Eric Moody pulls out an X factor. Aaron Schatz answers big questions surrounding the final game of the season, Dan Graziano judges one potential overreaction and Ben Solak explores the quarterback matchup. And finally, we have early gut-reaction predictions from our experts.
Does the Patriots secondary stand a chance against Jaxon Smith-Njigba? Will quarterback Drake Maye become the fifth quarterback to win a Super Bowl in their second NFL season? Here’s everything you need to know.
Forever ingrained in Seahawks and Patriots lore is cornerback Malcolm Butler‘s interception at the 1-yard line to secure a 28-24 victory in Super Bowl XLIX at the end of the 2014 season. This upcoming contest marks the ninth time there’s been a Super Bowl rematch. New England has been involved in four of the those matchups, most by any team. For the Patriots, it’s a return to the Super Bowl after a six-year absence following the end of the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady dynasty. And for the Seahawks, it will be their fourth appearance in team history.
Tucked away in the Pacific Northwest, coach Mike MacDonald and the Seahawks quietly built on their 10-7 record in MacDonald’s first season, winning the NFC West and earning the No. 1 seed in Year 2. In his first season in Seattle, quarterback Sam Darnold joined Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks to put together back-to-back 14-win seasons. Boasting the top scoring defense (17.2 points allowed per game), the Seahawks also received a midseason boost with the acquisition of wide receiver Rashid Shaheed. His standout play as a return specialist provided sparks in multiple key wins.
In his first season as New England’s head coach, Vrabel orchestrated a turnaround that took a 4-13 team to the Patriots’ first division title since winning 11 straight from 2009 to 2019. They are the sixth team to reach the Super Bowl after having five or fewer wins in the previous season. The last team to win a Super Bowl in this scenario was the 2001 Patriots, which marked Brady’s first season as the starting QB. After a 1-2 start in 2025, the Patriots won 13 of their next 14 games behind a top-five scoring offense and defense. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye led the NFL this season in Total QBR (77.1). — Thiry
Regular season: 14-3 | NFC seed: No. 1
Reason for hope: Defense wins championships, and the Seahawks have an elite one. Mike Macdonald’s unit allowed the fewest points in the NFL in the regular season at 16.4 per game, and then they turned it up a notch in the divisional round against the 49ers. Seattle held San Francisco to a pair of field goals, got three takeaways and forced three more turnovers on downs. They have now gone 27 straight games without allowing a 100-yard rusher despite facing Christian McCaffrey twice, Kyren Williams twice, Bijan Robinson once and Jonathan Taylor once over the past two months.
Reason for concern: Turnovers. Only Minnesota committed more than Seattle’s 28 during the regular season. Sam Darnold made the Pro Bowl despite leading all players with 20 turnovers, though he didn’t give the ball away in the Seahawks’ past three games. Darnold is also playing through an oblique injury, and Seattle’s offense just lost one of its most reliable players — running back Zach Charbonnet — to an ACL tear. — Henderson
Regular season: 14-3 | AFC seed: No. 2
Reason for hope: Quarterback Drake Maye. His knack for making plays with his arm and legs is unique, as is his pinpoint accuracy on deep passes — even when he’s escaping the pocket. In the regular season, he led the NFL in completion percentage (72%), passer rating (113.5) and yards per attempt (8.93). Maye’s 37-yard run in the wild-card round set a franchise record, and he had a 28-yarder to set up the Patriots’ go-ahead field goal in the AFC title game. Paired with a defense that has proven it can play at a high level in the postseason, it’s a potential lethal combination.
Reason for concern: Turnovers — same as the Seahawks. Maye fumbled six times in the first two playoff matchups (losing three of them), and he also had a tipped-ball interception against the Chargers. So they’ve been living dangerously at times with ball security. Youth is also a consideration. In addition to four undrafted free agents, the Patriots have all 11 draft picks from 2025 on their roster. That’s a big stage for rookies. — Reiss
Stats to know
Every number tells the same story against the Seahawks’ defense: You cannot run on them. Opponent success rate on designed runs against Seattle is just 34%, the lowest in the NFL. Their EPA per play on those plays is minus-0.15, also the lowest. And opponents have managed minus-34 first downs over expectation, per NFL Next Gen Stats, when rushing against Seattle. That’s by far the lowest in the league (next closest is the Texans at minus-14).
play
0:16
Seahawks get critical fourth-down stop in red zone
Devon Witherspoon breaks up Matthew Stafford’s pass to Terrance Ferguson in the end zone on fourth down.
The Patriots are the best team in the league in the most important part of football: passing offense (0.23 EPA per play). They also have the largest gap between their EPA per play on designed passes versus designed runs (0.28 difference). So it’s critical they put the ball in Maye’s hands as much as possible in the Super Bowl. And they’ve done that up to this point with the second-highest pass rate over expected (plus-4%) in the NFL, per NFL Next Gen Stats. — Walder
The Patriots played quarters coverage (four deep, three under) on 19.5% of opponent dropbacks during the playoffs. Here, the Seahawks can scheme for Smith-Njigba out of slot alignments to create vertical matchups versus New England safeties Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson. Smith-Njigba caught 24 passes for 335 yards out of the slot this season. This is where coordinator Klint Kubiak can set up his shot plays for Darnold. — Bowen
Shaheed brings a unique skill set to the Seahawks’ offense. He’s explosive and capable of scoring whenever he touches the ball as a receiver, a runner or on special teams. That ability was on full display in the NFC Championship Game, when he hauled in a 51-yard reception. With wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running back Kenneth Walker III expected to command significant attention from New England, Shaheed could find himself in favorable matchups on the league’s biggest stage.
Stevenson has emerged as an under-the-radar star for the Patriots. After a rough start to the season marked by fumbling issues, he was given the opportunity to turn things around following Antonio Gibson‘s season-ending injury and has delivered since Week 6 while playing alongside rookie TreVeyon Henderson. Running behind an inconsistent Patriots offensive line, Stevenson has still been productive, totaling 58 touches and 280 yards in three postseason games. Vrabel trusts Stevenson, and he is expected to be leaned on heavily by the Patriots in the Super Bowl. — Moody
Answering big questions
Did Sam Darnold show major improvements this season, or was he again carried by a strong defense?
The answer is both. Darnold showed major improvements in the first half of the regular season and then regressed substantially as the Seahawks defense got even better. Remarkably, he finished the 2025 regular season with a lower QBR (56.0) than he had last season in Minnesota (57.3). Although he had a higher completion rate and took fewer sacks, he also had more interceptions and fewer touchdowns.
And look at how Darnold’s stats are split this season. In Weeks 1-9, Darnold had a 77.9 QBR. At that point, he was second in the NFL behind Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson. For Weeks 10-18, Darnold had a 37.4 QBR. That ranked 26th. Every part of Darnold’s performance declined in the second half of the season.
Did the Patriots have the easiest path ever to the Super Bowl by strength of schedule?
Based on my DVOA ratings, the Patriots had the third-easiest regular-season schedule since 1978. Their average opponent had a minus-13.3% DVOA. In other words, their average opponent was about as good as Washington or Miami in 2025.
However, the two teams with easier schedules by average DVOA of opponents also made it to the Super Bowl. The 1991 Bills had the easiest schedule by DVOA (minus-14.8%), followed by the 1999 Rams (minus-14.5%).
We also have to consider who these teams faced in the playoffs. The Patriots started out with the Chargers, who ranked 17th in DVOA. Houston was fourth and Denver was seventh.
However, the 1991 Bills and 1999 Rams had easier playoff roads because they started out against nobody. (First-round byes are a lot easier than facing an average team such as the Chargers.) The 1991 Bills faced the Chiefs (fifth) and then the Broncos (15th). The 1999 Rams had it a little tougher, facing the Vikings (sixth) and the Buccaneers (10th).
There’s an argument to be made that the Patriots’ had an easier path because of circumstances. For example, they beat the Broncos’ backup quarterback and played the Texans without wide receiver Nico Collins. But the Rams also faced Tampa Bay’s backup quarterback in the NFC Championship Game.
It’s worth noting two teams before DVOA ratings began: the 1970 Baltimore Colts and the 1972 Miami Dolphins. They faced the easiest regular-season schedules based on their opponents’ win-loss record. Baltimore’s opponents were at .352, Miami’s opponents at .357 and the 1999 Rams’ opponents at .363. This year’s Patriots opponents are at .429. — Schatz
play
0:32
Drake Maye seals the AFC Championship with gutsy scramble
Drake Maye keeps it for a crucial first-down conversion to seal a win over the Broncos and send the Patriots to Super Bowl LX.
Judging one overreaction: Sam Darnold is going to get a huge contract extension this offseason
Yes, overreaction. First of all, the Seahawks don’t need to give Darnold an extension at all. He is signed through 2027 with no guaranteed money left on his deal beyond what they’ve already paid him. Darnold made $37.5 million this season, in the first year of the three-year, $100.5 million deal he signed with the Seahawks in March. Now, Seattle does have to decide by five days after the Super Bowl whether it wants to pay his $15 million 2026 roster bonus. Since the Seahawks are playing in the Super Bowl, it’s probably fair to expect them to pick up that bonus, and he’ll make an additional $12.5 million in salary in 2026.
The point here is about the Seahawks and the way they view the quarterback position. They tradedRussell Wilson when they knew he was going to get another top-of-market extension and they didn’t feel like he was still the type of player who deserved that. They tradedGeno Smith when he rebuffed their attempts at a contract extension. And pivoting to Darnold has worked. The picks the Seahawks got for Wilson helped them build an NFC champion roster, and Darnold has so far been good enough to lead them to the Super Bowl. But Seattle thought Darnold was worth $33.5 million per year in free agency, and I believe it still values him in that range.
If Darnold were to insist on a big-money contract extension and threaten to sit out, Seattle’s recent behavior tells us it’d probably trade him and find a capable replacement to plug into its deep, excellent roster. The Seahawks don’t want to spend great-QB money on a good — even very good — QB. They don’t feel that’s the best way to build a championship roster. If they had Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen or Joe Burrow or another clearly elite quarterback, they’d be willing to pay him at the top of the market, as they were early in Wilson’s career. But if anything, getting to the Super Bowl with Darnold only proves them right in their belief that they can figure it out at QB. — Graziano
The quarterback matchup
Darnold vs. Maye
If anyone had this Super Bowl matchup on their bingo card, I’d like to see it. What an improbable pairing — but well-earned by both to make it here.
By the numbers, Maye has had a rough postseason. His two worst games of the year, by both EPA per dropback and success rate were the two most recent wins against the Broncos and the Patriots; the Chargers win was also a below-average game in both metrics. His sack rate has doubled in the playoffs, from 7.8% to 14.7%, and his completion percentage has gone from 9.1% above expectation to 5.8% below expectation, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Of course, we have an easy way to explain this: He has played three excellent defenses, and it was snowing substantially against two of them (the Texans and Broncos). Maye hasn’t been at his best, and it’s fair to say that the combination of his first playoffs and the softer regular-season schedule has affected his game. Now he gets the Seahawks’ defense, who only one quarterback has reliably beaten this season: Matthew Stafford, Maye’s opponent for MVP.
Even Darnold’s staunchest believers wondered about his ability in big games and key moments. This Rams defense in particular had flummoxed Darnold as Viking last postseason, and again as a Seahawk in the regular season this year. But he was absolutely nails against them in the NFC Championship Game, avoiding turnovers while making aggressive throws between zones. He was fearless in a spot many expected him to fear.
Much of Darnold’s success is to the credit of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, a stellar schemer with a deep menu of screens, rollouts and play-action passes to create open receivers and explosive plays without taxing Darnold too much. The Patriots know the scouting report on Darnold — he can fade under the big lights and will spiral into bad turnovers under a heavy dose of pressure. But with two weeks of prep, who will win the game-planning war? Vrabel and his defensive staff in building out those pressure plans; or Kubiak, with all of his clever machinations?
Darnold is one of the highest ceiling/lowest floor quarterbacks in the league. Maye, only a 23-year-old playing the Super Bowl against an elite defense, has a similarly wide range of outcomes. Hold on to your butts! — Solak
Betting nuggets
This is the first Super Bowl in over 50 years between two teams that entered the season at least 60-1 to win the Super Bowl.
Underdogs are 5-0 against the spread and 4-1 outright in the last five Super Bowls, including three straight outright wins.
Mike Vrabel (-400) and Mike Macdonald (+450) were the two favorites to win Coach of the Year in the closing odds at DraftKings. No one has won Coach of the Year and the Super Bowl in the same season since 2003 (Bill Belichick).
Gut-reaction predictions
Stephania Bell, NFL analyst: Seahawks. Their defense will be the difference maker here; the consistent, relentless pressure up front will ultimately force costly turnovers by the Patriots.
Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: Seahawks. Their defense has the team speed and physical demeanor up front to limit Maye’s ability to create explosive plays.
Dan Graziano, national NFL reporter: Seahawks. They’ve been the best team all year, hiding in plain sight, and they’ll make life brutally tough on Maye, who’s already been sacked 15 times in this postseason.
Dan Orlovsky, NFL analyst: Seahawks.The Patriots offense isn’t good enough to beat this Seattle defense.
Eric Moody, fantasy and betting analyst: Seahawks. Seattle’s defense has been formidable all season, and defense still wins championships. The Patriots are averaging just 18.0 points per game this postseason, the fourth-fewest by a team entering the Super Bowl and the fewest since 1979. Two of the three teams went on to lose the Super Bowl.
Aaron Schatz, NFL analyst: Seahawks. The Seahawks have been No. 1 in my DVOA ratings for most of the second half of the season, and with that defense I’m expecting a lower-scoring Super Bowl. Seahawks 24, Patriots 18.
Ben Solak, NFL analyst: Seahawks. The Patriots’ run of elite defenses faced ends with the true best unit of the year. With two weeks to plan, Macdonald will have too many tools to fluster and disrupt Maye.
Lindsey Thiry, national NFL reporter: Seahawks. They’re playing textbook complementary football on offense, defense and special teams. And they have standout playmakers who can change the game in a moments notice in each phase.
Seth Walder, NFL analyst: Seahawks. ESPN’s FPI, which considers a team’s play on a down-to-down basis all year long, sees the Seahawks as being in a completely different class as the Patriots. I’m inclined to trust the numbers. Seahawks by double digits.
Field Yates, NFL analyst: Seahawks.The Patriots have faced an extremely difficult string of defenses this postseason, finding ways to overcome the field in the AFC. But Seattle’s roster is superior than their first three foes, and I believe Seattle will take home its second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
