Both teams arrived at Levi’s Stadium with matching 14-3 records and postseason runs that few saw coming. Seattle enters as a slight favorite, but the Patriots have spent the past month turning predictions into confetti.

New England’s defense has been the story of the playoffs, smothering opposing run games and forcing offenses into uncomfortable territory. Through three postseason wins, the Patriots have allowed just 3.1 yards per carry and 71.3 rushing yards per game — numbers that would make even the old Steel Curtain nod in approval. That’s a direct challenge to a Seattle offense built on balance and powered by Kenneth Walker III, whose success on the ground fuels Sam Darnold’s play-action rhythm.

If the Patriots can force Darnold into obvious passing downs — and given his league-leading 20 giveaways in the regular season, they’ll try — Christian Gonzalez and the New England secondary will be waiting. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is Seattle’s most dangerous weapon, but Mike Vrabel has spent the postseason turning star receivers into quiet footnotes.

The faces are new. The stakes are the same. And if history has taught us anything, Patriots-Seahawks rarely disappoint.

AP file photo
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye

Here are 60 other predictions from folks across the Juniata River Valley:

-Jackson Albert, of Juniata County School District Board of Directors: Seattle 27, New England 23. “Everyone in my life watches football; however, I do not follow it. But from conversations with my co-workers and my wife, being a die-hard Cowboys fan, I am taking an educated guess.”

-Marc Attivo, of Lewistown: Seattle 31, New England 23. “I went into the playoffs not giving the Seahawks enough credit. I’ve been impressed and I think they take home the Lombardi.”

-Josie Baughman, of Kiwanis Club of Lewistown: Seattle 27, New England 10. “Sam Darnold and Seattle’s offense are moving the ball and scoring seemingly at will, while Drake Maye and New England’s offense have struggled in the post-season.”

-Sam Baumgardner, Sentinel photographer: New England, 38, Seattle 31. “Because the Patriots need to prove they can do it without Brady.”

AP file photo
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold

-Suzi Love Bender, of Lewistown: Seattle 27, New England 21. “I’m going with the Seahawks because that starts with ‘S’ just like ‘snow,’ and the snow is definitely winning lately.”

-Sarah Boyd, of Juniata Valley YMCA: New England 31, Seattle 28. “I think it’s going to be a really good game, but Drake Maye will have the slight edge offensively.”

-Buffie Boyer, of Juniata River Valley Tourism Bureau: New England 28, Seattle 24. “Since we are celebrating America’s 250th birthday, I think the Patriots will win.”

-Shane Breon, of Mifflin County Huskies football: Seattle 24, Mifflin County 17. “Chance for Sam Darnold to quiet his critics and I don’t think NE has played the best competition, especially from the opposing QB position, that the Seahawks have. If NE can control the line of scrimmage, it might be a different ballgame.”

-Craig Bubb, Juniata Indians softball coach: Seattle 27, New England 24. “Seattle finally gets revenge after Super Bowl XLIX where they were picked off in the end zone instead of running “Beast Mode” Marshawn Lynch.”

-Dave Burman, former radio station sports director: Seattle 21, New England 17. “Seattle is just a bit better.”

-Tim Clark, of Lewistown: Seattle, 27, New England 20. “Sam Darnold, USC legend. Remember he beat Penn State? Enough said.”

-Kevin Cunningham, of Mifflintown: Seattle 28, New England 24. “I am picking the Seahawks to win a back-and-forth game. With this year’s Super Bowl being played on the West Coast, Seattle has the ‘home-field’ advantage.”

-Laura Cunningham, of Mifflintown: New England 28, Seattle 24. “Being done with Belichick and Brady, I support the current New England coach and quarterback.”

-Brad Eargle, Juniata High School music director: Seattle 24, New England 13. “Mike Vrabel is a good coach, but Seattle has the better roster and has proven themselves all season against much better opponents than New England has.”

-Ruth Eddy, Sentinel publisher: Seattle 24, New England 13. “Seattle will shut down New England’s running game and keep pressure on the quarterback.”

-Garth Espigh, of Milroy: Seattle 27, New England 17. “I think Seattle is a bit more of a well-rounded team and I like their defense to stifle Maye just enough.”

-Eric Ettinger, of Lewistown: Seattle 36, New England 33. “I’m rooting for the Seahawks because they knocked off my 49ers in the playoffs and are from the NFC West which is the same division as my 49ers.”

-Stacey Falkner, of Belleville: Seattle 30, New England 20. “It’s been the season for upsets and surprises, so I’ll go with the Seahawks.”

-Ben Fausey, of Juniata County School District: Seattle 24, New England 21. “Only because I am tired of seeing the Patriots win so many Super Bowls.”

-Forest Fisher, of Mifflin County Historical Society: New England 21, Seattle 17. “As it’s the Semiquincentennial of the U.S., I have to go with the Patriots!”

-Gabby Fisher, of Juniata County School District Board of Directors: Seattle 29, New England 20. “The Seahawks have a solid defense – or at least that’s what I’ve heard. My nephew likes them and I want to see him happy.”

-Anthony Fiuza, Sentinel Sports editor: Seattle 27, New England 13. “Seahawks have plenty of weapons on offense and their defense should make plays against Drake Maye.”

-Mike Goss, Sentinel photographer: Seattle 27, New England 10. “Seattle has the best defense. Defense wins games.”

-Marlin Groce, of Lewistown: New England 27, Seattle 24. “The Patriots have a great defense that creates turnovers.”

-Brian Gumberg, of Mifflin County Commons: Seattle 31, New England 24. “No Steeler fan can root for the Patriots.”

-Jessica Eaton Guyer, of Juniata County Historical Society: New England 27, Seattle 21 The Patriots have to win on the 250th of America.”

-Cher Harpster, of Milroy: Seattle 28, New England 21. “I think the Seahawks have a better defense.”

-Kim Hart, of Mifflintown: New England 34, Seattle 27. “I like (Patriots head coach Mike) Vrabel and am rooting for Drake Maye to make it happen.”

-AJ Hartsock, of Geisinger Lewistown Hospital: Seattle 27, New England 14. “The Patriots don’t have enough offensive firepower to beat the Seahawks.”

-Colette Hartzler, of United Way of Mifflin-Juniata: New England 28, Seattle 13. “Because they always win. Although, I see the Seahawks are favored.”

-Brian Heckert, of Reedsville: Seattle 27, New England 17. “Rooting for New England, but thinking the Seahawks’ front four on the defensive line will make a huge difference and put pressure on Pats QB Maye.”

-Kris Hendricks, of Reedsville: Seattle 24, New England 20. “Seattle has consistently been the best team all year.”

-Christie Holderman, of Juniata County School District: New England 21, Seattle 17. “I’m going with the East Coast team.”

-Ray Hoppel, Mifflin County Huskies baseball coach: Seattle 23, New England 20. “I think Seattle wins a very close game. And when it’s down to the wire, and the Seahawks are on the 1-yard line late in the game, they’ll choose to run the ball this time instead of trying to pass. They have learned their lesson.”

-Daniel Kanagy, former East Juniata High School and minor league pitcher: Seattle 27, New England 24. “I’ve got the Seahawks winning in a rematch of the 2015 Super Bowl. Seattle will learn from their prior mistake and run the ball on the goal line!”

-Chad Kauffman, of Mifflintown: Seattle 32, New England 13: “Sam Darnold gets to show everyone on the big stage he is a player and didn’t have to have his career die at the Jets like many do.”

-Rhonda Kelley, of Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce: Seattle 27, New England 21. “They are looking strong right now, especially Walker, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Darnold. Add to that they haven’t won a Super Bowl since 2014. I think they’re due and I hope they can pull it off.”

-Leon King, of Mifflintown: Seattle 35, New England 30. “Young, hard-working players that are hungry for it.”

-Kevin Kodish, of Mifflin County Commissioners: Seattle 17, New England 13. “Seattle’s defense is very tough, and they will have just enough offense to beat Coach Vrabel’s AFC titlists.”

-Tom Laub, Sentinel Lifestyles editor: Seattle 24, New England 13. “The Seattle defense will dominate.”

-Daniel Love, of East Waterford: Seattle 34, New England 27. “I predict the real winner at the end of the night is the new Budweiser commercial featuring the new horse.”

-Kevin Lyter, of Thompsontown: Seattle 23, New England 17. “Picking the Seahawks mostly because of their defense and the way they’ve played in the playoffs. Impressive against the 49ers and Rams.”

-Rob McKnight, of Reedsville: Seattle 27, New England 10. “Defense wins championships, and they seem to have the most dominant defense this year.”

-Gary Miller Jr., of Mifflintown: Seattle 35, New England 21. “I believe Seattle’s defense is going to dominate.”

-Terra Noerr, of Lewistown: Seattle 31, New England 20. “The Seahawks will win because their mascot will secretly swap the Patriots’ playbook with a Starbucks menu, and the Patriots will spend the first half arguing whether ‘Cover 2 Foam’ coves with oat milk.”

-Jaxton Rapp, of Port Royal: New England 35, Seattle 21. “The Patriots played a better season, and Drake Maye is an amazing quarterback.”

-Victoria Searer, of Juniata Valley YMCA: Seattle 31, New England 27. “I think it is going to be a good Super Bowl this year. I think there are many reasons both teams could come out on top, but I think defense wins championships, and the Seahawks have an elite one!”

-Jennifer (Henry) Sheaffer, of Lewistown: Seattle 24, New England 17. “I really dislike the Patriots.”

-Jasper Shepps, of Mifflintown: Seattle 27, New England 10. “Because nobody can guard JSN (Seattle receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba)!”

-Mike Smith, of Lewistown: New England 24, Seattle 13. “Pats’ defense locks them down and secures the win because the Pats know what to do when they get to the big game! All three post season games they have held their opponents to 16 or less points. Defense wins games.”

-Diane Stewart, of Lewistown: Seattle 33, New England 20. “2005 – Pope Benedict begins his papacy. Seahawks lose the Super Bowl. 2013 – Pope Francis begins his papacy. Seahawks win the Super Bowl. 2025 – Pope Leo begins his papacy. Seahawks are in the Super Bowl. I will go with a win for the Seahawks thus keeping their Super Bowl streak alive when a new pope is anointed.”

-Ed Stewart, of Lewistown: Seattle 27, New England 21. “I believe Seattle has the better team, and it’s Sam Darnold’s year.”

-Andy Stine, Penn State football reporter: Seattle 27, New England 21. “The Seahawks have been the best team for at least a month now. And I want to see them win because I went to kindergarten with their quarterbacks coach.”

-Brad Strawser, of Mifflintown: Seattle 21, New England 10. ” Seahawks have a great defense and offense and while the Patriots have won all their games in the playoffs, the offense hasn’t looked good.”

-John Sutton, of Lewistown: Seattle 28, New England 13. “Because Sam Darnold is putting up bigger numbers.”

-Sara Sutton, of Lewistown: Seattle 27, New England 17. “Because the Seahawks’ offense is more powerful and their defensive front is good.”

-Jason Ufema, of Lewistown: Seattle 35, New England 17. “I think they both have top tier defenses but the playmaking ability of Seattle’s offense will eventually overpower New England in the second half.”

-Kenny Varner, Sentinel correspondent: Seattle 35, New England 10. “This season has been a ‘coming of age’ moment for Seahawks QB Sam Darnold. Formerly with the New York Jets Darnold was a punchline to many jokes, but in the last two years, he has shed the negativity and finds himself in the biggest game of his career.”

-Tanya Williams, of Middleburg: Seattle 28, New England 24. “Repeat of 2015 – the last time they played in the Super Bowl – but this time the other team gets to be the winners.”

-Patrick Young, of Lewistown: New England 27, Seattle 21. “Patriots shock everyone! Defense again comes up with takeaways.”

My prediction? Of course, New England wins. I grew up there and it will be a nail-biter at 27-24.