The stage is set: February 8, 2026 — Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
The formerly dynastic New England Patriots will return to the big game for the first time since the Brady-Belichick Era to battle the fierce Seattle Seahawks!
I don’t have dog in the fight, but Drake Maye is a Carolina boy and I’m a lifelong Tar Heel fan, so I’m going to be rooting for New England!!!
Who you got???
Vote in our Super Bowl LX Poll below to let us know who you think will win. Feel free to back up your pick in the comments section.
The Steelers didn’t make a flashy hire. They made a familiar one. Mike McCarthy brings experience, structure, and a Super Bowl résumé — but also the same question that followed him in Dallas:
Does he raise your ceiling, or just protect your floor?
Why McCarthy Could Be a Good Fit
• He matches Steelers culture Pittsburgh values structure, discipline, and professionalism. McCarthy runs stable programs and avoids chaos. That alignment matters for a franchise built on consistency.
• The offense needs a steady hand Since Ben Roethlisberger retired, the Steelers have lacked identity on offense. McCarthy has a long history of quarterback-friendly systems and productive passing games. If the goal is competence and direction, this helps.
• He brings a high floor McCarthy-led teams rarely implode. You’re likely getting competitive seasons, organized football, and playoff contention — which Pittsburgh expects as a baseline.
Why He Might Not Be Enough
• The playoff track record — team and coach — is concerning…
Over the last 10 seasons, the Steelers: – Have made the playoffs 7Xs -Have a 2–7 playoff record -Have no playoff wins since the 2016 season
That’s nearly a decade of early exits or missing the dance. McCarthy’s own recent postseason history mirrors that pattern: good regular seasons, short January runs (4 trips to the playoffs, with a 2-4 record).
This hire feels built to maintain the status quo — not necessarily to break through.
• The AFC is built on offensive innovation Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, Lamar — paired with aggressive play designers. McCarthy is respected, but he’s not viewed as a schematic edge-giver. “Solid” might not beat “explosive.”
• It’s a résumé hire, not a future hire The league is trending younger and more creative. Pittsburgh leaned toward experience and familiarity instead of offensive evolution.
The Aaron Rodgers Factor
Here’s where things get interesting.
McCarthy and Rodgers spent 13 seasons together in Green Bay, amassing a 125-77-2 record and a win in Super Bowl XLV. The duo made the playoffs in nine of those 13 seasons together. That relationship — despite its ups and downs — carries credibility. If Rodgers is considering one last season, staying in Pittsburgh just became a more logical choice than it was a few days ago.
McCarthy offers: A known system A coach Rodgers has won with A defense and organization built to contend
Would it be a long-term solution? No. Could it be a one-year “let’s take a swing” scenario? Absolutely. Given Rodgers’ age, though, would it be worth it for the Steelers to bring him back? Or should they just move on and look for a young quarterback that can grow into their long-term cornerstone?
The Bottom Line
McCarthy likely maintains the Steelers’ floor.
BUT does he make them better? Pittsburgh’s real problem is a lack of growth and an inability to find the right quarterback. Without the right fit under center, I don’t know if McCarthy has what it takes to move the needle!
What a day for the Carolina Panthers! They went into Lambeau Field as underdogs and walked out with a stunning 16–13 upset win over the Green Bay Packers.
The star of the show was running back Rico Dowdle, who delivered a stellar performance. Dowdle rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns, powering Carolina’s offense from start to finish. His tough runs kept drives alive and helped the Panthers control the clock against a Packers defense that simply couldn’t stop him.
The Panthers’ defense also stepped up, holding Green Bay to just 13 points and forcing key stops late in the game. Rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald shook off an earlier missed PAT, and sealed the win with a 49-yard field goal as time expired.
For a team searching for momentum, this was a statement win. Dowdle’s performance showed the grit and fight this young Panthers squad has been promising all season.
Final Score: Panthers 16 – Packers 13 Player of the Game: Rico Dowdle (130 rushing yards, 2 TDs)
It’s been quite some time since I have been this optimistic about my Panthers, but I’m starting to feel like they are playoff bound!!!
The whistle blows, the crowd takes flight, Under autumn skies or Monday night. From frozen fields to desert heat, Eleven hearts, one goal to beat.
The roar of fans, the clash of pads, The highs so sweet, the lows so bad. Heroes rise and legends fall, On painted grass, they give their all.
From rookies fresh with dreams to chase, To grizzled vets who’ve set the pace, Each yard hard-earned, each inch a fight, Beneath the glare of stadium light.
And when the clock ticks down to none, One team will stand, the war well-won. A silver prize, the Lombardi gleam—The ultimate gridiron dream.
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