Baltimore Sun staff writers and FOX45’s Patrice Sanders pick every game of the NFL season. Here’s who they have winning the Super Bowl.

New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 6:30 p.m., NBC)

Brian Wacker (10-2 postseason, 186-97-1 overall): Both teams have tremendous defenses, but the Seahawks have more players at each level who can make game-altering plays — from defensive lineman Leonard Williams to linebacker Ernest Jones IV to cornerback Devon Witherspoon to sensational rookie nickel Nick Emmanwori (who is dealing with an ankle injury). Coach Mike Macdonald is also a master at dialing up disguises and should be able to do so against a Patriots line that can be susceptible. More importantly, as collectively strong as New England’s defense has been, Seattle’s offense has been in rhythm since a Week 16 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams. Since that crucial victory, the Seahawks are averaging 30 points per game and there’s no reason to think that they won’t come close to getting there again Sunday. Seahawks 27, Patriots 17

Sam Cohn (8-4 postseason, 184-99-1 overall): The Patriots are a good football team. Let’s start there. But they beat the Texans in large part because of Houston’s offensive ineptitude and escaped the Broncos thanks to a blizzard snowing under Denver’s backup quarterback. New England’s defense is impressive but not enough to win a Super Bowl alone. The Patriots’ offense can certainly hang, put points on the board and perhaps make this game competitive, but after watching Seattle manhandle San Francisco and then win an overtime shootout against the Rams, my confidence leans far more toward Macdonald’s group. Would that count as a win for Ravens fans? Seahawks 24, Patriots 20

Mike Preston (9-3 postseason, 181-102-1 overall): Seattle will win the Super Bowl because the Seahawks have the most balanced team in the NFL. They don’t have many glaring weaknesses, and they can get pressure with their front four, something most teams can’t do in the NFL. The Patriots are weak on the left side of their offensive line, and if they can’t run the ball, New England will be in for a long day. Seattle also has balance with running back Kenneth Walker III and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. If New England can force Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold to have to win the game with his arm, the Patriots have a chance. But so far, Darnold has stepped up and passed every test. Seahawks 21, Patriots 17 

Josh Tolentino (9-3 postseason, 185-98-1 overall): Mike Vrabel becoming the first player and coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl for the same team would make for an exciting story line, but do we really want to see New England reignite a potential dynasty? Seeing New England reach the sport’s biggest stage must sting for Ravens fans that witnessed Baltimore surrender a 24-13 fourth-quarter lead in late December at M&T Bank Stadium. On paper, the Seahawks are the more complete team with a Mike Macdonald-led defense that gutted its NFC West rivals en route to Super Bowl LX. Expect the Jesse Minter arc comparisons to grow even louder if Macdonald, the former Ravens coordinator, lifts the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night. Seahawks 27, Patriots 20

C.J. Doon (6-6 postseason, 178-105-1 overall): Maybe it’s time to stop doubting Sam Darnold. The ghosts of his past (pun intended) have kept me from fully believing in the Seahawks, but it’s clear that Mike Macdonald’s defense, a good offensive line, a great wide receiver and a strong rushing attack are enough to lift Darnold to new heights. Don’t overlook Patriots coach Mike Vrabel’s ability to make this game a dog fight and for MVP runner-up Drake Maye to make plays with his arm and his legs. I’m tempted to pick a Patriots upset given how tough they’ve been all year, but I just don’t think they have enough firepower to keep up. Seahawks 23, Patriots 20

Bennett Conlin (9-3 postseason, 185-98-1 overall): The Seahawks are the best team in the NFL, and they’ve shown that this postseason. Seattle blew out San Francisco and outlasted the Los Angeles Rams to reach this stage. The Patriots, while worthy of praise, benefited from a weak regular-season schedule, and their playoff path wasn’t exactly brutal. Mike Macdonald wins his first Super Bowl, leaning on an elite defense and the steady Sam Darnold to overmatch a good (but not great) opponent. Seahawks 28, Patriots 17

Tim Schwartz (8-4 postseason, 171-112-1 overall): All indications are that this will be a heck of a game. Sam Darnold and Drake Maye are not the quarterbacks we expected in September to be under center in the big game, but both have played well if not spectacularly as of late. But this game will be decided by which defense can make the big, game-changing play. And I like Seattle’s unit to get it done. There are no holes on that defense, and I think its front seven will get the better of New England’s shaky offensive line. If we see the Darnold we saw against the 49ers two weeks ago, he’ll hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Seahawks 24, Patriots 21

Patrice Sanders (10-2 postseason, 178-105-1 overall): Both of these teams have exceeded expectations this season. They’re both very well-coached teams. You could make an argument for either team to win, but it comes down to defense, and Seattle has the better unit. When Mike Macdonald was with the Ravens, he was a great defensive coach, so it’s no surprise that his team’s defense is exceptional. Seahawks 27, Patriots 24

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