The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks have defied the odds by reaching the Super Bowl after aggressive free agency spending.

Rashid Shaheed returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, Kenneth Walker III rushed for three scores and the Seattle Seahawks advanced to the NFC championship game with a dominant 41-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

The Seattle Seahawks have secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.

Geno Smith did little to distinguish himself in his battle with Drew Lock for Seattle’s starting quarterback job as the sloppy Seahawks fell 27-11 to the Chicago Bears in the second preseason game for both teams.

In an NFL draft focused early on stoppers, it was the goers — wide receivers — who stole the spotlight Thursday night.

Quarterbacks Malik Willis and Matt Corral are among 21 prospects who will attend the NFL Draft in Las Vegas later this month.

Alabama once again collected a Southeastern Conference title and two big league-wide individual awards.