For many, 2015 feels like a long time ago, but for Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots fans, the past seems to be catching up to the present as their teams will once again cross paths in a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX in Super Bowl LX. For the Seahawks, it’s a chance to get vengeance for the outcome of their last Super Bowl appearance 11 years ago. The Patriots, on the other hand, are on a mission to rekindle a dynasty with a new young quarterback directing the plays.
Though both teams have had different routes, they will now meet on the NFL’s biggest stage at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The Patriots arrive after their battle in the snowy AFC Championship game against a very strong Denver Broncos defense that was missing their starting quarterback Bo Nix. The Patriots relied heavily on their run game when the Broncos defense made it tough for quarterback Drake Maye to operate, sacking him five times for -21 yards.
The Seahawks, along with quarterback Sam Darnold, dominated both sides of the ball in the NFC Championship game, with Darnold throwing for 346 yards in a thrilling 31-27 victory over the Los Angeles Rams that led the Seahawks to the big game in California.
The improbable story of both of these teams starts with their quarterbacks. Darnold, a journeyman who has been on four teams in the last four years, had an unlikely breakout performance with the Minnesota Vikings last year, allowing him to get a big contract in free agency with Seattle.
Maye, the New England sophomore who just one season ago had a 4-13 record has completely flipped last year’s disappointment on its head. The Patriots went 14-3 this season, their best record in eight years.
But the playoffs have shown some holes in New England’s game. Maye has not been himself all playoffs, only completing about 35% of his passes in his last three games.
That being said, New England has taken out three of the top 10 defenses in the NFL, though it has not been easy. Maye was sacked a total of 15 times leading up to Super Bowl LX, and during the regular season he was the fourth most sacked quarterback in the league.
The Patriots have scored 54 points in three games, the lowest total of any team in postseason history that has also made the Super Bowl. Maye has been remarkable under pressure with 232 QB pressures. Maye also had the most touchdowns under pressure this season with 10.
If the Seahawks want to stop New England, it’s going to start with shutting down the run game that has carried the Patriots through this post season. In the AFC title game, the Patriots’ offense ran for 141 yards compared to 86 passing yards.
During the regular season, Seattle’s defense ranked third in the NFL against the run and first in fewest points allowed. If the Patriots give them the opportunity on empty drives, Seattle will punish them with their offensive attack.
This season, Darnold has completed 67.7% of his passes, throwing for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns.
The Seahawks’ deadly one-two punch on offense is composed of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has 172 receiving yards this post season and two touchdowns, as well as running back Kenneth Walker III running for 178 yards and four touchdowns.
While Seattle is currently the favorite to win the big game on Feb. 8, we should not forget the run and turn around that Maye had this season. Anyone can win on Sunday and Seattle might be better on paper, but the game is played on grass.
