In the end, the Patriots are again within the Tremendous Bowl. When frachise QB Tom Brady left the group in 2020, it appeared an extended rebuild could be forward. No person was going to reside as much as Brady’s requirements, however even discovering the quarterback of the long run took time. It took a 4-13 season and the third total choose for the Patriots to lastly get their man. Whereas it took time for the Pats to construct round him, it’s fairly clear that Drake Maye is the QB of New England’s future. This 12 months, with the precise supporting forged round him, Maye led the Pats to a significant bounceback season. Nevertheless, Maye runs into one of many hardest groups they’ve confronted but: the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks took the other strategy of the Patriots: they’ve constructed up a really robust supporting forged over the previous few years, then went out this offseason to improve from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold at quarterback. Which group will prevail on the largest stage? Learn beneath to listen to extra on my ideas in regards to the case for every group and my last sport prediction.
The Case for the Patriots
After a tough couple of years, the Patriots could have made extra modifications this offseason than every other group. They fired head coach Jerod Mayo after one season, bringing in former Pats linebacker Mike Vrabel to reinstall “The Patriot Method” that had been established underneath Invoice Belichick all whereas making higher connections together with his gamers. The widespread thread between this group and the Patriots dynasty got here via Vrabel’s offensive coordinator rent, Josh McDaniels. McDaniels has put in a number of the similar trickery that labored so properly in Tom Brady’s previous couple of Tremendous Bowls. Nevertheless, the Pats wouldn’t have finished so properly with out Robert Kraft’s willingness to spend in free company. The group most notably added large receiver Stefon Diggs, defensive deal with Milton Williams, linebacker Robert Spillane, and cornerback Carlton Davis. They managed so as to add a further two starters via the draft, choosing left deal with Will Campbell and operating again Tre’Veyon Henderson within the first two rounds.
Whereas it took just a few weeks, it turned clear with time that this Patriots roster was constructed for the playoffs. The group completed with the #2 scoring protection in all of soccer. Whereas the run protection confronted some midseason struggles with Milton Williams on IR, come playoff time the Pats protection had returned to peak type. The protection has allowed simply 8.7 factors per sport in these playoffs, and the group has particularly excelled in stopping the run over the latest stretch.
QB Drake Maye additionally put up an unbelievable season, main the cost on offense with the assistance of his new #1 receiver in Diggs. He got here only one vote away from beating out Matthew Stafford for MVP, however he has the possibility to win the extra necessary MVP award tonight if he leads the Pats to victory. Whereas Maye has struggled a bit in these playoffs, the Pats have performed in opposition to three of the highest 10 defenses throughout this playoff run. The Seahawks, being the #1 scoring protection, will current Maye with one other problem. Nevertheless, if Maye can keep mistake free and set up the passing sport early, I believe the Pats will probably be in good condition. On the defensive aspect of the ball, they’ll have to get in QB Sam Darnold’s head, presumably just like what they did to Texans QB C.J. Stroud just a few weeks in the past.
The Case for the Seahawks
The Seahawks have constructed up a gifted roster over the previous few years. Between an offense highlighted by RB Kenneth Walker and WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba and one of many strongest defensive rosters in all the NFC, the group gave the impression to be a QB away from success.
Not everybody was positive how far Sam Darnold would take them, however he has definitely held his personal over the course of this season. That is, nevertheless, the largest stage he’s performed on in his complete profession. Moreover, Darnold has thrown double digit interceptions in each season he has began at QB, and his 14 interceptions this season should not that significantly better than his numbers from his days on the Jets and Panthers.
Darnold was helped considerably over the course of the season by the breakout of his #1 large receiver in Smith-Njigba. JSN was probably the greatest receivers in all of soccer this 12 months, and put up with an enormous efficiency within the NFC Championship sport (10 receptions, 153 yards, and a rating). He was moreover helped by the Seahawks D, which completed because the #1 scoring protection on the again of defensive lineman Leonard Williams and a secondary together with standout corners Tariq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon which will rival the basic Legion of Growth. General although, Darnold appeared fairly good this season outdoors of the occasional turnover issues.
If the Seahawks wish to win this sport, they’ll need to maintain Pats QB Drake Maye in examine. This may be finished by successful the battle of the trenches and placing him underneath strain, because the Patriots o-line could also be improved, however it’s removed from excellent. The Seahawks don’t essentially have the massive identify edge rushers that the Texans and Chargers had of their efforts to cease Maye, but when DeMarcus Lawrence can play extra just like the prime model of himself, that might make a major distinction. They’ll additionally need to benefit from the truth that the Pats typically battle to defend the tight finish. Tight finish A.J. Barner has made a major influence within the receiving sport this season, and can have to be relied on alongside Smith-Njigba on this one.
Tremendous Bowl Prediction
Projected Patriots Scores: WR Stefon Diggs receiving TD, WR Mack Hollins receiving TD, CB Marcus Jones choose six, Andy Borregales area purpose (x2)
Projected Seahawks Scores: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba receiving TD, WR Cooper Kupp receiving TD, TE A.J. Barner receiving TD, Jason Myers area purpose
The Seahawks are undoubtedly probably the greatest offenses the Patriots have confronted, and whereas I do belief the Pats protection to restrict Kenneth Walker and the Seahawks run sport, Darnold will lean on Smith-Njigba and Barner to permit the Seahawks to attain their justifiable share. The distinction on this sport will probably be in two issues: can the Pats protection drive turnovers to make up for large drives by Seattle, and which model of Drake Maye will we see?
Whereas the Seahawks are the perfect scoring protection in soccer, I don’t see Maye feeling the strain as a lot as he did most of those playoffs. The power of the Seahawks D is of their run stuffing and their secondary, not as a lot the strain they apply to quarterbacks. This could play to Maye’s profit, as he is ready to succeed irrespective of which of his receivers are open. As well as, the Patriots have caught 5 interceptions these playoffs, and I’d count on to see extra in opposition to Darnold. Subsequently, I’ve the Pats popping out victorious in an in depth one right here.
Be at liberty to remark together with your ideas, and I hope you all benefit from the sport!
