My Super Bowl prediction
A rematch of the 2014 Super Bowl, where the iconic Malcom Butler interception took place. Two completely different rosters and new identities.
The Patriots have had one of the fastest turnarounds in NFL history makeing their way right back to the top in just five years. Through the playoffs, New England has relied on their defense. The unit has forced seven turnovers in three playoff games and hasn’t allowed an opponent to score over 20 points this postseason.
The defense has the best run defense in the league, with defensive end Milton Williams and Defensive tackle Christian Barmore, who haven’t given up over 50 yards to a running back this postseason.
On offense, everything starts with quarterback Drake Maye. He is one of the best quarterbacks at throwing deep balls with a 72% completetion percentage. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs acts as Maye’s security blanket and Kayshon Boutte is one who helps complete all the deep passes.
The Patriots' offense has stayed alive against three of the top defenses in their postseason run, and they will have to do it again when they match up against the Seattle Seahawks.
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The Seahawks defense is known as the dark side, allowing only 17.2 ppgs, generating pressure on almost every dropback. The squad is led by their linebacker, Ernest Jones IV, a dominant run stopper and a veteran leader.
The secondary is filled with playmakers, allowing the pass rush to generate pass rush. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon is the most important player in the secondary. He also made the game-winning play last week against the Los Angeles Rams. Rookie safety Nick Emmanwori has also stepped up, playing at a high level in pass coverage.
The Seattle offense all starts with their running game. Kenneth Walker has four touchdowns this postseason and has been an important piece in the pass game.
Quarterback Sam Darnold runs play action off that with wide receivers Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp. The two combined for almost 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns in their NFC championship win. The Seahawks running game will need to give Darnold some breathing room against a strong Patriots Defense.
Seahawks 31 vs Patriots 24
The Seahawks are a much more complete team than the Patriots. The offense has scored over 70 points in the past two weeks, while the Patriots have only scored over 20 points once this postseason.
Sam Darnold will keep rolling in the postseason, making for one of the best storylines in the NFL. His weapons of Smith- Njigba, Kupp and Raheed Shaheed will be too much for the Patriots. Walker will close out the game, breaking a couple of runs free despite a strong Patriots run-defense.
The Patriots defense will hold up for most of the game, but Maye will not be able to generate enough offense with a weak running game against the Seahawks secondary. The Patriots had a good run and proved everyone wrong this year, but in Super Bowl 60, the roles will be reversed from the 2014 Super Bowl.
