It is time. After one of the craziest and most unexpected years of all time the Super Bowl is here. The favorites are the Seahawks. Led by Sam Darnold and Jaxson-Smith Njigba this is on of the leagues best offenses. The Patriots are led by MVP candidate Drake Maye and free agent accusation Steffon Diggs and a pretty good O-Line. Both of these defenses are top 2 in least points allowed, and are both some of the best defenses in the league. But that’s just the start of it. In this article I will go over everything in this game and every little aspect, and at the end I will say my winner.
Seahawks #1 Stat: The Seahawks Defense
This is the best defense in the league and that can’t be a question. This defense allows only 16 points per game which is the best in the league. The Seahawks defense is so good it’s been 27 games since allowing a 100 yard rusher. That includes facing McCaffey and Kyren multiple times and facing Bijan, Taylor and Josh Jacobs. They will be a terror for rookie running back Treyveyon Henderson. This year the Patriots are barely above average in rush yards per attempt, so knowing how good this Seahawks defense is they get the point here. Seahawks 1-0
Patriots #1 Stat: MVP
Drake Maye is the leader for MVP. He doesn’t just put up incredible stats, even while he has an under average receiving core. He has the best accuracy in the league, and he can spot the ball so well and make the toughest throws ever. Maye leads the league in completion percentage, but the Seahawks defense allows the 7th least completion percentage. Maye also leads the league in passer rating, but Seattle is top 5 in passer rating allowed. I don’t know how the Patriots offense gets going in this game. Maye will still lead drives, but not at a consistent level. This point goes to the Patriots. Seahawks 2-0
Stat For Both Teams: Patriots Passing Defense vs Seattles Passing Offense
The Patriots are a top 10 team in the league in turnover differential. You may wonder why that matters, but when the Seahawks are bottom the in interceptions thrown, 2nd worst in fumbles, and 2nd worst in giveaways this matters a lot. For Sam Darnold he will need to focus in and try not to give the ball away. But going against this Patriots defense he certainly will. The Patriots defense is a top 10 defense against WRs, and top 5 when it comes to least yards allowed. Sam Darnold’s top target Jaxon-Smith-Njigba won’t be able to get the ball, as Christian Gonzalez one of the leagues best corners will be guarding him the full game. The Patriots some of the leagues least receptions to WR1s, so the turnover battle will certainly be in the Patriots favor. Seahawks 2, Patriots 1.
Key Things For the Patriots #1: Stopping Rashid Shaheed
Obviously as I just mentioned how their Patriots pass defense is excellent but that is mostly due to Gonzalez vs WR1s. What can the Patriots do to stop Rashid Shaheed? Rashid Shaheed has came up big in the playoffs when it matters most, with a kick return TD vs the 49ers, and a 51 yard catch in the NFC Championship. The Patriots defense is gonna focus in on Njigba and Kenneth so much Shaheed will be under the radar for a big game. This Playoffs the Patriots have allowed only 34 yards per game to WR2s, but the thing is all of those teams were under average receiving cores. The Seahawks are certainly not under average when it comes to receiving. Also the QBs for those teams were terrible besides Herbert. Evidence goes into favor of the Seahawks in this one. Seahawks 3, Patriots 1.
Key Thing For The Seahawks #1: Pass Rush
The game is over if the Seahawks can win this battle. This year the Seahawks are 7th in pass rush win rate, while the Patriots are 13th in pass block. The Thing is the Patriots are barely above average in yards per attempt, while the Seahawks allow the least rush yards per attempt. When it comes to getting the sack, the Seahawks are top 10, and the Patriots are bottom 10 in sacks allowed. The Patriots seem screwed in this one. Seahawks 4, Patriots 1.
Super Bowl Hot Take: This Will Be A Top 5 Lowest Scoring Super Bowl Ever.
Currently the 5th lowest Super Bowl score had 27 total points. I think Seattle vs New England can break that. It seems litterly impossible for the Patriots to score a TD this game. I just mentioned how it’s nearly impossible for Treyveyon Henderson to break through against Seattles defense so the Patriots have to pass. Opponent success rate on designed runs against Seattle is just 34%, the lowest in the NFL the Patriots only chance to win is to pass but, I also mentioned how the Seahawks defense can absolutely stifle Maye. The Patriots will probably score 10 points. The Seahawks on the other hand, I just mentioned how their turnovers will affect them, and Christian Gonzalez will stop Jaxon-Smith Njigba. These two teams are top 2 in least points allowed, and I think this will be a top 5 lowest scoring Super Bowl.
Question For The Patriots #1: Can Maye Outplay Darnold in This Big Game?
The Quarterback position is the greatest position in all of sports. They control the game, and they are the sole reason if a team is good or not. The Seahawks and the Patriots without Darnold or Maye would be very different teams, and they wouldn’t be here without them. But who can outplay the other, and who will be better in this big game? Drake Maye is coming off his two worst games this season, but that was against the Broncos and Texans who are both top defenses. But his last two underperformances won’t change, as Seattle is even better allowing some of the least completion percentage, and yards in the league. I’ve already talked enough about Maye vs Seahawks in this article, but what about Darnold vs the Patriots? Unlike Drake Maye, Darnold hasn’t had struggles this postseason. Against a top 10 defense in the Rams, Darnold had over 300 yards, 3 TDs and an above average completion percentage. Darnold hasn’t been bad this postseason, while Drake Maye has. In the Super Bowl Darnold has the easier matchup than Maye, so he should get the advantage. A lot of Darnold vs Drake goes to Vrabel vs Kubiak. It’s about who can scheme up against the other better, and that goes to Vrabel but it’s close. I think I will have to say Darnold will have the better game.
Seahawks 5, Patriots 1.
One Question For The Seahawks: Can they still keep the run game Consistent even without Zach Charbonet?
Kenneth Walker is 16th in the league in yards per carry this season, and is also 16th in yards. The Patriots have one of the top defenses in the NFL, allowing the 5th least rush yards, and the 10th least yards per attempt. A key thing to drive the ball downfield is being consistent in the run game and that’s a reason the Patriots got here. They know how to stop it. The Seahawks are top 10 in run block, but the Patriots are also top 10 in run stop. Seahawks 5, Patriots 2 In this article I’ve gone through many things. Questions, stats, key things to know, and I’ve evaluated it all. This is one of the most lopsided Super Bowls I’ve seen. The only things that the Patriots have in their favor is their pass and run defense, but the Seahawks defense is better on the other side of the ball. This will clearly be a very low scoring game, with the Seahawks defense coming out on top.
Super Bowl Winner: Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl MVP: Devon Witherspoon
Final Score: 13-7