“Intercepted at the goal line by Malcolm Butler,” Al Michaels words echoed throughout the nation as Super Bowl XLIX came to a stunning close.
First-year cornerback Malcolm Butler’s play remains one of the most iconic in NFL history, as does the controversial decision by former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll to throw the ball instead of using All-Pro running back Marshawn Lynch to run in what could’ve been the game-winning touchdown.
11 years later, familiar foes are set to meet on a similar stage on Sunday. Super Bowl LX will feature the New England Patriots, who will look to earn their seventh Lombardi Trophy, and the Seattle Seahawks, who are looking to get revenge and right the wrongs a little more than a decade later.
How did we get back here?
Following back-to-back seasons with a 4-13 record, the Patriots gave the keys to franchise legend and 2021 Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year winner Mike Vrabel. In his first season with the team Vrabel has brought the Patriots back to the top of the AFC East with a regular season record of 14-3, much to the chagrin of all NFL fans.
Much of this success can be attributed to second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who has quickly become one of the best young stars in the NFL, a finalist for the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award. In addition to Maye’s breakout season, New England’s revamped defense has stifled opposing offenses so far these playoffs, allowing 26 total points in three games.
Seattle’s path was far different.
The Seahawks missed the playoffs last season despite finishing with a 10-7 record. During the offseason, they brought in quarterback Sam Darnold and drafted key players like Grey Zabel and Nick Emmanwori. With those additions, the team jumped to 14-3 and the first seed in the NFC.
Much of Seattle’s offensive success this season has come from the connection of Darnold and third-year wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njiba. Smith-Njiba led the league in receiving yards with 1,793 and is the frontrunner to win AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Combined with the NFL’s sixth-best defense, Seattle has put itself one game away from immortality.
So, who has the advantage? If you look at the sportsbooks, they will tell you Seattle is favored. They have looked almost unbeatable in the playoffs so far with a balanced offense that is moving the ball at will, and a defense that halts offenses when their team needs it most.
The Patriots, however, have left much to be desired on the offensive side of the ball. Maye and his unit have yet to establish a steady rhythm in these playoffs, but that could be due to a few factors. The first being that they have played three of the top five defenses in the league during this run, beating all three is something that has never been accomplished in a single playoff campaign. They have also played their last two games in snowstorms, conditions that have certainly limited offensive production.
The biggest key for both teams will be playing a clean game. Both quarterbacks have been prone to turning the ball over throughout their careers, and if either wants to be successful, they must take care of the ball. This is easier said than done, as both Vrabel and Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald are defensive-minded coaches who have the ability to torture opposing offenses with their schemes.
To close the gap, the biggest thing that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels can do is prioritize easy completions and first downs to get Drake comfortable and confident early in the game. For Seattle, the counter is to apply pressure and limit Maye’s time to process his reads.
For the Seahawks, one of the biggest tasks will be designing Smith-Njiba open as he will be shadowed by All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Getting him involved early will open up the rest of the field for Darnold and company.
The stage is set. If history is any indication, this rematch should deliver another classic on the NFL’s biggest stage. For New England, it is a chance to continue a remarkable resurgence and begin a new dynasty. For Seattle, it is an opportunity to finally move past one of the most painful moments in franchise history.
