SEAHAWKS v. PATRIOTS
Seahawks v Patriots
Super Bowl 60 is upon us, and how fitting as Sam Darnold has taken the reins in Seattle. Just over 6 years ago, he was playing for none other than the New York Jets and was caught saying that he had "seen ghosts" after getting destroyed by the New England Patriots 33-0. This was in reference to the extreme pressure he had faced & simply being able to do nothing to overcome it.
Fast forward to 2026 and on his 5th team since that game, the Seahawks are now on a 9 game win streak and headed to their first Super Bowl appearance since 2015, the infamous game which was sealed by a last minute interception to clinch the game for New England, one that has Seahawk fans still wondering why Marshawn Lynch did not get the ball.
The same two teams face off and many wonder if the underdog Pats are for real. For one, dogs are 15-7 against the spread in the last 22 years in Super Bowls, hence in what could be a tightly contested game, the spread sure looks enticing taking the 4.5. Add to that, the Pats are 16-1 in their last 17 games. Better yet, in first halves they've dominated first halves to the tune of 17-1 straight up ( with two pushes ) and 17-3 ATS , while the Seahawks have won roughly 70%.
The Seahawks identity this season has surrounded around their dominant defense, plain & simple, one that they coined " The Dark Side ." They are the #1 ranked defense in overall DVOA. The former Legion of Boom was built on hard-nosed physical football and an elite secondary, while this year's version has a front four that has absolutely dominated all year long that has generated the 3rd most pressure without relying on heavy blitzing. They play heavy zone and split safety to prevent the explosive play and it has been a tremendous success. Ernest Jones IV has had a postseason to remember and capping a championship off for veterans like Leonard Williams ( whose wife is 36 months pregnant ) and DeMarcus Lawrence ( who did not believe he could win a Super Bowl with Dallas ) would be the ultimate icing on the cake. Darnold & JSN's chemistry has been remarkable and a huge surprise to many , as Smith-Njigba, at just 23 yrs old and one week from his 24th birthday, has quickly transformed into a top 10 Wide Receiver and is becoming a star before our eyes. Meanwhile Kenneth Walker on the ground also achieved incredible success himself, surpassing 1,000 rushing yds & was constantly a key component of the Seahawk offense this season. This was prompted by a significantly improved offensive line & increased opportunities & at just 25 yrs old himself, there remains plenty of room for growth in the coming years. How fitting that Sam Darnold now has the opportunity to make first year coach Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots " see ghosts" themselves and re-write his legacy, one that has constantly been plagued by turnovers ( including this season ) and failing to ever fully secure the starting job anywhere he has landed ( due to poor quarterback play ) ... until now. How ironic that the Seahawk offense is the second youngest in the league (25.8 yrs on average ) , while the re-vamped defense of Seattle , despite having vets over 30 like DeMarcus Lawrence & Leonard Williams on their front 4, still possess the 3rd youngest defense, many of whom are in their first two years. You cannot say enough about the job Mike McDonald has done for this squad and I think it speaks volumes as this was also just HIS 2nd season as coach and going from a fringe playoff team last season to dominating down the stretch and being the best defense in the league is as impressive as it gets.
Cheers to that !
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