As the Super Bowl gets closer and closer, the excitement is almost at its peak. Let’s take a look at each team’s journey to get there and their biggest factors in walking away with the Lombardi trophy.
This year’s matchup is between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. This is not the first time these two teams have competed against one another on the biggest stadium in sports. Their first time was in 2015, when the Patriots walked away with the win after cornerback Malcom Butler intercepted Russell Wilson’s pass on the one-yard line with 26 seconds left on the clock. So there is definitely some bad blood between these two powerhouses.
These two teams had amazing regular seasons, both going 14-3. A lot of that was due to their offenses putting up solid numbers every game, but the most credit goes to these teams’ defenses.
The Seahawks defense alone had 47 total sacks this season and 18 interceptions, not counting postseason, giving them the top overall defense in the league. The Patriots, on the other hand, had an elite rushing defense, but were vulnerable against the pass, allowing 227 passing yards per game, which ranked 21st in the regular season.
While both teams have successful defenses, let’s talk about the people who make the big plays on offense. The Seahawks are captained by quarterback Sam Darnold. This is Darnold’s second consecutive season making the playoffs after making it last year with the Minnesota Vikings. Darnold had solid stats this year, throwing for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns. His main target was wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba caught 119 passes this year for 1,793 yards. He had 10 receiving touchdowns and averaged 15.1 yards per catch.
On the Patriots’ side, they are led by young quarterback Drake Maye. Maye, in his second season, threw for 4,394 yards with 31 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. Maye is putting up potential MVP numbers at the young age of 23 and showing promising traits for the future. Maye’s top weapons are veteran receiver Stefon Diggs and receiver Kayshon Boutte. In the regular season, Diggs put up 1,031 yards and four touchdowns, while Boutte put up 551 yards and six touchdowns. They both played significant roles in the Patriots’ offense, which was ranked fourth in passing, sixth in rushing, and third overall.
Special teams will also play a factor here, with the Seahawks already having an opening kickoff return touchdown in the playoffs. With all this in mind, it is sure to be an exciting matchup between two great teams.
As for me, I am taking the Seahawks 35-21. I think Darnold and Smith-Njigba will combine for at least two touchdowns, and I predict Smith-Njigba will have over 100 receiving yards.
Defensively, I think each team records at least two sacks, and I predict the Patriots recording an interception at some point. All in all, it is the Super Bowl, and anything could happen. May the best team win.
