5 daring Tremendous Bowl predictions: Undesirable historical past for Patriots’ Drake Maye, extra

After which there have been two. The New England Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks in Tremendous Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8.

It is a rematch 11 years within the making; the 2 franchises produced a Tremendous Bowl XLIX prompt traditional 11 years in the past, with Malcolm Butler’s iconic goal-line interception serving to New England maintain on for a 28-24 win. A lot has modified since then, as one would anticipate in a whirlwind league such because the NFL, although the extent of change — Pete Carroll and Invoice Belichick coached which groups this season? — remains to be startling.

It isn’t Russell Wilson vs. Tom Brady, however it’s a fascinating and unlikely quarterback assembly between Sam Darnold and Drake Maye. Darnold, taking part in for his fifth NFL crew, had by no means received a playoff sport earlier than this season. Maye and the Patriots are the primary crew ever to make the Tremendous Bowl one yr after shedding 13+ video games.

Tremendous Bowl 2026 lookahead: Can the Patriots defend Drake Maye properly sufficient to beat Sam Darnold and Seattle?

Garrett Podell

The paths differed. The Patriots have averaged simply 18 factors per sport in these playoffs, having to beat a number of of the NFL’s greatest defenses and taking part in some excellent protection of their very own. The Seahawks, who additionally function one of many NFL’s high defenses, have averaged 36 factors per sport so far this postseason.

None of these quantity matter now, although, and with two weeks till Tremendous Bowl Sunday, each groups have ample time to relaxation up, examine up and put together to place their greatest foot ahead with the Lombardi Trophy at stake.

Listed below are 5 daring predictions for what is going to go down.

NFL odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

1. Drake Maye turns into the most-sacked quarterback in a single NFL postseason

Maye has taken 5 sacks in every of his three postseason video games this yr. Rookie left deal with Will Campbell has struggled mightily, and the inside of the road has had its ups and downs, too. Maye, who loves to tear the deep ball, is liable to carry onto the ball for a tick or two too lengthy.

That every one performs into the palms of Seattle’s protection, below the route of the excellent Mike Macdonald. The Seahawks had the NFL’s sixth-highest strain charge this season and completed tied for seventh in sacks. Although they’ve managed simply three sacks in two postseason video games, the Seahawks have a deep, harmful unit. 4 totally different gamers had at the very least six sacks this season, and so they come from throughout: Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II (seven every) at defensive deal with and Uchenna Nwosu (seven) and DeMarcus Lawrence (six) on the sting.

Maye’s 15 playoff sacks taken are already second-most in a single postseason. Joe Burrow took 19 within the 2022 postseason. Maye, sadly for him and Patriots followers, will break that “document.”

2. Kayshon Boutte has the longest play of the sport

The Seahawks’ cornerbacks play a number of the most aggressive protection there’s, and that works for them, as a result of they’re glorious. Devon Witherspoon is likely one of the league’s greatest, Riq Woolen is extraordinarily proficient (if inconsistent), and Josh Jobe has been super all yr. Add in rookie Swiss Military knife Nick Emmanwori and lockdown safeties, and this is likely one of the league’s hardest nuts to crack.

Nevertheless it’s not not possible to crack. There is a massive play or two out there if the offensive line holds up and if the quarterback is keen to face in there — two admittedly massive “ifs,” however ones that the Los Angeles Rams and Matthew Stafford confirmed could be fulfilled.

Maye would possibly simply be capable to do it, and that is why Boutte will register the longest play of the sport. The third-year LSU product has come into his personal this season as a bodily, quick downfield goal for Maye. His 42-yard landing catch towards the Houston Texans within the divisional spherical — going through All-Professional Derek Stingley Jr., no much less — might be a preview of issues to return within the Tremendous Bowl.

3. Rashid Shaheed performs a pivotal position

Shaheed has been every little thing the Seahawks might have needed since they acquired him from the New Orleans Saints on the commerce deadline. That is been very true in massive video games. In a key Week 16 matchup towards the Rams, Shaheed had a punt return landing. He opened the divisional spherical towards the San Francisco 49ers with a kickoff return landing. He had a 51-yard catch early within the NFC Championship Recreation.

Shaheed provides a measure of explosiveness to this offense that nobody else can replicate. Count on him to supply at the very least one massive play, through a return, a reception or a run. Perhaps there’s even some trickery concerned.

4. Sam Darnold has an early turnover …

Darnold has performed very properly this postseason regardless of having to handle an indirect challenge. In opposition to the Rams, he went 25 for 36 for 346 yards and three touchdowns. He didn’t have a turnover, and he has not had a turnover in both of his playoff video games. Going again to the common season, he has gone three straight video games with no turnover.

That won’t look like a lot, however contemplating Darnold had an NFL-high 20 turnovers this season, it is a noteworthy accomplishment.

It is also a streak that may finish early within the Tremendous Bowl. Whether or not it is a strip sack off the sting from Okay’Lavon Chaisson or up the center from Milton Williams or an interception from both Christian Gonzalez or Carlton Davis, Darnold coughs it up early.

5. … however bounces again to win the Tremendous Bowl, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba getting MVP honors

If there’s one factor Darnold has proven the power to do, it is reply. His profession (at the very least as a starter) was seemingly over earlier than he landed on his ft with the Minnesota Vikings. When he joined the Seahawks, there was loads of skepticism, particularly given how his time in Minnesota ended. When the Seahawks misplaced to the 49ers in Week 1, Darnold had a turnover and failed to seek out the tip zone. It was hardly the beginning he envisioned.

However at each flip, he has responded properly. The Rams had been his Kryptonite till he diced them up within the NFC Championship Recreation. Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak does an impressive job giving Darnold numerous straightforward solutions, however Darnold additionally delivers some robust, tight-window throws, too. It might get him in hassle at occasions, but it surely additionally takes a high-floor offensive scheme and raises its ceiling.

In a breakout yr, Smith-Njigba appears primed to star on the most important stage. A meticulous route runner who’s harmful after the catch, too, Smith-Njigba may have a giant sport — suppose one thing just like his 10-catch, 153-yard, one-touchdown NFC Championship Recreation — en path to MVP honors. We’ll roll with Seahawks 24, Patriots 20 because the Lombardi Trophy returns to the Pacific Northwest.