The Seattle Seahawks are going back to the Super Bowl. Managing to survive a late push from the Rams in the NFC Championship Game, the Seahawks now prepare to face the AFC champions, the Patriots, in a little over a week to decide the world champions.
This is an elite Seahawks defense, arguably the best in the NFL, and they’ll have their work cut out for them facing one of the MVP finalists in Patriots QB Drake Maye. Seattle has faced their share of top-flight quarterbacks this season and come out on top, including Maye’s main competition for the MVP trophy in Rams QB Matthew Stafford. But Maye presents a different challenge, one that Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald knows all too well.
Maye has bounced on and off the Patriots’ injury report in recent days, but Macdonald isn’t letting that impact his game planning. When asked on Friday if Maye’s injury status had any affect on how the Seahawks are preparing, he had a quick response.
“None,” Macdonald said with a knowing smile.
Seattle Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald on Containing Patriots QB Drake Maye
GettyRENTON, WASHINGTON – MAY 03: Head coach Mike Macdonald of the Seattle Seahawks watches a workout during Seattle Seahawks rookie minicamp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center on May 03, 2024 in Renton, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Despite any concerns the Patriots may have about Maye’s injury status for the Super Bowl, Macdonald isn’t buying that he won’t suit up. Maye has thrown for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns while completing 72.0 percent of his passes, all while adding 450 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground — and that was just in the regular season. Macdonald won’t let his Seahawks defense get caught by surprise.
“Yeah, it’s a great point,” Macdonald said in response to a question on if the Seahawks should stay disciplined in their rushing lanes to contain Maye or if they needed to be aggressive in getting him on the ground. “I think there [are] times for both.”
“So we’re going through that process right now for how we want to play — I think the key is trying to create as many of those [third down] situations as possible. But he is a tremendous player, he really is. He’s strong, he’s fast, I mean you know all the things. Great arm talent. His decision-making [is great]. Yeah, we gotta be on our stuff up front.”
The Seattle Seahawks Are Built For This Moment
The Seahawks feature the league’s top defense, a stifling unit that is prepared to face any challenge. They pair that with one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses, helmed by the resurgent QB Sam Darnold and Offensive Player of the Year candidate WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Slowing down Maye will be the Seahawks’ top priority against the Patriots, but it’s also important for them to get their own offense into a rhythm. Whether it’s Darnold, Smith-Njigba, or RB Kenneth Walker III who leads the charge next week, Seattle has a plethora of weapons on offense. The Seahawks will need every one of them to bring another Super Bowl trophy home to their city.
Mike Macdonald Sends Warning to Seahawks Defense on Patriots QB Drake Maye