The stage is set for an epic battle between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in the Bay Area. It’ll be a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX, with the Seahawks looking for some revenge against the storied Patriots franchise.
Heading into this clash between the two best teams in the league this season, the Seahawks are the favorites (-4.5), with Seattle potentially being the better team on both sides of the football, led by stars Sam Darnold, Jaxson Smith-Njigba, DeMarcus Lawrence and Leonard Williams.
Mike Vrabel Not Taking Seahawks Lightly
GettyHead coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots
Ahead of Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel revealed how good he believes the Seahawks are coming into this tough matchup against the NFC’s best during his media availability.
“They’re first in the league in scoring on defense, third on offense,” Vrabel said of the Seahawks. “Good mix of veterans and youth. So, any time that you have defenses that are good at keeping points down, it makes it real difficult. They disguise well, they blitz and sometimes they get pressure with rushing four. I mean, they’ve got four or five guys with six or seven sacks each. Offensively, it’s a mix of some of the West Coast stuff, some play action, but then just the scheme and Darnold’s ability to operate and function, and not many people slow down JSN, Kenneth Walker [III], the speed, he can hit the edge, he’s not afraid to cut up.
“They’ve got an excellent special teams unit. That special teams has won them some football games, that broke it open against Atlanta, 6-6, I think it’s tied at halftime. He takes the opening half kickoff or the second half kickoff to the house. Defense gets a couple turnovers, and then it’s a blowout. So, we’re going to have to be really good in all phases, but this is an excellent football team.”
Clearly, Vrabel has a lot of respect for Mike Macdonald‘s squad and knows his team will face a significant challenge in all three phases.
The Seahawks also face the tall task of going up against Drake Maye and company, with the Patriots defying the odds all season long with a second-year quarterback leading the way and Vrabel coaching his former team.
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold Makes NFL History
GettySam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks
Darnold’s NFL playing career has been a roller coaster ride that will reach a thrilling peak on Feb. 8 when he takes the field for the Seahawks against the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Along with having a chance to win a Super Bowl title, Darnold has made NFL history by being the first starting quarterback from the 2018 NFL Draft class to make it to the big game, according to NFL on Prime Video.
After multiple stops with different teams in the league and even having a stint as a backup quarterback, Darnold has defied the odds and proven his critics wrong while leading the Seahawks to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2015.
Ironically, the last time the Seahawks had a chance to win it all, they faced Tom Brady’s Patriots and fell short when Malcolm Butler intercepted a late-game pass by Russell Wilson in the red zone.
Seattle will have an opportunity to avenge that loss to New England while also proving this team will be a heavyweight in the NFC for many years to come.
Patriots HC Mike Vrabel Sends Strong Warning on Seahawks as Super Bowl Prep Begins