Before the playoffs began, The Wingspan released its NFL Playoff prediction, and while the predicted matchup was not one hundred percent correct, we are one hundred percent ready to update you on this weekend’s big game.
Just as we predicted, the Seattle Seahawks will represent the NFC in this matchup. Although they weren’t our pick to represent the AFC, the New England Patriots are back and ready to battle in this Super Bowl XLIX rematch.
Led by MVP runner-up Drake Maye, the Patriots will need to overpower and outscheme the talented and uber-athletic defense of Seattle in order to have success offensively. Stefon Diggs, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Hunter Henry, the weapons for New England, face-off against a Seahawks secondary that is widely regarded as one of the most physical and athletic in the league. Pairing with their elite secondary is a stellar defensive line, headlined by Pro Bowlers Leonard Williams and Demarcus Lawrence.
Defensively, New England has been stellar all year long. A unit that includes polished, experienced, and rise-to-the-occassion players, combined with this season’s Coach of the Year, Mike Vrabel creates a scary combination for opposing offenses. Vrabel’s defensive wits have proved time and time again that the Patriots can never be counted out of a game.
However, Seattle’s offense is loaded with heavy talent. Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold leads the way, backed up by Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba, running back Kenneth Walker III, and seasoned veteran Cooper Kupp who is looking for his second championship win. On the flip side, the Patriots do have strong cornerbacks in All-Pro Christian Gonzalez and the physical Carlton Davis III. With a solid linebacker core and experienced defensive line, anything could happen.
There are “X-Factors” as well. Rasheed Shaheed and Marcus Jones both received honors this year for their return skills, and both have influence in other places as well. Shaheed, a speedy wide-out and Jones a talented slot cornerback. The coaching matchup is also one to write home about. Both Vrabel and Seahawks coach Mike MacDonald finished in the top two for Coach of the Year voting, and both are making their first Super Bowl as a head coach. While MacDonald arguably holds the schematic and talent advantage, Vrabel has been to four and won three, as a player for New England in the 2000s, building his experience for this great stage.
Both teams have a legitimate chance, each with a regular season record of 14-3. Both feature have a talented offense and a physical, disciplined defense, so it is no surprise to us at The Wingspan that this is the matchup. It will be an entertaining game full of ups and downs, so get your friends together, the snacks ready, and the vibes up for the Super Bowl this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on NBC.
