With the Super Bowl approaching this weekend, people across the country are getting ready for the big day on Sunday. The last couple of Super Bowls have felt very repetitive. The Chiefs have been in the big game five times within the last ten years, with the Eagles appearing three times and the 49ers twice. Although this is a repeat matchup from 2015, one could say that the Patriots and Seahawks matchup is somewhat of a breath of fresh air. I think most people are just excited that the Chiefs aren’t making an appearance.
Although the Patriots have been on somewhat of a hiatus over the last 6 seasons, they are back. The departure of their former franchise quarterback Tom Brady in 2020 sent the Patriots into a tailspin. They have had 3 head coaches since their last Super Bowl victory in 2019. They fired their long-standing head coach Bill Belichick at the end of the 2023 season and hired former Patriots player Jerod Mayo. Mayo’s time with the Patriots was quite short after being fired due to a 4-13 record in his first and only season.
After the firing of Mayo, the Patriots hired another former player in Mike Vrabel. During this time, the Patriots also drafted quarterback, Drake Maye, from the University of North Carolina. Since hiring Vrabel and drafting Maye, the Patriots have been lights out, going 14-3 and making it to the Super Bowl. People are still hating this team because of their prior success, but this is a fresh team. This is not the old Patriots. Their new head coach and 2nd year quarterback have something to prove, and if there is any time to do it, it’s Sunday.
The Seahawks, however, have somewhat of a different story than the Patriots. They have not had as much success since their last Super Bowl in 2015. They have made it to the playoffs in six out of the last ten seasons and have lost in the divisional round or wild card round every time. Their 13-year head coach, Pete Carrol, was fired in 2023, and current head coach, Mike Macdonald, was hired. After signing journeyman quarterback Sam Darnold this last offseason, the Seahawks have been nothing but electric. They have the same record as the Patriots, 14-3, and have something to prove to the world. Sam Darnold hasn’t always been the most reliable quarterback but has finally found his groove in Seattle.
In my opinion, this could have potential to be one of the best Super Bowls we’ve had in years. We have two new head coaches and quarterbacks that have something to prove. The Seahawks are favored by 4.5 points, but I think it is anyone’s game. I am very excited to see what unfolds on Sunday night. I think it will be a very close game and will come down to the final minute. My score prediction for the Super Bowl is 24-21 with the Seahawks winning. I think both teams are great, but I think Sam Darnold has the upper hand on Drake Maye with his many years of NFL experience.
