Super Bowl LX staff picks
The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots are set to play at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Sunday at 6:30 p.m. EST. The last time these two teams faced off in the Super Bowl, the Patriots won an iconic victory, 28–24 following a goal line interception by then-rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler. Now, both teams have retooled, and The Daily Princetonian Sports section is making their picks for this Super Bowl XLIX rematch.
Seahawks 28, Patriots 17 – Doug Schwartz, Head Sports Editor
Sam Darnold isn’t seeing ghosts anymore. Following a breakout season with the Vikings last year where he threw for 4,319 yards with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, the 2018 third overall pick continued his career resurgence in the Emerald City. In addition to Darnold’s consistent play, the Seahawks offense has been electric this season. Jaxon Smith-Njigba has become a bonafide superstar, hauling in 119 receptions for a league-high 1,793 receiving yards. In their NFC Championship Game victory, the offense was firing on all cylinders with Smith-Njigba bringing in ten receptions for 153 yards and one touchdown.
On the other side of the ball, the Legion of Boom has been reincarnated. The Seahawks are sixth in total defense and have already scored nine touchdowns this playoffs season. While they haven’t been as effective in the playoffs as they were in the regular season, I expect Mike Macdonald’s squad to come away with at least one takeaway.
While I think the Patriots are a solid team, I don’t think they are as battle-tested as the Seahawks. Drake Maye has certainly had an MVP-caliber season, but the sophomore signal-caller looked ineffective in their low-scoring 10–7 victory over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship. While the snowy conditions were a factor in the low scoring affair, it wasn’t a confidence-inspiring performance. While the future is bright up north, the New England faithful will have to wait a little bit longer for Tom Brady’s successor to fully ascend to the throne.
Seahawks 27, Patriots 24 – Lily Pampolina, Head Sports Editor
“You’ve gotta be able to control the game and put it on our terms,” Macdonald said in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
It is exactly Macdonald’s defensive-minded philosophy that will push Seattle over the edge this weekend. After excelling as defensive coordinator for the Ravens in 2022, Macdonald has continued to preach discipline and control to his players, a mindset necessary to combat New England’s top-five rushing and passing offense.
For the Seahawks, stopping Maye’s passing game will prove to be the biggest difference. Although the Patriots do boast a strong run game, this season has shown that Maye’s ability to extend drives has been the key tenet to their offensive success. Macdonald’s defensive approach to pressuring the quarterback and forcing quick decisions threatens even veteran quarterbacks, and may be all too strong for young Maye. Forcing a predictable, one-dimensional Patriot offense early can propel the Seahawks and a resilient Darnold into the offensive momentum they need to achieve a Super Bowl win.
Seahawks 28, Patriots 24 – Alex Beverton-Smith, Senior Sports Writer
The Seahawks are going to come into the game looking unstoppable behind a locked-in offense. With Darnold on a heater this year following a career resurgence with the 14–3 Vikings last season, he has all the tools he needs to lead this team down the stretch for a close-fought win.
It’s the defense, though, that wins games — and Super Bowls. Seattle ranks as the number one defense across the season in terms of opponent points per game, and it’s easy to see why when you look at their star-studded roster. Devon Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori are anchoring Seattle's secondary while Leonard Williams continues to thrive at defensive tackle.
Expect a close game as the Patriots and Drake Maye are no joke, but in the end a Seahawks victory seems inevitable.
Doug Schwartz is a head Sports editor at the ‘Prince.’
Lily Pampolina is a head Sports editor at the ‘Prince.’
Alex Beverton-Smith is a senior Sports writer for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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