\u2764\ufe0f New England Patriots<\/h2>\n\nThe GIST: <\/strong>The last time the Patriots were underdogs entering the Super Bowl? 2001, the season they won their first-ever title and kicked off a dynastic run that included six Lombardi Trophies. Speaking of, a win today and they\u2019ll break a tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl victories in NFL history.<\/p>\n\ud83d\udccc How they got here:<\/strong> New England\u2019s playoff journey was littered with elite defenses \u2014 Maye became the first QB ever to beat three top-five units in a single postseason, dismantling the LA Chargers 16\u20133 in the Wild Card Round, the Houston Texans 28\u201316 in the Divisional Round, and the Denver Broncos 10\u20137 in a blizzard-stricken<\/a> AFC Championship game.<\/p>\n\u2705 Why they\u2019ll win:<\/strong> It starts with the Pats\u2019 top-tier offense<\/a>, a well-balanced attack that maximizes everyone<\/em> on the field<\/a>. And while Maye hasn\u2019t exactly been his MVP\u2013caliber<\/a> self this postseason, the second-youngest QB to start in the Big Game has made up for it with his legs: He\u2019s just the fourth signal caller in the Super Bowl era to log multiple games with at least 65 rushing yards in a single playoff run.<\/p>\n\n- New England has also had plenty of success on the road, notching a perfect 9-0 record away from Gillette Stadium this season. These warriors have certainly come out to play<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u274c Why they won\u2019t:<\/strong> One of the biggest knocks on the Patriots has been their strength of schedule. They\u2019ve played the best defenses this postseason but not<\/em> the best offenses. So while they\u2019re allowing just 8.7 points per game in the playoffs, Seattle\u2019s offense will be much harder to contain. Watch for cornerback Christian Gonzalez and defensive end Milton Williams to meet the challenge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\ud83d\udc9a Seattle Seahawks<\/h2>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/cdn.sanity.io\/images\/rdxk7lfa\/production\/3a34d2275eedfa0728eaef2e85d4907885e637f0-512x368.png?w=600&h=431&q=75&fit=max&auto=format\")
<\/p>\nSource: Dean Rutz\/The Seattle Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nThe GIST:<\/strong> The Seahawks are back in the promised land for the first time since the 2014 season (more on that later), with dreams of earning the Emerald City\u2019s second Lombardi Trophy. Now that\u2019s<\/em> how you drive up the price of a franchise<\/a>.<\/p>\n\ud83d\udccc How they got here:<\/strong> After winning a hotly-contested battle<\/a> for the NFC No. 1 seed, the Seahawks enjoyed a first-round bye before pummeling the San Francisco 49ers 41 \u20136 in the Divisional Round. Then came the true test: their division rival LA Rams, who they beat 31\u201327 in the NFC Championship to punch their Big Game ticket.<\/p>\n\u2705 Why they\u2019ll win:<\/strong> The Seahawks boast the most complete team in football, but outside of All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, there\u2019s no bona fide superstars \u2014\u00a0just a bunch of good players who work really well together. From running back (RB) Kenneth Walker III to return specialist Rashid Shaheed, it\u2019s complementary football<\/a> at its absolute best.<\/p>\n\n- And the Seahawks\u2019 ferocious front seven<\/a> play an integral role. Headlined by the dynamic duo of defensive linemen Leonard Williams and DeMarcus Lawrence, the Hawks held opponents to an NFL\u2013best 17.2 points per game during the regular season.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u274c Why they won\u2019t:<\/strong> This team doesn\u2019t have any fatal flaws\u2026unless QB Darnold starts seeing ghosts again<\/a>. As the signal caller knows all too well, the Pats are exceptional at disguising their defensive schemes<\/a>, causing confusion for opposing QBs. And while Darnold\u2019s been more reliable in the playoffs, he notably led the league<\/a> in turnovers during the regular season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The GIST: <\/strong>The last time the Patriots were underdogs entering the Super Bowl? 2001, the season they won their first-ever title and kicked off a dynastic run that included six Lombardi Trophies. Speaking of, a win today and they\u2019ll break a tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl victories in NFL history.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udccc How they got here:<\/strong> New England\u2019s playoff journey was littered with elite defenses \u2014 Maye became the first QB ever to beat three top-five units in a single postseason, dismantling the LA Chargers 16\u20133 in the Wild Card Round, the Houston Texans 28\u201316 in the Divisional Round, and the Denver Broncos 10\u20137 in a blizzard-stricken<\/a> AFC Championship game.<\/p>\n \u2705 Why they\u2019ll win:<\/strong> It starts with the Pats\u2019 top-tier offense<\/a>, a well-balanced attack that maximizes everyone<\/em> on the field<\/a>. And while Maye hasn\u2019t exactly been his MVP\u2013caliber<\/a> self this postseason, the second-youngest QB to start in the Big Game has made up for it with his legs: He\u2019s just the fourth signal caller in the Super Bowl era to log multiple games with at least 65 rushing yards in a single playoff run.<\/p>\n \u274c Why they won\u2019t:<\/strong> One of the biggest knocks on the Patriots has been their strength of schedule. They\u2019ve played the best defenses this postseason but not<\/em> the best offenses. So while they\u2019re allowing just 8.7 points per game in the playoffs, Seattle\u2019s offense will be much harder to contain. Watch for cornerback Christian Gonzalez and defensive end Milton Williams to meet the challenge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Source: Dean Rutz\/The Seattle Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The GIST:<\/strong> The Seahawks are back in the promised land for the first time since the 2014 season (more on that later), with dreams of earning the Emerald City\u2019s second Lombardi Trophy. Now that\u2019s<\/em> how you drive up the price of a franchise<\/a>.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udccc How they got here:<\/strong> After winning a hotly-contested battle<\/a> for the NFC No. 1 seed, the Seahawks enjoyed a first-round bye before pummeling the San Francisco 49ers 41 \u20136 in the Divisional Round. Then came the true test: their division rival LA Rams, who they beat 31\u201327 in the NFC Championship to punch their Big Game ticket.<\/p>\n \u2705 Why they\u2019ll win:<\/strong> The Seahawks boast the most complete team in football, but outside of All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, there\u2019s no bona fide superstars \u2014\u00a0just a bunch of good players who work really well together. From running back (RB) Kenneth Walker III to return specialist Rashid Shaheed, it\u2019s complementary football<\/a> at its absolute best.<\/p>\n \u274c Why they won\u2019t:<\/strong> This team doesn\u2019t have any fatal flaws\u2026unless QB Darnold starts seeing ghosts again<\/a>. As the signal caller knows all too well, the Pats are exceptional at disguising their defensive schemes<\/a>, causing confusion for opposing QBs. And while Darnold\u2019s been more reliable in the playoffs, he notably led the league<\/a> in turnovers during the regular season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\ud83d\udc9a Seattle Seahawks<\/h2>\n
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