Super Bowl 60
New England Patriots (17-3) vs. Seattle Seahawks (16-3)
Sunday, 5:30 P.M. CT/6:30 P.M. ET, kickoff closer to 5:40/6:40
Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA., 75,000
NBC, Streaming on Peacock
Mike, Cris, Melissa, Kaylee, Rules Analyst: Terry McAulay
Lead Laundry: Shawn Smith
Seahawks by 4 1/2, O/U, 45 1/2
Record in NFL Postseason: SU: 6-6, ATS: 5-7, Over/Under, 5-7. Made a pretty good comeback on the straight up after posting a 1-5 mark after Wild Card Weekend. Was 2-4 ATS and 2-4 O/U after the Wild Card Round, so hung fairly tough.
The Seahawks lead the NFL in scoring defense at 17.2 per game, while the Patriots are 4th at 18.8.
But these two quarterbacks, Sam Darnold and Drake Maye, are playmakers, so there will be some points scored. The weather in Santa Clara Sunday afternoon at 3:40 Pacific Time calls for 60+ degrees and 8 MPH winds. It’ll stay relatively steady there throughout the game.
I like Darnold and the terrific Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to make few more plays than Maye and the New England offense. It’s about players in the NFL. Mike McDonald and Mike Vrabel are good coaches for Seattle and New England, respectively, but it’s 85% about players and 15% about coaches in determining how successful an NFL team is. General Managers are big pieces in that, too. More like 5% GM’s and 10% coaches. In college, it’s 80/20, players to coaches, unless you bring an NBA player into the fold like Alabama has done in college basketball. Nice, Oats and Byrne, and the circuit judge who gave Bediako a 10 day stay to play. The circuit court judge’s wife is defending alleged murderer Darius Miles from the tragic shooting of a young woman a couple of years back in Tuscaloosa. They’re big Alabama boosters. There will be another hearing tomorrow to see if Bediako can play the rest of the season. We’ll see which subjective or objective judge is on the bench in Tuscaloosa. Nice work, Alabama. Real great example of competitive integrity. In High School, it’s more like 60% players, 40% coaching. Coaches matter more in high school.
So I’ll take the players of the Seahawks over the players of the Patriots in a solid game. Sam Darnold and the Seahawks hoist the Lombardi Trophy later Sunday Night.
16 Responses
I cannot argue with your picks as I like the under as well. I do not mind Bediako playing. Have you seen the list of 30+ European pros playing in college like Jokic at AU who was a pro in Serbia before coming to AU so why can’t Bama do it?? It will be interesting to see what a new judge says. Thanks for all DW…keep the winners coming!
They haven’t signed NBA contracts like Bediako has. None of them have.
Yea thats what i am being told online when i make the same comment. I say wait a second they were paid to play pro ball in Europe so really what is the difference and the reply i always get is the European pro league is really just a traveling team who pays their players
Interesting perspective about the importance of players and coaches at the different levels and GMs too. I’ve not heard that before and agree with you. You make a strong case for Seattle, and they appear to be the better team, but the New England franchise knows how to win big games. I’m going to take the Patriots with the points and won’t be surprised if they win the game. It should be a good one.
Thanks for another great season DW and look forward to continuing to read your blog.
Thanks,D!
Thanks,Joseph. I know there’s a lot of gray area about this, so we’ll see what happens tomorrow in court. Honestly, I’d rather talk about basketball, the teams, the competition, the successful teams and players, but this story gets to me. Thanks,JD.
It’s a close call, Bama G, you’re right. I just don’t like any of it and sure feel like there’s some form of foul play with the Tuscaloosa judge.
Unfortunately the court system, money and the toothless NCAA have made college sports the wild wild west. No team or fan base should be casting stones because they are all guilty of pushing the envelope. Integrity is a joke when players are getting millions, QB’s are playing 6 years and asking for a 7th year, portal tampering is widespread and players are changing schools like it is underwear.
I like your SeaHawk pick. I agree. Great point what with the two teams having great defenses but points will be scored with these two QBs. Vrabel has done a great job this year as compared to the prior few seasons. Darnold has persevered with great success.
NCAA: European hoop players; NIL$; football coaches leaving “early” ; portal,… hard to keep up with but things have changed!!
So I guess everybody else does it, so we’re all good.
Great Super Bowl preview and analysis, DW! Excedrin concurs with your pick. Should be an excellent game!
Appreciate, E.
DW, I think we are in an alternate universe: Grubb at Alabama, Milroe at Seattle, Jones at San Francisco, college sports with seemingly no regulation. Que, Sera, Sera. Great pick on the Seahawks. WT
I agree with you, WT. I know it’s a cluster in college sports right now. I can live with it. Still love the sports. Thanks.
I agree 100% on your Super Bowl pick. I think it could be a blowout. Seattle D is really strong and I think New England had an easier year.
Also agree that high school coaches are the biggest difference makers in terms of team performance and development of young men. Crucial time in most kids’ lives.
Thanks a ton, MB. Big game for you and Bama/Walt tomorrow in the Jungle. Should be a classic.