The waiting is over. Eleven years after Malcolm Butler jumped a slant route to change the course of NFL history, we are back for the poetic bookend. The cast is entirely new—Vrabel and Macdonald have replaced the legends on the sideline, while Drake Maye and Sam Darnold step in for Brady and Wilson—but the stakes are identical. We aren't just watching a football game today; we are watching a collision of two franchises that successfully reinvented themselves without needing a decade of irrelevance to do it.
Earlier this week, I broke down the "Exorcising of Ghosts," the Patriots' historic defensive run, and the key matchups that will define the evening. (You can read my full deep-dive preview and analysis here).
But today isn't about stats or spreadsheets. It's about gut feelings and the electricity of kickoff. Before the coin toss, I wanted to drop three final, expanded "Bold Predictions" for how I see Super Bowl LX playing out.
1. Gonzalez Erases JSN
I said it in my preview, and I’m doubling down: the battle between Christian Gonzalez and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the game within the game. JSN has been the engine of this Seahawks offense, constantly moving the chains on third down and finding soft spots in zone coverage. He is the reason Darnold stays comfortable.
However, Gonzalez has established himself as a true shutdown corner this year, erasing WR1s from the game plan entirely. I predict the Patriots will trust Gonzalez to travel with JSN everywhere on the field, with zero safety help. If Gonzalez wins that individual matchup, it takes away Darnold’s safety valve. Seattle will be forced to hold the ball longer looking for Metcalf downfield, and that is exactly when the Patriots' pass rush will get home.
2. Maye's Shoulder Holds Up (And He Uses It)
The biggest question mark all week has been Drake Maye's shoulder. The media has speculated that the injury might limit the Patriots' playbook or force them to be conservative. I think Maye answers that question on the very first drive. This is the Super Bowl; there is no tomorrow, and there is no playing it safe.
I expect Maye not only to throw deep but to use his legs as a weapon. He has drawn comparisons to a young Josh Allen for a reason. He doesn't need to be the MVP, but he needs to be durable enough to lower his shoulder on 3rd-and-4 to pick up a first down. Those "grit plays" are what demoralize a defense, and I think Maye makes one or two crucial off-script plays that break Seattle's spirit in the second half.
3. The "Old" Darnold Resurfaces
Sam Darnold has written a redemption story for the ages, playing efficient, mistake-free football to get Seattle to this point. But he hasn't faced a Mike Vrabel defense on a stage this big. Vrabel’s scheme is built on disguise—showing blitz and dropping eight, or showing coverage and bringing the house.
Under the bright lights of Levi's Stadium, with the pressure mounting in a tight fourth quarter, I think the complex looks will force Darnold to "see ghosts" one last time. When the post-snap picture changes unexpectedly, hesitation sets in. I'm predicting that hesitation leads to a forced throw into a tight window, and a critical late turnover will be the difference between a ring and a regret.
My Final Call
This won't be a shootout; it will be a street fight. The Patriots have allowed a staggering 8.6 points per game this postseason, and that kind of defense travels well. They are built to drag opponents into the mud and win ugly.
New England is comfortable in a low-scoring, physical brawl, while Seattle thrives on rhythm and explosive plays. I believe the Patriots disrupt that rhythm early and frustrate the Seahawks' offense all night. They survive the chaos, and the dynasty evolves.
Patriots 20, Seahawks 17.
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