Paul Higham
Prediction Seahawks 17-20 Patriots
Seattle has lost three games this season by a combined nine points, but shouldn’t someone be rooting for the Patriots? And four of the past five Super Bowls have been won by underdogs.
I don’t expect them to win in a penalty shootout, but with these two defensemen I don’t expect a shootout. Seattle is 11-0 this season, so I would like them to attack first.
Listen, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Seahawks pull out a blowout win, but I have a feeling that the experienced Vrabel and Josh McDaniels might be able to pull something out of the bag.
The Pats are 12-0, allowing just 14.5 points per game when defensive wrecking ball Milton Williams and shutdown corner Christian Gonzalez are on the field together, and both players will play on Sunday.
And if you get to the end, it only takes one play. Give me the nail biter pat.
MVP: Milton Williams
Let’s be honest, this is the quarterback award. But I’m all for a low-scoring upset win, so I’ll go for just the 10th defender to win MVP. Von Miller made his last appearance at the very same stadium, also wearing all white. Aside from the omens, Williams had several sacks and forced a Patrick Mahomes fumble and recovery for the Eagles last year, and something similar could be the difference in a close game.
ben collins
Prediction Seahawks 24-13 Patriots
Seattle’s incredible defense, known as the Dark Side, has been a major talking point during Super Bowl week. Drake Maye has shown the ability to scramble and escape pressure, but I wonder if the Seahawks will bring in too much heat and suffocate the Patriots quarterback.
He already has the second-most sacks in the postseason (15), and I think Seattle will use him to surpass Joe Burrow’s record of 19.
New England’s defense isn’t too shabby either, so I expect it to be a tight, low-scoring game until Seattle clears out late in the third or early fourth quarter to clinch the championship.
MVP: Leonard Williams
Roughly 17 Seattle players have recorded at least half a sack this season, and their interior defense has been particularly aggressive. Tackle Leonard Williams has eight sacks and 33 quarterback pressures, so I’m rooting for the 13-year veteran to come off the dark side and become a rare defensive MVP.