Super Bowl LX Preview: The A-Maye-Zing Patriots

The New England Patriots have shocked many, including myself, with how far they’ve come this year. From a 4-13 record last season to now a Super Bowl appearance, the team’s dramatic turnaround has all of New England ecstatic and the rest of the country bemoaning a possible resurgence of the Patriots’ dynasty. To understand the Patriots’ chances in the Super Bowl matchup this Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, let’s look at the changes New England has made to spark its success, along with the team’s overall regular-season performance. 

Team success often starts from the top down, and new head coach Mike Vrabel certainly inspired that this season. Vrabel, the former Tennessee Titans head coach, replaced Jarod Mayo as New England's leading man this past offseason. After several successful seasons in Tennessee from 2018 to 2021 under his belt, even earning the one seed in the AFC for the 2022 playoffs, Vrabel was unceremoniously fired after two back-to-back losing seasons. Vrabel, after not signing a contract with any team last season, made the decision to transform the New England squad as head coach this year, starting with developing franchise quarterback Drake “Drake Maye” Maye. 

Maye took an incredible leap this year, as expected with a Coach of the Year candidate in Vrabel, and accelerated his game to contend for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Last year, Maye threw 15 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions, and just under 2,300 passing yards. This season, Maye more than doubled his touchdown total, threw two fewer interceptions compared to last year, and had roughly 4,400 passing yards. He led the league in quarterback rating, passer rating, and completion percentage — statistically masterful. Moreover, Maye found success this season despite not having a 1,000-yard rusher and only one 1,000-yard receiver, Stefon Diggs. Whether or not he ends up winning MVP, the New England star has been offensively a-Maye-zing. 

Beyond the team-rejuvenating its leadership and developing an MVP-level quarterback, the Patriots’ unsung heroes lie mostly in the defense. Linebackers Harold Landry III and K’Lavon Chaisson have eight and a half and seven and a half sacks, respectively. Eight players have 65 or more total tackles, including linebacker Robert Spillane and star cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Despite the fact that only four players recorded an interception in the regular season, the team has already equaled that total in the postseason. In comparison to other players, the team’s star players have statistically underperformed. But the collective effort by the Patriots’ defense has propelled New England to a fantastic playoff run. 

So what exactly should we expect this Sunday? Maye will continue to do a fine job offensively, despite facing an excellent defense in Seattle, considering he has averaged 177 passing yards and just over one passing touchdown per game. Maye will look for Diggs and wide receiver Kayshon Boutte as the highest targeted players, along with tight end Hunter Henry and running back Rhamondre Stevenson for dump-off and deep ball passes. While Diggs gets the most looks, Boutte has turned his slightly fewer targets into much larger gains. New England’s success rides on Maye’s ability to find his receivers and make the right plays to get points on the board — a tall task against a Seattle defense that leads the league in points generated for its team. 

Beyond the offense, the defense will continue to split responsibility in stopping the formidable Seahawks’ offensive unit. Chaisson, as the postseason sack leader for New England, will have to pressure Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold, while surprise playoff riser and interception leader, cornerback Carlton Davis III, will have to do his best against his designated receiver and force a turnover. Many players could step up in this game, but the regular-season to postseason consistency of these two convinces me that their roles won’t likely diminish in the Super Bowl. 

While the Super Bowl is nothing new to this franchise, this team is taking its first trip to the biggest game in America without much experience to back it up. The Patriots will need a team effort to guarantee victory this Sunday, but luckily for them, the team identity has revolved around this “rising to the occasion” mantra all this season.