Super Bowl LX, 2/8/26 Levi's Stadium

[Jay Z]

If we go by final score, biased as I may be, I predict the Seahawks win 34-21.

The biggest determining factor as I’ve said a couple times this season is how our offensive line holds up against New England’s defense. Though in the NFC Championship Game, our defensive line didn’t play its best I thought.

One thing that also deserves a mention about this Super Bowl:

Jaxon Smith Njiba averaged over 100 receiving yards per game this season.

If the Seahawks win it all, he will be just the third receiver to average 100 yards per game in a regular season of at least 16 games in length, and have his team win the Super Bowl thereafter.

The others are his teammate Cooper Kupp in 2021, and Michael Irvin in 1995.

Also, deserving a shoutout are Charley Hennigan in 1961, Bill Groman in 1960, Elroy Hirsch in 1951, and Jim Benton in 1945 who all averaged 100 receiving yards per game in championship seasons when the schedule was 14 games or less, and the postseason was intended to just be a championship game with any rounds before it being tiebreakers.

My theory as to why fewer players who were higher in receiving yardage have won championships in the same year (apart from other issues the teams had) could be that if you have one target that is clearly the best on the team, then defenses will scheme against that player heavily, and if the targets around him can’t take advantage of the extra coverage the top player draws, then the offense will be more predictable and easier to disrupt.

Back to the Seahawks, I’d say the receivers outside of Smith-Njigba have taken advantage of the coverage he draws pretty well this year, and if they can do that in this game, then that’ll make it really tough for New England’s defense.

Jerry Rice won a couple of Super Bowls where he led the league in receiving yards, though he fell short of the 100 yards a game level. Raymond Berry and Drew Pearson also won championships leading in receiving yards.

[74_75_78_79_]

....making Darnold do Neil O'Donnellean things....

"Neil O'Donnellean" hurt my brain...

I really shouldn't be as hard on Darnold, I guess. What I've liked about his play is he being anything but a "game manager" - slinging the ball with confidence and making things happening! This Pats-D, however, are no (depleted) San Fran; and they also aren't even the Rams either! They are going to really bring more to Seattle's O then their last two playoff opponents did; and it seems to me that Sam is due for a rough game. There's a side to me that wishes my initial pick was with most of you. But I'll stick with my initial guess (I still really do have this bad feeling; can't help it). If Seattle wins it, I'll be glad that was wrong. And, in addition to their D, I think another reason for a win by them over NE, may be Darnold playing another such gunslinger-like game; making things happen. Not playing into the hands of that Pats-D, but overcoming them instead.

Yes, I already, basically, aforementioned Super Bowl XXX which is...thirty post-seasons ago now! I mentioned the Broncos playing in their white jerseys ten post-seasons ago even though they were the 'home' team (with a 'Kubiak' trying to get a Ring). And then there's 20 post-seasons ago with my Steelers wearing their white jerseys as the 'home' team as well; with...Seattle wearing their darks despite being the 'road' team!

Man, is SBXXX really 'halfway' into this, here, current Super Bowl Era?? Halfway between Max McGee and NOW??

If this 2025 Seahawks installment WINS tonight, how close are they to 2013? If they come up short, what are they compared to '05 & '14?
If these '25 Pats win, what are they compared to 2001?

[Brian wolf]

Defensive game that purists like so far ... DBs Witherspoon and Woodson have dominated for both teams.

Is it me or does it seem like any safety or corner named Woodson excel in this league?
Abe Woodson, Rod Woodson, Darren Woodson, Charles Woodson and now Craig Woodson. Even the Steelers had a decent player in Marv Woodson during the 1960s.

Campbell for NE is getting ate alive. The Patriots better get him help fast ...

[SeahawkFever]

This Super Bowl so far (as of halftime) feels like a game that has played like people describe the 70’s: Belonging to the defenses.

[Brian wolf]

Looks similar to the Patriots-Rams SB from 2018/19. Can the offensive lines settle down, though Walker is running well?

Diggs and Smith-Njigba 2 catches for 9 yrds.

[SeahawkFever]

Looks similar to the Patriots-Rams SB from 2018/19. Can the offensive lines settle down, though Walker is running well?

Diggs and Smith-Ngigba 2 catches for 9 yrds.

That one was really low scoring too, but it stayed within one score into the fourth quarter whereas this game before half is already a two score game.

[Brian wolf]

Maye just cant look downfield. Constantly rushed and Campbell is still not able to hold off rushers. Once the Seahawks get a TD, this game will be over ... can the Patriots D get a turnover themselves?

[Brian wolf]

Well, at least the Patriots wont get shut out. Can Maye bounce back after the interception?

Guess not ...

[SeahawkFever]

Well, at least the Patriots wont get shut out. Can Maye bounce back after the interception?

Guess not ...

I don’t think he will after that strip and touchdown.

[Brian wolf]

Congratulations to the Seahawks ... played a great defensive game and capped a great year. The Patriots offensive line was just overwhelmed. Happy for Darnold, after the disappointing end to his year last season with the Vikings. Will Seattle re-sign Walker?