The Patriots and Super Bowl LX(60)
Psst. The Patriots are in the Super Bowl. I’m giddy with excitement for the NFL’s 60th version of “the big game” I was rather excited in February of 2008 when the undefeated Patriots sought to cap off their perfect season against the Giants. But that game almost ended my fandom before it started and truly gave me my first existential crisis. I didn’t know if I was going to wake up the next morning, or if it was worth it. However, things went pretty well for the next 10+ years and Super Bowl’s became the norm. The rest of the country and possibly the world hates to recognize the truth of that last statement. Is it arrogant? No, it’s a fact, and New England continues to back it up.
It is easy to say that this version of the squad is perhaps the biggest “out of nowhere” story in the 25 year reign. There was of course the Tom Brady “noodle arm” season when they went to Kansas City and Dee Ford was offside, and then they beat the Rams in a boring grind it out game. There was that first championship victory over the Rams in 2002 where the Pats were 2 touchdown underdogs and the legend of Tom Brady was born. But I was 3 years old and I didn’t know what a football was or that Tom Brady was a messiah. This season was a surprise. An exceedingly pleasant surprise.
That week 5 game in Buffalo is where my ears really perked up. They weren't supposed to win that game. This was supposed to be Josh Allen’s year. When Rhamondre fumbled like 47 times in September, I thought the season was over. They’d pack up and maybe make a trade at the deadline looking towards the ‘26 season. But, they started to win a lot of games. Sure, they don’t play in the NFC West and didn’t have the chance to get battle tested against a slate like the Seahawks did. But they played the teams in front of them and usually made it look easier than the score would indicate.
Ben McAdoo of New York Football Giants fame is a Senior Defensive Assistant on the Pats staff. I did not know this.
The media always likes to identify who is responsible for success, and failure. Brady or Belichick? The iceberg or the arrogant developers/builders/funders of the Titanic? MJ or Phil Jackson? Trent Dilfer or the Ravens defense? Aaron Hernandez or Urban Meyer? Pete Carroll or Russell Wilson? I think the beauty of this Patriots team is that as of right now, nobody gives a shit who’s most responsible for any of this. It is evident that they have developed an excellent TEAM. A program was implemented by Mr. Mike Vrabel, he surrounded the players with an experienced and hungry staff, the front office pushed in free agency and drafted well enough, Mr. Kraft and Mr. Kraft Jr. stayed the hell out of the way, Cardi B gave birth to Stefon Digg’s child, Ann Michael Maye made tiktoks and didn’t forget to turn the oven off, Drake Maye put on his big boy pants one week after another and made enough plays to win the game, Mack Hollins scared the shit out of the media with his dogs out; and because of all of this, Mike Vrabel might have to cut off his most valuable male appendage.
The playoffs weren’t easy. The Chargers game was messy. It was never really in doubt, but it was close. They really just needed one touchdown, and Hunter Henry provided. The Texans were scary. Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson gave me nightmares. But CJ Stroud proved why he is a bottom 10 QB in the league and Boutte made one of the greatest playoff catches I've ever seen. Denver was even messier. But the snow decided to start falling, Stidham threw a duck to Gonzalez, punters became the most important players on the roster, and Drake Maye scampered for a 1st down when there was no other choice. They didn’t win that game because Sean Payton went for it on 4th down, but that helped.
Now, two weeks after that game, there are a few distractions swirling around the team. And the ones that are being beaten to the death by radio row don’t have anything to do with the ‘25-’26 squad. Belichick got snubbed from the Hall of Fame, and so did Kraft. Tom won’t say he’s rooting for the Pats. And while that upsets me, who gives a shit, fuck him. (only for this week Tom I love you always) And really that’s about it. Drake Maye’s shoulder is fine, by the way.
A quick side bar to talk about Cam Newton. Another distraction that I have to mention even though I wish to keep his name and face out of my brain. Cam Newton is an idiot. I really don’t like one thing about him. His takes are riddled with contradictions that would make JD Vance proud. Mr. Newton has a habit of proclaiming his opinions as the truth and yada yada there’s nothing the listeners can do but recognize that he spits truthful facts. Well Cam, here’s a fact for you: You are the most forgettable quarterback to have played in New England for the last 30 years AND you played scared in a Super Bowl when you had a chance to win the game. Chew on that truth and quit squawking. Keep Drake Maye’s name out of your mouth, you will eat crow.
The Seahawks are good, very good. Their defense is terrifying. But it’s a lot of smoke and mirrors. Everyone likes talking about the length of their secondary, how they take up space in passing lanes. None of that will matter, Drake Maye will throw darts to open receivers and not throw when they’re covered, it’s simple. The Seahawks D line will get through this combo veteran/baby faced Pats O line, but that’s okay. I think Drake knows when he needs to get rid of the ball now after seeing similar pressure in this postseason. He’ll also be more likely to take off when a hole presents itself in the last game of the season.
We need to contain Rashid Shaheed in the kicking game. That man can flat out fly. I can’t wait to see Brendan Schooler's locks flowing in the California breeze en route to knocking Shaheed on his bum.
We need to limit JSN. That guy is a wizard in the open field and the football just finds his hands and never leaves. But if Vrabel follows the Big Game Belichick Bible, he will take away the greatest strength and see what the Seahawks do then. I don’t think Kupp, Walker, and Barner can keep up if JSN is limited.
Mike McDonald is impressive. A few weeks ago I watched a clip from their season opening team meeting. I almost started to like the guy, and do I think he’s a great coach and will do it the right way for a long time. But it’s not his time yet.
Sam Darnold has had a great season defying all laws of former Jet’s QB’s. But he also turned the ball over more than any other player in the NFL this season with 14 picks and 6 fumbles. Ghosts never die…BALL!
Let’s talk about why I think the Patriots can and will win the football game. They have traits of a team that just knows how to get shit done. They went 9-0 on the road. That’s insane. They don’t need it to look pretty. They are willing to play the field position game and keep the opponents offense on the bench. They have experienced coaching and hungry players many of which are so young they don’t know how to do anything but cut it loose. They have veterans with personality and seem to have created a genuine and loving brotherhood. They know how to have fun and they know how to grit their teeth and hit the other team where it hurts. All the cliches of a championship winning culture exist in their locker room, and I think they exemplify these qualities and play their best game of the season on Sunday.
Bryce Baringer needs to show the fuck up and punt the ball like his job description asks him to (if we need him to). He sucked butts against the Broncos, and it wasn’t only for the weather. He punted 8 times with an average of 37.9 yards and a longest kick of 45. It was ugly, especially in a game where field position was the crux. We need more, Bryce.
The defense is starving. Milton Williams is a silent assassin and still heavily underrated in the league. Barmore and Tonga will clog up the middle for nebbish Kenneth Walker. Gonzalez will match feet with JSN and Carlton Davis the III will probably have two PI’s as well as an INT, the man loves hearing his number over the PA system. Spillane has a bum ankle, I must see him foaming at the mouth ready to blow Kupp up over the middle.
Borregales has been nails. For a rookie he has stayed out of the news which means he is doing his job. I would love to see Andy become the hero of this game.
Marcus Jones will make a play. Whether it’s on a punt return or on defense, his 4 TD’s on the season didn’t happen on accident.
The long snapper is named Julian Ashby. And now you know something you didn’t know before.
Vrabel has said that sometimes you need to believe things before you can see them. Or maybe it’s that you need to see them before you believe them. Wait. Now I’m all turned around. Anyway, this is the 5th Super Bowl Vrabel has been a part of. He knows what it looks like, and I like to think he’s a good storyteller. I'm hearing reports that he recorded a 15 minute bedtime meditation/manifestation program that is required listening for all players and staff this week. That gravelly bassoon lulling Drake and his best friends to sleep is exactly what the guys need this week.
Josh McDaniels is a professional. I really enjoyed watching him succeed this year and I sincerely hope he never accepts a head coaching job ever again.
What if? That’s kind of the best thing is sports. Even for Jets fans. What if the Jets won the Super Bowl? Well, they’re going to have to wait at least another 11 months and change to see if they can. For now, it’s the Pats with a big what if. Would this be the most impressive Patriots Super Bowl of the last 26 years? Maybe. It’s a good problem to have, but that conversation is not worth our breath at this moment.
Bottom line: I can’t wait for the game. I’m going to make myself a couple egg salad sandwiches and enjoy a few ice cold Miller Lites in a controlled viewing environment with my nose about 3 inches from the tv. Life is good. Go Pats.
