Two very different paths lead Seahawks, Patriots to Super Bowl

The AFC and NFC Championship games have come, and the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots have each punched their respective tickets to Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara.

In the AFC, the Patriots took on the Denver Broncos in a game that started with sunshine and cool weather, before slowly turning into a blizzard.

Jarrett Stidham was decent, given the circumstances. He threw for 133 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The Patriots' defense did their part, holding the Bo Nix-less Broncos to just seven points, but Drake Maye and the offense were subpar, and that’s being generous.

Drake Maye threw for just 86 yards and rushed for one touchdown on the ground, the Patriots' lone touchdown of the game.

The conditions definitely played a major role in the game. Patriots kicker, Andy Borregales, was one for three on field goal attempts, and Broncos kicker Will Lutz, who is usually on point, missed both of his attempts.

Overall, this was not a great game at all, and certainly not one that fans enjoyed watching. The Patriots have lots of work to do before they head to Santa Clara to face off against the NFC champion, the Seattle Seahawks.

Contrary to New England, in Seattle’s win over their division rival, the Los Angeles Rams, its offense was instrumental.

In Sam Darnold’s rookie season with the New York Jets, he was “seeing ghosts”. He was pushed out of New York and bounced around before finding a home with Seattle, and to say he has made the most of it would be an understatement.

In Sunday’s game, he threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns. A far cry from his 198-yard, two-touchdown, one-interception performance in his NFL debut.

A true testament as to how far he’s come.

His counterpart, Matthew Stafford, the likely MVP, was brilliant. Stafford threw for 374 yards, and three touchdowns. A gutsy performance in the loss.

Moving on to the big game, here are three keys for each team if they want to see success come February 8th. First, for New England.

Christian Gonzalez allowed four catches for 70 yards against Denver. He will need to be a lot better as he’s going up against the league’s top pass catcher, Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

I understand the conditions weren’t ideal, but Drake Maye will need to be better in the Super Bowl; 86 yards is simply not good enough.

Finally, Stefon Diggs has the most playoff experience on the Patriots offense. He needs to start playing like it. Five catches for 17 yards are weak numbers.

Now, for Seattle.

The secondary struggled to keep up with Puca Nacua and Davante Adams, allowing over 200 yards to them combined. They’ll need to lock up Diggs and Mack Hollins to have a chance.

Getting to Drake Maye will help Seattle succeed. They were able to sack Stafford once in the NFC Championship. My suggestion? Attack Will Campbell.

The rookie has struggled at times this year, and pressure on him could be a difference maker.

Finally, feed Kenneth Walker. With Zach Charbonnet out for the rest of the season, Walker is the bell cow of this offense.

If he gets the rock, Seattle’s going to have a successful night. Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner, and a rematch 11 years in the making is sure to be a fun one, come February 8th.

Sawyer Bogaty is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email him at sgb5468@psu.edu.