Patriots Pregame Thread SUPER BOWL PREGAME THREAD - Patriots vs Seahawks 2026 SB - The Rematch

Stu Pidassle · Feb 7, 2026

fnordcircle said:
Turns out companies don't care about nationalistic priorities, they care about money.

Bad Bunny is a big name worldwide that they hope will draw in viewers.

Funny how capitalism becomes a problem for some when it's not draped in the red, white, and blue.

Capitalism is subject to the laws of economics, everything needs checks and balances. It is natural for giant conglomerates to have agendas that run counter to a persons views on any topic. It is ok for consumers to determine that they don't want to do business with that company. In this case the NFL is trying to expand its market share globally at the risk of alienating some part of its domestic consumer base. That is how capitalism works.

Triumph · Feb 7, 2026

Stu Pidassle said:
Capitalism is subject to the laws of economics, everything needs checks and balances. It is natural for giant conglomerates to have agendas that run counter to a persons views on any topic. It is ok for consumers to determine that they don't want to due business with that company. In this case the NFL is trying to expand its market share globally at the risk of alienating some part of its domestic consumer base. That is how capitalism works.

Just like with Bud Light.

KCSVEN · Feb 7, 2026

Great story on Pats coach Mike Smith, worth paying the $1 for a year deal if you don't have Herald Subscription.
Short summary: Overcame alcohol addiction, dealt with PTSD from father dying as he held him, took 18 months off to recover.
One excerpt about Vrabel after Smith send over 20 texts to dispel rumors that he had left coaching due to CTE and wanted to set record straight so he could work again:

Smith estimates only five to 10 of them responded. Vrabel, whom he’d met years ago through ex-Patriots and mutual coaching friends Wes Welker and Larry Izzo, was one of them. No one else sent a text like Vrabel’s.

“It was just so detailed,” Smith said. “That it’s all about the family, and family is all that matters before you can ever think about coaching again. And I just thought, wow. Like, we were friends, but he’s really gonna send me something that long, sincere and that caring? I knew what kind of man he is.”

The untold story of how a Patriots coach overcame alcoholism, PTSD to reach Super Bowl LX

In an exclusive interview, a Patriots assistant explains why he left football for 18 months and how he returned. From loss to PTSD and alcohol abuse, this is the inside story of how Mike Smith climbed the mountaintop.

www.bostonherald.com

neckroll#14 · Feb 7, 2026

Vrabel is a gem... hope we have a long stint with him...

Gumby · Feb 7, 2026

Mack Herron said:

Well well well…
….in the BB days Davis would be walking around with an orange vest labeled „No Media-Access“ and a gag for the next 24 hours.

Ross12 · Feb 7, 2026

KCSVEN said:
Great story on Pats coach Mike Smith, worth paying the $1 for a year deal if you don't have Herald Subscription.
Short summary: Overcame alcohol addiction, dealt with PTSD from father dying as he held him, took 18 months off to recover.
One excerpt about Vrabel after Smith send over 20 texts to dispel rumors that he had left coaching due to CTE and wanted to set record straight so he could work again:

Smith estimates only five to 10 of them responded. Vrabel, whom he’d met years ago through ex-Patriots and mutual coaching friends Wes Welker and Larry Izzo, was one of them. No one else sent a text like Vrabel’s.

“It was just so detailed,” Smith said. “That it’s all about the family, and family is all that matters before you can ever think about coaching again. And I just thought, wow. Like, we were friends, but he’s really gonna send me something that long, sincere and that caring? I knew what kind of man he is.”

The untold story of how a Patriots coach overcame alcoholism, PTSD to reach Super Bowl LX

In an exclusive interview, a Patriots assistant explains why he left football for 18 months and how he returned. From loss to PTSD and alcohol abuse, this is the inside story of how Mike Smith climbed the mountaintop.

www.bostonherald.com

Watching the saga of Vrabel evolve from being the fiery punk on the first dynasty, to the NFLPA rep, then go to the Chiefs briefly, maturing along the way, then rise up the ranks in coaching at OSU and Houston and then Tennessee to great success as a true leader of men, before being canned purely because of how much he respected New England - only to have him come BACK here again and immediately prove how much he is worth in his first season - is a story for the ages. And it’s far from over. I’ll be wearing my old Vrabel jersey tomorrow.

PP2 · Feb 7, 2026

Ross12 said:
is it just me or does the matchup seriously favor NE’s defense?

- Seattle relies heavily on the run game; NE has an elite run defense
- Seattle mainly just has one elite WR; NE has an elite shutdown corner
- Seattle otherwise has pretty average WRs whereas NE’s CB2 and 3 are very good
- Seattle’s QB is a pocket passer who isn’t mobile and thus is susceptible to interior pressure; NE dominates with interior pressure against immobile QBs
- Seattle’s QB has shown tendency to melt down when rattled; NE has compiled obscene # of pressures in postseason

I feel like this matchup is really really good and is flying under the radar. Even if Maye and the offense can’t do a lot, the defense may be able to carry a win.

Amazing what happens when you filter out all the noise.

Mack Herron · Feb 7, 2026

Gumby said:
Well well well…
….in the BB days Davis would be walking around with an orange vest labeled „No Media-Access“ and a gag for the next 24 hours.

My reaction as well. Surprised Vrabel would be cool with it.

everlong · Feb 7, 2026

Ross12 said:
is it just me or does the matchup seriously favor NE’s defense?

- Seattle relies heavily on the run game; NE has an elite run defense
- Seattle mainly just has one elite WR; NE has an elite shutdown corner
- Seattle otherwise has pretty average WRs whereas NE’s CB2 and 3 are very good
- Seattle’s QB is a pocket passer who isn’t mobile and thus is susceptible to interior pressure; NE dominates with interior pressure against immobile QBs
- Seattle’s QB has shown tendency to melt down when rattled; NE has compiled obscene # of pressures in postseason

I feel like this matchup is really really good and is flying under the radar. Even if Maye and the offense can’t do a lot, the defense may be able to carry a win.

The match up which scares me is whoever Carlton Davis is covering. He does not draw a favorable matchup with any of Seattle's receivers.

I also wonder if Marcus Jones with help over the top is a better match up with JSN because he can match his change of direction and then you task Gonzo with shutting down Kupp 1x1.

Hold Seattle to under 70 yards rushing and you win. The better defenses did this and did win or came close like Indy but were stunted by their offense being inept.

Regarding the Patriots offense the national media is forgetting Seattle played two defense which were not very good the second half of the year in perfect conditions and the Patriots played 3 great defenses in extreme cold, hard rain and wind and finally hard wind and snow. I think Seattle deserves to be favored but this is a much more even mactchup and almost everybody I've heard is not only taking Seattle to win but to cover on a 4.5 which is too high in my mind. I think this is more of a 2.5 and I wouldn't touch Seattle at -2300

jimnance · Feb 7, 2026

Patjew said:
And who can forget the German version of “Rock me Amadeus?’

Is that the one that went " Dah dah dah...dah dah dah..

Gumby said:
Well well well…
….in the BB days Davis would be walking around with an orange vest labeled „No Media-Access“ and a gag for the next 24 hours.

He didn't say anything that everyone in the world didn't know already

Betterthanmost · Feb 7, 2026

Wishing for a perfect game from this team for first time this season.

40yrpatsfan · Feb 7, 2026

Ross12 said:
is it just me or does the matchup seriously favor NE’s defense?

- Seattle relies heavily on the run game; NE has an elite run defense
- Seattle mainly just has one elite WR; NE has an elite shutdown corner
- Seattle otherwise has pretty average WRs whereas NE’s CB2 and 3 are very good
- Seattle’s QB is a pocket passer who isn’t mobile and thus is susceptible to interior pressure; NE dominates with interior pressure against immobile QBs
- Seattle’s QB has shown tendency to melt down when rattled; NE has compiled obscene # of pressures in postseason

I feel like this matchup is really really good and is flying under the radar. Even if Maye and the offense can’t do a lot, the defense may be able to carry a win.

I think it'll be a low scoring, defensive game around 19-16 or 16-13, lots of punts. Both QB's will be coached to not take chances but to take the sack instead, similar to the Pats-Rams SB that was 13-3. Neither coach will risk going for it on 4th down. Field position will be important for us, not to be starting inside the 10. Gotta get first downs and give the D a breather.

I do think Seattle's #2 & #3 WR's are pretty good and will land some punches, and Walker is dangerous on screens, but overall we'll limit them.

KCSVEN · Feb 7, 2026

Gumby said:
Well well well…
….in the BB days Davis would be walking around with an orange vest labeled „No Media-Access“ and a gag for the next 24 hours.

Davis Could be lying about Gonzo shadowing?

PFF ranks Patriots #1 in Coverage, Seahawks #2.

Some interesting stats on DB's:

Gonzo: 44.6% completion against, 58.3 Passer Rating 10 PBU, 1 TD
D. Wither.: 75.3% complete against, 101.1 PR against 8 PBU, 2 TD

Davis: 59.8% complete, 82.8 rating 13 PBU, 4 TD
Jobe: 52.3% complete, 77.3 Rating 9 PBU, 3 TD

M. Jones: 72.2% complete, 105.5 P, 7 PBU, 8 TD
T. Woolen: 55.3%, 86.8 PR, 10 PBU, 5 TD

C. Woodson: 67.4% Complete, PR 112, 5 PBU, 6 TD (Only 1 TD in last 9 games)
N. Emman.: 74.7% complete, PR 94.5 12 PBU, 2 TD

Gonzo is #2 in the NFL in lowest completion % allowed with Quinyon Mitchell Eagles #1 at 43.7%. Jobe is 10th.

Watched JSN vs Houston, beat Stingley 3 times and Lassiter twice vs. man. I thought Lassiter played him pretty well overall though.

Those 2 are around 53% complete against, 72.5 average rating, still worse than Gonzo. JSN will get his vs but Gonzo will get his as well. Darnold will force some tight window throws into JSN. Awesome matchup if these 2 go head-to-head.

Ring 6 · Feb 7, 2026

Gumby said:
Well well well…
….in the BB days Davis would be walking around with an orange vest labeled „No Media-Access“ and a gag for the next 24 hours.

Unless it’s bs

Ring 6 · Feb 7, 2026

everlong said:
The match up which scares me is whoever Carlton Davis is covering. He does not draw a favorable matchup with any of Seattle's receivers.

I also wonder if Marcus Jones with help over the top is a better match up with JSN because he can match his change of direction and then you task Gonzo with shutting down Kupp 1x1.

Hold Seattle to under 70 yards rushing and you win. The better defenses did this and did win or came close like Indy but were stunted by their offense being inept.

Regarding the Patriots offense the national media is forgetting Seattle played two defense which were not very good the second half of the year in perfect conditions and the Patriots played 3 great defenses in extreme cold, hard rain and wind and finally hard wind and snow. I think Seattle deserves to be favored but this is a much more even mactchup and almost everybody I've heard is not only taking Seattle to win but to cover on a 4.5 which is too high in my mind. I think this is more of a 2.5 and I wouldn't touch Seattle at -2300

Who besides JSN would give you any concern at all with Davis covering them? He should shut down anyone else they have, he is far better.

PATSYLICIOUS · Feb 7, 2026

The fan in me would love to see gonzo vs jsn. What a storyline as both were taken within a few picks of each other and dominating. Interesting to see what Vrabel and Kuhr will do

turkeyneck · Feb 7, 2026

I don't like the idea of a taller DB on a shorter, shiftier WR; physics advantages the WR with the lower center of gravity and the quicker twitch. I'd rather bracket JSN with two DBs and have Gonzo solo on the next biggest threat.

BUSTAMOVE · Feb 7, 2026

Mods can you start a Bad Bunny post so the posters who want to politically banter can go there
This Halftime show **** is ruining a lot of our mojo in what should be just Pats in the SB talk

Mack Herron · Feb 7, 2026

turkeyneck said:
I don't like the idea of a taller DB on a shorter, shiftier WR; physics advantages the WR with the lower center of gravity and the quicker twitch. I'd rather bracket JSN with two DBs and have Gonzo solo on the next biggest threat.

Both Gonzo and Davis are 6-1 and JSN is 6-0. Jones is 5-8.

VJCPatriot · Feb 7, 2026

thecore762 said:
We just need to bring in the A game on offense. Weather won’t be a factor in SF. Maybe some wind here and there but I expect a nice day for football.

Our defense needs to be extra alert with Kupp, I think he is going to be their key player on offense and of course the run game. If we can stuff the run game then we have a chance.

Dial up creative blitzes down the middle.

Latest weather forecast is a high of 67 with an average of 54 on gameday with a 30% chance of rain. So I don't think the weather will be pristine. This will be winter playoff football.

I do feel we need to pressure Darnold to make this game competitive because they will definitely be going after Maye. Will Campbell performance will be a key but I think he's going to need some schemed help. They will try to make Maye a non-factor as well.

I think this game will be close and can go to either team. We just need to make a few plays more than they do. Turnover battle I feel will be a key to the game. Also we need to establish just enough ball control and clock control to win this game. We cannot afford to go multiple 3 and outs on offense and stay in it.

I expect a low scoring game but we can absolutely pull it out. I want to see more designed plays for Maye to roll out and pick his option of running or passing. Get him some designed plays out of the pocket to relieve blitz pressure so he can use his legs or dump off to flat or quick hitting slant options please.

It's going to be a fascinating chess match. Let's hope Josh McDaniels comes up with a better plan against the Seahawks than he has been showing the past few games. I do have faith in our defense to keep this close but our offense needs to really pull their own weight in this game and find a way to move the ball and score against a formidable Seahawks defense.

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