PostGame Thread 2025 OFFICIAL POSTGAME THREAD: Patriots fall 29-13 to the Seahawks

[Real fan 02]

I wouldn't care if I were a Seahawks fan. If it were a year later, then yes.

The closest were the 49ers and Chiefs (2019 and 2023) and the Giants playing the Pats (2007 and 2011). Pats and Giants were closer to a rematch having more core guys still on the team.

Those Giants losses... ugh...

 

[FrodoBagginz]

I almost bought this cake at Market Basket today. Saw a cake on the discount rack and looked to see if it was chocolate and it was so I put it in my cart. I was about to roll off when I looked down and saw this ****.

**** that. I put that right back where it was.

 

[Real fan 02]

I almost bought this cake at Market Basket today. Saw a cake on the discount rack and looked to see if it was chocolate and it was so I put it in my cart. I was about to roll off when I looked down and saw this ****.

**** that. I put that right back where it was.

Wonder wich market basket that was being sold at!!!!

 

[Mcp1982]

Sam Darnold was the star of the game.

I know Walker got MVP, but MVP is for stats.

Darnold did a few tiny detailed things that basically swung the game for Seattle. His level of play put pressure on the Patriots D and made them sell out, and that's the only time he hurt us. We lost contain on Walker because of Darnold and sending DBs and LBs up the middle.

What did Darnold do? I like the early strategy to be aggressive and go for INTs on short throws. We were ready for those completions. You could see our safeties there in case the DBs got burned. But Gonzo, Davis and Marcus all gambled for INTs early by undercutting the route, and each time Darnold made a throw within inches of their fingertis, or else he threw it outside and away from his WR.

Second thing Darnold did to win the game, when multiple Patriots pass rushers had him dead to rights, he shuffled away from their momentum and eluded them, threw the ball away, or made a really nice completion with a nice throw. He even ran the ball once for a 1st down, a play which broke the Patriots backs.

He did all the little things that aren't noticed, and though people might say the Seattle offense's play was unspectacular (Darnold himself thinks they didn't play well), it was the little things that put them over the top.

These are the things that fans used to miss all the time during the Brady days, and they were also things that Drake was doing during the AFC playoff run, making the key pass, buying time when he had to have it, running for a 1st down.

agreed. probably six plays between a few near pics and a few near sacks thats changed the game. I waited and waited for him to make the big mistake and he didnt. kudos where its due

 

[KCSVEN]

A good analysis of what I saw where Drake wasn't responsible on many plays that he got the blame for.
Again, I had a number of bad plays in second half, but this analysis is similar to mine.
I gave Hooper less blame on the overthrow, though I thought he ran a bad route, I still think if he didn't it might have been an overthrow but hard to tell since he flattened the rout too much and jogged after contact.
The DD not adjusting to the blitz drove me nuts also.

 

[KCSVEN]

Good breakdown on Campbell's poor technique. Correctable? You would hope so as it's all technique and not arms, even the first one it's partly arms but if he whacks the arm down, he's fine. Just seemed to play with no power. Tentative, afraid to get beat? Is he not setting right afraid of the injured knee?

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

agreed. probably six plays between a few near pics and a few near sacks thats changed the game. I waited and waited for him to make the big mistake and he didn't

I'm sorry we lost.

You'd think with all these years of experience and winning six titles, it wouldn't hurt so much. You all know that's not true.

What hurts the most about those six losses is that in each case, to one extent or another, we beat ourselves and we deserved to lose.

In each game (even in XX), we had chances to win, which we didn't exploit.

Back in August, when the prospect of us playing in that game on Sunday were remote at best to most, I expressed my biggest apprehension about this team, should we make it: Josh.

Y'all talked me out of my Tobin jump which would have been my response to what you all correctly pointed out: Josh will never commit to the run.

Silver linings:

No one remembers the beat down the Cowboys administered to the Dolphins in their first Super Bowl appearance. They remember the two titles they won after.

In the '85, '96 & '25 seasons, the Patriots emerged from a loss with highly valuable playoff & Super Bowl experience. That was highly useful in the 2001 season.

Even with Eason starting, the '86 team came close to winning in Denver and making it back. In '88, with Flutie, they beat the Bengals and Bears.

It was (again) blindingly obvious to me at least that the Seahawks ran the ball and the Patriots didn't even try. Regardless of Maye's physical condition, the Patriots could have won that game if they had simply chose to run the ball. On 1st, 2nd and 3rd down. After the millionth consecutive short wasted drive resulting in a punt, something had to be done on someone's part which never happened and it just continued into an inevitable loss. Dropping Maye back to pass was, for whatever reason not working. Having him hand it off, from different sets, as well as having him just tuck it and run (which they did do effectively during the season) would have been more effective than just continuing to fail time after time after time after time after time. Bob Griese had 11 pass attempts in Super Bowl VII and 7 in Super Bowl VIII. Seven (7).

The Patriots effort was sufficient on Sunday. Either Josh going against his obvious obsession, or Drake simply taking it upon himself to just step up, tuck it and run, literally could have flipped the script - and the score.

 

[Real fan 02]

Might have mattered if we were doing it in the 3rd, and by "it" I don't mean praying you get enough time for long developing home runs. For the love of God, quick slants, check-downs, as others here said, take what they give you. A little success in the pass game also opens up the run, and after getting back one score, it's not crazy to keep trying that. At that point, you're one Henderson explosion away from making it happen.

But woulda coulda shoulda and 4 bucks buys you a Starbucks if you're lucky. I don't pick over the bones thinking that somehow we're better than we played. We are what the game said we were. I just like to hope that next year we're much more.

We know how talented Drake is and how he has big play abilities.. what would had really helped the line out was some misdirection, screens, and check downs.. even for minimal gains.. it would had allowed Drake and the offense to at least get a rhythm and force Seattle to get out thier coverage.. however having success with just rushing 4 guys made it super easy for Seattle suprised Mc Donald was sending blitzes when he was successful with just 4 guys.. rushing

 

[Real fan 02]

I'm sorry we lost.

You'd think with all these years of experience and winning six titles, it wouldn't hurt so much. You all know that's not true.

What hurts the most about those six losses is that in each case, to one extent or another, we beat ourselves and we deserved to lose.

In each game (even in XX), we had chances to win, which we didn't exploit.

Back in August, when the prospect of us playing in that game on Sunday were remote at best to most, I expressed my biggest apprehension about this team, should we make it: Josh.

Y'all talked me out of my Tobin jump which would have been my response to what you all correctly pointed out: Josh will never commit to the run.

Silver linings:

No one remembers the beat down the Cowboys administered to the Dolphins in their first Super Bowl appearance. They remember the two titles they won after.

In the '85, '96 & '25 seasons, the Patriots emerged from a loss with highly valuable playoff & Super Bowl experience. That was highly useful in the 2001 season.

Even with Eason starting, the '86 team came close to winning in Denver and making it back. In '88, with Flutie, they beat the Bengals and Bears.

It was (again) blindingly obvious to me at least that the Seahawks ran the ball and the Patriots didn't even try. Regardless of Maye's physical condition, the Patriots could have won that game if they had simply chose to run the ball. On 1st, 2nd and 3rd down. After the millionth consecutive short wasted drive resulting in a punt, something had to be done on someone's part which never happened and it just continued into an inevitable loss. Dropping Maye back to pass was, for whatever reason not working. Having him hand it off, from different sets, as well as having him just tuck it and run (which they did do effectively during the season) would have been more effective than just continuing to fail time after time after time after time after time. Bob Griese had 11 pass attempts in Super Bowl VII and 7 in Super Bowl VIII. Seven (7).

The Patriots effort was sufficient on Sunday. Either Josh going against his obvious obsession, or Drake simply taking it upon himself to just step up, tuck it and run, literally could have flipped the script - and the score.

Agreed.. I was going to say 96 superbowl although Darnold isn't far farve and we shut thier passing game down for the most part.. we gave up some runs to walker that he broke off.. but had Seattle to mainly FGS

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Agreed.. I was going to say 96 superbowl although Darnold isn't far farve and we shut thier passing game down for the most part.. we gave up some runs to walker that he broke off.. but had Seattle to mainly FGS

Josh called a typical (flawed) game.

Dropping Drake back to pass on 1st down, 2nd down even after strong gains on the ground, and of course on 3rd down.

It's important to understand that even if the chains weren't moved after running it on 3rd down, it sends the message to our offense and their defense that we're going to continue pounding on you and we're committed to running - and winning. So when we finally do pass at some point, they a) won't be expecting it and b) won't be ready for it.

Depriving Rham the chance to beat up on the defense and take the pressure off Drake, and Tre who can break one at any time, was fatal.

THIS remains the primary obstacle to the Patriots winning the Super Bowl next year.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

We know how talented Drake is and how he has big play abilities.. what would had really helped the line out was some misdirection, screens, and check downs.. even for minimal gains.. it would had allowed Drake and the offense to at least get a rhythm and force Seattle to get out thier coverage.. however having success with just rushing 4 guys made it super easy for Seattle suprised Mc Donald was sending blitzes when he was successful with just 4 guys.. rushing

And of course, post-game, there's excuse analysis saying his shoulder wasn't allowing any reliability on throws, which I have to assume is worse the longer the throw. But excuse media is a moveable feast. The moment you make such an assumption, somebody will say, no, no, his specific shoulder issue manifested like this...

So I'm putting the shoulder issue in a black box, mentally. It's not like he couldn't make smaller throws. And we solved something in the fourth in the passing game; unfortunately, productivity and scores via passing coincided with scores or setups for scores via both ground and air by the Seattle defense. Maye was a turnover machine in the 4th. Not all his fault, there were reasons, etc. etc. ... well, yeah. But the big thing is, he tried to put the team on his back and failed. Can't see what he "should have" done. He couldn't do what he attempted. Maybe a future Maye can, and maybe a better supporting cast, whether made better by development or hired/drafted, can put us over the hump.

It does feel good that he could turn on afterburners even in a rout like that, e.g., leading up to the Hollins touchdown. That put us at 19-7, and a successful next drive puts it at 19-14. But we turned the ball over to end the drive and set up an easy Sea. score. That's when it stopped being a game Maye could win and became the type we're used to winning because we're used to you-know-who (and hoping Drake becomes more like him).

I already can't wait to see him and the team take steps forward next season... and hoping we don't revert to the mean.

 

[Real fan 02]

And of course, post-game, there's excuse analysis saying his shoulder wasn't allowing any reliability on throws, which I have to assume is worse the longer the throw. But excuse media is a moveable feast. The moment you make such an assumption, somebody will say, no, no, his specific shoulder issue manifested like this...

So I'm putting the shoulder issue in a black box, mentally. It's not like he couldn't make smaller throws. And we solved something in the fourth in the passing game; unfortunately, productivity and scores via passing coincided with scores or setups for scores via both ground and air by the Seattle defense. Maye was a turnover machine in the 4th. Not all his fault, there were reasons, etc. etc. ... well, yeah. But the big thing is, he tried to put the team on his back and failed. Can't see what he "should have" done. He couldn't do what he attempted. Maybe a future Maye can, and maybe a better supporting cast, whether made better by development or hired/drafted, can put us over the hump.

It does feel good that he could turn on afterburners even in a rout like that, e.g., leading up to the Hollins touchdown. That put us at 19-7, and a successful next drive puts it at 19-14. But we turned the ball over to end the drive and set up an easy Sea. score. That's when it stopped being a game Maye could win and became the type we're used to winning because we're used to you-know-who (and hoping Drake becomes more like him).

I already can't wait to see him and the team take steps forward next season... and hoping we don't revert to the mean.

Excellent analysis!!! I'll also add that the defense was relentless all game.. they stifled Seattle's offense making them punt again and again..

Still today our defense isn't getting the recognition they deserve.. I'm still not overly impressed that Seattle had this overwhelming defense.. we saw better defenses in Houston and Denver respectively and as fan and football observer.. I really thought that being battle tested on the road undefeated and having won in Denver in the postseason.. I was of the opinion we could handle Seattle.. defensively we did of course..

We made it far to easy for Seattle constantly giving them the ball back over and over. However Maybe they needed this type of end to the season.. it can only strengthen them.. with more experience and proven results in Vrabel's system and a more talented roster all around I expect them to be perennial contenders with Drake at QB.

 

[Real fan 02]

Josh called a typical (flawed) game.

Dropping Drake back to pass on 1st down, 2nd down even after strong gains on the ground, and of course on 3rd down.

It's important to understand that even if the chains weren't moved after running it on 3rd down, it sends the message to our offense and their defense that we're going to continue pounding on you and we're committed to running - and winning. So when we finally do pass at some point, they a) won't be expecting it and b) won't be ready for it.

Depriving Rham the chance to beat up on the defense and take the pressure off Drake, and Tre who can break one at any time, was fatal.

THIS remains the primary obstacle to the Patriots winning the Super Bowl next year.

They just couldn't establish thier offense.. from the first snap I could see that it wasn't going to be a good day..

Then when Seattle started getting home a with rushing just 4... it became apparent. When a team is getting pressure with just rushing 4 you know the OL is a problem..

 

[NE_Zealot]

They just couldn't establish thier offense.. from the first snap I could see that it wasn't going to be a good day..

Then when Seattle started getting home a with rushing just 4... it became apparent. When a team is getting pressure with just rushing 4 you know the OL is a problem..

100 percent. Maye struggled but I’m not going to pretend he was the only problem. That left side of the line was an abomination. Campbell was on ice skates all night and woof Jared Wilson.

 

[Real fan 02]

100 percent. Maye struggled but I’m not going to pretend he was the only problem. That left side of the line was an abomination. Campbell was on ice skates all night and woof Jared Wilson.

Absolutely spot on... the Hawks whole plan was to attack the " rookie side of the line and they did it with perfection unfortunately..

Seahawks defense targeted Patriots’ rookie offensive linemen in Super Bowl victory

A Patriots veteran admits Seattle targeted the team's "rookie side" as Will Campbell and Jared Wilson struggled in the Super Bowl

www.masslive.com

 

[Triumph]

100 percent. Maye struggled but I’m not going to pretend he was the only problem. That left side of the line was an abomination. Campbell was on ice skates all night and woof Jared Wilson.

Rich Eisen said on his radio show that his seats were a vantage point for watching the OL and WRs.

He specifically pointed out the left side of the NE OL was getting blown up and Maye had no time. Regarding the NE WRs, they could not gain separation in time for Maye to get them the ball.

 

[Betterthanmost]

We need a complete forensic on what happened to this offense in the post season. This is not normal.

 

[ensoul]

The patriots could have played this team 20 times and they would have lost 20 times because they were so overmatched.

 

[Triumph]

Winners

Bill Belichick
Mayo
Tom Brady
Greencow
Jerry Jones
Mac Jones
Cam Newton

Losers

Bob Kraft
Dave Portnoy
4 Games to Glory
I love left side of NE OL

 

[Triumph]

We need a complete forensic on what happened to this offense in the post season. This is not normal.

McDaniels never rolled Maye out to buy time.