This game begins and ends with the Seahawks #2 defense gettinf after Patriot QB Drake Maye. He is the 1st in the 60 year history of the Super Bowl to be sacked 5 times in both playoff games before.
The Patriots have to start off with turnovers but the Seahawks defense will force 2 1st half turnovers that will put them on cruise control.
Sam Darnold vindicates his 2018 draft status by winning this game 34-15.
This isnt Drake Maye v. CJ Stroud as much as each QB v the respective defenses they face. In last week’s round the Houston Texans pass rush with 4 in Danielle Hunter & Will Anderson tore through Pittsburgh.
They allowed Azeez Al Shaair to roam blanketing TEs inside and punish runners if they made it past the line. The colder it is go with the best defense and this #1 ranked unit will get after Drake Maye once they extinguish the running game.
Maye will have to contend with All Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr who last year sharpened his play with then teammate Stephon Diggs. Stingley & Kamari Lassiter will blanket Diggs & Boutte. This team is looking for a shutout.
The Patriots finished 22nd in the NFL and schematically play well enough to limit CJ Stroud who is missing WR Niko Collins. However the Texans will force 3 or more turnovers to flip the field, givimg Stroud a few short fields
Momentum in football games can turn when a defender makes a thunderous hit or force a fumble or both. Just as we watched Singleton #49 yesterday for the Broncos when he tattooed James Cook of the Bills.
Drake Maye will have nerves in his first playoff game where Stroud, who had a shaky start, should be over his. The Texans need to have their pass rush rattle Maye early and keep him off balance all game. He has feasted off patsies with a weak schedule. Nervous in his first playoff game against a #1 defense is rattling…
Heading to the AFC Championship and possibly Super Bowl LX:
The Houston Texans 25- 17!
Thanks for reading and enjoy the game.
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