The Athletic Football Show: Super Bowl LX Preview
Podcast Date: February 6, 2026
Hosts: Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, Dave Helman
Teams: New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks
Episode Overview
This Super Bowl LX preview brings together Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, and Dave Helman to analyze Patriots-Seahawks from every possible angle. The hosts set the stage with the storylines, explore how both underdog teams arrived here, and dissect critical matchups on both sides of the ball. They offer Xs & Os breakdowns, debate MVP narratives, highlight coaching evolutions, and make final game predictions—never losing sight of how rare and unpredictable this Super Bowl matchup is.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Unlikeliest Super Bowl Matchup
- Both the Patriots & Seahawks entered the season as huge underdogs (60-1 and 80-1 odds, both with preseason over/unders at 8.5 wins) ([04:40]).
- New Eras: Both franchises transitioned from legendary coaches (Belichick, Carroll) to new defensive-minded ones (Vrabel, McDonald), and the results "could not have gone better" ([06:19]).
- Host Take:
"This is the most unlikely Super Bowl in recent memory...it's fitting for such a strange year." — Robert Mays ([04:40])
2. How the Teams Got Here
Seahawks
- Defense and Nontraditional QB Play:
"If you told everybody...they're not going to find a superstar quarterback...but they'll also be back in the Super Bowl, I think a lot of people would have been like, 'How?'" — Dave Helman ([08:48])
- Sam Darnold Redemption: Seattle leaned into Darnold as a 2nd-chance QB rather than seeking a superstar, opening up roster-building possibilities ([09:15]).
- Team-Building Philosophy: Mike McDonald's philosophy might spark a league-wide rethink toward defensive coaches and 'scrap heap' QBs ([10:04]).
Patriots
- Defense Came Alive Post-Bye: It took the defense until week 15 (vs. Bills) to "find its gear," but then both offense (MVP-level Drake May) and defense peaked ([14:23]).
- Changed AFC Landscape: Injuries and downturns for the Chiefs, Ravens, etc., "opened paths" for both New England and Denver ([15:35]).
- MVP-Contender Drake May:
"He’s going to be in the thick of those [best QB] conversations...Early success can do so much for a guy." — Derek ([13:56])
3. When Did We Start to Believe?
- Patriots: Week 15 vs. Bills for Dave; mid-December when rivals faltered for Derek ([14:23], [15:35]).
- Seahawks: Key moments included the Rams comeback, Max Brosmer "defense-eating" game, and early offensive flashes ([17:01], [18:47], [20:37]).
- Host differences: Robert bought in much earlier, seeing Seattle’s offensive plan gel in week 2 ([19:01]).
4. Seahawks Defense vs Patriots Offense
Pressure, Protection, and Explosives
- Seattle’s Pass Rush Prowess: Patriots O-line is vulnerable, and "Seattle might have the best front among all playoff teams they’ve faced" ([31:51]).
- Will Campbell’s Sacks: 8.5 of 11.5 sacks he’s allowed came versus long-armed edge players—Seattle’s specialty ([31:15]).
- Mays on Path to Patriots’ Success:
"To overcome [the pass rush], you’re going to need to string together four or five, six explosive plays..." — Robert Mays ([33:43])
- New England’s Haymakers: Bill for success = 2+ deep completions & several scrambles from May, despite Seattle’s strong discipline vs. mobile QBs ([37:54], [38:27]).
- Personnel Usage: New England’s heavy jumbo (extra OL) and empty sets are discussed as potential schematic edges, but Seattle’s defense is built to counter them ([29:04], [39:07]).
Notable Quotes
- Dave:
"Seattle’s second wave of guys is better than every other team in the league...no room to catch a breather." ([32:13])
- Robert:
"Why should I believe Seattle won’t do what other fronts have done to [the Patriots], but better?" ([31:51])
"Can May Hit Downfield Shots?" Debate
- Patriots' best chance is big downfield throws, but the Rams are the only team to consistently do damage to Seattle’s corners, thanks to superior outside WR matchups and Matthew Stafford’s arm talent ([36:21]).
- Derek & Dave debate how/if Drake May can replicate that blueprint ([35:03]-[37:03]).
- Stat: Rams had 10 20+ air yard completions in 2 games vs. SEA; rest of NFL combined: 10 all season ([36:33]).
5. Patriots Defense vs Seahawks Offense
Pressure & Explosive Plays
- Patriots' Defensive Strengths:
Interior pressure with Milton Williams & Barmore aligns with Seahawks’ O-line weakness. - Seattle’s Offense is Perimeter-Run-Heavy: Patriots are 31st in defending outside run since Week 10—a major concern ([48:02]).
- Seattle Tricks: Seahawks vary their run game, using outside zone, pin/pull, creative tight end motion, and bootlegs to get Darnold away from pressure ([49:05]).
JSN (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) Mismatch
- Hosts detail how Seattle could flex JSN around the formation to keep him away from New England’s big, physical outside corners ([50:29]).
- Patriots may use aggressive double-teams, copy Rams' blueprint, and look to muddy the middle ([51:38], [51:57]).
- Dave:
"If you are New England and want to muddy this game up, anytime [JSN] is outside the numbers, you are holding him and daring them to make you call it." ([51:38])
Blitz Packages and Forcing Mistakes
- Since their bye, Patriots have blitzed at the 3rd highest rate. Against zone blitzes, Seahawks O has struggled (28th in success) ([53:07]).
- Sam Darnold is "top 10 in success rate vs. blitz, but also leads the league in interceptions when blitzed" ([54:15]).
- "Patriots need 6 splash plays: 2 turnovers, 4 sacks" to win ([54:42]).
Notable Quotes
- Derek:
"I'd rather double [JSN] and tip your cap if [others] beat you than not and let JSN do what he's capable of." ([52:37])
- Robert:
"The worst version of [Darnold] aligns with what New England wants to be on defense." ([53:07])
Kenneth Walker & Personnel Chess
- Patriots will hunt for mismatches against RB Kenneth Walker in pass pro (his weakness) ([55:46]).
- Seahawks’ 12 personnel is a potential problem for New England’s D. If NE matches with nickel, Seattle may run; if with base, Seattle might pass—host discussion on the game-within-the-game ([58:11]).
6. Special Teams (Quickly, but Genuinely)
- Seattle's edge: Jason Myers (SEA) is top 10 in field goal over expectation; Bora Gallos (NE) is below average and a potential liability ([62:27]).
- Both teams strong in return game: Rashid Shahid (SEA punt returns), Marcus Jones (NE, punt return TDs) ([61:55]).
- Could tip 1 or 2 possessions in a field-goal-heavy, tight contest.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "This is the most unlikely Super Bowl in recent memory. ...It's fitting for such a strange year." — Robert Mays ([04:40])
- "If you told everybody...they're not going to find a superstar quarterback...but they'll also be back in the Super Bowl, I think a lot of people would have been like, 'How?'" — Dave Helman ([08:48])
- "He’s going to be in the thick of those [best QB] conversations...Early success can do so much for a guy." — Derek on Drake May ([13:56])
- "Why should I believe Seattle won’t do what other fronts have done to [the Patriots], but better?" — Robert Mays ([31:51])
- "Seattle’s second wave of guys is better than every other team...no room to catch a breather." — Dave ([32:13])
- "I'd rather double [JSN] and tip your cap if [others] beat you than not and let JSN do what he's capable of." — Derek ([52:37])
- "Patriots need 6 splash plays: 2 turnovers, 4 sacks—that is the path.” — Robert Mays ([54:42])
- "If you're the Patriots, this has to be a very, very bad Sam Darnold game. I think that's your best path to victory." – Derek ([65:49])
- Fun moment: Jurassic Park dinosaur handler sighting at Radio Row sets the tone for “peak saturation” ([03:30])
- Running jokes about "weirdest thing seen today" and the superstition of overwhelming one-sided picks ([03:30], [64:05]).
Timestamps for Major Segments
- [02:10] – Episode Theme & Overview by Robert Mays
- [04:40] – Bird’s Eye View: How Patriots & Seahawks got here, New Coach Eras
- [08:08] – Historical/Coaching Significance, Defensive Head Coaches
- [10:04] – Impact for Future Team-Building Philosophies
- [13:56] – Drake May’s rapid rise & QB Hierarchy
- [14:23] – When Did Patriots' Playoff Belief Start?
- [17:01] – When Did Seahawks' Legitimacy Crystalize?
- [25:25] – Seahawks Defense vs Patriots Offense: Key Matchups, Protection, Explosiveness
- [31:15] – Can the Patriots Survive Pass Rush? Haymaker Theory
- [35:03] – Can May Replicate Rams’ Downfield Success?
- [44:40] – Patriots Defense vs Seahawks Offense: How NE Can Win, Interior Pressure
- [48:02] – Seattle’s Perimeter Run, Patriots' Defensive Weakness
- [50:29] – Scheming Around Patriots' Physical Corners
- [53:07] – Patriots’ Bltiz Patterns & Darnold’s Blitz Performance
- [55:46] – Targeting Kenneth Walker, Personnel Chess
- [58:11] – Seattle’s 12 Personnel vs. Patriots' Nickel/Base Dilemma
- [61:36] – Short Special Teams Discussion (Kickers, Returners)
- [64:05] – Game Predictions
Hosts' Final Picks & Predictions
- Derrik: Seattle 25-20 (“I like the Seahawks to cover. Patriots can muck it up, but Seattle is just the better team.”) ([65:01])
- Robert: Seattle 24-16 (“Feels like the Seahawks are in control for most of it... hard for me to imagine New England moving the ball consistently.”) ([65:09])
- Dave: Seattle by at least the spread; envisions a possibly ugly, low-scoring game (“Easier to picture a world where Seattle’s defense is dominant but the offense sputters a bit—like 18-12.”) ([64:41])
Tone & Style
The hosts balance sharp analysis and inside details with plenty of banter and chemistry. They bring deep expertise, reference stats and league trends, and foresee how this game could ripple across the NFL's future. Despite the analytical rigor, the conversation is lively, accessible and fun—grounded in love for “why we all love this sport.”