No NFL season is complete without ESPN discounting anything positive about the New England Patriots. Even with a Super Bowl appearance, no less, the Patriots "don't get no respect," as the late great comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to say, according to ESPN.
Actually, this is just another slight to heap on the pile built by ESPN and other analysts. It's the "diss du jour", so to speak. The Patriots' schedule was the softest road to the Super Bowl ever was one. They can't possibly stop the Seahawks offense, and the Patriots' offense can't score against the great Seahawks defense, etc.
As in 2001, when the Patriots had no chance whatsoever to beat the "Greatest Show on Turf," the then-St. Louis Rams, the Seahawks are indomitable. The poor Patriots, who evidently just beat tomato can NFL teams, and none other, can't possibly beat the Seahawks.
Pundits' tomfoolery is just more motivation for the Patriots
While no team needs any additional motivation once they climb Mount Everett in the NFL and reach just beneath the summit to play in the Super Bowl, it's always a nice additional touch when so-called "analysts" by the bushel full tell the Patriots they can't possibly win. In this case, in a survey of 11 ESPN staff, all 11 chose the Seahawks to win.
"Ben Solak, NFL analyst: Seahawks. The Patriots' run against elite defenses ends with the true best unit of the season. With two weeks to plan, Macdonald will have too many tools to fluster and disrupt Maye.
Jeremy Fowler, national NFL reporter: Seahawks. Most complete team in the league. They can win in several different styles. Darnold's confidence is renewed.
Dan Orlovsky, NFL analyst: Seahawks. The Patriots' offense isn't good enough to beat this Seattle defense."
While they may be correct (who knows how the game will play out?), having the massive sports outlet ESPN unanimously pick the Seahawks has to add more coal to the Patriots' fire.
The 2025 Patriots have already risen like a phoenix from the ashes of two dismal 4-13 seasons and, in one offseason under Mike Vrabel's tutelage, beaten all but three teams in front of them to get to the Super Bowl.
The Patriots are poised to make all the so-called "experts" look foolish
ESPN and other analysts who give the Patriots no chance need only look to history, and to that 2001 season, to see why they may have to salt and pepper their words and eat them. If the Patriots, in a Tedy Bruschi-like way, once again "shock the world" and win an unexpected seventh Lombardi Trophy, they'll be doing exactly that.
The ESPN experts seem to be discounting three key factors by about 75%. First, the Patriots are now 17-3 overall and have beaten just about every team in front of them all season long. In fact, a closer look could ascertain that they were not that far from another perfect season.
They also point out that the Patriots have the best coach in the NFL, Mike Vrabel, a lock for NFL Coach of the Year. They also have the best quarterback in the league, Drake Maye, who should but won't win the NFL's MVP award (not a most valuable player award at all, but a popularity contest). And, to cap it off, they sport the best defense playing in the playoffs right now.
While Drake Maye's shoulder injury may be a factor (though not insurmountable if the Patriots finally program quarterback runs for him), no ESPN analyst even mentions it. That speaks volumes about how seriously these 11 opinions on the game's outcome should be taken.
Whatever happens on February 8, the Patriots have made it to the Super Bowl, and ESPN and any other disbelievers shouldn't be shocked if the team takes home its seventh Lombardi Trophy. It just may be written in the stars.