Breaking down the key sequences in the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss to the Seahawks, mostly through video analysis, featuring:
• The opening series, where Drake Maye is already struggling with his accuracy and lack of timing, and the Patriots don’t have a hot answer for Devon Witherspoon’s blitzes;
• The two failed drives in the third quarter, trailing 12-0, with failures on 3rd and 1, and 3rd and 4;
• Maye’s two turnovers that seal the game.
3-2-NE 36 (10:40) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass short left to R.Stevenson ran ob at NE 43 for 7 yards (D.Thomas) [U.Nwosu].
1-10-NE 43 (10:04) D.Maye pass short left to D.Douglas to SEA 49 for 8 yards (E.Jones).
2-2-SEA 49 (9:28) R.Stevenson right tackle to SEA 45 for 4 yards (C.Bryant).
1-10-SEA 45 (8:51) (Shotgun) D.Maye sacked at NE 45 for -10 yards (D.Hall).
2-20-NE 45 (8:09) (Shotgun) D.Maye scrambles right tackle to SEA 44 for 11 yards (N.Emmanwori).
3-9-SEA 44 (7:23) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass incomplete deep right [D.Witherspoon].
This was the opening series of the game, and it featured a lot of elements that the Patriots would struggle with for the balance of the game.
Maye’s first two throws weren’t even good, they were both late and high to the point that Rhamondre Stevenson and DeMario Douglas had to leave their feet and nearly got croaked. On the pass to Stevenson, Will Campbell gets shoved back into Maye — he keeps trying to catch these powerful pass rushers and can’t bow up at the end like he did in college — but the ball should have been out a beat quicker. Maye’s timing is better to Douglas, but it nearly goes over his head. He’s open by 10 yards.
On the sack, the Patriots were going to have multiple options down the field, including Douglas on an out-and-go that may have gone the distance, but Maye is flushed to the right as Campbell gives up pressure, and Jared Wilson doesn’t help things by shoving Derrick Hall past Campbell, who isn’t happy with Wilson after the play. Still, Campbell allowed the initial pressure.
On the scramble, Maye has time and Stefon Diggs wide open down the field, but he turns it down. Why? He’s
