The Ringer NFL Draft Show Super Bowl Preview: Darnold's Destiny, Underdog Patriots, and Motorcycle Jousting
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Feb 2, 2026 They preview a wildly improbable Seahawks–Patriots Super Bowl and debate why this matchup feels like the strangest title game ever. They trace Sam Darnold’s comeback from public ridicule to Super Bowl starter. They break down trench battles, coaching chess matches, travel prep rituals, and even invent a goofy motorcycle jousting bit for laughs.
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DVOA Reframes Seattle's Greatness
- DVOA ranks the Seahawks as one of the top teams historically, despite subjective feelings.
- Advanced metrics can reveal a team's balanced strength across offense, defense, and special teams.
Patriots' Schedule Was Historically Soft
- The Patriots' schedule featured an unusually high number of teams that later fired coaches.
- That favorable context helped New England reach the playoffs despite low roster expectations.
Late‑Season Surge Validates Coaching
- Patriots show the largest weighted DVOA improvement since 1978, peaking at the right time.
- Mike Vrabel's coaching elevated the team's performance late in the season.
