SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Drake Maye and Sam Darnold will face a special kind of blitz at Tremendous Bowl Opening Night time.
Right here comes the media frenzy: 1000’s of reporters from throughout the globe gathered for a zany spectacle that kicks off the week’s festivities on Monday evening.
Maye and the New England Patriots (17-3) tackle Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks (16-3) on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, house of the San Francisco 49ers.
First, they’ll meet greater than 6,000 credentialed “reporters” who will pepper them with questions starting from the usual soccer matters to the foolish and off-beat stuff.
An occasion that started as a daytime introduction of the groups has developed right into a reside, ticketed, prime-time showcase on nationwide tv.
Possibly somebody will suggest to Maye, like a feminine reporter wearing a marriage gown and veil as soon as did to a different Patriots quarterback: Tom Brady.
Maye is already married and he’s right here searching for a Tremendous Bowl ring. The Patriots are aiming for an NFL-record seventh Lombardi trophy and first with out Brady and coach Invoice Belichick.
First-year coach Mike Vrabel, who gained three Tremendous Bowls as a linebacker with New England, inherited a 4-13 group and has them on the verge of their first championship parade in seven years.
Maye had a sensational sophomore season, changing into a finalist for the AP NFL MVP and Offensive Participant of the Yr awards whereas main the Patriots to their twelfth Tremendous Bowl.
A stifling protection has led the way in which for the Patriots within the playoffs, holding three opponents to only 8.7 factors per sport.
This can be a Tremendous Bowl rematch from one of the memorable endings among the many first 59. The Patriots beat the Seahawks 28-24 when Malcolm Butler picked off Russell Wilson’s move from the 1 within the last minute on Feb. 1, 2015.
The Seahawks had the NFL’s stingiest protection this season, led by deal with Leonard Williams, linebacker Ernest Jones IV and cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Seattle allowed simply 17.1 factors per sport.
However Darnold’s resurgence would be the high storyline of the week. A No. 3 general choose by the New York Jets in 2018, Darnold is flourishing on his fifth group.
Regardless of profitable 14 video games with Minnesota in 2024, the Vikings let Darnold stroll away in free company. He turned the primary quarterback to steer two groups to consecutive 14-win seasons and has proved his doubters fallacious. Now, he’s making an attempt to assist Seattle win its second Tremendous Bowl within the franchise’s fourth look within the sport.
At the least Darnold has skilled this week’s shenanigans. He was a backup quarterback to Brock Purdy when the 49ers misplaced to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the Tremendous Bowl two years in the past.
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