Seattle Seahawks face Super Bowl challenge of extended preparation time
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald has revealed his team’s biggest challenge is having too much time before their much-anticipated Super Bowl clash against the New England Patriots on Sunday, reports BritPanorama.
The Seahawks finished as top seed in the NFC with a 14-3 regular-season record. They secured their spot at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara after defeating the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams.
The Patriots, meanwhile, reached the Super Bowl after a 10-7 victory against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game, marking their return to the big stage for the first time since 2019.
With the Seahawks striving for a record seventh title, they are determined to put to rest memories from their last Super Bowl appearance in 2015, where they suffered a dramatic loss to the Patriots. That final saw Seattle trailing 28-24 with 20 seconds remaining, opting for a pass that was intercepted, sealing their defeat.
Macdonald acknowledged that while the Seahawks are considered favourites, navigating the pre-match hype can be tricky. “I think the biggest challenge (is) we have too much time,” he noted, emphasising the need to maintain focus on what has propelled them to this stage of the competition.
Quarterback Sam Darnold has recovered from a left side strain sustained during the playoffs, while safety Nick Emmanwori is also expected to return from an ankle injury. Macdonald stressed the importance of streamlining their preparation to keep players grounded in their strengths. “When you have extra time, that is hard because we are trying to find solutions and try to find answers for our guys, but sometimes you have just got to shut up and let the guys go play,” he remarked.
As the Seahawks prepare to face a formidable Patriots offence led by quarterback Drake Maye, who has returned to fitness following an injury, Macdonald’s focus remains on controlling the game and executing their defensive fundamentals effectively.
With memories of past encounters spurring both teams, fans anticipate a showdown steeped in history and high stakes, reminding all that in sports, every moment can redefine legacy.
