The Seahawks slayed the Patriots in the Super Bowl, but how can Mike Macdonald's team do it again?
The Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl defense begins at Lumen Field as Mike Macdonald's team welcomes the New England Patriots.
After easily brushing aside the Patriots in the Super Bowl last season, the pair will do battle as the new NFL season begins, and there are plenty of storylines to follow.
The Seahawks have a new offensive coordinator, new run game, and a revamped receiver room, while the Patriots will be looking to get revenge for the loss last season.
New receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs will want to make good impressions, while Drake Maye will want to atone for his poor showing last season.
But back to the Seahawks, how can Macdonald's side make it two from two against the Patriots?
By doing these five things.
1 - Establish the run
This was a big reason the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, as the offense rushed for 141 yards, with Kenneth Walker rushing for 135 of them.
But he isn't here now. It's up to Jadarian Price and George Holani to give Sam Darnold something on the ground.
With a returning offensive line, the Seahawks have the tools needed to keep the Patriots' defensive line at bay. Running the football opens up so much for the passing game.
2 - Dark Side get after Maye
Maye was sacked six times in the Super Bowl as Macdonald's defense tore apart the Patriots' offensive line.
They've got to do it again.
With Brown and Doubs as two weapons the defense has to account for, speeding up Maye's internal clock and making him feel pressure will mess with the timing with his weapons.
Pressure Mr. Maye...a lot.
3 - Get JSN...and others rolling
Well duh, right?
We know Jaxon Smith-Njigba will get his targets, but others have to come to the party as well because Vrabel will do his best to take No. 11 away.
I'm looking at AJ Barner, Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed to make plays to keep the Patriots guessing as to who to cover.
If they can be productive, JSN gets singled up, and that's exactly what Fleury wants.
4 - Curb the emotion
First game of the season, at home, as the banner is raised. Emotions will be high.
Which is exactly why Seattle can't let it derail them.
Stick to the plan, no silly penalties, no brain fades, just play football.
We know what can happen when a team isn't in the right frame of mind in a big game, and it can unravel quickly.
Settle down, grow into the game, and then get rolling.
5 - Make Patriots one-dimensional
Seattle did it in the Super Bowl, now do it again.
Rhamondre Stevenson is the lead back, but New England won't have backup TreVeyon Henderson to help carry the load, so Corey Kiner could get the call-up.
(Seahawks Nick Emmanwori officially is out tonight due to an ankle injury, by the way.)
Bottle the run, and allow the defensive line and Macdonald's wizardry to get after Maye.
Easier said than done, I know, but we saw what Maye was like when he was forced to throw on every down.
Do it again.
