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 sped up already with the pressure that's been on him, but at least he gets something.
The first of the Devon Witherspoon blitzes ends this drive, and it's really nice design by the Seahawks dropping two rushers out late. My issue on this is where is the hot option? Douglas points to Witherspoon. He knows he's coming. Normally, Douglas would take about two steps and make himself available as the hot option, but he doesn't do that. I don't know why. This becomes an issue in this game. Campbell is not wrong on this play in my opinion. Witherspoon is on Maye and the lack of a hot option.
1-10-NE 32 (9:07) T.Henderson left end to NE 41 for 9 yards (C.Bryant; J.Love). 2-1-NE 41 (8:30) T.Henderson up the middle to NE 41 for no gain (D.Thomas; D.Lawrence). 3-1-NE 41 (7:46) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass incomplete deep left to D.Douglas.
1-10-NE 27 (5:10) (Shotgun) D.Maye sacked at NE 25 for -2 yards (B.Murphy). 2-12-NE 25 (4:30) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass short right to M.Hollins to NE 33 for 8 yards (E.Jones). 3-4-NE 33 (3:49) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass incomplete short middle to K.Boutte.
These are the second and third series in the third quarter, down 12-0.
After picking up 9 yards on first down, Henderson gets stuffed on 2nd and 1. Garrett Bradbury gets manhandled, but Henderson has to find a way to get the yard. More often than not, he has failed at that this season.
On third down, Maye is spooked by the rush as he has options down the field to Douglas and Diggs. Douglas is open in rhythm, but Maye doesn't throw it. He pitter-patters his feet and then throws it, but the ball dies because his footwork is poor (hips are open) and he's on his toes, which has been an issue in the postseason. This should be a completed pass.
On the next drive, the Patriots are put behind the 8-ball with the first of two special teams miscues. The Patriots play for a Marcus Jones punt return, desperate for any big play to give them a spark, and they get a good return to the Seattle 48, but Dell Pettus has a clear block in the back. New England now starts at the 27.
On first down, Diggs is wide open down the field twice, and Stephenson is the check-down option. This sack is on Maye.
Solid pickup to Hollins on second down, despite another high pass.
Here comes another Witherspoon blitz, this time with Diggs pointing him out. Like Douglas, he does not cut his route short as a hot option. I'm puzzled by this. Maye gets a little anxious, but he has Kayshon Boutte and Stevenson as options. Maye tries to rip it to Boutte, as Campbell whiffs on Witherspoon, but he's up on his toes again and misses the pass. Has to be converted.
4-11-SEA 41 (10:55) M.Dickson punts 55 yards to NE 4, Center-C.Stoll, downed by SEA-V.Jones.
1-10-NE 4 (10:40) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass incomplete deep left to A.Hooper. 2-10-NE 4 (10:35) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass short left to R.Stevenson pushed ob at NE 17 for 13 yards (J.Jobe). 1-10-NE 17 (10:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Maye pass incomplete deep left to M.Hollins (C.Bryant). 2-10-NE 17 (10:02) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass short left to H.Henry to NE 21 for 4 yards (N.Emmanwori). 3-6-NE 21 (9:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Maye scrambles up the middle to NE 37 for 16 yards (T.Woolen). 1-10-NE 37 (9:07) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Maye pass short left to K.Williams ran ob at NE 44 for 7 yards (J.Jobe) 2-3-NE 44 (8:49) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Maye pass deep middle intended for K.Williams INTERCEPTED by J.Love at SEA 27. J.Love pushed ob at NE38 for 35 yards (T.Henderson).
1-10-NE 38 (5:29) (Shotgun) D.Maye sacked at NE 34 for -4 yards (B.Murphy). 2-14-NE 34 (5:04) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Maye pass short right to R.Stevenson ran ob at NE 40 for 6 yards (N.Emmanwori; J.Jobe). 3-8-NE 40 (4:57) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass short middle to H.Henry to SEA 44 for 16 yards (E.Jones). 1-10-SEA 44 (4:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Maye pass short middle intended for K.Boutte INTERCEPTED by U.Nwosu (D.Witherspoon)[D.Witherspoon] at NE 45. U.Nwosu for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Patriots finally score and get a stop. Then Jones doesn't field a punt that bounces 2 yards away from him, and he costs the team 15 yards of field position as the drive starts at the 4.
Maye has Mack Hollins and Austin Hooper open, and Maye misses the tight end by 10 yards. Again, his feet are unsettled and he's up on his toes.
Onwenu misses Emmanwori on second down, but Maye does a great job finding Stevenson for a first down.
The Patriots went hurry up and heaves a punt to Hollins in triple coverage. I'm not sure what this was, but Hollins nearly fell down on his route, so maybe Maye was trying to throw it away, although it doesn't look that way.
Maye has poor feet and nearly misses Hunter Henry on a 4-yard pass, but then Maye has a good scramble.
Maye climbs the pocket into pressure and then makes a throw to Douglas that is not remotely close to where it should go, which is outside the right hashmark. Douglas has a chance on this, but Maye throws it 10 yards behind him to the left hashmark and it's easily intercepted.
Now it's 22-7. The Patriots do have options on first down, but Maye can't get to them because the entire offensive line is overwhelmed for a sack.
Good pass to Henry to convert 3rd and 8.
On first down, the same Witherspoon blitz is coming opposite Diggs and he again does not provide a hot option. I just don't get it. I can't see Julian Edelman or Wes Welker not helping the QB. Still, Maye has nothing on this play and should just eat the ball. The pick-six ends the game.
