SAN JOSE, Calif. \u2014 Welcome to the Bay!<\/p>\n
The Patriots and Seahawks traveled Sunday for Super Bowl LX and will begin practicing in the Bay Area on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a long week for players and coaches, between their regular preparation, media responsibilities and other extracurriculars tied to the Big Game.<\/p>\n
For now, here are five things to watch this week in the lead-up to kickoff:<\/p>\n
1. Drake Maye\u2019s right shoulder<\/p>\n
All eyes on No. 10.<\/p>\n
Maye did not throw at the team\u2019s last practice in Foxboro on Friday because of a listed illness. The day before, he was limited by a shoulder injury that popped up during the AFC Championship Game. According to Mike Vrabel, Maye would have practiced were it not for the new illness.<\/p>\n
Is that so?<\/p>\n
Tuesday\u2019s practice will tell after Maye has been away from the field for three days. The 23-year-old quarterback has said he does not expect the injury to affect his ability to throw in the Super Bowl. If Maye is at all compromised, so will the Patriots\u2019 chances of upsetting the Seahawks. They don\u2019t call Seattle\u2019s defense the best in the NFL for nothing.<\/p>\n
2. Robert Spillane\u2019s ankle<\/p>\n
At least Maye has practiced.<\/p>\n
Patriots defensive captain and starting inside linebacker Robert Spillane has been missing at practices with an ankle injury he suffered in the AFC title game. Spillane is one of the Patriots\u2019 best and most consistent defenders, a strong tackler, capable coverage player and thumping run-stopper. If he can\u2019t practice or play, the Pats won\u2019t lose anything in terms of pre-snap communication or communications with veteran backup Jack Gibbens. But Gibbens will become a target in pass coverage.<\/p>\n
3. Sam Darnold\u2019s ghosts
\n![\"EAST](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/patsms022.jpg\")
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ. – OCTOBER 21: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets looses the ball as he gets sacked by John Simon #55 of the New England Patriots during the second quarter of the NFL game at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone\/MediaNews Group\/Boston Herald)<\/p>\n
In 2019, the Patriots thoroughly embarrassed Sam Darnold during a 33-0 win over the Jets on Monday Night Football.<\/p>\n
Nothing about that game has stood the test of time quite like a confession Darnold made on the sideline to his coaches near a hot mic.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m seeing ghosts,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Those ghosts and that comment have haunted Darnold for much of his career since, right up until he led the Vikings to the playoffs last year and Seattle to the Super Bowl this season. As luck would have it, the Pats stand in his way of winning a championship.<\/p>\n
Now, the Patriots\u2019 coaching staff and roster have completely turned over from that season, and Darnold looks like a new player. But daily interviews will make it impossible for Darnold to escape that memory and those ghosts until he vanquishes them on the game\u2019s biggest stage.<\/p>\n
Asked about that game last week, he said: \u201cI almost forgot about it. So, thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
4. Nostalgia<\/p>\n
Get ready to hear the name Malcolm Butler all week.<\/p>\n
Butler, of course, sealed the last Super Bowl that featured the Patriots and Seahawks with a goal-line interception that has a case for the greatest play in the game\u2019s history. There is nothing tying this Super Bowl to Super Bowl XLIX except for the helmets and memories, which will naturally be revisited on TV and radio all week. Several former players from that game also work in the media now, including ex-Patriots safety Devin McCourty who will be part of NBC\u2019s pregame coverage before its national telecast.<\/p>\n
Aside from replaying that Super Bowl, expect talk of another potential dynasty to return, too. That conversation, of course, is premature, though the coach-quarterback pairing of Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye will have a case to be the NFL\u2019s best if they win on Sunday. Recent Patriots wins have also been reminiscent of the dynasty era, from the team\u2019s hard-nosed defensive play and triumphs in the snow.<\/p>\n
But Vrabel has consistently dismissed the idea of connecting those teams to this one. Two weeks ago, he shared he wouldn\u2019t share old Patriots highlights in Denver before the AFC Championship Game, specifically an all-time effort play former tight end Ben Watson made to track down the end of a 108-yard pick-six.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe try to \u2013 and again, that\u2019s a phenomenal play \u2013 try to glorify our guys\u2019 efforts right now,\u201d Vrabel said. \u201cNot to discredit what Ben did that night, but try to show our guys doing the things that we\u2019ve asked them to do. \u201cSo, that\u2019s where we\u2019ve kind of trended to lately.\u201d<\/p>\n
5. A Super surprise<\/p>\n
It happens almost every year.<\/p>\n
An out-of-nowhere storyline emerges to dominate headlines that week, be it a new injury, off-field controversy or unexpected quote from a player or coach.<\/p>\n
Reportedly, the Seahawks will be put up for sale right after the Super Bowl. Will this affect their players or coaches during their preparation? Unlikely.<\/p>\n
But could this be our Super surprise?<\/p>\n
If not, might one of the Seahawks offer some bulletin-board material? Could a Patriots player break Mike Vrabel\u2019s media policy to do so?<\/p>\n
Time to listen, watch and find out.<\/p>\n
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