Patriots vs. Seahawks: Full Report Card Grades for New England
For a moment, the Seattle Seahawks seemed destined to add to the New England Patriots' last-second Super Bowl heartbreak. But Malcolm Butler's interception at the goal line will forever go down as one of the greatest plays in Boston-sports lore, sealing a 28-24 victory and the Pats' first Super Bowl since 2004.
After the offenses traded punts to open the game, the Pats embarked on a 13-play drive that ate up over half the first quarter and reached the Seattle 10-yard line. However, an ill-advised pick from Brady to Jeremy Lane in the end zone ended the drive without points, a devastating error after what had been an excellent drive. The quarter ended scoreless, with the Pats running 19 plays to Seattle's six.
However, the defense held on the ensuing drive, and the offense capped off its second long drive with an 11-yard touchdown toss to Brandon LaFell. Following a pair of three-and-outs, a 44-yard Chris Matthews catch catalyzed Seattle's first scoring drive, which ended in a Marshawn Lynch three-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
But the Patriots came back with their third sustained drive of the half and retook the lead before the half with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski, who had largely been silenced throughout the first half. However, astoundingly poor situational football at the end of the half allowed Seattle to tie the game right before the half, and the Pats went into the locker room tied 14-14, despite largely controlling the game.
Another long Matthews catch helped Seattle reach the red zone on the first drive of the second half, though the Pats held to keep the Seattle lead at 17-14. But Brady's second pick of the game set up a Doug Baldwin touchdown, as the Seahawks took the first double-digit lead of the game.
After a pair of punts, New England responded with a gritty nine-play, 68-yard drive, converting a pair of 3rd-and-longs to trim the lead back down to a field goal. After forcing another Seattle three-and-out, the Pats responded with a championship-caliber drive, as Brady hit Edelman on a whip route at the goal line to take the lead.
Kearse's unbelievable Tyree-like catch moved the Hawks down to the 5-yard line, but the aforementioned Butler sealed the Patriots' win in one of the most thrilling conclusions in Super Bowl history. As Patriots Nation rejoices, read on for full position-by-position grades from New England's fourth championship.
Quarterback
1 of 10
Tom Brady struggled for much of the game against a swarming Seahawks defense. But as the protection improved down the stretch, the 37-year-old made a series of huge plays in what will go down as a career-defining championship for No. 12.
The Patriots essentially replicated their passing game plan from the divisional round, hammering Seattle's zone defenders underneath (particularly the curl-flat zone defenders) with a bevy of quick three-step drop concepts. Brady had a heavy workload early on, going 20-of-27 in the first half but averaging a relatively mediocre 6.6 yards per attempt.
Brady began the game with a horrendous mistake, ending the Pats' second drive with a red-zone interception to Jeremy Lane. However, Lane suffered an arm injury that knocked him out of the game on the play, allowing Brady to torch replacement Tharold Simon on the subsequent drive.
Indeed, apart from the interception, Brady was largely stellar throughout the first half, settling down in the pocket and accurately throwing the ball to his targets in space with room to run. His touchdown toss to Rob Gronkowski at the end of the half was a beautifully lofted ball down the sideline, as the entire two-minute drill was a beautiful exhibition.
Brady ended at the same 6.6 yards per attempt, but he threw four touchdowns and two interceptions, both career-high totals in a Super Bowl. His assertive and tough presence in the fourth quarter was the catalyzing force behind the largest fourth-quarter comeback in Super Bowl history, and his third championship MVP was well-deserved.
Grade: B+
Running Back
2 of 10
Shane Vereen emerged with his heaviest workload in weeks, accruing seven receptions for 42 yards in the first half alone and ultimately finishing with a game-high 11 catches on 12 targets. Vereen was an invaluable weapon as both an underneath checkdown and primary target on routes out of the backfield, as his agility in space was a mismatch against even Seattle's linebackers.
LeGarrette Blount took all the early-down carries with Jonas Gray scratched and displayed good vision, at times attacking the interior gaps. Blount averaged just 3.7 yards per carry in the first half and ended with 40 yards on a meager 2.9 yards per attempt.
It's not particularly surprising that the Patriots' running game disappeared against one of the league's elite run defenses. That's been a pattern all year long, as there simply isn't enough talent at either running back or the interior offensive line to consistently carve out lanes against the best fronts.
Still, with his free agency pending, Vereen proved how valuable he can be when the Pats are unable to rely on this position for its traditional usage. Rookie James White might be able to replicate his production with a similar skill set, but Vereen has proven himself as an integral cog in this offense, and it's safe to say the Pats do not win Sunday night without his playmaking in space.
Grade: B
Wide Receiver and Tight End
3 of 10
Julian Edelman has endeared himself to Patriots fans with his tough-as-nails grittiness and underdog story. With a Super Bowl-winning touchdown under his belt, Minitron has sealed his reputation as one of the most popular Patriots in recent franchise history.
The Pats kept Seattle in their sub-package throughout the game by playing primarily "11" personnel (3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB), a move that especially paid off after the Lane injury.
Danny Amendola was particularly effective on screen and flat routes outside the numbers, frequently breaking tackles and picking up chunks after the catch. Amendola, who generated plenty of late-season momentum that will have the Pats think twice about shaving his lofty cap number off their books, also caught the first touchdown in New England's fourth-quarter comeback.
Brandon LaFell often ended up across from Sherman when the top Seattle corner didn't follow Edelman, but he took advantage of a favorable matchup with Simon to score New England's first touchdown of the game. The Pats' No. 2 receiver was mostly quiet, though, as Vereen overtook him as a primary target.
Edelman and Rob Gronkowski were clearly the primary focal points of Seattle's defensive game plan, as the two combined for 10 targets in the first half, a relatively low total given Brady's volume. But Gronk exploited a favorable one-on-one outside the numbers on K.J. Wright to reach the end zone before halftime, while Edelman still had 41 yards in the half, despite being shadowed on occasion by Sherman.
However, the two helped take over the game in the fourth quarter, finishing with 177 combined yards and 15 catches. Edelman's game-winning touchdown came on a whip route against Simon and was the same route as the one the Pats called on the previous drive, only to have Brady overthrow him.
This unit deserves plenty of credit for making the most important plays against arguably the league's best secondary, even though it didn't win all the matchups.
Grade: A-
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Offensive Line
4 of 10
Michael Bennett gave the Patriots fits throughout the game, as his interior pressure caused Brady's red-zone interception at the end of the first quarter. Bennett and the Hawks line in general also had success shooting gaps on run plays, as it was not an uncommon sight to see Dan Connolly or Bryan Stork reaching around to pull down a defender.
On the plus side, left tackle Nate Solder redeemed his porous Super Bowl debut from three years ago, largely shutting down Cliff Avril. Avril later left the game with concussion-like systems, but Sunday was a nice cap to what has been an impressive rebound for the fourth-year tackle ever since a rough opening month.
The run game was never going to be a significant part of the game plan, but the Pats did have occasional success pushing the pocket. The line usually has more success running when the offense goes up-tempo, though that was out of the equation with the offense clearly seeking to control time of possession.
The line also deserves credit for holding up throughout the fourth quarter, despite the fact that the double-digit deficit forced the Patriots into a predictable pass-happy pattern. It's a situation that is typically deadly against Seattle, and while Brady and the receivers will get the majority of the credit, the improved pass protection down the stretch played an enormous role in New England's comeback.
Grade: B+
Defensive Line
5 of 10
This unit was impressive in matching Marshawn Lynch's physicality throughout the first half, shutting down Seattle's bruising back to 3.8 yards per carry over the first 30 minutes (though he did reach the end zone). Vince Wilfork had an especially impressive penetration on 3rd-and-2 to stuff Lynch and force a three-and-out.
On the edge, Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones were stressed throughout with significant containment responsibilities. Jones had a second-quarter sack and generally demonstrated his most physical edge in weeks, though both understandably had issues generating consistent pressure with the overriding need to keep Wilson in the pocket.
Lynch had more success in the second half as the front seven began to wear down, ultimately finishing with 105 yards on 4.3 yards per attempt. Many will discuss the one yard Lynch didn't receive an opportunity to gain, but given how mightily the Patriots struggled against the Baltimore Ravens' zone-running game three weeks ago, it was a big win to limiting the Seattle ground game, apart from a couple of big gains.
The pressure wasn't necessarily there; apart from a Ninkovich fourth-quarter sack, New England's four sacks were all results of Wilson scrambling. But the Patriots never allowed the read-option or Wilson's improvisation to consistently beat them. Considering that Seattle presented such a unique task, this unit deserves tremendous credit for standing up to the challenge.
Grade: A-
Linebacker
6 of 10
Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower were particularly effective throughout the first half in filling run gaps, never allowing Lynch to reach the second level. The pair combined for 13 tackles, including eight in the first half, capping the season with one of their toughest three-down performances of the year.
Hightower left the game on Seattle's first touchdown drive with what appeared to be a reaggravation of the right-shoulder injury that has lingered throughout the season, though he remained in the game. The end of the second quarter was not a standout stretch for the duo, as Collins also whiffed on a 17-yard Wilson run that helped set up Seattle's lightning-strike touchdown.
Collins had one more coverage gaffe in the fourth quarter, giving up a huge 31-yard reception to Lynch on a wheel route that kick-started Seattle's last-ditch drive. Lynch also beat Collins up the sideline on a previous third down in the fourth quarter, though Wilson ended up throwing the ball away, out of bounds.
These two didn't necessarily have their best game in terms of playmaking impact.
Neither received many pass-rushing opportunities, as the Pats prioritized spying Wilson rather than rushing him, placing the onus on their secondary to make the big plays. Still, Hightower and Collins exemplified the "do your job" mantra that has defined the Bill Belichick era in New England and will remain cornerstone players on this championship defense moving forward.
Grade: B
Secondary
7 of 10
For all of New England's talent in the secondary, it's ironic that undrafted rookie Malcolm Butler, the No. 5 corner on the depth chart, came up with the game-sealing interception.
Butler was only in the game after the Patriots benched Kyle Arrington and was actually involved in Jermaine Kearse's Tyree-esque miracle shortly before his pick. It's hard to imagine a more anonymous player who has been involved in two such massive plays in Super Bowl history.
Among the familiar names, Darrelle Revis followed Doug Baldwin throughout the game and totally shut down Seattle's top receiver.
Baldwin was not targeted a single time in the first half, and though he did get away from Revis on a questionable pick from a referee in the end zone, that was the only catch he had. Revis finished his first (and possibly only) season in Foxborough with a dominant showing, and retaining No. 24 will be New England's biggest offseason priority.
Brandon Browner was also largely solid, moving over to cover Chris Matthews in the second half. Browner did get a holding penalty, but he was also largely stellar in plastering downfield against his former team.
Unfortunately, New England's secondary corners were liabilities at times and helped keep Seattle in the game early.
Arrington was beaten by Matthews on a 44-yard catch to set up the Hawks' first touchdown drive, and his needless face-mask penalty on a 23-yard Ricardo Lockette catch moved the ball into position for Seattle to score right before the half. After Arrington gave up a 45-yarder to Matthews to start the game, the veteran went to the bench the rest of the contest.
Logan Ryan was mostly solid, but the curious decision to play off-coverage on the final play of the first half gave Matthews a large cushion, allowing Wilson to hit his man on a devastating play that shifted momentum after the Pats controlled the first 30 minutes.
But Butler's game-saving play bumps this grade up, even though Wilson averaged an eye-popping 11.8 yards per pass. The undrafted rookie impressed back in the August preseason opener against Washington with his fearless physicality and ball skills, and those instincts helped the Patriots stave off what would have been a devastating defeat.
Grade: B
Special Teams
8 of 10
There wasn't much to speak of on special teams this game. Julian Edelman had three punt returns for 27 yards against a Seattle punt unit that allowed the fewest returns in the league during the regular season, while Danny Amendola was essentially anonymous in averaging 22 yards per kick return.
The Patriots also didn't kick a field goal, meaning that Stephen Gostkowski never even attempted one in New England's two closest games this postseason. Ryan Allen had a ho-hum punting game, pinning one of his four punts inside the 20 but bouncing the other one into the end zone.
The kick-coverage units were stellar, however, limiting Brian Walters to six yards on two punt returns. Gostkowski boomed every kickoff out of the end zone and did not give Seattle a chance to return once, helping keep Seattle pinned in mediocre starting field position.
New England held a statistically significant edge over Seattle in this phase headed into the game, but unlike several recent Super Bowls, no special teams play had an impact on the outcome. Obviously that didn't take away from the contest's drama, but it's hard to write home with much of anything to discuss regarding this unit.
Grade: Incomplete
Coaching
9 of 10
Josh McDaniels found his play-calling groove throughout the first half, getting Brady a constant dose of high-efficiency passes and generally dictating to Seattle's defense. Given that the Seahawks have largely been uncrackable throughout the second half of the season, it's not a stretch to call this one of McDaniels' finest game plans during his Patriots tenure.
Defensively, the Pats were predictable though effective, though a couple huge first-half plays served as huge swings to keep Seattle in the game.
The decision to bench Arrington for Butler obviously had massive implications in the late game. But Bill Belichick doesn't necessarily get a pass for that, as it was a highly curious decision to have Arrington play so many snaps outside given his historic struggles there, as well as his efficacy in the slot this year.
The comeback was more about execution than any massive schematic changes the Patriots enacted, but the coaching staff deserves some credit for keeping the players calm amid a seemingly crumbling situation as the Seahawks scored 17 unanswered points. The coaches have gotten the Patriots to play as a remarkably mentally tough unit the entire season, and Sunday's comeback was the culmination of that admirable trait.
Grade: A
Final Grades
10 of 10
| Position Unit | Grade |
| QB | B+ |
| RB | B |
| WR/TE | A- |
| OL | B+ |
| DL | A- |
| LB | B |
| DB | B |
| ST | INC |
| Coaching | A |
| Cumulative Grade | B+ |
The Patriots didn't play their best game, but they deserve credit for making all the most important plays down the stretch. Against two evenly matched teams built to play into each other's strengths, this game was always likely to come down to a couple of swing plays at the end.
For New England, it's not a stretch to say that this is the franchise's sweetest victory. Despite enacting one of the most sustained stretches of excellence in NFL history, the Pats have received plenty of vitriol over the years. With Spygate and now the ongoing Deflategate investigation hanging over the organization as glaring questions about their integrity, this game felt like a referendum on the entire Brady-Belichick era.
Now, as loathed as they may be in certain circles, no one can deny the Patriots legitimacy as one of the greatest dynasties in American sports. No longer can analysts, fans or football minds deny New England's excellence and criticize their long drought without a Super Bowl.
The deserved respect that will come with the win will be as sweet as the Lombardi Trophy itself. Once again, the New England Patriots are kings of the NFL mountaintop.
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