Patriots Mike Vrabel Sings Praises Of Seahawks Before Super Bowl LX

The New England Patriots will play the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, and Mike Vrabel outlined what makes the Seahawks great on Tuesday.

During an appearance on “The Greg Hill Show,” Vrabel noted that the Seahawks are a complete team that presents a challenge for the Patriots in all three phases.

“Excellent, really, in all three phases,” Vrabel said on “The Greg Hill Show,” per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “Special teams have broken games open. Tie game in Atlanta, opening of the second half, and they take one to the house. Defense creates two turnovers, and that kind of gets out of hand. Defensively, they’re big along the front. Very active. No. 1 scoring defense in the league. Offensively, a big offensive line and multiple different run schemes. Obviously, JSN is an issue. Sam Darnold, we talk about journeys and things like that — and no better example than him. Talented and has obviously figured it out.”

The Patriots are no strangers to elite defenses this postseason. The Houston Texans, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers all boasted top-10 scoring defenses. Seattle’s defense keeps teams out of the end zone, but they gave up more yards in the regular season than any of the defenses the Patriots have played this postseason.

Seattle had 47 sacks in the regular season, ranking seventh in the NFL. They also ranked 10th in missed tackles, however.

Their offense is full of playmakers. Former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, an All-Pro this season, are not easy to cover. Kenneth Walker was a 1,000-yard rusher this season and has four touchdowns this postseason.

Despite their weapons, the biggest X-factor in the game might be Rashid Shaheed. The Seahawks sent a fifth and sixth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints to acquire him, and he has been electric.

He has just 188 receiving yards for the Seahawks, but he has changed the outlook of their special teams. He is a two-time Pro Bowl and former First-Team All-Pro returner.

He had two return touchdowns for the Seahawks this season. He also returned the opening kickoff of their playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers for a touchdown. All of his return touchdowns have come in big moments.

The tie game in Atlanta that Vrabel noted was one of them. He returned a punt for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16, helping spark a comeback win, and his latest return was the opening kickoff of a playoff game.

It’s safe to say the Patriots will have their hands full in all three phases on Feb. 8. Containing Rasheed is just another thing the Patriots need to prepare for.