The Patriots are pulling out all the stops to get inside the Seahawks’ heads before their showdown this Sunday. In a move that’s being called “petty” by some, the Patriots have tapped Malcolm Butler, the Seahawks’ arch-nemesis, as their “Keeper of the Light” for the game.
Butler, who famously intercepted a pass from Russell Wilson at the goal line to seal the Patriots’ Super Bowl XLIX victory, will be honored at the game and will even get to ring the bell atop the 22-story lighthouse at Gillette Stadium before kickoff. It’s a clear attempt to get under the Seahawks’ skin and remind them of one of their most painful losses.
But will it work? The Seahawks have had almost a decade to get over that loss, and their current roster doesn’t even have any players from that team. Still, it’s a clever move by the Patriots to try and gain a psychological edge.
The game itself is shaping up to be a fascinating matchup between two teams with new head coaches and a lot to prove. The Patriots are coming off a big upset win over the Bengals, while the Seahawks beat the Broncos in their opener. The Patriots will be looking to build on their momentum and make a statement with another win, while the Seahawks will be trying to prove that they’re for real.
One key matchup to watch will be the Patriots’ offensive line against the Seahawks’ pressure package. The Seahawks’ defense is known for its ability to create pressure and confuse quarterbacks, and the Patriots will need to be able to handle it if they want to win ².
Another key matchup will be the Patriots’ defense against the Seahawks’ receivers. The Seahawks have a talented trio of receivers in DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and the Patriots will need to be able to contain them if they want to win ².
Overall, this game is shaping up to be a fascinating showdown between two teams with a lot to prove. The Patriots’ attempt to get inside the Seahawks’ heads with the Malcolm Butler move is just the beginning.
