Morning Sports Update
“The Patriots’ offense isn’t good enough to beat this Seattle defense.”
ESPN and the Patriots: ESPN’s NFL prognosticators are at it again, but recent history may not cause too much worry for Patriots fans.
In an early preview of Super Bowl LX between the Patriots and Seahawks that was released on Monday, ESPN included a list of 12 analysts and experts’ predictions for the game’s outcome. While not a total surprise — Seattle is favored by Vegas oddsmakers — it was still notable that all 12 predictions were for a Seahawks victory.
Titled “gut-reaction predictions,” the list reflects the initial opinions of the group.
“The Patriots’ offense isn’t good enough to beat this Seattle defense,” wrote former quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky. Others followed a similar script.
NFL reporter Field Yates provided one of the more even-handed summaries, but still favored the Seahawks.
“The Patriots have faced an extremely difficult string of defenses this postseason, finding ways to overcome the field in the AFC,” Yates wrote. “But Seattle’s roster is superior to the rosters of its first three foes, and I believe Seattle will take home the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy.”
Granted, ESPN unanimously picking the Patriots’ opponent has a recent history of being good news for New England. The entire “NFL Live” panel picked the Texans prior to the divisional round, and seemed to regret the move instantly.
Sure enough, the Patriots beat the Texans 28-16 to upend pregame forecasts. Afterward, the team’s official account (along with others, including Cardi B) trolled ESPN.
The opinion that the network somehow has a bias against the Patriots is not a new concept, and is unfounded (again, the Seahawks are favored to win the game). Still, for a team and a fanbase that has found plenty of “bulletin board material” throughout the playoffs, ESPN appears continuously willing to provide another push.
The Patriots and Seahawks match up in Super Bowl LX at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 8.
Trivia: Who is the only player to win Super Bowl MVP for the losing team?
(Answer at the bottom.)
Hint: Super Bowl V
Scores and schedules:
The Celtics defeated the Trail Blazers 102-94 on Monday. Boston plays the Hawks at home at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The Bruins lost to the Rangers 4-3 in overtime on Monday. Tonight, the Bruins host the Predators at TD Garden at 7 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
Heading to the Super Bowl: Dan Shaughnessy and Ben Volin, of The Boston Globe, weighed in on the Patriots heading back to the NFL’s biggest stage.
Milton Williams was a force in Denver: The imposing defensive tackle created chaos for the Broncos’ offense in the Patriots’ eventual win.
On this day: In 2000, the Patriots traded for Bill Belichick. In one of the bolder moves ever made by the franchise (led by Robert Kraft), New England found a way to work with the rival Jets (and former head coach Bill Parcells) to secure a blockbuster deal.
In a trade that included a first-round pick — in all, picks from three separate drafts — the Patriots got Belichick as head coach. Following a tough 5-11 season in his first year, the rest became history for Belichick and New England.
Daily highlight: Payton Pritchard nailed multiple buzzer-beaters in Monday’s win, including this one at the end of the first half.
Trivia answer: Chuck Howley
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