9. Poor pass protection
There were many occasions where the pass protection broke down, preventing the Seahawks from extending drives or simply ending drives outright. That was a problem against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game, and it nearly cost them the game. In this case, when the defense was failing to get the job done the offense absolutely had to keep the pocket clean for QB Russell Wilson. They failed to do that in many key spots and the passing game suffered because of it.
8. Julian Edelman
As great as the Seahawks were all season against the new-breed of big, speedy wide receivers, they had no answer for Julian Edelman. The Patriots leading WR led the team with over 100 receiving yards and was seemingly untackleable once he had the ball in his hands.
7. Jeremy Lane’s injury
Poor Jeremy Lane. The Seahawks No. 2 CB won the battle but lost the war, getting a key INT to stop a Patriots drive, but injured his wrist on the play and missed the rest of it.
As a result, backup CB Tharold Simon was pushed into duty and was promptly picked on by the Patriots passing attack, giving up a TD to WR Brandon LaFell in the second quarter.
COMMENTS