SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Maybe the game itself will live up to the hype, because Super Bowl Opening Night was calmer than usual.
Drake Maye and the New England Patriots (17-3) take on Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks (16-3) on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers.
The media frenzy that kicks off the week’s festivities on Monday night was smaller, quieter and far less outrageous than recent years.
The crowd inside the San Jose
Convention Center included more than 5,000 fans — it's been twice that size or more in larger arenas. More than 2,000 reporters from across the globe were credentialed to cover the typically zany event, down from 6,000 media members in Las Vegas two years ago.
There was no sign of the naked man in a barrel. Nobody wore a wedding dress and proposed to Maye. Reporters weren't asking players to dance or perform odd tricks.
Still, it wasn't all football and X's and O's.
Maye was asked about his wife, Ann Michael Maye, and her popular baking videos on social media.
“Keep being you,” he said. “You’re the better half of me and I love you. It’s such a special moment for me to follow your journey. I know you do it for something bigger than yourself and that’s what makes it special.”
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel refused to compare Maye to Tom Brady and was asked several questions about playing for Bill Belichick. He had fun with a reporter from Nickelodeon who presented him with a purple-and-green chain that read, “Slime.” Vrabel wore it but feared he'd get that green, gooey stuff splashed all over his head.
“Why do you keep looking up? Am I about to get slimed?" he said.
Assured he wasn't, Vrabel was asked if there's one player he would want to slime.
“Stefon Diggs,” he said without hesitation.
Diggs, the standout receiver, was full of praise for his coach.
“I’ve had great coaches but this guy played the game, he knows we’re gonna grind and he takes care of us,” Diggs said.
The Patriots spent one hour fielding questions before giving way to the Seahawks, who were set to take the stage an hour afterward.
An event that began as a daytime introduction of the teams has evolved into a live, ticketed, prime-time showcase on national television.
The Patriots are aiming for an NFL-record seventh Lombardi trophy and first without Brady and coach Belichick.
Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls as a linebacker with New England, inherited a 4-13 team and has the Patriots on the verge of their first championship parade in seven years.
Maye had a sensational sophomore season, becoming a finalist for the AP NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards while leading the Patriots to their 12th Super Bowl.
A stifling defense has led the way for the Patriots in the playoffs, holding three opponents to just 8.7 points per game.
This is a Super Bowl rematch from one of the most memorable endings among the first 59. The Patriots beat the Seahawks 28-24 when Malcolm Butler picked off Russell Wilson’s pass from the 1 in the final minute on Feb. 1, 2015.
The Seahawks had the NFL’s stingiest defense, led by tackle Leonard Williams, linebacker Ernest Jones IV and cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Seattle allowed just 17.1 points per game.
But Darnold’s resurgence will be the top storyline of the week. A No. 3 overall pick by the New York Jets in 2018, Darnold is thriving on his fifth team.
Despite winning 14 games with Minnesota in 2024, the Vikings let Darnold walk away in free agency. He became the first quarterback to lead two teams to consecutive 14-win seasons and has proved his doubters wrong. Now, he’s trying to help Seattle win its second Super Bowl in the franchise’s fourth appearance in the game.
At least Darnold has experienced this week’s shenanigans. He was a backup to Brock Purdy when the 49ers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl two years ago.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
