 | TOGETHER WITH  |
| From The GIST Team |
Happy Super Bowl Sunday! | ||
| The New England Patriots, led by second-year quarterback (QB) Drake Maye, will battle journeyman signal caller Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks at 6:30 p.m. ET. Did anyone see this improbable matchup coming when the season kicked off in September? Certainly not us.
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| Quote of The Day |
 | She's such a great athlete. She beats me in a lot of sports. |
 | — The aforementioned Maye telling The GIST what he wishes more people knew about his wife, internet sensation Ann Michael. Every elite QB needs a multi-faceted icon to keep his ego in check. |
| The Breakdown |
❤️ New England Patriots Source: Barry Chin/The Boston Globe The GIST: The last time the Patriots were underdogs entering the Super Bowl? 2001, the season they won their first-ever title and kicked off a dynastic run that included six Lombardi Trophies. Speaking of, a win today and they'll break a tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl victories in NFL history. 📌 How they got here: New England's playoff journey was littered with elite defenses — Maye became the first QB ever to beat three top-five units in a single postseason, dismantling the LA Chargers 16–3 in the Wild Card Round, the Houston Texans 28–16 in the Divisional Round, and the Denver Broncos 10–7 in a blizzard-stricken AFC Championship game. ✅ Why they'll win: It starts with the Pats' top-tier offense, a well-balanced attack that maximizes everyone on the field. And while Maye hasn't exactly been his MVP–caliber self this postseason, the second-youngest QB to start in the Big Game has made up for it with his legs: He's just the fourth signal caller in the Super Bowl era to log multiple games with at least 65 rushing yards in a single playoff run.
❌ Why they won't: One of the biggest knocks on the Patriots has been their strength of schedule. They've played the best defenses this postseason but not the best offenses. So while they're allowing just 8.7 points per game in the playoffs, Seattle's offense will be much harder to contain. Watch for cornerback Christian Gonzalez and defensive end Milton Williams to meet the challenge.     |
| TOGETHER WITH FanDuel 💰 Who do you think will score a touchdown today? Source: FanDuel Betting on the Big Game is a cultural phenomenon. But let's be honest, it can become overwhelming quickly. That's why this year, we'll be celebrating by placing a wager through FanDuel's Touchdown Jackpot. Here's how it works:
New FanDuel users will also receive $200 in bonus bets (think of these like store credits to place bets) after placing their first $5 wager. However you're enjoying the Big Game, make it count with FanDuel. |
💚 Seattle Seahawks Source: Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times The GIST: The Seahawks are back in the promised land for the first time since the 2014 season (more on that later), with dreams of earning the Emerald City's second Lombardi Trophy. Now that's how you drive up the price of a franchise. 📌 How they got here: After winning a hotly-contested battle for the NFC No. 1 seed, the Seahawks enjoyed a first-round bye before pummeling the San Francisco 49ers 41–6 in the Divisional Round. Then came the true test: their division rival LA Rams, who they beat 31–27 in the NFC Championship to punch their Big Game ticket. ✅ Why they'll win: The Seahawks boast the most complete team in football, but outside of All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, there's no bona fide superstars — just a bunch of good players who work really well together. From running back (RB) Kenneth Walker III to return specialist Rashid Shaheed, it's complementary football at its absolute best.
❌ Why they won't: This team doesn't have any fatal flaws…unless QB Darnold starts seeing ghosts again. As the signal caller knows all too well, the Pats are exceptional at disguising their defensive schemes, causing confusion for opposing QBs. And while Darnold's been more reliable in the playoffs, he notably led the league in turnovers during the regular season. |
| PRESENTED BY Toyota  Source: Toyota ‼️ Don't miss your chance to win: Before a new champ is crowned, Toyota wants to crown you. No, seriously. As the Official Automotive Partner of the NFL, Toyota wants to make all your football dreams come true.
The best part? Entering is easy: Head to toyota.com/NFL and click on Gameday Giveaways to participate. Thanks to our pals at Toyota, gridiron glory isn't just for the pros. |
| Learn the Lore |
The last time New England and Seattle met in the Super Bowl… | ||
| The year was 2015, and Left Shark had just finished captivating football fans across the globe. Little did we know the second half of Super Bowl XLIX would top Katy Perry's fishy fiesta. The defending champ Seahawks, led by
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🎤 The entertainment Source: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy There's no time for bathroom breaks on Super Bowl Sunday because, along with the always entertaining commercials, this year's musical performances will have us sat. Before we highlight the evento principal, here's who else will be serenading us today:
And then there's Bad Bunny: The most-streamed artist in the world will take the Super Bowl's iconic stage for what's sure to be one of the most-watched performances ever. With billions (yes, with a B) of YouTube views under his belt, this set's bound to be fuego. Warm up your speakers with this triple-threat playlist: 1️⃣ "Tití Me Preguntó," the ultimate pre-game anthem 2️⃣ "Dákiti" — smooth enough to make even the kickers sway 3️⃣ "Me Porto Bonito," for when you're trying to behave...but not really |
| As Seen On Social |
| Fun and Games |
Take Your Pick | ||
New England Patriots | vs | Seattle Seahawks |
| The snacks are ready, the playlist is bumping, and you have all the deets you need to make your Super Bowl pick. So, which team will hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy? | ||
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Today's email was brought to you by Lisa Minutillo. Editing by Alessandra Puccio. Fact-checking by Elisha Gunaratnam. Operations by Elisha Gunaratnam. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alessandra Puccio, and Lisa Minutillo. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.
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