Super Bowl LX is right around the corner, and the Seattle Seahawks will try to claim their second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
This year's iteration of the Seahawks is reminiscent of their team that won Super Bowl 48 in the 2013 season: Elite defense, a great running game, and a quarterback unafraid to let it rip down the field.
The team isn't perfect however, and some unfortunate recent injury news has taken over headlines in Seattle.
Below, we'll discuss three question marks for the Seahawks heading into the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.
Will Sam Darnold take care of the ball?
While Darnold had a terrific season overall (4,000+ passing yards, 25 touchdowns), he did struggle with turnovers throughout.
His 14 interceptions were the third-most in the NFL, and his 11 fumbles were the most. He lost six of the 11, bringing his turnover count to 20 - most in the league.
Darnold has cleaned it up in the playoffs, throwing no picks and fumbling once in their two postseason games, but he'll face a team that has lived off defensive takeaways so far in the playoffs.
The Pats have forced eight opponent turnovers in three games, the most by a defense in the postseason, carrying an offense that can hardly move the ball downfield.
Darnold's turnover count will probably decide this game. If he keeps the ball out of harms way, it's hard to see the Patriots being able to move the ball consistently on offense against one of the league's top defenses.
How limited will Nick Emmanwori be?
Seahawks star rookie safety Nick Emmanwori sprained his ankle in practice this week and has been limited ever since.
Head coach Mike Macdonald said that Emmanwori will play, but recent videos of the defender walking around clearly show that he's favoring his ankle.
The South Carolina product is a do-it-all player for Seattle on defense. He can line up at the traditional strong safety spot, in the slot, or even at linebacker.
He's terrific coming up in the run game and can cover tight ends with the best of them.
Against a Patriots offense that will lean heavily on running back Rhamondre Stevenson and tight end Hunter Henry, a limited Emmanwori would create a hole in the Seahawks defense.
Mike Macdonald's inexperience
Both coaches in this game will be making their Super Bowl debut as the head man, but there is a key difference between the two: Mike Vrabel made four Super Bowls as a player, while Macdonald has never been in it, even as an assistant coach.
Macdonald has been a home-run hire in Seattle. In just two seasons as head coach, the 38-year-old has led the franchise back to the Super Bowl.
He's a defensive genius who never looks rattled on the sidelines, reminiscent of a young Bill Belichick.
His decisions throughout the season and playoffs when it comes to fourth downs, challenges, clock management, and more have all been great, but he hasn't been on a stage like this before.
There's no doubt in my mind that Macdonald will be ready for the moment, but it's never easy winning the Big Game in a debut.
