As Seattle Seahawks fans know, retired star running back Marshawn Lynch wasn't much of a talker during his playing days. He famously showed up to Super Bowl XLIX media day to avoid getting fined and let everyone know — repeatedly.
Fast forward 11 years, and Lynch has ostensibly changed his tune. By the sound of it, the five-time Pro Bowler's more comfortable speaking out now. He issued a bold claim ahead of Seattle's championship rematch against the New England Patriots, which has been more than a decade in the making.
During a recent episode of his Get Got Podcast with former Seahawks teammate Michael Robinson, Lynch predicted a Seattle blowout victory over the Patriots.
Seahawks legend Marshawn Lynch firmly forecasts a convincing Seattle Super Bowl LX win
Perhaps Lynch has matured with time and is more comfortable on camera, considering he's carved out a unique role in the content space. Or maybe the Skittles-loving tailback is excited about Seattle possibly avenging him, Robinson, and their Seahawks comrades who fell to the Patriots way back when.
Either way, Lynch believes Seattle will convincingly defeat New England: “I think (the Seahawks) are going to beat the breaks off [the Patriots],” he said.
Well, biased or not, Lynch certainly didn't mince words. He envisions a Seahawks rout, and that's music to the 12s' ears. "Beast Mode" expects Seattle to rise to the occasion and deliver a strong performance on football's grandest stage.
Nevertheless, Lynch must be careful not to give the Patriots any bulletin board material. Comments like this can certainly come back to haunt him and the Seahawks if they don't deliver. Nevertheless, he seems quite confident that Seattle will hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the first time since the 2013 season.
For what it's worth, Lynch isn't necessarily going out on a limb. The public consensus is that the Patriots don't stand much of a chance against Seattle. Look no further than the betting lines heading into the Big Game.
Oddsmakers give Seattle an implied win probability of roughly 70 percent, depending on which sportsbook you use. However, Lynch and the Seahawks know better than anyone to count their chicken before they hatch, especially when facing the Patriots.
Lynch and the Seahawks took a 24-14 lead into the fourth quarter of their title loss to the Patriots in the 2014 campaign. Alas, New England mounted a vicious comeback, including cornerback Malcolm Butler's iconic interception in the closing stages when Seattle needed just two yards to prevail.