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Darnold’s potential Super Bowl win could be a story of redemption

A potential Super Bowl win for the Seattle Seahawks, with Sam Darnold at the helm, would be a remarkable turnaround, one that could be considered the most notable redemption story in NFL history, prompting a closer examination of this possibility.

A rare feat has been achieved by Sam Darnold, who became the third quarterback in history to secure a Super Bowl win in his inaugural season with a new team.

Sam Darnold's journey to the top is a remarkable one, having transformed from one of the NFL's lowest-rated quarterbacks to a Super Bowl champion.

This narrative serves as a testament to the importance of perseverance, character, and self-confidence, while also cautioning teams against making premature judgments about a quarterback's potential.

The NFL draft can be unpredictable, and rookies are often at the mercy of their circumstances, with some teams proving to be a better fit than others, as evidenced by the numerous college stars who have been deemed unsuitable for the league.

Sam Darnold's path to success is a prime example of this, having experienced a journey marked by multiple team changes, yet ultimately culminating in the achievement of the sport's highest honor, making his story a quintessential NFL tale of redemption.

The Seahawks' defensive prowess was on full display as they secured a decisive victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl 60, capping off an impressive performance.

In a dominant showing, the Seahawks outplayed the Patriots to emerge as Super Bowl champions, solidifying their position as a top team.

During his three-season tenure with the Jets, quarterback Sam Darnold achieved a total of 13 wins, a relatively modest record.

An examination of Sam Darnold's statistics reveals a mixed record, with the quarterback, who was drafted in 2018, spending three seasons with the New York Jets and two with the Carolina Panthers, ranking near the bottom in various key areas.

Over the course of five seasons, Darnold accumulated 21 wins, with his passer rating and completion percentage ranking as the lowest among quarterbacks during that period, highlighting areas for improvement.

The criticism surrounding his draft selection as the third overall pick has subsided, as he is now poised to receive a Super Bowl ring. Initially, his performance was marred by struggles, including a notable comment about "seeing ghosts," which led to him being labeled a disappointment. However, it has become apparent that he was not the sole issue.

A pattern emerges when examining the performances of other Jets quarterbacks, including Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith, and Zach Wilson, who all ranked last in passer rating during their first three seasons with the team. This trend suggests that the team's struggles may not be solely attributed to the individual players.

The NFL Draft system often assigns top talent to struggling teams, which can be both a blessing and a curse. While some teams may experience a single off season, others may be plagued by deeper issues that hinder their ability to achieve success.

Since departing New York, Darnold has accumulated 39 wins, including a two-year stint as a backup quarterback. In contrast, the Jets have secured only 26 victories during the same period.

The Panthers have won 15 games since Darnold's departure, while he has achieved 31 wins. Additionally, the Vikings and 49ers have not matched his win total since he left their respective teams.

It's often overlooked that, at the age of 21, he became the youngest starting quarterback in the NFL since the 1970 merger, which raises questions about whether he was simply in an unfavorable situation.

His career trajectory is a remarkable one, having defied incredibly low odds of survival to ultimately emerge as a Super Bowl champion.

According to Steve Young, a former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers and three-time Super Bowl winner, a quarterback's success is heavily dependent on the support they receive, noting that "quarterbacks require a significant amount of assistance to reach their full potential, and without it, their abilities are limited."

Young also emphasized that the current NFL landscape lacks sufficient teams capable of providing the necessary support, stating that "there are not 32 teams in the league today that can offer that level of help."

Young's own experiences illustrate the importance of being part of a well-suited team, having been initially drafted by the struggling Tampa Bay team, where he won only three games over two seasons, before joining the 49ers and going on to achieve Hall of Fame status.

A pivotal moment in Darnold's career resurgence can be traced back to a relatively overlooked season in San Francisco, which ultimately laid the groundwork for his remarkable turnaround.

In a post-Super Bowl reflection, Darnold acknowledged the early struggles he faced in his career, stating, "My performance during the initial years was not up to par." He credited his time in San Francisco as a transformative period, saying, "That experience allowed me to gain valuable insights, which I was able to apply in Minnesota and later in Seattle, resulting in improved play."

Darnold's stint in San Francisco proved to be a crucial learning experience, as he was part of a well-structured organization, had the opportunity to learn from coach Kyle Shanahan, and served as a backup to Brock Purdy during a Super Bowl appearance, ultimately preparing him for success in Minnesota.

The significance of returning to Levi's Stadium for the culmination of his journey was not lost on Darnold, as it marked a full-circle moment in his career.

Following a standout season in Minnesota, where he stepped in for the injured rookie JJ McCarthy, Darnold faced another twist of fate when the Vikings decided to stick with their drafted quarterback, prompting him to move on once again.

Following a season marked by notable achievements, including 14 wins, more than 4,000 yards, and 35 touchdowns, his departure came amidst lingering doubts due to a playoff loss to the Rams.

He faced another opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities and address any lingering skepticism.

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The Seahawks secured a Super Bowl win, delivering a decisive performance against the Patriots.

In the NFL, quarterbacks often receive the most attention, whether positive or negative, yet they are unable to single-handedly dictate the outcome of games in a sport that relies heavily on teamwork.

Historically, Tom Brady's Super Bowl wins have been aided by a top-10 defense, whereas Patrick Mahomes has fallen short in two championship games due to being outmatched by opposing defensive units.

In Seattle, Darnold benefited from joining a team on an upward trajectory, led by a defensive-minded head coach who was building a formidable defensive squad that would soon dominate the NFL, requiring only a reliable quarterback to guide the offense.

The presence of standout players, including the league's top receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker, also contributed to the team's success, leading some to suggest that Darnold's role was relatively straightforward.

Darnold achieved a notable milestone by becoming the first quarterback to record consecutive 14-win seasons with different teams, a feat previously accomplished by Tom Brady with a single team, although his league-leading 20 turnovers raised concerns about his performance.

Statistical analysis reveals that approximately 80% of playoff games are won by teams that minimize turnovers, and in Super Bowls, the team that wins the turnover battle has a significant advantage, boasting a 40-7 record.

Since entering the league, Darnold has accumulated 106 giveaways, the fourth-highest total in the NFL, despite spending two seasons in a backup role. As a result, he faced skepticism about his reliability heading into the postseason.

Darnold's team, the Seattle Seahawks, made history by becoming the first Super Bowl champions to complete the playoffs without a single turnover, a testament to his improved performance.

In a rematch against the Rams, Darnold delivered 346 passing yards and three touchdowns, then followed up with a solid outing in the Super Bowl, silencing doubts about his ability to perform under pressure.

While Darnold's postseason run may not have been flashy or MVP-caliber, the 28-year-old quarterback achieved his primary objective: protecting the ball, making crucial plays, and managing the game without letting his ego get in the way.

Darnold's Super Bowl win marked a historic milestone, as he became the first quarterback to achieve the feat after playing for five different teams, defying expectations and overcoming numerous setbacks throughout his career.

The Seattle Seahawks' decision to take a chance on certain players, similar to Minnesota, has proven beneficial, providing Darnold with a team that meets his needs, and it is possible that several quarterbacks in the league could have achieved a Super Bowl win with the Seahawks this season.

Darnold's journey is unique, and his accomplishments are a testament to his efforts, making his story of redemption particularly noteworthy, with few others having experienced similar challenges and successes.

The narrative surrounding Super Bowl 60 is multifaceted, encompassing themes of revenge, redemption, and representation, making for a compelling storyline.

A visual recap of Super Bowl 60 is available, featuring images of the Seahawks' celebrations, as well as performances by notable artists such as Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga.

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Serie A to air on BBC with live coverage of Scottish matches

A new multi-game rights deal has enabled the BBC to broadcast live coverage of matches featuring several Scotland internationals, including Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson, Che Adams, Lennon Miller, Kieron Bowie, and Josh Doig, starting this Sunday.

A number of Scottish players, including Che Adams, Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lennon Miller, and Lewis Ferguson, are currently competing in Italy's top division, Serie A.

The upcoming Serie A match between Torino and Bologna will be a notable fixture, featuring several Scottish players.

The match is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 15 February, with a kick-off time of 17:00 GMT, at a venue that will be announced.

Fans can catch the live coverage of the match on BBC Alba, starting from 16:50.

A growing list of Scottish players, including Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson, Che Adams, Lennon Miller, Josh Doig, and Kieron Bowie, are making a name for themselves in Serie A.

With a record number of Scots playing in Italy's top flight, the BBC is now providing live coverage of their matches, allowing fans to follow their favorite players.

As part of a new package, the BBC will broadcast eight live Serie A matches, showcasing the talents of Scottish players as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup.

The first match to be broadcast on BBC Alba will be the encounter between Torino, featuring striker Che Adams, and Bologna, featuring midfielder Lewis Ferguson, on Sunday, with a 17:00 GMT kick-off.

Bologna will be looking to bounce back from five consecutive domestic defeats, despite recent impressive results in the Europa League and against Celtic.

During their recent run, Bologna drew 2-2 with Celtic and secured a 3-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League.

Torino, on the other hand, has only managed one win in their last five outings but will be seeking to build on their recent 2-2 draw against Fiorentina.

Scotland's Nations League campaign is set to begin in Slovenia.

Clarke has confirmed that Barnes will not be making a switch to Scotland.

Scotland is scheduled to face Switzerland in the Nations League.

Future BBC Alba broadcasts will feature matches involving Napoli's Scottish duo, Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour, who is nearing a return from injury, as well as Lennon Miller's Udinese, Josh Doig's Sassuolo, and Kieron Bowie's Hellas Verona.

The number of Scottish players in Serie A has reached a record high, with the likes of Liam Henderson, who has played for several Italian clubs, now competing in Serie B.

Further details of the Serie A matches to be broadcast on BBC Alba will be announced in the coming weeks.

Margaret Cameron, director of content at BBC Alba, expressed her excitement about the opportunity for Scottish fans to watch their favorite players in action, free-to-air, ahead of the World Cup.

Presenter Alex O'Henley is looking forward to hosting the coverage of what he describes as a "golden era" for Scottish players in Italy.

With the World Cup approaching, O'Henley believes it's an exciting time for Scottish fans to follow the fortunes of their players in Italy.

Kieron Bowie made his debut for Verona against Pisa.

Che Adams, who was born in Leicester, has established himself as a key player for Scotland, earning 45 caps and scoring 11 goals since switching allegiances in 2021.

This season, Adams has scored six goals in 26 appearances for Torino, who currently sit 13th in the Serie A table.

Kieron Bowie, who began his career with Raith Rovers, has risen to prominence with Hibernian, scoring nine goals in 30 appearances before joining Hellas Verona in January.

Bowie made his debut for Verona in a 0-0 draw against Pisa, earning his first start for the club.

Josh Doig, who started his career with Hibernian, has become a regular player in Serie A, first with Verona and now with Sassuolo, earning one cap for Scotland.

Doig has made 24 appearances, including 20 starts, for Sassuolo this season.

Lewis Ferguson, who began his career with Hamilton Academical, has become a key player for Bologna, earning 21 caps for Scotland and leading his team to a Coppa Italia final win over AC Milan.

Ferguson has made 29 appearances, including 21 starts, for Bologna this season, helping the team to eighth place in the table.

Billy Gilmour, who started his career with Rangers, has played for several clubs, including Chelsea and Norwich City, before joining Napoli in 2024, where he won his first league title.

Gilmour has been limited to 12 appearances, including six starts, this season due to injury, but is nearing a return to action.

Scott McTominay, who came through Manchester United's youth ranks, has become a key player for Napoli, earning 67 caps for Scotland and scoring 14 goals, including a notable overhead kick against Denmark.

McTominay has made 34 appearances for Napoli this season, scoring 10 goals and helping the team to a strong position in the table.

Lennon Miller, who began his career with Motherwell, has made a promising start to his career, earning four caps for Scotland and joining Udinese in August.

Miller has made 14 appearances, including six starts, for Udinese this season.

Fans can stay up-to-date with their favorite clubs through BBC Sport.

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GB men’s curling team suffers upset defeat to Italy

At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Great Britain’s men’s curling team mounted a comeback against Italy following a disappointing beginning, ultimately falling short in their inaugural match.

Despite a valiant comeback, Team GB ultimately fell short as Italy held their composure to secure the win in the final end.

A dismal start to the match proved costly for Team GB's men, as they suffered their first defeat of the Winter Olympics at the hands of host nation Italy, despite a spirited fightback in the packed Cortina Curling Stadium.

Following victories in their first two matches, including a win over the Swedish rink that beat them in the gold-medal match four years ago, Team GB entered their second high-profile encounter in as many days in a confident position.

However, a disastrous opening end, in which Italy stole four points, left Team GB trailing and facing an uphill battle in front of a boisterous home crowd.

The British team, currently ranked number one in the world, gradually regained their footing and managed to level the score by the ninth end.

Ultimately, Italy maintained their composure in the final end to emerge victorious, winning 9-7 and adding Team GB to their list of scalps, which already included the Swedes.

"We had to dig deep and play some solid curling, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough to get us over the line," Team GB lead Hammy McMillan said in an interview with BBC Sport.

With seven wins from nine round-robin matches guaranteeing a spot in the semi-finals, Team GB remains in a strong position, although fewer wins may still be sufficient to advance.

The women's team is set to take to the ice next, facing South Korea in their second match at 13:05 GMT, while the men will return to action on Saturday against the Czech Republic at the same time.

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A daily guide to the Winter Olympics is available for those looking to stay up-to-date with the action.

The looks of shock on the faces of Team GB's curlers told the story of a disastrous opening end.

With a stone in play, Mouat attempted a risky shot in an effort to claim two points, but it backfired, resulting in none of Team GB's stones in the house and four Italian stones in position.

However, the Scottish quartet, ranked number one in the world, quickly regained their composure and got back to their game.

The teams exchanged singles before a impressive final throw by Mouat, aided by a measurement to determine which stone was closest to the button, allowed Team GB to claim two points and narrow the gap to 5-3.

Another excellent team effort, which included a well-judged throw by Mouat, a solid sweep by Hammy McMillan and Bobby Lammie, and Grant Hardie's strategic expertise, forced Italy to concede a point in the fourth end, reducing the deficit to a single point at the break.

Italy blanked the sixth end and added two points in the seventh to rebuild their lead, but Team GB fought back with two points of their own, remarkably levelling the score with one end remaining after a steal.

The match came down to the final end, but Italy held their nerve to secure the win, prompting a deafening roar from the crowd.

"It's an incredible experience, and we need to get used to it," McMillan added, describing the electric atmosphere as "surreal" and "cool," more akin to a football match than a typical curling crowd.

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Scotland Kicks Off Nations League Against Slovenia

Uefa has released the schedule for the Nations League, with Scotland set to begin their campaign on 26 September with an away match against Slovenia.

Uefa has released the schedule for the Nations League, with Scotland's campaign set to begin on 26 September with an away match against Slovenia.

The team's six group stage games will be played within a three-month period, culminating in a match against Switzerland on 16 November.

The fixture list was announced following Thursday's draw, which placed Scotland in a group with Switzerland, Slovenia, and North Macedonia.

Having been relegated from League A after a play-off loss to Greece last year, Scotland will compete in the second tier of the Nations League this year.

In response to the draw, head coach Steve Clarke noted that the teams in the group appear to be evenly matched.

Clarke reflected on the team's past experience in the competition, stating that it has been beneficial for Scotland.

He emphasized the importance of the Nations League, citing its role in helping the team qualify for Euro 2020, and anticipated a challenging set of matches.

A key matchup in the Nations League will see Scotland face off against Switzerland.

The group stage will determine the teams' fates, with the winner earning promotion, the runner-up entering a play-off, the third-placed team facing a relegation play-off, and the fourth-placed team being relegated directly.

The upcoming group games will mark a reunion for Scotland and Switzerland, who previously drew 1-1 in Cologne at Euro 2024.

Scotland's last encounter with Slovenia was during the 2018 World Cup qualification campaign, when they won 1-0 at home and drew 2-2 away.

The team has not played North Macedonia since the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, when they drew 1-1 at home and won 2-1 away, with goals from Ikechi Anya and Shaun Maloney.

The schedule for Scotland's Nations League campaign begins on 26 September with a match against Slovenia.

The team will then host Switzerland on 29 September, followed by a trip to face North Macedonia on 3 October.

Scotland will then play Slovenia at home on 6 October, before hosting North Macedonia on 11 November.

The final group stage match will see Scotland travel to face Switzerland on 16 November.

The team's home match against North Macedonia is set for 11 November.

The campaign will conclude with an away match against Switzerland on 16 November.

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