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Jan. 15, 1967, the Green Bay Packers were victorious over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I. Just 48 years and 18 days later, the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks are set to face off in the 49th Super Bowl in Glendale, Ariz.
Coming off a momentum ridden victory over Green Bay on Sunday, the Seahawks are looking to become the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowl’s since the Patriots in 2004 and 2005. The “12th man” definitely has high hopes going into the game on Feb. 1.
On the other side of the map is the New England Patriots. Led by arguably the best quarterback-coach combination of all-time, the Patriots hope to bring their fourth Lombardi Trophy back to Foxborough.
With these two talented teams, the 63,000 people at University of Phoenix Stadium and the other 110 million tuning in on TV will surely be entertained.
As of now, the spread for the game is even. No team is favored to win, but the game can’t end in a tie. So, who’s going to come out on top?
Leading the huddle for the 12 and 4 Seahawks is Wisconsin alum Russell Wilson. With a four-interception first half in the NFC Championship, Wilson hopes to remind fans who threw for 3,475 yards, 20 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions in the regular season. Even if Wilson is feeling confident with his arm, the Seahawks are going to need to keep the ball on the ground if they want any hopes of winning. Throwing against the best man coverage in the league, it is likely that Wilson is going have trouble getting the ball to Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse.
Coming off his biggest game of the season is Seahawks running back, Marshawn Lynch. Rushing for 157 yards and a touchdown in 25 carries against Green Bay last week, Lynch was certainly the cornerstone to victory. Lynch should have the opportunity to carry the offense on his back this game.
Also, the Seahawks are going to need to mix in several short play action passes and allow Wilson to use his legs. If the Patriots defensive line is unable to contain Wilson, the Seahawks could definitely see themselves holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the game.
On the other side of the ball, the Seahawks are going to need a way to slow down the explosive New England offense. Although Bill Belichick’s offense is impossible to predict, the Seahawks can at least know that tight end, Rob Gronkowski, will be a highly targeted weapon.
In the last 10 games of the Patriots regular season, they were only held under 15 points once. That game was a 41-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. In that game, Gronkowski was held to only two receptions. So, it seems the only way to slow down the Patriots offense is to lock down Gronkowski.
If there is anyone in the league that can lock down the 6 foot 6 inch Gronkowski, it is Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor.
The Seahawks are an all-around difficult team to beat, but the Patriots can certainly do it.
In order to knock off the defending champs, it is important for the Patriots to put some serious points on the board. A offensive explosion should be expected of the Patriots after putting up 35 points in the Divisional Round and 45 points in the AFC Conference Championship.
The deciding factor of this game will be the performance of the Patriots defensive line. If their defensive line is able to contain Wilson and hold Lynch under 100 yards, the Patriots will simply be able to outscore the Seahawks.
The gigantic playbook of Bill Belichick will lead the Patriots over the Seahawks defensive game plan.
Deflated footballs or not, the Patriots offense is going to outplay the Seattle offense. Tom Brady and the New England offense is red hot and ready to bring home a Super Bowl victory again. Expect the Patriots to light up the scoreboard and give the Seahawks a taste of their own medicine.
Editor’s Pick: Patriots 27 Seahawks 13
