Well, it all comes down to tonight. We have endured two weeks of 24/7 analysis, countless interviews, numerous Marshawn Lynch jokes, and now our patience has paid off. Tonight we will see the long-awaited matchup between the AFC Champion New England Patriots and the NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks. Of course, there are so many people giving their two cents of the game, so I will go ahead and do the same. Why? Just because I have done so many previews in the regular season and not doing one for the most important NFL game of them all would be just silly. Now, let us get started.
New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks
Starting off, as always, is the battle of the signal callers.
QUARTERBACKS
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (Source: Jim Rogash/Getty Images North America) vs. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America)
It is pretty remarkable to see how far Russell Wilson has come since his college days as a member of the North Carolina State Wolfpack and Wisconsin Badgers. You know the story of the QB drafted in the third round, only to become the starter and now he is starting his second straight Super Bowl in only his third year in the league. Sure, the defense is the staple of the Seahawks, but Wilson has shined as the signal caller, despite being drafted after guys like Brandon Weeden and Brock Osweiler. If you are surprised by Tom Brady being back in the Super Bowl for the sixth time, you really should not be. Even though the Patriots not have not won a Super Bowl since Super Bowl XXXIX, Brady has still been as dominant as ever, making something out of essentially nothing. He has Rob Gronkowski, but he is making guys like Brandon LaFell and Julian Edelman look like All-Pro athletes. Based on what I have seen thus far, I have to side with Wilson here. Brady put up great numbers against both the Ravens and Colts, whereas Wilson had an excellent game versus the Panthers but was largely unimpressive for the majority of the Packers game. However, we all expected Wilson to crumble against Denver. I think he will do fine tonight.
VERDICT: SEAHAWKS
Now, I am just doing this part of I don’t get fined. Obligatory Marshawn Lynch reference aside, running back time.
RUNNING BACKS
Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (Source: Jim Rogash/Getty Images North America) vs. Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (Source: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images North America)
Ah, the New England running back situation. You always seem to throw everybody into a state of confusion. Stevan Ridley was supposed to be the main guy, but then he got hurt. Shane Vereen was up next and did fine, until Jonas Gray ran all over Indianapolis and took the job away. Then, the Steelers released LeGarrette Blount only for New England to sign him and have him become the feature running back. Oh, and Brandon Bolden is there too. I think it is safe to say that Blount looks to be the main guy, especially after ripping the Colts apart two weeks ago. Seattle has the opposite situation when it comes to their backs, as Marshawn Lynch is clearly the main guy utilized in the offense, with Robert Turbin sprinkled in from time to time. While Blount has shown he steps up his game during the postseason, it is pretty hard to go against Beast Mode. Almost makes you wonder whether the Buffalo Bills truly knew what they had when they traded him away for a fourth-round and a fifth-round draft pick. Hindsight is 20/20.
VERDICT: SEAHAWKS
Here is where it gets very interesting: the receivers.
RECEIVING UNITS
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America) vs. Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America)
The Seattle receivers want you to doubt them. After all, they are not the flashy receivers one would expect, especially compared to last year. Percy Harvin and Golden Tate are gone, leaving Jermaine Kearse, Doug Baldwin, Paul Richardson, and Luke Willson to catch Russell Wilson’s throws. They have stepped when they are called upon and, especially Kearse, typically delivered. That is not to say New England has weapons at receiver, for the Patriots have skilled talent themselves. Brandon LaFell has become a different player since leaving Carolina, Julian Edelman has suddenly become Tom Brady’s favorite receiver to target since last season, and guys like Danny Amendola and Tim Wright have made big plays when their numbers are called. However, the deciding factor, naturally, is tight end Rob Gronkowski, who is back to his dominant self after tearing his ACL and MCL last season. The reliable scoring threat has 12 regular season touchdowns and kept up the scoring pace, with a touchdown in both the Baltimore and Indianapolis games. It is kind of hard to go against such a monster, so New England is where I lean here.
VERDICT: PATRIOTS
Defense wins championships is that old phrase people always say. Which defense is supreme?
DEFENSE
Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis (Source: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images North America) vs. Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (Source:Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America)
New England was dealt a major blow when linebacker Jerod Mayo went down for the season with a knee injury that he suffered in Week 6. Despite that injury, it opened the door for sophomore linebacker Jamie Collins to prove his worth and he promptly delivered by becoming the new leader of the linebacker core. Nose tackle Vince Wilfork and defensive end Rob Ninkovich have wrecked havoc on the defensive line and safety Patrick Chung has elevated his game to new heights this season. It begins and ends, however, with shutdown cornerback Darrelle Revis, who has been electric all season long. The Seahawks have their own shutdown cornerback in the form of Richard Sherman, who has come a long way since his postgame rant last season. You know all about the rest of the Legion of Boom, safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor and fellow cornerback Byron Maxwell, so you do not heard about them again. Seattle has linebackers K.J. Wright, Malcolm Smith and Bobby Wagner, plus defensive ends Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett. Seattle has the #1 ranked defense in the league; it would be foolish to go against them.
VERDICT: SEAHAWKS
So, who raises the Lombardi Trophy tonight?
PREDICTION
This game will be a dogfight tonight. So many weapons, both on the offensive and defensive sides, will be on display tonight and it will be a treat to see. The last time these teams have played each other, Seattle won 24-23 in October 2012 in Russell Wilson’s sixth game in the league. A lot has changed since then, so it would be foolish to base a decision off a game that happened two seasons ago. That being said, I buy Seattle in tonight’s game. Why? Well, remember last Super Bowl? The one where an unstoppable offense was clashing with an immovable defense? The defense ended up smashing and making the offense non-existent. That defense has since had another year together and seemingly got better this season. They say to normally side with the team that gets hot at the right moment. New England has been hot during the postseason, but Seattle has been hot since their November 23 game against Arizona. A two game streak versus an eight game streak makes a big difference to me, and I like the consistency that Seattle has had. That, coupled with the exhilarating overtime victory two weeks ago has me believing Seattle will defend their title and win a second straight Super Bowl.
SEAHAWKS 27, PATRIOTS 18
Enjoy the Super Bowl everyone!
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