There’s so much that goes on during the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl that it’s easy to forget there’s even a game.
That’s been multiplied tenfold this season, thanks in large part to the ongoing debate over how much air was or wasn’t in some footballs and the fallout that’s accompanied the DeflateGate nightmare. On Sunday, hopefully, that all becomes part of the past — for one night, at least.
The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks were the NFL’s two best teams this season, so it’s only fitting they’ll meet Sunday night in Super Bowl XLIX. There’s so much at stake, as there are legacies on the line for both sides.
For the Patriots, it’s a chance for quarterback Tom Brady to further cement his legacy with what would be his fourth Super Bowl title, tying him with Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw for the most ever. Head coach Bill Belichick’s career already speaks for itself, but a fourth ring as a head coach would further his case as the greatest coach of all time.
The Seahawks have plenty at stake, too. Russell Wilson can effectively grab the torch from Brady and the Patriots and establish Seattle as the NFL’s next dynasty. Head coach Pete Carroll can add to his trophy room with another Super Bowl title in addition to his two NCAA titles. He can do so against the NFL team he once coached.
There’s a lot on the line. How will it shake out? On to the NESN.com Super Bowl picks.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
Darren Hartwell: 2-0 (172-76-1). Cool, calm and collected and hoping to finally get back into sole possession of the No. 1 spot.
Mike Cole:Â 2-0 (172-76-1). Would have gladly traded the picks lead to see the Packers in the Super Bowl. Still trying to recover.
SUPER BOWLÂ
New England Patriots (14-4) vs. Seattle Seahawks (14-4), Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET, University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Darren: Patriots.
The distractions have been well-documented —Â DeflateGate, Aaron Hernandez’s murder trial, even Tom Brady getting the sniffles. I actually think all that helps the Patriots. Bill Belichick is among the NFL’s best at blocking out distractions and galvanizing his team around a common goal. The Patriots have lost their last two Super Bowls and have been almost universally accused of cheating, so there’s no shortage of motivation.
On paper, the Seahawks have a slight advantage. Kam Chancellor might be the only player on the planet who can hang with Rob Gronkowski, and Seattle’s stellar front seven should neutralize New England’s run game. Russell Wilson and his dual-threat capabilities might be the toughest test yet for the Patriots’ defense, and Marshawn Lynch’s outsized talent makes containing Wilson even more difficult.
That said, I think New England’s defense will be the difference. Wilson proved he was human in the NFC Championship Game by playing nearly four full quarters of horrendous football, and Darrelle Revis and Co. should make his life difficult by locking down the Seahawks’ average receiving corps. If the Patriots’ defense can keep Wilson in the pocket and eliminate home-run plays, they’ll put Tom Brady in a position to do what he does best — win a big game with clutch plays down the stretch.
Mike: Seahawks.
Seattle looked like a shell of itself for the better part of the NFC Championship Game. The Green Bay Packers had all but punched their ticket to the desert. Then, the unimaginable happened, as the Packers pulled off one of the greatest collapses in NFL history.
Here’s the way I see it: I honestly think the Seahawks got it out of their system two weeks ago and now will be refocused. They got a clear look at how fragile their season can be, and it’s unrealistic to think they’ll come out with another showing like that in the biggest game of the season.
I also think the matchups — assuming Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas aren’t hampered too much by injuries — favor Seattle, especially when New England has the ball. The Seahawks should be able to at least neutralize some of the New England passing game, and as long as they tackle the way they should, LeGarrette Blount won’t be the difference-maker.
On the other side of the ball, Russell Wilson is the key. If he makes good decisions — like he did late against Green Bay — it will open up everything else for the Seattle offense. If he’s able to establish himself on the ground and through the air, it will open up the field for Marshawn Lynch and render the Patriots’ impressive secondary relatively moot.
Thumbnail photo via Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports Images
