Super Bowl XLIX is a great matchup pitting the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots.
This game should be a great defense of battle as Seattle finished the year with the #1 ranked defense and New England finished with the #8 ranked defense in the NFL.
Each team has its own unique story about getting to the Super Bowl.
At the beginning of the NFC championship, it seemed like the Greenbay Packers were headed to the big game. The Seahawks managed a very late in the game comeback.
While the Seahawks victory surprised many, the controversy surrounding the Patriot’s victory over the Colt’s in the AFC championship has eclipsed their victory.
This game is also shrouded in controversy due to “Deflategate”.
“Deflategate” is the scandal involving the New England Patriots where it was found, during the AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts, that 11 out of 12 of the footballs on the Patriots sideline were under-inflated.
This under-inflation makes it easier for quarterbacks, such as Tom Brady, to throw deeper and more accurately.
It also helps defensive players intercept the ball more easily.
Whichever team’s offense can sustain more drives against these powerful defenses will be able to come away and say that they are the Super Bowl champs.
But there are many more similarities than just their defenses.
Both teams have larger-than-life personalities on their teams that people either gravitate to or despise.
Both teams have cerebral quarterbacks that no the game and are great decision-makers.
Both teams are always media hotbeds whether it be by hook or by crook.
This game though means more than just the Super Bowl for both teams.
This game will define legacies.
For New England, it will reestablish them as the standard-bearer franchise for the entire NFL.
On a more personal level, another Super Bowl win will put Tom Brady into the forefront of the conversation of who is the greatest quarterback to ever play football.
For Seattle, it will establish that they are a dynasty much like the team that they are playing was.
It will also put quarterback Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks into the conversation of belonging in the upper echelon of quarterbacks in the NFL.
Another dominant defensive performance by the Seattle Seahawks will also put Richard Sherman and the entire Seattle defense into the conversation of being one of the greatest defenses ever assembled in the history of football.
With so much on the line, it is hard to pick who could win the Super Bowl.
But, personally, I see the Seattle Seahawks offense making more plays against New England’s defense and coming away with their second straight Super Bowl victory.
My final predictions:
Seahawks: 24
Patriots: 20
The Superbowl will be broadcast on Feb. 1 at 5:30 pm on NBC.
John Romando
Senior Sports Editor