Sports Editor
The NFL has not had a repeat Super Bowl Champion since the Patriots won back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004. The Seahawks are trying to be the first team in 11 years to repeat and who stands in their way? The New England Patriots. For the first time since the playoffs were expanded in 1990 the #1 seeds in the AFC and NFC have advanced to the Super Bowl in consecutive years. Seattle and Denver made it last year and this year Seattle advanced to the Super Bowl as did New England.
Both of these teams advanced to the
Super Bowl but had much different games to get there. The Seahawks overcame a
nine point deficit with under three minutes to play to beat Aaron Rodgers and
the Packers in one of the most unbelievable comebacks in NFL history. Russell
Wilson had probably his worst game of his young career, throwing four interceptions
earning a passer rating of only 44.3.
The Patriots, on the other hand, won in a more dominating fashion. Tom
Brady threw for three touchdowns and LeGarrette Blount rushed for three more as
the Patriots dismantled the Colts. Of course now everyone has heard of “deflate
gate”. The NFL investigated whether the Patriots deflated their balls below the
regulated weight and they found that 11 of the 12 balls were indeed deflated.
Whether or not this breaking of the rules and possible punishment by the NFL
affects them leading up to the Super Bowl, shall be seen in this upcoming week.
For the second straight year the
league’s best defense is going up against arguably the league’s best offense.
If history has told us anything then that is that the Seahawks will win pretty
easily. However, with Richard Sherman (elbow) and Earl Thomas (shoulder) both
not 100%, the Seattle secondary does not look nearly as intimidating. The good
news for the Seahawks is that Russell Wilson can’t play much worse after the
NFC Championship game. The key for Seattle is to get out to an early lead so
they can execute their running game plan much more effectively. Marshawn Lynch
will probably get more carries than words he says in his press conference on
media day. If you put him along with Russell Wilson scrambling out of the
pocket, their run game is hard to stop when they have the lead. If they fall
behind, they will have to rely on Russell Wilson.
The key for the Patriots is going to be how
Tom Brady attacks the Seattle defense. In the most recent matchup in 2012,
Brady threw two interceptions; one to Sherman and one to Thomas. Obviously
Brady is going to be cautious throwing their way; but considering they are not
fully healthy, he might have to attack their side of the field. On the
defensive side of the ball their biggest key will be to contain Russell Wilson.
Wilson kills most teams with his legs on broken plays. So if New England can
contain his ability to extend plays then they will have a much better chance at
winning the game.
This game is a tough one to pick.
Between Seattle’s injuries and all the distractions of “deflate gate”, both
teams are struggling with some adversity. The Patriots’ adversity, however, is
not the type of distractions you need surrounding your team leading up to the biggest
game of the year. Seattle will be able to deal with injuries and both Earl
Thomas and Richard Sherman will end up playing in the game. At week’s end, the
Seattle Seahawks will become the first team to repeat since 2004 winning Super
Bowl XLIX 28-24 with the MVP going to Marshawn Lynch.
