Good news for Patriot fans, New England’s not facing the Giants this time.
But the defending champ Seattle Seahawks are still a tough test for the Pats seeking their fourth Lombardi Trophy.
The Patriots are one point favorites heading into Super Bowl Sunday. Ironically, New England lost by one, 24-23 at Seattle back in a 2012 regular season meeting.
Both teams represent the number one seeds in their respected conference. Both have been to the mountain top. But I’m picking the Pats. And when they win Super Bowls, they’ve always won by a field goal. So staying with that theme, New England finally captures that elusive fourth ring preventing the Seahawks from a repeat, 27-24.
Here’s what to look for in Super Bowl XLIX.
Tom Brady, 37, may be looking at his last chance at another ring.Tom Brady vs. The Legion of Boom should be a fun matchup. Seattle is not a team built to come from behind, despite the fluky comeback in last weeks’ NFC Championship. Their usual gameplan is to grind out wins with ferocious defense creating easy opportunities for scores. That proved extremely effective last year against another future Hall of Fame quarterback, Peyton Manning, but I doubt Brady will allow another Super Bowl to slip away. Brady has proven once again that he can lead any offense with limited weapons to the big game. No Randy Moss, no Wes Welker, no problem. Let’s not forget, Brady won with David Givens. Plus, Seahawks premier cornerback and safety Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas are coming off injuries. That might slow them down a bit while Brady stands tall in the pocket and picks apart the best defense in the league.
Kam Chancellor flexes his guns.The Gronk vs. Kam sounds like a heavyweight match for the WWF title. It’s the most compelling matchup between the NFL’s most unguardable tight end against the hardest hitting safety in the game. Tom Brady will be sure to find his top target Rob Gronkowski. And Seattle’s enforcer, Kam Chancellor will no doubt be flying to the ball with his signature knockout blows. The tale of the tape presents a slight advantage for Gronk. He has the height and weight advantage 6’6, 265 lbs over Kam 6’3, 232 lbs. Most defenses can’t even contend with the size, strength, and speed of Gronk. He’s too fast for linebackers and too big for safeties. But Kam is the most physical and athletic tone setter on the Legion of Boom. We can’t wait to see them one on one.
Darrelle Revis shows he's still got it after picking off Andrew Luck in the AFC Championship.Revis Island is still on the map. Darrelle Revis is 29 years old, yet he’s been a forgotten man ever since his season ending injury a few years back. Once upon a time, Revis was the best cornerback in the game. And he intends to prove he’s still the best, especially across the field from Richard Sherman. Russell Wilson is vulnerable after throwing four interceptions in the NFC Championship against Green Bay. There’s no doubt Darrelle Revis studied some game film and will make use of his cover skills to put Wilson on Revis Island.
The Belichick factor, of course, always with a trick up his sleeve. Bill Belichick has had to break up the discrepancy of “Deflategate” this past week after the Patriots were accused of foul play in the AFC Championship. Somehow, I’m sure Bill found a way to make this a motivation for his squad leading into Super Sunday. Plus, I would bet this means even more, reminding everyone that the Patriots are a real dynasty who can win a trophy since the “Spygate” scandal. Otherwise, the head coach and all of his prowess may be in question with another Super Bowl loss.
Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch run the read option.Still, Belichick is a mastermind at taking away any opponent’s best weapon. In Seattle’s case, it’s Marshawn Lynch, a.k.a. Beast Mode. If the Patriots are to win, Belichick must find a way to cage the beast. And most likely, that execution will be delivered by nose tackle Vince Wilfork. The Seahawks love to keep the defense on their heels with the read option. Russell Wilson is as dangerous in the pocket as he as when he hands it off. They’re so good, most defenders don’t know where the ball is. This kind of game is won in the trenches. Wilfork, all 325 lbs of him, has to clog the middle, command double, even triple teams, and still penetrate the gaps disrupting Seattle’s best weapon.
With all that said, let’s just hope for a good game, unlike last year.