Millions of people will be tuning in to NBC this weekend to watch one of the most anticipated sporting events in America. Superbowl XLIX is this Sunday, Feb. 1, in Phoenix, Ariz., where the New England Patriots, coming off a week of “deflating” allegations, go up against the “Legion of Boom” that is the Seattle Seahawks.
The Patriots are coming off of a commanding victory over the Colts, 45-7, in a game a lot of people believe should have an asterisk next to. Seattle squeaked by Greenbay with a late scoring rally that put them on top in overtime, 28-22. Now these two teams will play one last game to see who gets crowned champion.
Sunday’s game will be about New England’s offense versus Seattle’s defense more than the other way around. The Patriots finished 11th in total offense before finding a running game in the playoffs, which would have boosted them inside the top five offenses during the regular season. The Seahawks started slow on defense and had to battle through some injuries, but now they are healthy and since week 11 they have been the No. 1 defense in the NFL.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will have his plate full against the “Legend of Boom” Seattle defense, especially since they will have to use inflated footballs this week. As much as I don’t want to see New England win, I just do not see Seattle’s offense being able to stick with them if it comes down to a back and forth scoring battle.
Over the regular season, Seattle had trouble stopping the running game, which, if exploited, led to a high winning percentage against the Seahawks. The Kansas City Chiefs, the St. Louis Rams and the Dallas Cowboys all had success in the running game against Seattle, helping to take away the dominate pass rush abilities of Seattle’s defense. With the recent rushing attack of New England runningback LeGarrette Blount, the Patriots will have to lean on him as they did against the Colts when he had 30 carries for 148 yards. If Blount can run wild and Brady is efficient on converting third downs, I think New England can edge Seattle.
On the other hand, for Seattle to have a shot in this game, they will need a few breaks and a beast-like performance from their quiet Skittle-eating runningback, Marshawn Lynch. He is one of the best runners in the game, but at times, it seems he’s Seattle’s only weapon.
At the end of the day, it will take a big special teams play or even a trick play from Seattle for them to outscore New England. My prediction is New England will find a way to pound the ball on the ground and control the clock to a 21-13 victory.
