By Vinnie Rullo
Staff Writer
This year’s Superbowl XLIX matchup features the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, and the New England Patriots. This matchup will feature quarterback Tom Brady of the Patriots playing against a very tough Seahawks team. The Seahawks are lead by their quarterback Russell Wilson, and their dynamic defense.
This Superbowl is an intriguing matchup because Brady will be appearing in his record-setting 6th Superbowl, and will be looking to win his 4th world championship. Russell Wilson will be trying to lead his team to a 2nd consecutive title. These two teams play two different styles of football, the Patriots this season found ways to beat their opponent some games running the ball effectively, or some games would rely mainly on their passing attack. The key players to watch on the Patriots offense are quarterback Tom Brady, tight-end Rob Gronkowski, wide-receiver Julian Edelman, and running back Legarrette Blount. The Patriots game-plan will be to try to have a balance on offense, this will be the most effect way to try score on a dominant Seattle defense by keeping them guessing. Brady will rely heavily on throwing the ball to Gronkowski and Edelman by completing short passes them, and relying on his receivers to gain yardage after the catch. Gronk is a huge threat in the redzone for the Pats, and a tough cover for any defense. The Patriots will also have to mix in their running game with Blount, and use their other change of space backs because it will give them a better balance on offense.
The Seahawks will take a different approach to the game because their team relies heavily on their defense, and running game on offense to win. Seattle’s defense tries to create the best field position possible for their offense. The Seattle defense is a very dominant unit with many star players, a few players to watch on their defense are cornerback Richard Sherman, free-safety Earl Thomas, strong-safety Kam Chancellor, and defensive end Michael Bennett. Â These players are major difference makers for Seattle’s defense, and any of them can drastically impact the outcome of the game by just making one play. The Patriots will have a difficult time trying to win this game if they play conservative on offense. Seattle’s D will look to capitalize off of a Patriots turnover on defense, or field position which will set up the Seahawks offense to have a better chance to score on offense. The Seattle offense has a run the ball first offensive mentality, which features a lot of their starting running back Marshawn Lynch. Lynch is one of the best running backs in the league, and should get twenty-five plus touches in this game and will look exploit the Patriots defense. The Seattle offense will also have to rely on their quarterback Russell Wilson to make plays with both his arm and legs. Wilson has the unique ability of being able to read defenses with his eyes by using the read-option plays, which he’ll either hand off the ball to Lynch or run the ball himself. Wilson is very athletic and fast for a quarterback, he also has the ability to run outside of the pocket to extend plays until his receivers get open. The Seahawks receivers will have to make plays in order for them to win because coach Belichick of the Patriots will game-plan his defense to stop Seattle’s running game. Seattle’s receivers will have a tough time making plays against an improved Patriots defense. Darrelle Revis, cornerback of the Patriots will be one the difference makers on the Pats defense. Revis will cover Doug Baldwin, Seattle’s number one receiver the entire game. The Patriots having Revis gives them an advantage because he’s a lockdown corner and Wilson will look to throw the ball to other options. One player to watch on the Seattle offense that could make a number of big plays for them is tight-end Luke Wilson. Wilson is a sneaky player that could be overlooked in this game and have a big impact.
Overall the true difference maker in this game will be the dominant defense of the Seattle Seahawks, some experts are already calling this defensive unit one of the best of all-time. Brady and the Patriots offense will have a hard time moving the ball, and Seattle’s D will try and put pressure on Brady by blitzing him. The Seattle D will also play tight coverage and try to confuse Brady anyway possible. However, should Brady be able to move the ball and put up points on the Seahawks defense the Patriots will gain momentum and could be the favorites to win. This game will be very close, as were seeing one the best quarter-backs of all-time in Brady take on one of the best defensive units of all-time. final score prediction Seattle 27-Patriots 21
