This is it. Super Bowl Sunday. A day where millions gather around their televisions to watch stupid commercials, inappropriate half-time shows and shovel unfathomable amounts of food down their throats. Luckily, if you get bored with that, you could always turn your attention towards the biggest football game of the season, and boy are we in for a treat this year.

This NFL season started with 32 teams, all with the same goal; to hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy over their heads at season’s end. Only two teams remain, and it’s the two most hated franchises in the NFL right now; the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. I’m sure there are quite a few people who would rather see a meteor hit University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday, than watch one of these two be crowned champion.

It’s not even a question, these two teams deserve to be here. It’s not like one of them could’ve possibly cheated to get here. Neither of these teams needed to pull out trick plays in order to win their playoff games. And I’ve never seen a post-season with such high quality officiating.

Honestly though, they’re the two best teams in football. They both finished 12-4 and claimed the #1 seed in their respective conferences. For a stretch of the season, both teams looked unstoppable. They also both lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Since those losses however, the two teams have a combined record of 20-2. This Super Bowl will be showcasing the best the NFL has to offer.

I can’t remember the last time a game was this close on paper. Despite the Patriots being listed as the 1.5 point favourites, this game is a complete toss-up. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many people torn on who they think will win this game.

While no one knows for sure who to pick, there is one thing that is certain, the footballs are going to be properly inflated.

Preview

New England Patriots

They’re baaaaaaaack.

The team of the 21st century will be making their 6th super bowl appearance since 2001, and are going to be looking to come away with their 4th win after being shut out in Super Bowl XLII and XLVI by the New York Giants.

New England started the year 2-2, while it looks average on paper, the Patriots got destroyed by Miami in Week 1 and in Week 4, were embarrassed on Monday Night Football by the Kansas City Chiefs, in what was the worst loss of the Brady-Belichick era. So-called experts claimed that this was “the end of the empire” and that Tom Brady was washed up. Didn’t exactly work out that way. Bill Belichick, in the press conference of the year, told the media that New England was “on to Cincinnati” and the Patriots won 10 of their next 11 games, clinching home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

In the Divisional Round, the Patriots won a game for the ages, coming back from down 14 points twice to beat the Baltimore Ravens, 35-31. The AFC Championship game can be summarized with this statement, the Patriots threw the Colts out of the club. New England demolished the Indianapolis Colts, 45-7, in what was one of the most all-around, dominant performances by a team this season. Then DeflateGate happened, and enough has already been said about that, so let’s focus on what could be one of the greatest Super Bowl games of all-time.

Offense (18th in Run, 9th in Pass, 11th total)

In the first 4 games of the 2014 season, Tom Brady looked like a QB that got taken 199th overall and people were legitimately saying that he needed to be benched for Jimmy Garoppolo. Ever since then, he’s looked like a QB who led his team to 3 Super Bowl victories. Brady had another Pro-bowl calibre season, throwing for 34 TDs and over 4000 yards. Brady is 37, in the big game for the 6th time, the most of any QB in History. You know he will do whatever it takes to get one more and cap off his Hall of Fame career, and he’s got the weapons to pull it off. Admit it, you also secretly hate him, his Uggs, and the fact that he’s married to Supermodel Gisele Bundchen. It’s ok, jealousy is the best form of flattery.

GRONK IS BACK. The massive Tight End who always parties hard, had a monstrous year which earned him NFL Comeback Player of the Year honours, scoring 12 TDs and gaining 1,124 receiving yards after his knee got destroyed by T. J. Ward in a game against the Browns last year. He is the biggest mismatch in professional football right now. He also loves kittens.

New England’s receiving corps has also put together a solid season. Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell quietly had terrific seasons that saw both receivers catch 70+ balls and finish with just under 1,000 receiving yards. Danny Amendola has also greatly improved after his disappointing 2013 campaign and had his best game as a Patriot in the Divisional Round against Baltimore.

And let’s not forget about the Patriots backfield and the thunder and lightning duo of LeGarrette Blount and Shane Vereen, who have stepped up in the absence of regular starter, Stevan Ridley. Blount runs through you, like the Juggernaut in X-Men, as seen by his 3 scores against the Colts in the AFC Championship. Vereen on the other hand, is better known for being used as a screen option out of the backfield, who can also burn you like the Human Torch if you’re not careful.

New England’s Offensive Line has had a bit of an up and down year. After being unable to stop a nosebleed to begin the season, the group of Solder, Wendell, Stork, Connolly and Vollmer have begun to develop a lot of chemistry. They did struggle recently against Baltimore, but for most of the season, they did what they had to do in order to win football games.

The Patriots don’t rank extremely high in any offensive categories, but they can beat you in every possible way you can imagine. That’s why they’re here.

Defense (9th Run, 17th Pass, 13th Total)

In recent memory, the Patriots have been known for their high-powered, pass heavy offense but what people forget is that they won their 3 Super Bowls off the play of their outstanding Defense. This year’s D might be the closest that New England has come to recapturing their play from the early 2000s.

When Defensive Captain Jerod Mayo was lost for the season, the Patriots Defense looked like it might be in trouble, but the play from Linebackers Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower has been absolutely phenomenal. They’ve been two of the better linebackers in the league this season, no one’s talking about it, but these guys have been tackling everything in sight. Collins had 116 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions, while Hightower had 89 tackles and 6 sacks with a forced fumble.

The secondary has also been huge for New England, specifically Darrelle Revis, their big off-season acquisition. Revis was able to re-capture the form he had with the New York Jets that made him one of the best defensive players in the game. Besides “Revis Island”, New England got another exceptional year from former pro-bowl Safety Devin McCourty and DBs Kyle Arrington and Pat Chung came through when the team needed them the most.

New England’s Defensive Line hasn’t played spectacularly well this year, but have done enough to get by. Chandler Jones missing a majority of the season with a hip injury definitely made an impact on the group’s performance but he’s ready to go for this Sunday. Nose Tackle, and all-around amazing human being, Vince Wilfork, is getting up in age, but is still able to draw two defenders on him each play. Rob Ninkovich plays more snaps than almost defensive player in the league and had a solid season with 8 sacks, and Akeem Ayers has been big for the Patriots after being picked up from the Titans mid-season.

New England’s D did shut down the #1 ranked passing offence in the NFL 2 weeks ago, so if they can stop the #1 rushing attack, they are most definitely, a Super Bowl worthy team.

Seattle Seahawks

People hate the Seahawks for their loud mouthed players (other than Marshawn Lynch). I don’t. They have every right to talk all they want, they’re the best. You want to shut them up? Beat them. No one’s been able to do that, and the Seahawks are looking to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Funny enough, they could become the first team to repeat as champs since guess who? The New England Patriots.

The Seahawks didn’t get off to a fantastic start either. Seattle had consecutive losses to the Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Rams early in the season, and all of a sudden, the defending champions are 3-3. People began to believe that the ‘Legion of Boom’ Secondary was supposedly gone and with a tough schedule coming up, the Seahawks may miss the Playoffs! Instead, Seattle claimed the #1 seed in the NFC, winning 9 of their final 10 and finishing the season with the #1 ranked Defense in the NFL once again. Oh, you writers and your silly narratives.

The Seahawks then disposed of the Carolina Panthers in the Divisional round somewhat easily. The NFC Championship was another story. QB Russell Wilson had the worst performance of his career by throwing not one, not two, not three, but FOUR INTERCEPTIONS and Seattle was down 16-0 at halftime. But thanks to a number of things, which includes Morgan Burnett sliding after an interception instead of going for a long return, the Green Bay Packers Defense forgetting how to football, the ugliest 2 point conversion in the history of the NFL, Brandon ‘Boom’ Bostick flubbing the onside kick and most importantly, Mike McCarthy’s lack of cojones; the Seahawks pulled off the improbable comeback and advanced to the Super Bowl.

Offense (1st Run, 27th Pass, 9th Total)

Smash-mouth football is back.

Seattle’s Offense was deadly this season due to their dual running threat. Marshawn Lynch tore it up once again this year by having the 4th most rushing yards of any back in the league (1,306), 4.7 yards a carry and 13 Touchdowns, which tied him for the league lead. The man they call “BeastMode” has the ability to change a game in one play, something very few people in the NFL can do. Plus, the guy is hilarious.

Russell Wilson wasn’t stellar in his last game but he’s been excellent all season long. Wilson, while throwing for over 3,475 yards and 20 Touchdowns, also ran for 849, more than any other QB in the NFL this season. Wilson can do it with his arm or his legs and can find ways to turn nothing into something. Wilson’s only been in the league a few years, but he’s already established himself as a winner, and has even started getting comparisons to a Hall of Fame Quarterback, his counterpart, Tom Brady.

Of course that great ground game wouldn’t be what it is without the Seahawks Offensive Line. J. R. Sweezy and James Carpenter are serviceable as Guards, there aren’t many Centers I would take over Max Unger, and Russell Okung and Justin Britt are two of the better Tackles in the league. This group could open up the edge for Lynch to get to the second level and run rampant.

A lot of people have referred to Seattle’s receivers as ‘pedestrian’. Though they’re probably the weakest part of the Seahawks’ Offense, they’re not to be taken lightly. Doug “Nobody believes in us” Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse can come up with a big play at any time, even if they’ve been playing terrible all game. People do actually believe in you Doug, you’re the defending champs, so relax a little bit. The big surprise for the Seahawks this year has been Tight End, and CANADIAN, Luke Willson coming in to relieve Zach Miller. Willson adds another element to the already dangerous Seahawks Offense and he could have a huge impact in the game on Sunday.

Seattle pounds the ball down your throat with a healthy dose of Lynch and Wilson and once you’re tired, they can burn you deep. The Seahawks D may take all the headlines but the Offense isn’t too bad either.

Defense (3rd Run, 1st Pass, 1st Total)

This Seahawks Defense is probably the best Defense the National Football League has seen since the 2000 Baltimore Ravens.

The Defensive Line for the Seahawks has some great pass rushers. Michael Bennett is the probably the most well-known of this group, his versatility to play as an end or tackle is something teams have to worry about and I’ll get to him in just a bit. Seattle also has Cliff Avril and Bruce Irvin, a LB who is predominantly used as a pass rusher, coming off the edge. The trio itself has 18.5 sacks on the season, and the battle between them and New England’s Offensive Line will be one of the key match ups to watch.

Seattle may have the next great linebacker in the game with Bobby Wagner. Wagner only started 11 games this year but he was still able to make 104 tackles and 2 sacks. The Seahawks struggled early on, but since Wagner came back in week 12, Seattle hasn’t lost a game, earning him an MVP vote for this season. K. J. Wright also had a solid season for the Seahawks with 107 tackles and 3 forced fumbles. Wagner and Wright form a tag-team duo that can be a nightmare for running backs.

Then of course, there’s that #1 Pass Defense, the best secondary in the league, the Legion of Boom. Pick your poison. On one side of the field, you’ve got Richard Sherman, who many would argue is the best Cornerback in the game today. While he didn’t have an incredible statistical season like he’s had in the past, that can mostly be accredited to the fact that Quarterbacks today are absolutely terrified of Sherman. You want to go to the other side of the field, you’ll find that Byron Maxwell is no slouch either, and he’s proven that to the rest of the league this season. Then up top you’ve got safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, who are both incredibly talented and freaks of nature. The Seattle Seahawks Defense. They’re better than you, and they know it!

You can talk about match-ups all you want but no Offense is going to have an easy time against the Seahawks Defense. Right Peyton?

X-Factors

Patriots – Jamie Collins

Collins is one of the most under-rated players in the NFL right now, and he has filled in admirably for Jerod Mayo, the Patriots Defensive Captain who went down with a torn ACL earlier this year. The Pats secondary should be able to handle Baldwin and Kearse easily, the way Seattle beats NE is through Marshawn Lynch, Russell Wilson and the ground game. People forget the great year that both Collins and fellow linebacker Dont’a Hightower have had for New England, they’ve shut down some good backs, though Lynch will be the best they’ve faced. If Collins contains Lynch, it’s very likely New England leaves Arizona with a victory

Seahawks – Michael Bennett

Bennett might be the Seahawks best pass rusher and it has long been known that the key to beating the Patriots is to get the pressure on Brady as seen through the Giants two previous Super Bowl victories. Bennett’s got 7 sacks on the year and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get another on Sunday. If the Seahawks are able to disrupt Brady in the pocket and force him into making bad throws, the Legion of Boom secondary will eat the Hall of Fame Patriots QB alive. New England’s Offensive Line has been it’s biggest issue all season long and has struggled against teams with strong defensive fronts like Miami, Kansas City and Baltimore. If Seattle can throw Brady off his game, there is no way they don’t win the game.

Prediction

At the beginning of this year, whether you believe me or not, I predicted that the New England Patriots would go 12-4, claim the #1 seed in the AFC and win the Super Bowl. “Well, Nolan, you’re just a stupid Pats homer, so of course you’d do that, you probably pick them to win every year”. Not true, I expected them to lose in the AFC Championship the past 2 years. And they did.

This game is going to be a low-scoring game, similar to the past two Super Bowls which New England has played in.

Seattle’s Defense is going to show up, as they always do. LeGarrette Blount will not have the game he had against the Indianapolis Colts. Expect him to get the ball in lots of short-yardage situations where they need a power back to move the chains but not more than that, the Seattle D will stop the interior rush.

The biggest matchup of this game is between the two Monsters that are TE Rob Gronkowski and SS Kam Chancellor. When these two collide on Sunday, the impact may create a second coming of the ‘Big Bang’. I give Gronkowski the slight edge in this matchup, Seattle’s performance against Tight Ends this year hasn’t been stellar, and Gronkowski is the best of the best. Gronk doesn’t go over 100 yards, but he scores a TD. If he does happen to make a few big plays early on, and I think he will, expect a LB like Bobby Wagner or K. J. Wright to help neutralize him. I’m sure the Seahawks will be all over the Seam pass to Gronk that Brady has thrown interceptions on in back-to-back games.

If Seattle wants to win, Marshawn has to get the ball A TON on sunday, I’m talking 20+ carries. To me, the Seattle rushing attack is obviously the key to them winning this game and he’s going to need at least 100 yards rushing if he wants to get them the victory. The Patriots will counter this by bringing a safety down and putting 8 guys in the box, forcing Seattle to try to beat them without BeastMode. Lynch is one of the best backs in the league, but I don’t see him having consistent success against 8 defenders and Collins and Hightower can get to the edge fast enough to prevent him from having a signature BeastMode run. Expect Russell Wilson to take some keepers as well, he should have time in the pocket to pass and will try to create something out of nothing a few times in the game.

To me, the biggest mismatch is the New England Secondary versus the Seattle receivers. Revis, Brandon Browner, McCourty, Chung and whoever else comes in whether it be Kyle Arrington, Logan Ryan, Duron Harmon are superior to the Seattle Receiving corps; they can afford to go into man-to-man the whole game. Revis is going to be all over Doug Baldwin, everyone expects Browner to cover Jermaine Kearse, and don’t be surprised if McCourty helps out up top in case Kearse is able beat Browner with his speed. I just can’t see Seattle’s receivers winning their matchup at all, especially not after the way they played against Green Bay, specifically Kearse, who was targeted six times, but only caught one deep pass and was partially to blame for Wilson’s four picks. Those deep passes late aren’t gonna work this time with better DBs in coverage.

New England’s got more talent on the offensive side of the ball, and the Legion of Boom isn’t at it’s healthiest right now. Sherman, Thomas, and Chancellor are all battling injuries and I don’t think they’re going to be 100% on Sunday. The Patriots will use their patented “death by a thousand paper cuts” attack, quick and short passes which the Seattle Secondary, ultimately, won’t be able to stop. We saw this strategy earlier in the season when the San Diego Chargers defeated Seattle, and QB Philip Rivers threw for almost 300 yards and 3 scores, yet his longest throw of the game was for only 21.

Everyone keeps bringing up DeflateGate and how all the controversy surrounding New England is going to throw them off their game going into Sunday. Are you kidding me? How pissed off do you think the New England Patriots are right now? And remember Spygate? The scandal appeared after the first game of the 2007 season. What did the Patriots do? Oh I don’t know, just absolutely obliterated every team in their path. They have the “us against the world” mentality and they want this way more than Seattle. They lost their last two trips to the big game and I’m sure they’re still thinking about how 19-0 got away from them. Tommy and Bill want one more to silence the haters.

This has surely been the darkest NFL season in my lifetime; a year whereas soon as one scandal finished, another one began. A season which has been marred by controversies ranging from domestic violence, to racially offensive team names, to poor officiating decisions, to deflated balls, it should only be fitting that the New England Patriots, the organization which has had its competitive integrity questioned since 2007, and is currently the most despised franchise in the National Football League, finish as the Super Bowl Champions.

nolancattell

Jamie Collins

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