Why the Patriots Will Win Superbowl XLIX
Most years, when Super Bowl Sunday rolls around, there is a definitive favorite—football tends to have more parity than any other major sport. Due to injuries, bad calls or the NFL’s one game, win-or-go-home policy, at least one of the teams that makes it to the big game does not deserve to be there. That is not the case this year. The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks are undoubtedly the two best teams in the world right now as evidenced by the Colts dismantling of the Broncos followed by the Patriots embarrassment of the Colts. Here is a space for those that think that deflated footballs actually played a factor in that game… The Packers’ collapse also showed why the Seahawks own the NFC; neither the ’hawks nor the Patriots would blow so many opportunities to close out a game. Heading in, it’s hard to argue who is the “favorite.” Vegas agrees, as the line for this game has flopped back and forth 437 times.
It’s close, but here are the reasons the Patriots will win the game:
First, we have the advantage in many of the most important positions on the field. Russell Wilson is a good/great young quarterback who does as much damage with his legs as with his arm, but the advantage goes to Tom Brady. You cannot go against one of the best ever. Additionally, the Patriots have the advantage at cornerback. I will get plenty of backlash for saying that Darelle Revis is better than Richard Sherman, especially as Revis was somewhat exposed against the Ravens and Sherman has been brilliant this postseason, but both bring different qualities to the table. Sherman is great at reading and playing the ball in the air, while Revis gets right in receivers’ air space and hardly lets them get open. Additionally, Brandon Browner has the slight advantage over Byron Maxwell.
While the Patriots’ offensive line has been patchwork this season, they have really come together well in the second half of the season. Defenses are getting to Brady less and less. The last 12 games of the regular season, defenses are pressuring Brady a mere 26 percent of dropbacks versus 35 percent of the time during their first four. They have their work cut out for them against the Seahawks D-line, but they will hold their own.
New England’s offense blows Seattle’s out of the water. Period. Minus Marshawn Lynch and the occasional Russell Wilson miracle first-down scramble, the Seahawks have no playmakers, while the Patriots have playmakers at every position. Not much needs to be said for Rob Gronkowski other than that when he’s not reading erotica about himself to the media, he rivals Marshawn Lynch for the NFL’s “hardest to tackle” award. Julian Edelman in the slot and Brandon LaFell wide are two of the most reliable route-runners and pass-catchers in the game. LeGarette Blount looked like Marshawn Lynch in the AFC Championship, and Shane Vereen and Jonas Gray are both serious threats.
Outside of the talent distribution on the field, there is a stark difference in coaching and play styles between these two teams. If any Patriots players acted the way Richard Sherman or Marshawn Lynch do, Belichick would put them on waivers faster than Matthew Slater gets to kick returners.
The Patriots focus on getting the job done while the Seahawks rely on their energy. As the game is not at CenturyLink and the Seahawks will actually be 1100 miles away from their beloved “12th Man,” the advantage once again goes to the Patriots.
Simply having Belichick calling the shots makes things unfair. Defenses cannot keep up with the Patriots’ schemes on offense. The concept of mixing up eligible and ineligible receivers has thrown defenses completely for a loop. And always look out for Julian Edelman catching a deep bomb.
The Patriots will undoubtedly win this game, though it will be close. The only thing better than seeing a dejected Richard Sherman walking off the field after the loss might be Gronkowski dropping it low in the locker room afterward.