Super Bowl XLIX – Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots

Super Bowl XLIX will be between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, after their wins in the conference championship games. The Seahawks needed a miracle, and got a few of them, to beat the Green Bay Packers 28-22 in overtime, while the Patriots crushed the Indianapolis Colts 45-7.

The Packers blew a 19-7 lead with 3 minutes remaining in regulation time. Seattle score a touchdown on a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Russell Wilson, to make the score 19-14. On the ensuing onside kick, which works about 20 percent of the time, Green Bay backup tight end Brandon Bostick jumped up to catch the ball, and it went right through his hands and was recovered by the Seahawks.

Seattle then drove 50 yards in 4 plays, scoring on a 24-yard run by Marshawn Lynch, to take a 1-point lead, with 1:25 left. They chose to go for 2 points, so a field goal by Green Bay would only tie the game. Wilson was in immediate danger of getting sacked on the conversion attempt, so he tossed a up a prayer from the 18-yard line, which fell into the hands of tight end Luke Wilsson, to make the score 22-19 Seattle.

Green Bay tied the score on a 5th field goal by Mason Crosby, after going 48 yards in 7 plays, thus forcing overtime in the NFC Championship Game. The Seahawks’ lucky streak continured, as they won the all important coin toss, to determine who gets the ball first in overtime.

Seattle took the overtime kickoff and went 87 yards in 6 plays, capped by a beautiful 35-yard Wilson pass to Jermaine Kearse to end the game 3:19 into overtime. Wilson was having a terrible game up until the last few minutes of regulation and into overtime. He had 4 interceptions, plus the Seahawks also had a fumble in the first half.

While the Packers defense faltered at the end of the game, they were great for about 57 minutes. Their offense, on the other hand, turned 5 turnovers into only 6 points, yes, only 2 field goals. Green Bay’s first 2 field goals of the game were kicked from the 1 and 2-yard lines respectively. The inability of the offense to score touchdowns in the red zone would loom large in the end.

By the way, the only Seattle points scored until the last few minutes of regulation, was on a fake field goal, 19-yard pass from punter John Ryan to offensive tackle Garry Gilliam. Special teams cost the Packers dearly in this game. However, possible NFL MVP, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers was only better than Wilson, in that he threw 2 interceptions rather than 4, but Wilson’s only touchdown pass was the game winner.

In the AFC Championship Game, the Patriots beatdown the Colts…again. The last 3 meetings they have won by more than 20 points, this time it was 38. New England nearly doubled Indianapolis in total yards (397-209), and had only 1 turnover to 3 for the Colts. Patriot Head Coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady are now headed to their 6th Super Bowl together, seeking their 4th win.

Super Bowl XLIX features the top seed in each conference, and the Seahawks are striving to be the first team to repeat as champions since the Patriots did it 10 years ago. The point spread opened with Seattle as a 2 1/2-point favorite, but that has since dwindled to just about even. The Seahawks did not get through their game unscathed, especially in their secondary.

Cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas both sustained injuries, but remained in the game. Sherman has a sprained elbow, and Thomas has a dislocated shoulder. They are both expected to play in the Super Bowl.

This should be a great game on February 1st in Glendale, Arizona. Don’t expect the Seahawks to shut down the Patriots the way they did the Broncos last year. While I think New England will win in a close game, it’s difficult to choose against the Seattle defense, especially when they can pull out a nearly hopeless game, like they did on Sunday.

I’m still going with the Patriots, because I think they can run the ball as well as throw some on the Seahawks. I don’t think Seattle will have much success throwing the ball, but they should be able to run it. Look for New England to win 27-24 in Super Bowl XLIX.

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