As potential pairings for Super Bowl XLVIV go, one could do a lot worse. Though some officiating debacles and player performance meltdowns led us here, the Seattle Seahawks made it as the NFC representatives just as I predicted back on September 1st, 2014. A gritty team that bashes you senseless with a complete defense that’s allowed the fewest points per game this season. All the while, using the running game to control the tempo via Marshawn Lynch going into Beast Mode. If they get uncorked early like they did in Super Bowl XLVIII, it could be a beat down quickly.
That being said, the New England Patriots representing the AFC was a team I said would get to the Conference Championship during those very same September 1st predictions based on their quarterback, Tom Brady, and the offense alone. Little did I know that newly acquired corners, Brandon Browner and Darrelle Revis, would play better in real life than was implied on paper. With Vince Wilfork, the world’s fastest immovable object, anchoring their defensive front, there’s talent to not only contain top level receiving options, but to bottle up the most aggressive of ground games.
With both teams having gone from slow starters to Super Bowl subjects, there’s not anything at this point that can be seen as a total psychological advantage. The Pats will claim to be disrespected because of all the “deflate gate” hate to circulate about the media while the Seahawks had plenty of doubt cast on them as a team throughout the season. This means that battles between players on the field will be more essential than normal in the game that’s for all the glory. Here’s the Super Bowl’s central skirmishes as can only be brought to you by the Student of the Game’s Match-Up Mania.
The Seattle Front Seven vs The Patriots’ Protection
What was the fuse that blew the game wide open 7 seconds into Super Bowl XLVIII? The Seattle defensive front imposing their will upon what was across from them. While they aren’t exactly the same squad, they still have Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett, Bobby Wagner and last year’s Super Bowl MVP Malcom Smith. So much thunder was brought to the backfield that Peyton Manning (or any NFL quarterback placed in that situation) was praying to walk out in one piece, let alone rally an offense. Moreover, while the Pats have figured out life on the O-Line after shipping out Logan Mankins to Tampa early in the season, starting Bryan Stork, a rookie center who is recovering from a knee injury isn’t an ideal scenario. Compounding these points are the protection failures in New England’s past 2 Super Bowl showings. It’s not necessarily that both of them were losses to the Giants, but losses to aggressive defensive fronts.
However, if the Patriots’ O-Line can slow the Seahawks strikes and running back LaGarrette Blount can pick up blitzes, the first major hurtle to production is cleared. One advantage that Foxboro’s finest can claim is the best check down option in football, tight end Rob Gronkowski. If Brady and Gronk manage to make Seattle pay for aggression up front, the easier that life will be for the quarterback playing for his 3rd title.
Seattle’s Secondary (The Legion of Boom aka The L.O.B.) vs. Tom Brady
History. . . Nothing builds a rivalry like history. Granted, these two teams don’t have much with each other. Seattle Head Coach (and former Patriot Head Coach) Pete Carroll only arrived in 2010 and many of their cornerstone players are so young that the only other time that New England was on a schedule against them was back in 2012. Seemingly insignificant on the surface, this is better known in media as the “You Mad, Bro?!” game.
The short version: Seattle is up in a close game at half. Tom Brady (allegedly) tells Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman to come back and see him after the Pats win. The Pats didn’t win. None the less, Sherman comes back and sees Brady as requested and asks him the infamous question that is now the title of this game in recent football social media lore. So while there isn’t much history written, there are certainly enough memories of this previous game on both sides for bitterness to flow. Sherman and the L.O.B. remember how the legendary Patriot quarterback wrote them off as “nobodys”. Should Brady make a mistake, show any sort of weakness, or even so much as sneeze while under center early in the game, flood gates of fury will open where the L.O.B. will exude a confidence that will bring an early momentum to their club. Likewise, should the Seahawks defense struggle and Brady shine in future Hall of Fame fashion to open the game, he will prove that the last thing any defense could want is Tom Brady in the zone.
Marshawn Lynch vs Vince Wilfork
I am amped to see what happens here. Certainly, on the strength of the fact that these guys are elites among their respective running back and defensive tackle positions, this face off is worthy of the MuM. Obviously, the prospect of the Seattle ground game trying gobble up yards makes this much more elaborate than a one-on-one situation, but as the focal point of both squads, Beast Mode and the World’s Fastest Immovable Object is set to be pure awesome. (Heck, if someone wants to make a movie poster for that, it’d be better than that Godzilla remake).
However, considering the Seahawks’ success on offense starts with their ability to run with Lynch, the outcome of the game is tied to his performance vs. Wilfork and company. Also, with New England having one of their best defenses in recent memory, a balance to Seattle’s attack will be essential to get points on the board and to keep Brady and friends off the field and prevent a blowout ‘Hawk loss. If Marshawn Lynch manages a 100 yard stat line, chances are he wins the game for his team.
Seattle’s Coverage vs Gronk
As Lynch is central to the Seahawk offense, Gronk is the point through which the Patriots offense lives or dies. Yes, more so than even Brady. As cited earlier, if Gronk can save Brady from blitzes in the checkdown, that’s step one. If Gronk blocks on the outside to open up the running lanes, he creates a balanced attack for his offense. If he draws coverage from safeties Earl Thomas and Cam Chancellor, the more opportunities for single coverage for wide receivers Julian Edelman and Bradon LaFell as well as tight end Tim Wright. If Gronk is silenced, Brady’s night will lean closer to a third championship loss instead of a third ring, no matter what his Head Coach, Bill Belichick, draws up.
This game is going to be close. I see a 24-20 result. In light of the fact that the game won’t be decided by 3 points, it should be already be obvious that I’m sticking with my September 1st prediction of a repeat by the Seattle Seahawks as Marshawn Lynch proves to all that he is indeed, “all about that action”. Don’t be surprised if he hoists the Super Bowl MVP trophy above his head. That, and the lifetime supply of Skittles from his signal caller, Russell Wilson, in appreciation for carrying him to another World Championship.
