Super Bowl 49 Preview

While the rest of the world is going wild about air pressure in footballs, some of us have moved on to the actual game on Sunday night. That game would be the AFC champion New England Patriots against the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks. I genuinely don’t think that I have seen this little hype for such a big game. Aside from Super Bowl XLII (Pats going for the perfect season against the New York Football Giants), Sunday night’s game has the potential to be the best Super Bowl in the last 10 years. Each matchup is as intriguing as the next, so lets get to the good stuff.

Quarterback: Tom Brady vs. Russell Wilson: Brady will be starting in his 6^th Super Bowl, which is a record for quarterbacks. A future first ballot hall of famer with no signs of slowing down at 37, Brady should be a major concern for the Seattle defense. Wilson, on the other hand, is looking at his 2^nd Super Bowl title in just his 3^rd season in the NFL. One advantage Wilson has over Brady is his ability to scramble and use his feet. He poses a threat to the Pats D both in the air and on the ground. If the Pats are smart, and nobody is smarter than Bill, they will spy Wilson using Jamie Collins or Dont’a Hightower. When it comes down to it, the edge has to go to Brady. His presence in the pocket outweighs Wilson’s ability on the run. Although Wilson is on the rise, he still has to bow down to the King. Advantage: Tom Terrific 

RUNNING BACK: This matchup is all about two horses. LeGarrette Blount runs as hard and as tough as any back in the game. He is very difficult to take down. In the power run game, he would top the list in most cases. This isn’t one of those times. Marshawn Lynch is one bad dude when he carries the football. He was in the top 5 this season in rushing, and even though he is the most frustrating interviewee in the league, the guy is an old school hard-nosed running back. Advantage: Marshawn Lynch. While I like the Patriots group of running backs better (Vereen, Gray, Bolden, Develin), this one has Lynch written all over it.

Wide Receivers: This is probably the weakest group on both teams, but they will also have a huge impact on the outcome of this game. On the Patriots you have the jack of all trades Julian Edelman, Brandon “Jojo” Lafell, and my sleeper MVP Danny Amendola. With Richard Sherman patrolling the Edelman and Lafell area, look for Danny Amendola to be open more often than not. I will also add that Shane Vereen can add some very valuable yards catching out of the backfield. On the other side, the Seahawks have a mediocre at best receiving corps. Revis and Browner should have minimal trouble with Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin, so that leaves Ricardo Lockette (an astonishing 2 touchdowns this year) and rookie Kevin Norwood to beat the Pats through the air. Not going to happen. Advantage: Edelman, Lafell and Amendola. The Pats trio isn't exactly Randy Moss, Cris Carter and Jake Reed (’98 Vikings), but they are more dynamic than Seattle's bunch.

Tight Ends: Rob Gronkowski vs. Luke Willson:  

 Luke Wilson from Old School isn't Luke Willson of the Seahawks? This guy is a 5th rounder out of Rice? Advantage Gronk in every way, shape and form. Hey Goon, fire up the Sinners Bus!!!! 

Offensive Line: While everyone will talk about the more glamorous positions, there isn't a more important battle than the line of scrimmage. The Patriots will roll out (from Left Tackle): Nate Solder, Dan Connolly, Bryan Stork, Ryan Wendell, and Sebastian Vollmer. When this group has played together during the season, the Pats have been very successful. I have been a long time critic of Nate Solder, and he will have his hands full in this game. Hey Nate, bring the hard hat for one game and maybe we can be friends. Seattle's group of Russell Okung, James Carpenter, Max Unger, J.R. Sweezy, and Justin Britt are among the best the NFL has to offer, but a healthy Bryan Stork gives the good guys the edge here. Advantage: Slightly Patriots

Defensive Line: Ninkovich, Wilfork, Siliga and Chandler Jones definitely aren't slouches, but you would be a fool to say that they are better than the likes of Michael Bennett, Tony McDaniel, Kevin Williams and Cliff Avril. These guys are monsters and they will give the Pats front 5 all they can handle and more. If they can get to Brady, they can take over this game. Advantage: Seahawks

Linebackers: Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner, KJ Wright against Jamie Collins, Dont'a Hightower, and Akeem Ayers. I would argue that this is the most talented group playing on Sunday. Star power left, right, up and down. Flip a coin for this one. I am very biased so both sides of the coin has the Patriot logo. Advantage: Pats (but realistically its a dead tie). 

Defensive Backs: Sherman, Maxwell, Thomas and Chancellor, or the self proclaimed "Legion of Boom"vs. Revis, Browner, Chung and McCourty. Easily the most intimidating part of the Seattle Seahawks football team. Not only do they talk smack but they back it up on the field. These guys can bring it in all facets of the game. Coverage, tackling, blitzing, everything. There aren't any weaknesses in this secondary. While I can give the Pats secondary just as much praise, they still have Patrick Chung back there. Although he has played better this season than in the past, he still is a huge liability and the Seahawks should exploit him on the big stage. Advantage: Sadly the Legion of Boom, because at the end of the day Pat Chung is Pat Chung.

Special Teams: Kicker edge to the Patriots, Punting game is a push, but Julian Edelman adds an element in the return game that Seattle can't match. Advantage Patriots.

Coaching: Kiss the Rings Pete! Kiss Em!!!!

Final Prediction: Patriots 38, Seahawks 17. Patriots heat up in the second half and run away with it. Still trying to wrap my brain around how the Seahawks will score on offense.