As we all know, Super Bowl XLIX is this Sunday. The New England Patriots will take on the Seattle Seahawks. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Here are the keys for both teams to win the Super Bowl.
The New England Patriots have reached the Super Bowl with two different game plans. In the Divisional Round vs. the Ravens they threw the ball 51 times for
408 yards. The running game was nonexistent with 13 rushing plays. The Patriots were down 14 points twice in this game, so they had to throw the ball. They won that game 35-31. The AFC Championship Game was a much different game. They drummed the Colts 45-7. Tom Brady only threw the ball 35 times and completed 23 passes for 220 yards. The Patriots ran the ball 40 times for 177 yards. The difference was they were ahead. You never know what kind of game plan New England will use. They will try to utilize the running game. The run game will open up the pass for Tom Brady. Brady really excels at finding his running backs out in the open field.
The one player Brady loves to look for is tight end Rob Gronkowski. Gronkowski will present match-up problems for the Seattle Seahawks. He is too fast to put a linebacker on. He is too tall for a cornerback to cover. The best way to cover him is to have double coverage with safety help. The other receivers who Seattle needs to worry about are Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell. Seattle has to cover these receivers in order to prevent the big passing plays.
The Patriots defense must stop the running game of Marshawn Lynch. That starts up front with Vince Wilfork and Rob Ninkovich. It is essential that the defensive line push back Seattle’s offensive line to make it easier to tackle Lynch and not allow him to have a running lane. When the Seahawks throw the ball, the Patriots can’t have Russell Wilson beat them with his legs. If he has too much time, he will either run for a lot of yards or he finds an open receiver. He keeps plays alive. The Patriots must wrap up and tackle Wilson.
When Seattle is on offense, they will want to get Lynch going. It will be very important for the offensive line to create big holes for Lynch. They can’t let the Patriots defensive line win the line of scrimmage. This would be a mistake, forcing the Seahawks to throw.
Russell Wilson can’t throw interceptions. He threw 4 in the NFC Championship Game and Seattle survived in overtime 28-22 to Green Bay. He has to be careful with the ball. Turning the ball over gives the ball back to Tom Brady, which could lead to more points on the scoreboard.
Seattle’s defense has to create pressure on Tom Brady. Brady throws the ball quickly. Seattle must make Tom Brady uncomfortable in the pocket. If Brady has time he will find an open receiver. If the defense creates pressure, that will force Brady to throw the ball quicker than he wants to. Releasing the ball quicker could create turnovers. Turnovers equal more possessions for Seattle’s offense.
This will be a tight game throughout. The score for Super Bowl XLIX, Seattle 27 New England 24.
What is your prediction for Super Bowl XLIX?
I hope you are right but I am afraid the Patriots will pull it out again. Darn