Native New-Englander but long time Seattle resident makes this fan hard to decide whom to root for. Pats, Hawks.... guess I can't lose. Either way, I'm expecting a great game if both teams are on.
I have no skin in this game, so tell me why I should root for a team to win its 4th title instead of one gunning for its 2nd?
3
Talk about a coast-to-coast, reverse mirror image battle for the ages. The Pats have a much improved defense, but even still, the Seahawks are designed to upend the Pat's offensive weaknesses.
I just hope the hoopla lets the players focus on what they need to do on the field. The SB isn't an ordinary game: it's a Roman spectacle writ large, broadcast all over the world. I even get a call every year just at game start from a friend in Italy, who willingly stays up till dawn there to watch the drama.
Both teams have their supporters, detractors, and share of controversy. Frankly, I'm just itching, in a nervous way, to see how things unfold on the field.
How will luck, skill, and happenstance affect player performance for 60 minutes on the world stage?
I just hope the hoopla lets the players focus on what they need to do on the field. The SB isn't an ordinary game: it's a Roman spectacle writ large, broadcast all over the world. I even get a call every year just at game start from a friend in Italy, who willingly stays up till dawn there to watch the drama.
Both teams have their supporters, detractors, and share of controversy. Frankly, I'm just itching, in a nervous way, to see how things unfold on the field.
How will luck, skill, and happenstance affect player performance for 60 minutes on the world stage?
1
Only Stat GB won was they had the ball 70 secs longer than Seattle.
http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=20150118026
Seattle 'spotted' Green Bay 16 points in the 1st half.
Sherman & Thomas both played the final 5 minutes injured. Sherman a sprained/hyper extended elbow and Thomas with a dislocated shoulder and all Green Bay could score was 6 points to 22 for Seattle.
Basically Green Bay couldn't score against a crippled defense that stopped them twice on the 1 yard line in the 1st half and out of the end zone for the entire 2nd half..
Go Hawks !!
http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=20150118026
Seattle 'spotted' Green Bay 16 points in the 1st half.
Sherman & Thomas both played the final 5 minutes injured. Sherman a sprained/hyper extended elbow and Thomas with a dislocated shoulder and all Green Bay could score was 6 points to 22 for Seattle.
Basically Green Bay couldn't score against a crippled defense that stopped them twice on the 1 yard line in the 1st half and out of the end zone for the entire 2nd half..
Go Hawks !!
3
I'd say Pats by double digits, although when Vegas and the ESPN poll diverge as they do now, Vegas usually knows best.
1
As long as we are finding connections between the two coaches, both Carroll and Belichick have coached the Jets. Carroll for one disastrous year as head coach, and Belichick as defense coordinator for a few years, and head coach for one day.
The bottom line is seattle had a lot of luck at the end of game for everything to go their way. Relying on recovering an onside kick is playing the lottery for sure and getting lucky. IMO seattle got outplayed 3/4 of the game and the better team for most of the game was greenbay so they really lost that more than seattle took it from them.
2
Yes, so lucky was Wilson to throw his fourth interception late in the game. But also so lucky was Wilson to engineer the go ahead and winning touchdown drives. That last 35 yard game winning touchdown pass that dropped so perfectly in Kearse's hands was super lucky both in its execution and in trusting a quartback like Wilson to make it.
1
Don't forget about the Giants' "luck" just to make it to the 2007 Super Bowl when the 49ers punt returner misplayed a punt and the Giants scored and the beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl, so you can throw that theory out the window.
"The Seahawks will want to win again not only to bring another Vince Lombardi Trophy to Seattle, but to erase any talk that last year’s title was a fluke."
What? When did a decisive 43-8 smackdown against the Broncos become a "fluke"?
The number one defense met the number one offense and routed them by five touchdowns!
And here come the Hawks again. Interestingly, the last team to get back to the Super Bowl after a win was the team they're facing in Glendale.
I love the Times, and Seattle may as well be the Moon for east coast sports media, but a little more respect is due -- the Hawks have earned it.
What? When did a decisive 43-8 smackdown against the Broncos become a "fluke"?
The number one defense met the number one offense and routed them by five touchdowns!
And here come the Hawks again. Interestingly, the last team to get back to the Super Bowl after a win was the team they're facing in Glendale.
I love the Times, and Seattle may as well be the Moon for east coast sports media, but a little more respect is due -- the Hawks have earned it.
20
Totally agree. Great team. Fantastic defense, especially the secondary.
And Russell Wilson? I don't care how tall he is. I have rarely seen a QB have such a high degree of athleticism, brains and heart. Off the charts.
We're talking man crush.
And Russell Wilson? I don't care how tall he is. I have rarely seen a QB have such a high degree of athleticism, brains and heart. Off the charts.
We're talking man crush.
4
I have one thing to say about so 'called deflated balls', the colts lost theirs!
Go Pats and Brady for number 4.
Go Pats and Brady for number 4.
6
I predict minimal interest in this superbowl. America is tired of these two teams.
1
Tired of Seattle? Does most of America even get Seattle's games aired in their area?
Oh that Seattle team and hogging the national spotlight for so many years. The nerve!
Oh that Seattle team and hogging the national spotlight for so many years. The nerve!
17
Mike, u mad bro' ?
The Fact that this game is viewed by the general public as Pick-Em (even) shows how people, despite the dominant performance of Seattle in last years Super Bowl, still don't respect the Seahawks.
5
Had the Green Bay coaches shown any gumption and tried to score once more (and had the DB tried to gain some yardage on the last interception) with 4+ minutes left, Seattle would be watching a New England vs. Green Bay final. As far as I'm concerned, the Packers, as a group, got the result that comes from coaches taking the game away from the players.
7
I don't think so. The 4th quarter is Seattle's strong quarter and has been every game for 2 seasons. They do amazing things late in every game. Seattle's defense kept Green Bay from doing what you assume they would have done with different play calling.
4
Were you watching the same game? A large number of Seattle fans had already left when it was 16 -0 for the Packers and five minutes left. The Packers coaches and one of their players, Bostich, with their errors gave the game to the Seahawks. Good on the Seahawks for capitalizing on Packer mistakes, but with out those mistakes he Seahawks would be sitting out the Super Bowl.
Bill Russell and Red Auerbach were far superior to Brady and Belichik.
Not even close!
Not even close!
1
um, not in football. lombardi and starr with their 5 championships
would be a more apt comparison.
would be a more apt comparison.
In the age of NFL "parity" what the patriots have accomplished the last 13 seasons will never be repeated, in any sport. Be grateful you got to witness it.
7
A lot of talk about the horrible play of GB in those last five minutes, a lot of talk about quarterback performance, and the Hawks awful offensive performance for three quarters, a lot of talk about "bounce of the ball" luck, but not much about the Hawk defense that limited the score and kept the Hawks in winning range. That game was won by the Hawk defense, the best defense in the NFL. It'll be interesting to see what happens in the SB. The best offense against the best defense. Sounds like a repeat of last year.
18
greenbay threw the game away more than seattle won it because by all accounts greenbay outplayed them most of the game. Greenbay made huge critical mistakes when it mattered most like the onside kick.
3
Joe:
They also couldn't score a TD from inside the 5 on several series. Any one as a TD rather than a field goal and they would have won in regulation. They could not get one yard when they really needed it.
The muffed onside kick was just the dagger that finished them off. I am sure they will be having recurring nightmares until next season.
They also couldn't score a TD from inside the 5 on several series. Any one as a TD rather than a field goal and they would have won in regulation. They could not get one yard when they really needed it.
The muffed onside kick was just the dagger that finished them off. I am sure they will be having recurring nightmares until next season.
1
Even the Seahawks ownership outclasses the Patriot's ownership.
Robert Kraft is a pompous owner. He said on one of the pregame shows "I'll have to pick someone to replace Bellichick and Tom Brady, but I'm not going to worry about it until the time comes".
The Hawks owner, Paul Allen, would never say something so egotistical. We've got the Patriots outclassed in Ownership, Coaching, and personnel, to say nothing of the "can do", "never give up" creed.
Robert Kraft is a pompous owner. He said on one of the pregame shows "I'll have to pick someone to replace Bellichick and Tom Brady, but I'm not going to worry about it until the time comes".
The Hawks owner, Paul Allen, would never say something so egotistical. We've got the Patriots outclassed in Ownership, Coaching, and personnel, to say nothing of the "can do", "never give up" creed.
10
go palm springs seahawks! may pete carroll and russell wilson
lead your team for all eternity!
lead your team for all eternity!
1
Tom, have you been reading tea leaves again? WOW! Amazing that someone from Palm Springs, California appears to be an expert on New England information. Robert Kraft is a good guy, very generous and very open. Only a real New Englander would know the real truth. Put your tea leaves away Tom, they don't work anymore.
8
It's hard to say these are the two best teams. On Sunday Green Bay was obviously better than Seattle, even though they managed to give the game away in the last three minutes. That was a game Green Bay lost, not a game Seattle won.
4
And that's why they play the game. Green Bay didn't stop the fake FG, didn't stop Marshawn's TD, nor Willson's 2 point conversion, nor the onsides kick, nor the TD pass to Kearse in OT. They didn't put Seattle away, and that's why they are home eating cheese.
10
Better teams find a way to win. Green Bay wasn't the better team or they would have won. You don't win a game until the lack second ticks off the scoreboard.
1
Green Bay hasn't beaten the Seahawks under Wilson the three times they've tried.
4
"The 1985 Chicago Bears, for instance, the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the 2009 New Orleans Saints have all made a mark."
"HEY!" Wait a minute. What about the 1968 NY Jets? All they did in Super Bowl III is completely change the way the AFL (now the AFC) was regarded and bring parity to pro football. Thank you, Joe Namath.
"HEY!" Wait a minute. What about the 1968 NY Jets? All they did in Super Bowl III is completely change the way the AFL (now the AFC) was regarded and bring parity to pro football. Thank you, Joe Namath.
2
This is a good, old-fashioned Good (Seahawks) vs. Evil (Patriots). Once again there are allegations of unsportsmanlike by Belichick and his minions. They were previously caught illegally taping opponents workouts. Now it is deflating footballs. If they have done so then: Shame, Shame!
There is a breathe of fresh air about the Seahawks. They play hard, skillfully and with just a bit of luck. It will be nice to watch Good triumph over decrepit Evil on February 1!
There is a breathe of fresh air about the Seahawks. They play hard, skillfully and with just a bit of luck. It will be nice to watch Good triumph over decrepit Evil on February 1!
9
You really wanna try to forge the team that's filled known steroid abusers as the "Good" team?
Make no bones about this, this is a Super Bowl that will be about who is less despised for their cheating, not who cheated and who didn't.
Make no bones about this, this is a Super Bowl that will be about who is less despised for their cheating, not who cheated and who didn't.
That's a pretty big typo! Let me correct: Old fashioned Good (Patriots) vs. Evil (Seahawks). Just to remind anyone who is mistaking Carroll for St. Theresa, he left USC a shambles -- they still haven't recovered from the scandal that happened on his watch, and won't for 3 more years. And Brady and Belichick are the hardest working, most disciplined people in the NFL. Disciplined people aren't as much fun. But they make great coaches, leaders, and yes, role models.
10
if you watch professional football because you are expecting
it to be morally uplifting, then you probably eat pizza with
everything on it because it is a nutritional boon covering all
five food groups. deflated balls, videotapes. yeah, that's how
you win football games. that's how you win 3 super bowls and
get to six. oh--and a healthy dose of "trickery"! and of course
we all saw russell wilson after the game leading the team in
an inspiring round of tearful prayer. i guess seattle really does
have god on their side!
it to be morally uplifting, then you probably eat pizza with
everything on it because it is a nutritional boon covering all
five food groups. deflated balls, videotapes. yeah, that's how
you win football games. that's how you win 3 super bowls and
get to six. oh--and a healthy dose of "trickery"! and of course
we all saw russell wilson after the game leading the team in
an inspiring round of tearful prayer. i guess seattle really does
have god on their side!
2
Vegas odds are even but Seattle's defense too much for Boston's scandal-plagued Patriots. Brady throws two picks, Patriots deflate.
1
Providence's. But not Hartford's. And not Boston's.
2
We have seen what Pete Carrol can do. What we haven't seen him do is match the creative genius of Belichick. Talented players win games, both teams have those. Only one team has Bill Belichick. Game, set, match Patriots. Win one for Myra
4
Seattle has beaten New England in the last 2 years. Did you forget? The final score was 24-23.
1
Both teams have a combination of talent, experience, and intangibles that should make this an exciting game. After surviving a near-health crisis in the fourth quarter of the Hawks/Packer game, I feel ready for anything.
I'm predicting a Hawks win by 6 (24 - 18).
I'm predicting a Hawks win by 6 (24 - 18).
2
After the fact, analysts will tell you what it was about the winning team that made the difference. Their explanations may involve coaching strategy, a key injury, or the play of the defensive line. But sometimes, it's just the bounce of a ball -- out of the hands of a defender on an onside kickoff or off a helmet into the hands of a wide receiver. Not all football victories reflect some fundamental superiority of the winning team. Sometimes, victory is as simple as a lucky bounce. Come Super Bowl Sunday, I'll be watching for zone coverage or man coverage, the battle of the lines, the ability of Brady to tear apart the Haws defense and the ability of Wilson to confuse and confound the Pats defense while Lynch runs right through it. But I will also watch how loose balls bounce on a fumble -- that could be the real difference.
9
The Seahawks Packers game was strictly deterministic. 5 FGs and 1 TD does not seal the deal, the gap between the Seahawks D and Packers O was greater than that between the Seahawks O and Packers D. And the Seahawks had heads-up special teams which the Packers lacked..
I will give you that often luck plays a big role in the outcome of SOME football games. The onside kick blunder by the packers is a great example. I have to strongly disagree on comparing that to the kickoff off the helmet to that blunder. The Pats game against the colts wasn't even close. Luck only comes into play with close games. Skill accounts for the blowouts.
The gifted Duane Thomas put the Super Bowl (and its hype) in context "If it's the ultimate game, how come they're playing it again next year?"
8
As an aside, there was a very informative article about Tom Brady in Sports Illustrated a few weeks ago. In essence, at age 37, he has embraced a method of sports preparation that has basically encompassed each and every day for a three-year period, including off-seasons. Anyone who follows the Pats closely has noticed his increased agility and fluidity this season as opposed to the last couple of season. This is by design as he works with a whole team of experts that cover everything from agility/strength drills to his diet. The article is very revealing.
It was quite apparent in yesterday's game as he ran/scrambled for several yards to bring the Pats to a fourth and one which was then converted. He was unable to do that last season.
Brady and Belichick have an all-consuming desire to be the best, to win. Boston has seen this before in Russell/Auerbach. But the NBA back then consisted of just 8 teams, no free agency, and two rounds of playoffs. And just as they accused Red of all sorts of "shenanigans" to gain an advantage, the same accusations have been repeatedly hurled at Belichick.
Hopefully it will be a great game.
It was quite apparent in yesterday's game as he ran/scrambled for several yards to bring the Pats to a fourth and one which was then converted. He was unable to do that last season.
Brady and Belichick have an all-consuming desire to be the best, to win. Boston has seen this before in Russell/Auerbach. But the NBA back then consisted of just 8 teams, no free agency, and two rounds of playoffs. And just as they accused Red of all sorts of "shenanigans" to gain an advantage, the same accusations have been repeatedly hurled at Belichick.
Hopefully it will be a great game.
21
The better team will win.... by definition...
Go Pats !!
Go Pats !!
6
Unfortunately the better team doesn't always win. Mostly it comes down to luck.
A helmet catch here, a dropped Welker pass there. You understand...
A helmet catch here, a dropped Welker pass there. You understand...
1
The Pats will be CRUSHED in the Superbowl. The real Superbowl happened in both the 2014 and 2015 NFC Conference Championship games. 2014 San Francisco and 2015 Green Bay were many times better than the 2014 Broncos and 2015 Patriots, respectively. I predict another blowout similar to the 43-8 massacre last year, IF both Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas are able to play with minimal hindrance.
20
Congratulations, the Seahawks stomped an offensive line that was without 3 starters, and a defensive line without 2.
A healthy Patriots team is likely gonna wreck shop on a beat up Hawks team though.
A healthy Patriots team is likely gonna wreck shop on a beat up Hawks team though.
5
What you say about 2014 is certainly true. The Niners were on the verge of an amazing comeback when Richard Sherman made his iconic play in the end zone. We'll see if this pattern holds up in 2015.
The coaches are probably the best match-up. Neither is afraid to take risks, push the rules, motivate players and manage the game.
There will be trick plays a'plenty. Can't wait for this one.
Go Pats!
There will be trick plays a'plenty. Can't wait for this one.
Go Pats!
14
"Even teams that win just one Super Bowl are remembered fondly"...NY Jets in January 1969 in Super Bowl III... and I am a NY Giants fan...
This Super Bowl should be harder for Seattle to repeat; as last year's 43-8 win over Denver was dominant. The Patriots are not the Broncos...
This Super Bowl should be harder for Seattle to repeat; as last year's 43-8 win over Denver was dominant. The Patriots are not the Broncos...
5
Wilson has already beaten Brady. Different Patriots in that game?
"The Patriots are not the Broncos... "
Hopefully.
Hopefully.
To many Giant fans, Bill Belichick will always be one of us. He had almost as much to do with our first two SB wins as did Bill Parcells.
I normally root for our own NFC Conference---but not when Belichick is involved, and his team is not playing against the Giants. Go Pats!
I normally root for our own NFC Conference---but not when Belichick is involved, and his team is not playing against the Giants. Go Pats!
11
The Seahawks weren't playing to their usual standard for the first 3 quarters yesterday but definitely came through in the end. The Pats were awesome in their rout of the Colts. I think the champs will show their true colors in the Super Bowl and come through with the win. It will certainly be a good game.
Go Hawks!
Go Hawks!
15
So many good reasons to like this game.
East Coast vs. West Coast.
Offense vs. Defense.
The old guys (Brady & Co) vs. the new guys.
Blue state vs. oh well, another blue state.
East Coast vs. West Coast.
Offense vs. Defense.
The old guys (Brady & Co) vs. the new guys.
Blue state vs. oh well, another blue state.
34
Jets castoff vs. guy who spurned the Jets.
I, for one, am looking forward to this game. Wilson is a professional and Pete Carrol has done a fantastic job turning the franchise around, much to the delight of the long suffering fans of Seattle.
The other reason I will be tuning in is to see the Pats (hopefully) lose once again, just as allegations of tampering with the rules rear their ugly head again.
Vegas seems to think this game will be a close matchup, based on this weekends results. I see it the other way: I think Seattle will win and cement themselves as the team of the decade (so far).
The other reason I will be tuning in is to see the Pats (hopefully) lose once again, just as allegations of tampering with the rules rear their ugly head again.
Vegas seems to think this game will be a close matchup, based on this weekends results. I see it the other way: I think Seattle will win and cement themselves as the team of the decade (so far).
18
Terrific matchup.
4
Should be a good game. Brady needs protection in the pocket; once he's outside the pocket, he's not so good. As thrilling as Seattle's comeback was yesterday, the Green Bay defense was so terrible and that's what made it happen. And then the GB coach did a poor job of clock management. Then the kneel down by the player who intercepted Wilson with 4+ minutes left. The super conservative running game by GB after that interception. Many mistakes by GB, which Patriots are unlikely to make. But if Brady is rattled in the pocket, all bets are off and Seattle will likely win. Go Pats!!!
6
The GB defense was terrible? Seattle didn't manage a first down until mid-2nd quarter. The kneel-down after the INT looks bad only in hindsight. Everyone on the planet thought that sealed the game, in which case running with it and risking a fumble would've been greedy.
1
At one time, my favorite coach was Pete Carroll.
He is now my second-favorite coach. Unless he wins Sunday.
Then he can no longer be on my list.
Go Pats!
He is now my second-favorite coach. Unless he wins Sunday.
Then he can no longer be on my list.
Go Pats!
13
I guess there are several ways to achieve greatness. If this turns out to be true, it won't be the first time Belichick has gone over the line as a manic competitor.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/01/19/sports/football/ap-fbn-patrio...
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/01/19/sports/football/ap-fbn-patrio...
3
Go Hawks!!
33
Whichever team wins, we are all going out to dinner together, on one coast or the other (and just maybe both coasts). (Look out, fish and seafood! You are definitely on the menu.)
This should be one heck of a game. (But it is JUST a game, and not life and death. Get a grip.)
May the best team win (and not have the other team give the game away, as GB did on multiple occasions on Sunday).