On Feb. 1, the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will meet in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. For Seattle, it will be the second consecutive trip to the big game. New England is making its sixth appearance in the Super Bowl since 2001, giving Bill Belichick the record for a head coach. Tom Brady is the only quarterback to ever start six Super Bowls, and is only the second player in history along with Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos defensive lineman Mike Lodish to play in a half-dozen.
When the flashbulbs go off with the opening kickoff, more than meets the eye will be on the line. The Seahawks are trying to become the next dynasty, a mantle unfulfilled since the Patriots won three Super Bowls in four seasons between 2001-04. Ironically, it is Brady and Belichick standing in their way, hoping to rekindle the magic once so familiar.
New England has its best roster since going 19-0 before losing Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants in Glendale back in 2007. The Patriots do not have ultra-explosive offensive weapons outside of Rob Gronkowski, but enjoy nice balance with LeGarrette Blount, Brandon LaFell, Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman.
Defensively, the Patriots are reloaded with ability at all three levels. After suffering a torn Achilles tendon last year, Vince Wilfork looks rejuvanted up front. Behind him are Chandler Jones, Dont’a Hightower and Rob Ninkovich, one of the most underrated players in the game. The secondary features a pair of top-notch starters in Darrelle Revis and Devin McCourty.
Then there is Seattle, winners of eight straight contests and defending champs. The Seahawks are nothing flashy on offense, but a consistent punch in the mouth. Behind the power running of Marshawn Lynch and the option-play of Russell Wilson, Seattle had the top rushing attack in football this season. Luke Willson, Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin are average targets, but collectively are greater than the sum of their parts.
Of course, the defense is filthy. The Legion of Boom with Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor gets all the headlines, but the front seven with Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Bobby Wagner and Bruce Irvin is incredibly athletic.
What makes this matchup so great is the history on the line. New England is an aging dynasty, a symbol of what once was dominant in the NFL. Now, 10 years after their last championship, the Patriots are making one more run at a ring, hoping to swoop in before Father Time does.
Seattle is attempting to make its place in history. A franchise tucked away in the Northwest, always forgotten by the national media, has commanded attention. With one more victory, the Seahawks will be forever remembered as one of the greatest teams to ever play.
Enjoy the Super Bowl this year, it is going to be historic.
