Super Bowl XLIX: Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots Game Day Thread

[MHSL82]

Most talk has been about Deflategate and how we hate the Seahawks... Anyone want to discuss actual football? (Yeah, yeah, whatever is left of "football.")

I thought about titling this thread Seahags vs. Deflatriots, but nicknames were bad luck for us this year, who knows what it brings for the Super Bowl?

[CrimsonCrew]

Can they both lose?

Should be an interesting game. The Hawks' D isn't as good this year as last year. How are Sherman and Thomas doing following the NFCCG injuries? Will their pass rush - which was key in last year's SB but has really stagnated in this year's playoffs - show signs of life? Can the Pats' D stay assignment sound and limit Lynch and Wilson? Can Brady be effective enough in the short-passing game, and can they move the ball on the ground?

[dr3am]

I don't give a **** about deflate-gate. For the love of God, Go Patriots!!! Beat those bitches aka the Seacocks

[Pattersonca65]

Can they both lose?

Should be an interesting game. The Hawks' D isn't as good this year as last year. How are Sherman and Thomas doing following the NFCCG injuries? Will their pass rush - which was key in last year's SB but has really stagnated in this year's playoffs - show signs of life? Can the Pats' D stay assignment sound and limit Lynch and Wilson? Can Brady be effective enough in the short-passing game, and can they move the ball on the ground?

Appaerently Chancellor hurt himself in practice too. He is going to play but we will have to see how he does

[Tomikcon1971]

Chancellor and Wagner are what make that defense dynamic with Thomas being the third key piece.

I think Dick's elbow should be a non-factor for one game unless he takes another direct hit. He's not much of a tackler so he's probably going to be fine. Despite what Thomas is saying there's no way a separated shoulder heals in two weeks. That's the bigger injury with regards to tackling. I wanna see him handle Gronk or Blount one on one to see how well he can tackle them in the open field. I think that may be a challenge for him.

This should be a good game, but with Super Bowls you never really know. I'm in the camp that this will be a low scoring game. I can easily see 17-16, 20-17, or 24-21.

The Patriots are pretty amazing in terms of how they scheme and attack opponents weaknesses. My gut tells me that means bludgeon the Hawks with the run to open up opportunities for receivers. I think the Pats have gotten better all year and they really aren't getting the credit for how good they actually are. Pre-season I really thought this game would be us versus the Pats, but I digress.......

Keys to watch, in no particular order......

---A close, low scoring game favors Seattle. They wear people down and kill them with Lynch in the fourth quarter.
---If NE gets Blount going, that's huge for NE. I don't see anyway NE wins without going 125+ on the ground.
---Don't give SEA a short field. Their offense isn't dynamic so don't help them.
---Special teams may ultimately decide a close game, and this is advantage NE on paper.
---I could see NE looking for 1-2 match-ups with Vereen on a LB.
---NE has fantastic CBs but no one can play great coverage for 6-7 seconds. Wilson's ability to extend plays breaks down coverage.
---I keep saying it but Dick can't cover routes and receivers that change directions. It's mind boggling how people keep trying to go vertical on him. That's not his weak spot. That being said I could see LaFell getting behind him once or twice this game.
---I would go right at Thomas and test that shoulder early. I really think he's not going to be as strong tackling with the bum shoulder.
---I think deflate gate and illegal offensive formations are being way overblown and they will have no effect on NEs mindset or the game. I almost wonder if Bellichick wanted these distractions.
---I'm not convinced NE can stop the run....if they can't, I don't see how they win this game.
---Every game it seems SEA gets Lynch wide open for a big receiving play and in many cases it's a back breaker on a scoring drive. Can NE spot and stop that play?
---The read option.....how does NE handle that? I think they get very aggressive in trying to attack the play, but we will see.
---If Seattle's D scores, I don't see them losing.

I want NE to win but SEA seems to have a horseshoe up it's a**, especially in close games. I'm saying 20-16 or 24-17 SEA will be the result. I hope I'm wrong.

[CrimsonCrew]

Chancellor and Wagner are what make that defense dynamic with Thomas being the third key piece.

I think Dick's elbow should be a non-factor for one game unless he takes another direct hit. He's not much of a tackler so he's probably going to be fine. Despite what Thomas is saying there's no way a separated shoulder heals in two weeks. That's the bigger injury with regards to tackling. I wanna see him handle Gronk or Blount one on one to see how well he can tackle them in the open field. I think that may be a challenge for him.

This should be a good game, but with Super Bowls you never really know. I'm in the camp that this will be a low scoring game. I can easily see 17-16, 20-17, or 24-21.

The Patriots are pretty amazing in terms of how they scheme and attack opponents weaknesses. My gut tells me that means bludgeon the Hawks with the run to open up opportunities for receivers. I think the Pats have gotten better all year and they really aren't getting the credit for how good they actually are. Pre-season I really thought this game would be us versus the Pats, but I digress.......

Keys to watch, in no particular order......

---A close, low scoring game favors Seattle. They wear people down and kill them with Lynch in the fourth quarter.
---If NE gets Blount going, that's huge for NE. I don't see anyway NE wins without going 125+ on the ground.
---Don't give SEA a short field. Their offense isn't dynamic so don't help them.
---Special teams may ultimately decide a close game, and this is advantage NE on paper.
---I could see NE looking for 1-2 match-ups with Vereen on a LB.
---NE has fantastic CBs but no one can play great coverage for 6-7 seconds. Wilson's ability to extend plays breaks down coverage.
---I keep saying it but Dick can't cover routes and receivers that change directions. It's mind boggling how people keep trying to go vertical on him. That's not his weak spot. That being said I could see LaFell getting behind him once or twice this game.
---I would go right at Thomas and test that shoulder early. I really think he's not going to be as strong tackling with the bum shoulder.
---I think deflate gate and illegal offensive formations are being way overblown and they will have no effect on NEs mindset or the game. I almost wonder if Bellichick wanted these distractions.
---I'm not convinced NE can stop the run....if they can't, I don't see how they win this game.
---Every game it seems SEA gets Lynch wide open for a big receiving play and in many cases it's a back breaker on a scoring drive. Can NE spot and stop that play?
---The read option.....how does NE handle that? I think they get very aggressive in trying to attack the play, but we will see.
---If Seattle's D scores, I don't see them losing.

I want NE to win but SEA seems to have a horseshoe up it's a**, especially in close games. I'm saying 20-16 or 24-17 SEA will be the result. I hope I'm wrong.

IMO, Thomas is the single most important piece on that defense. His range on the back end allows Chancellor and the CBs to play aggressively close to the line. Thomas is the guy who makes the whole thing work.

Re: Sherman's injury, he should still be able to cover, but if he can't extend that arm, it could seriously impact his ball skills - an area where he is as good as any CB in the league.

[Pattersonca65]

Chancellor and Wagner are what make that defense dynamic with Thomas being the third key piece.

I think Dick's elbow should be a non-factor for one game unless he takes another direct hit. He's not much of a tackler so he's probably going to be fine. Despite what Thomas is saying there's no way a separated shoulder heals in two weeks. That's the bigger injury with regards to tackling. I wanna see him handle Gronk or Blount one on one to see how well he can tackle them in the open field. I think that may be a challenge for him.

This should be a good game, but with Super Bowls you never really know. I'm in the camp that this will be a low scoring game. I can easily see 17-16, 20-17, or 24-21.

The Patriots are pretty amazing in terms of how they scheme and attack opponents weaknesses. My gut tells me that means bludgeon the Hawks with the run to open up opportunities for receivers. I think the Pats have gotten better all year and they really aren't getting the credit for how good they actually are. Pre-season I really thought this game would be us versus the Pats, but I digress.......

Keys to watch, in no particular order......

---A close, low scoring game favors Seattle. They wear people down and kill them with Lynch in the fourth quarter.
---If NE gets Blount going, that's huge for NE. I don't see anyway NE wins without going 125+ on the ground.
---Don't give SEA a short field. Their offense isn't dynamic so don't help them.
---Special teams may ultimately decide a close game, and this is advantage NE on paper.
---I could see NE looking for 1-2 match-ups with Vereen on a LB.
---NE has fantastic CBs but no one can play great coverage for 6-7 seconds. Wilson's ability to extend plays breaks down coverage.
---I keep saying it but Dick can't cover routes and receivers that change directions. It's mind boggling how people keep trying to go vertical on him. That's not his weak spot. That being said I could see LaFell getting behind him once or twice this game.
---I would go right at Thomas and test that shoulder early. I really think he's not going to be as strong tackling with the bum shoulder.
---I think deflate gate and illegal offensive formations are being way overblown and they will have no effect on NEs mindset or the game. I almost wonder if Bellichick wanted these distractions.
---I'm not convinced NE can stop the run....if they can't, I don't see how they win this game.
---Every game it seems SEA gets Lynch wide open for a big receiving play and in many cases it's a back breaker on a scoring drive. Can NE spot and stop that play?
---The read option.....how does NE handle that? I think they get very aggressive in trying to attack the play, but we will see.
---If Seattle's D scores, I don't see them losing.

I want NE to win but SEA seems to have a horseshoe up it's a**, especially in close games. I'm saying 20-16 or 24-17 SEA will be the result. I hope I'm wrong.

Another factor playing Seattle is to be disciplined on the DLine. Can't get out of place and allow Wilson to escape the pocket. Wilson is far less effective when he has to stay in the pocket. Wilson will throw a lot of passes up for graps so we will see how NE CBs do.

[MHSL82]

I know the general desire is for the Seahawks to get blown out, but doesn't it roll around your brain more when your team loses by one INT at the end or a missed corner fade? I don't know what it feels like to be blown out in the SB, but from our 2012 experience, that's a fate that we all would wish upon the Seahawks. Teasing them for being blown out gets tiring and dead after the first few times, but you know a close loss would eat at those who are actual real Seattle fans (distinguished from the many, many bandwagoners).

Now, I'm torn between a stolen ref game vs. just a last minute loss. Every team in a close loss has ref issues, so I guess it's not mutually exclusive. In fact, I hope the game is perfectly called, or called all-Seattle, so that if they lose, they have no fake leg to stand on.

Carroll was my college's coach and I didn't like how everyone (ok, exaggeration) said he was a college coach and his douche-bag rah-rahness wouldn't work here, that his New England/Jets days were him. But he got his ring last year, so I don't feel the need to root for another. I didn't like Manning, either. I guess, while we all know Montana is the best, Brady losing would push off more people from jumping on him as the GOAT.

[Yadahell]

I'm going 23-20 Seahawks. Just think they will relish the underdog role, cause a few turnovers, and keep Gronk in check. Should be a good game and I'm interested to see how the Patriots try and attack Seattle. I think Blount can do some damage and Edelman as well, but my gut tells me that Seattle wears New England down.

[Tomikcon1971]

Chancellor and Wagner are what make that defense dynamic with Thomas being the third key piece.

I think Dick's elbow should be a non-factor for one game unless he takes another direct hit. He's not much of a tackler so he's probably going to be fine. Despite what Thomas is saying there's no way a separated shoulder heals in two weeks. That's the bigger injury with regards to tackling. I wanna see him handle Gronk or Blount one on one to see how well he can tackle them in the open field. I think that may be a challenge for him.

This should be a good game, but with Super Bowls you never really know. I'm in the camp that this will be a low scoring game. I can easily see 17-16, 20-17, or 24-21.

The Patriots are pretty amazing in terms of how they scheme and attack opponents weaknesses. My gut tells me that means bludgeon the Hawks with the run to open up opportunities for receivers. I think the Pats have gotten better all year and they really aren't getting the credit for how good they actually are. Pre-season I really thought this game would be us versus the Pats, but I digress.......

Keys to watch, in no particular order......

---A close, low scoring game favors Seattle. They wear people down and kill them with Lynch in the fourth quarter.
---If NE gets Blount going, that's huge for NE. I don't see anyway NE wins without going 125+ on the ground.
---Don't give SEA a short field. Their offense isn't dynamic so don't help them.
---Special teams may ultimately decide a close game, and this is advantage NE on paper.
---I could see NE looking for 1-2 match-ups with Vereen on a LB.
---NE has fantastic CBs but no one can play great coverage for 6-7 seconds. Wilson's ability to extend plays breaks down coverage.
---I keep saying it but Dick can't cover routes and receivers that change directions. It's mind boggling how people keep trying to go vertical on him. That's not his weak spot. That being said I could see LaFell getting behind him once or twice this game.
---I would go right at Thomas and test that shoulder early. I really think he's not going to be as strong tackling with the bum shoulder.
---I think deflate gate and illegal offensive formations are being way overblown and they will have no effect on NEs mindset or the game. I almost wonder if Bellichick wanted these distractions.
---I'm not convinced NE can stop the run....if they can't, I don't see how they win this game.
---Every game it seems SEA gets Lynch wide open for a big receiving play and in many cases it's a back breaker on a scoring drive. Can NE spot and stop that play?
---The read option.....how does NE handle that? I think they get very aggressive in trying to attack the play, but we will see.
---If Seattle's D scores, I don't see them losing.

I want NE to win but SEA seems to have a horseshoe up it's a**, especially in close games. I'm saying 20-16 or 24-17 SEA will be the result. I hope I'm wrong.

IMO, Thomas is the single most important piece on that defense. His range on the back end allows Chancellor and the CBs to play aggressively close to the line. Thomas is the guy who makes the whole thing work.

Re: Sherman's injury, he should still be able to cover, but if he can't extend that arm, it could seriously impact his ball skills - an area where he is as good as any CB in the league.

They struggled early in the season with Wagner and Chancellor hurt......in my opinion they don't get the credit they deserve.

[Pattersonca65]

I know the general desire is for the Seahawks to get blown out, but doesn't it roll around your brain more when your team loses by one INT at the end or a missed corner fade? I don't know what it feels like to be blown out in the SB, but from our 2012 experience, that's a fate that we all would wish upon the Seahawks. Teasing them for being blown out gets tiring and dead after the first few times, but you know a close loss would eat at those who are actual real Seattle fans (distinguished from the many, many bandwagoners).

Now, I'm torn between a stolen ref game vs. just a last minute loss. Every team in a close loss has ref issues, so I guess it's not mutually exclusive. In fact, I hope the game is perfectly called, or called all-Seattle, so that if they lose, they have no fake leg to stand on.

Carroll was my college's coach and I didn't like how everyone (ok, exaggeration) said he was a college coach and his douche-bag rah-rahness wouldn't work here, that his New England/Jets days were him. But he got his ring last year, so I don't feel the need to root for another. I didn't like Manning, either. I guess, while we all know Montana is the best, Brady losing would push off more people from jumping on him as the GOAT.

I would rather see Wilson throw another four picks and get blown out, especially with their obnoxious fans over at poopla. These fans think the Seahawks are the best ever and Russell Wilson walks on water.

[dr3am]

Most of America is picking Seattle to win, perfect. Less pressure on the Pats and I see them walking out with a 21-10 victory

[CrimsonCrew]

Chancellor and Wagner are what make that defense dynamic with Thomas being the third key piece.

I think Dick's elbow should be a non-factor for one game unless he takes another direct hit. He's not much of a tackler so he's probably going to be fine. Despite what Thomas is saying there's no way a separated shoulder heals in two weeks. That's the bigger injury with regards to tackling. I wanna see him handle Gronk or Blount one on one to see how well he can tackle them in the open field. I think that may be a challenge for him.

This should be a good game, but with Super Bowls you never really know. I'm in the camp that this will be a low scoring game. I can easily see 17-16, 20-17, or 24-21.

The Patriots are pretty amazing in terms of how they scheme and attack opponents weaknesses. My gut tells me that means bludgeon the Hawks with the run to open up opportunities for receivers. I think the Pats have gotten better all year and they really aren't getting the credit for how good they actually are. Pre-season I really thought this game would be us versus the Pats, but I digress.......

Keys to watch, in no particular order......

---A close, low scoring game favors Seattle. They wear people down and kill them with Lynch in the fourth quarter.
---If NE gets Blount going, that's huge for NE. I don't see anyway NE wins without going 125+ on the ground.
---Don't give SEA a short field. Their offense isn't dynamic so don't help them.
---Special teams may ultimately decide a close game, and this is advantage NE on paper.
---I could see NE looking for 1-2 match-ups with Vereen on a LB.
---NE has fantastic CBs but no one can play great coverage for 6-7 seconds. Wilson's ability to extend plays breaks down coverage.
---I keep saying it but Dick can't cover routes and receivers that change directions. It's mind boggling how people keep trying to go vertical on him. That's not his weak spot. That being said I could see LaFell getting behind him once or twice this game.
---I would go right at Thomas and test that shoulder early. I really think he's not going to be as strong tackling with the bum shoulder.
---I think deflate gate and illegal offensive formations are being way overblown and they will have no effect on NEs mindset or the game. I almost wonder if Bellichick wanted these distractions.
---I'm not convinced NE can stop the run....if they can't, I don't see how they win this game.
---Every game it seems SEA gets Lynch wide open for a big receiving play and in many cases it's a back breaker on a scoring drive. Can NE spot and stop that play?
---The read option.....how does NE handle that? I think they get very aggressive in trying to attack the play, but we will see.
---If Seattle's D scores, I don't see them losing.

I want NE to win but SEA seems to have a horseshoe up it's a**, especially in close games. I'm saying 20-16 or 24-17 SEA will be the result. I hope I'm wrong.

IMO, Thomas is the single most important piece on that defense. His range on the back end allows Chancellor and the CBs to play aggressively close to the line. Thomas is the guy who makes the whole thing work.

Re: Sherman's injury, he should still be able to cover, but if he can't extend that arm, it could seriously impact his ball skills - an area where he is as good as any CB in the league.

They struggled early in the season with Wagner and Chancellor hurt......in my opinion they don't get the credit they deserve.

That's fair, but I don't think you can therefore conclude that those two guys are more important to the D. Thomas has never missed a game, so we can't say what would happen when he's not in there. Seattle has great starters, but we have better depth at most positions. There's a big drop-off from those guys to the next man up.

[MHSL82]

I know the general desire is for the Seahawks to get blown out, but doesn't it roll around your brain more when your team loses by one INT at the end or a missed corner fade? I don't know what it feels like to be blown out in the SB, but from our 2012 experience, that's a fate that we all would wish upon the Seahawks. Teasing them for being blown out gets tiring and dead after the first few times, but you know a close loss would eat at those who are actual real Seattle fans (distinguished from the many, many bandwagoners).

Now, I'm torn between a stolen ref game vs. just a last minute loss. Every team in a close loss has ref issues, so I guess it's not mutually exclusive. In fact, I hope the game is perfectly called, or called all-Seattle, so that if they lose, they have no fake leg to stand on.

Carroll was my college's coach and I didn't like how everyone (ok, exaggeration) said he was a college coach and his douche-bag rah-rahness wouldn't work here, that his New England/Jets days were him. But he got his ring last year, so I don't feel the need to root for another. I didn't like Manning, either. I guess, while we all know Montana is the best, Brady losing would push off more people from jumping on him as the GOAT.

I would rather see Wilson throw another four picks and get blown out, especially with their obnoxious fans over at poopla. These fans think the Seahawks are the best ever and Russell Wilson walks on water.

Yeah, I guess I'd rather have the obnoxious fans agonize over a blowout than real fans (and there are some) agonizing over a close loss or refs call.

[MHSL82]

Most of America is picking Seattle to win, perfect. Less pressure on the Pats and I see them walking out with a 21-10 victory

I prefer a 13-7 victory - cause then Brady would score 1 TD max (assuming no missed PATs) and he'd score fewer points than his 17 and 14 points against the Giants. Against any other team, I'd hope the 13 was in a loss.

[Tomikcon1971]

In case anyone has money on it, the Puppy Bowl was tied 14-14 after one quarter......

[Tomikcon1971]

In case anyone has money on it, the Puppy Bowl was tied 14-14 after one quarter......

[RubiosBeard]

In case anyone has money on it, the Puppy Bowl was tied 14-14 after one quarter......

lmao

[arich35]

Can't believe I am rooting for the Patriots

[RedneckNiner]

What I want to see is a close game coming down to the last possession Russell Wilson throws it into the endzone a pass interference doesn't get called as the ball falls incomplete... Then Revis says... yeah Baldwin is just a bitch...