Super Bowl XLIX: Bold Predictions

Let’s start off first and foremost saying that there will be no talk about a certain issue over the deflation of footballs. Now, with that being said, what will be in this article are my four bold predictions for Super Bowl 49 between the Patriots and Seahawks coming up at the end of the week. Starting at number 4…

4. The Patriots Will Contain Marshawn Lynch

Marshawn Lynch has captured the attention this weak by doing exactly the opposite of what you would expect, remaining quiet. This Sunday on the football field he will remain just as quiet in the statistics category.

The Patriots secondary is what will allow them to do this. They have corners on the perimeter that can survive on an island and arguably the best free safety in the league roaming the back end. This allows them to consistently put 7 men in the box.

The 7 men in the box won’t hurt the cause, either. Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower, and Jerrod Mayo are all fantastic run stuffing linebackers at the second level. At the line of scrimmage, Vince Wilfork, Chandler Jones, and Rob Ninkovich all have the ability to stand up their blockers.

All of these factors combined, plus the lack of receiving threats for Seattle will all add up to a lack of production from Marshawn Lynch.

3. The Seahawks D Will Score

It’s no secret that the Seahawks defense is littered with talent all around. It’s also no secret that the Patriots doesn’t exactly have elite talent littered around the offense.

Yes, Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski are great and perfectly capable of carrying the offense, but maybe not against an elite defense like the Seahawks. Julian Edelman may be the only Patriots receiver who will be able to get open consistently. Since Edelman is usually only used as an underneath receiver, Tom Brady will likely have to look in other directions if he wants to move the football.

Those other options are likely to be covered. I have no doubt that the Seahawks’ corners will be able to cover the Patriots’ receivers, and I’m also confident the combination of Kam/ET3 will being able to contain Gronkowski. All of that is likely to add up to Tom Brady forcing some balls into coverage and ultimately a defensive TD for the Seahawks.

2. Legion of Boom Will Contain Gronk

Building off of the point I made in the previous prediction, I am confident that the Seahawks will be able to contain Rob Gronkowski with their fantastic safety duo.

Earl Thomas is fantastic at covering the deep half of the field and Kam Chancellor successfully locks up the underneath part of the field in coverage.

If Kam is able to lock up Gronk underneath and then hand him off to Thomas once he begins to stretch the field, then I think there is a fantastic chance that the Seahawks will be able lock of Gronk for only a few receptions.

1. The Seahawks Will Repeat

I have no doubt that the Seahawks are the superior team on the defensive side of the ball and I think it’s probably a stalemate on offense. It could very well come down to special teams, but I would stick to the old mantra to decide this game. Defense wins championships.

More importantly, turnovers by the defense win you championships. There are holes in the Patriots’ defense that the Seahawks can attack, but I’m not sure that there are many holes in the Seahawks’ defense that the Patriots can attack. The interior of the defensive line is obviously the weak point for the Seahawks, but the interior of the offense is also the weak point for the Patriots.

If the Seahawks are able to contain the Patriots’ passing offense and force turnovers, that ultimately lead to touchdowns, then I think there is a very good chance that they end up with the W. My Prediction: 23-20 Seahawks

Next: Super Bowl Prop Bets

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