What to Watch For: Super Bowl XLIX - Patriots vs. Seahawks

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Sunday, February 01, 2015

Matt LaPan, GoLocal Sports Reporter

The wait is nearly over for Patriots and Seahawks fans. The seemingly endless two weeks between conference championship games and the Super Bowl is winding down and it is almost time to determine a champion. For the Seahawks, Sunday is a chance to cement themselves as one of the greatest teams in recent memory by winning back-to-back championships. For the Patriots it is a chance to return to the mountain top and bring home a Lombardi Trophy 10 years after winning their last.

The game is loaded with intense matches, various mismatches and plenty of intrigue. Which matches should fans be looking for Sunday?

Tom Brady vs. Richard Sherman

This matchup has it all. One of the top quarterbacks of all time trying to figure out arguably the best cornerback in the NFL today. Brady’s precision passing attack against Sherman’s size, length and elite ball skills.

The real question is, how will the Patriots attack the All-Pro corner? Sherman generally lines up on the defensive right. This gives the Patriots a chance try and use movement to stay away from Sherman. Whether it involves putting a running back to his side to minimize his effectiveness, or putting a larger target such as Rob Gronkowski to his side to see how set in coverage Sherman — there are options.

Yet even with the potential for games, it would be wise of Brady to try to steer clear of Sherman. Sherman has the ability to change games at any point with his ball skills, just look back at his interception in the 1st Quarter of the NFC Championship game. Sherman has the size and ability to play nearly any ball like a receiver, making it a dangerous proposition to throw his way.

Rob Gronkowski vs. Kam Chancellor

Can Rob Gronkowski be covered by one person? The question will be answered on Sunday when Chancellor tries to do just that. Chancellor has the size and strength to jam Gronkowski at the line of scrimmage, and will deliver a huge hit on Gronkowski or any other Patriots’ pass-catcher when they come across the middle. This ability to jam Gronkowski does not allow the Patriots timing based offense to operate at full efficiency, giving players such as Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas a chance to make plays on Tom Brady.

If Chancellor is unable to apply single coverage on Gronkowski, however, it opens up a different dimension of the Patriots passing game. Gronkowski can attack the middle of the field, both short and deep, or attack the outside and draw coverage away from Julian Edelman and others in the middle. Gronkowski brought in 12 regular season touchdowns and two more in the playoffs. Gronkowski has also been Tom Brady’s go-to when a 1st down is needed.

Both of these men are going to be relied upon heavily from their respective coaches, and the one who comes out with the upper-hand could determine who walks away a champion. 

Marshawn Lynch vs. Dont’a Hightower & Jamie Collins

A running back is not simply dubbed “Beast Mode” — that title has to be earned. Lynch has earned it by becoming one of the top running backs in the NFL, averaging over four yards per carry while eclipsing 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns in each of the previous four regular season’s. His rare combination of size, speed and toughness make him one of, if not the hardest running back to tackle in the NFL.

That task will go to the Patriots’ two young linebackers. Both Hightower and Collins have proven that they are legitimate NFL linebackers with the ability to make, and disrupt plays at a high level. Hightower’s toughness and size combined with Collins’ freakish athletic ability make them a formidable duo to try and stop Lynch. Something both men have improved on throughout the season is bringing down the ball carrier on first contact, something that will be vital in attempting to stop Lynch.

These two will also be tasked in stopping the read-option play that has worked so well for the Seahawks. With Russell Wilson on the edge with Lynch, the duo can cause trouble for any defense that is not disciplined and does not have the speed to stop the play. Calling and Hightower, however, combine discipline, strength and speed into one linebacker group and could be the group that stops Lynch in his tracks.

Nate Solder & Sebastian Vollmer vs. Cliff Avril & Michael Bennett

Protecting Tom Brady is an obvious key to any successful Patriots game. his tackles, Solder and Vollmer, will be put to task this week against a very good duo of pass rushers. Both Avril and Bennett have size, speed and quickness off the snap. They are also flanked by quick sub rushers and quicker linebackers, making the assignment even tougher.

The Patriots have allowed just three sacks in the 2014 playoffs, and will have to keep well below that number if they want to walk away with the Lombardi Trophy.

Chandler Jones & Rob Ninkovich vs. Russell Wilson

This does not seem like a natural matchup to many. That is because it is not. While Jones and Ninkovich will be trying to apply pressure and bring down Wilson, their jobs go far deeper than that. Jones and Ninkovich must also keep Wilson from extending plays outside the pocket with his legs. This will require the duo to have a controlled pass rush, never getting behind Wilson.

Wilson is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL when throwing on the run. His ability, accuracy and skill while on the run is simply outstanding. Yet when he is forced to stay within the pocket, he has proven that he is not quite the elite player. This was on display through much of the NFC Championship game, when the Packers did a good job keeping Wilson contained. This is exactly what Ninkovich and Jones will have to do to give the Patriots the edge.

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