Super Bowl XLIX: 5 Bold Seahawks Vs. Patriots Predictions
By Erik Lambert
Sep 22, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Wilson (82) attempts to elude Jacksonville Jaguars safety Josh Evans (26) at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Jaguars 45-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
There is no question Super Bowl XLIX will feature some big surprises. So here are some bold predictions to chew on.
Russell Wilson and Tom Brady combine for six turnovers
One thing that was prevelent about quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Tom Brady throughout the 2014 season is that they rarely turned the ball over. In fact neither threw double digit interceptions. Wilson had seven and Brady had nine. Well this game will be different. With what is at stake and the defenses they face, both players will find their usual clean play compromised, combining for six total turnovers.
Marshawn Lynch and LeGarrette Blount each score two touchdowns
Running the ball is a major reason why the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots are playing in February and it’s going to be why each team has success in the game. Marshawn Lynch is of course a Beast and will find his opportunities, scoring two touchdowns on the day. However, his counterpart LeGarrette Blount will also find holes against the Legion of Boom, cashing in for two of his own.
Neither defense registers a sack
Another thing about Wilson and Brady that is overlooked is how difficult they can be to sack. Wilson is highly elusive and deceptively strong. Brady was only sacked 21 times this season and is a master at getting the ball out fast before pressure can set in. This could lead to a serious rarity in that neither defense will put a sack in the stat column.
Steven Hauschka breaks Super Bowl record with five field goals
Kicking is such an underappreciated part of winning big games. The Patriots haven’t won a Super Bowl since they parted ways with Adam Vinatieri. Meanwhile the Seahawks have done wonders since they acquired from N.C. State. While his regular season was okay by his standars, expect the Massachusetts native to show his hometown team something on Sunday by breaking the Super Bowl record of four made field goals with five.
Luke Wilson wins MVP
The one thing to remember about Super Bowl MVP honors is the person can often come out of nowhere. That is exactly what happened with Malcolm Smith last year when he scored the decisive touchdown on an interception return. Expect the Seattle Seahawks to have yet another “who’s that?” name to win the award. This time it will be tight end Luke Wilson. He certainly isn’t a Rob Gronkowski, but the 25-year old has shown he can exploded when least expected for big plays as he did against Arizona (139 yards, 2 TDs) and Carolina (68 yards, 1 TD). He will be the one player the Patriots can’t account for.