NFL Predictions: Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl Rematch
By Erik Lambert
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage as Seattle Seahawks center Max Unger (60) snaps the ball against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
With two weeks left in the regular season, the playoff picture has finally begun to take shape in both the NFC and AFC. Home field advantage has yet to be decided but it seems like a mere formality at this point with the Carolina Panthers 14-0 and the New England Patriots holding a firm lead at 12-2. So the question has shifted from who is in to who should be considered favorites to reach Super Bowl 50.
Don’t bother with trying to make it suspenseful. NFL predictions are usually hard, but this one isn’t. Football fans are destined to see a rematch of last year between the Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. Here is why.
New England Patriots
They’re the defending champions but this goes beyond that. New England has the best quarterback-coaching combination in history. Tom Brady remains at the peak of his powers and is getting his weapons back at just the right time. Bill Belichick is still orchestrating his masterful game plans on defense. It’s all coming together again.
Tom Brady getting his 10th bye and still holds the record for most playoff wins (21). (6 of Flacco's 10 wins came in the "play-in" game).
— Patriots 7th Ring 🇺🇸 (@Patriots7thRing) December 21, 2015
However, the reasoning goes beyond them. Once again the AFC appears to have wilted at the worst possible time, handing them home field where they are so difficult to beat. Denver has lost two-in-a-row, crippling the momentum they gained from beating the Patriots while the Bengals are relying on backup A.J. McCarron to fill in for the injured Andy Dalton. Who in that conference can be tagged as a true threat to the Patriots?
The Jets? New England already beat them this year.
The Steelers? Beat them too.
The Texas? Hammered them.
There isn’t a single opponent out there the Patriots should fear. Everybody knows the results to come when that happens.
Seattle Seahawks
Most considered them the most talented team in the league in 2013, and again in 2014 and not much has changed in 2015. The Seattle Seahawks got off to a bad start this season and looked like they might fall right off the cliff. Instead they’ve circled the wagons and not only regained their footing, but have gotten red hot down the stretch.
Russell Wilson has taken a monumental step forward in his development as a passer, transforming the once ground-and-pound Seahawks offense into a terrifying aerial attack.
Cam Newton’s 11 passing TD and 93 Total QBR from inside the pocket since Week 11 trail only Russell Wilson in that span (15 TD, 99 QBR)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 20, 2015
Worse still for the NFC, the Legion of Boom is back. The unit has allowed 13 points or fewer in four of the past five games. All their key players are healthy and they seem to have adjusted to Kris Richard as their new defensive coordinator. Great on offense. Great on defense. Great on special teams. Throw in the fact that they have a wealth of playoff experience and this is a team nobody wants to play in January.
We also can’t forget the revenge factor. Seattle probably still has a sour taste in its mouth after what happened in the previous Super Bowl. They’re anxious to get back and right that wrong, and are begging the football gods it’s the Patriots who are waiting for them. This matchup has the increased feeling of destiny. Unless something unexpected happens going into the playoffs, fans can book it for February.