Super Bowl XLIX: 5 Key Matchups for Patriots vs. Seahawks

By Frank OLaughlin | Jan 25, 2015

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Numerous Pro-Bowl caliber players will take to the field in Glendale, Arizona, next Sunday when the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks face off in Super Bowl XLIX.

Both teams possess a dynamic offensive attack and a stifling defensive unit. Here’s a look at the top five matchups, among several noteworthy ones, that will surely impact the game’s final score.

1. Marshawn Lynch vs. New England’s run defense

The Seahawks could dictate the pace of play if Lynch gets uncorked. Slowing him will force Seattle into a less effective, one-dimensional offense.

Seattle’s ability to run the ball is well-documented. They finished the regular season with an average of 147 yards per game, which was good for second most in the NFL. Lynch is an absolute battering ram and is nearly impossible to take down in the open field. He ran through the Green Bay Packer’s defense in the NFC Championship, totaling 157 yards and a score on 25 attempts.

Vince Wilfork will have to be very disruptive if the Patriots hope to slow Lynch. Linebackers Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower, who both tackle efficiently, will be able to fill and make plays if Wilfork can hold his ground at the point of attack.

2. Russell Wilson vs. New England’s edge rushers

Wilson is coming off a four interception performance in the NFC title game. He flat out stunk for most of that game.

Things will be tight when Wilson takes to the air in the Super Bowl with the likes of Darrelle Revis and Bradnon Browner roaming the secondary. Any sort of carelessness with the football and the Patriots will make him pay, but the play of New England’s defensive ends and outside linebackers will dictate Wilson’s success.

The Patriots most favorable scenario will be forcing Wilson to beat them with his pocket passing. They’ll fall victim to damaging blows if Wilson is allowed to vacate the pocket and extend plays with his legs. Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones will be key in containing Wilson if they’re able to win the matchups on the outside.

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3. New England’s offensive role players vs. Legion of Boom

It’s no secret that Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman are Tom Brady‘s favorite passing targets, but forcing him to look elsewhere regularly isn’t exactly a guaranteed advantage to Seattle.

Kam Chancellor, Seattle’s 230-pound safety, will likely be called upon to slow Gronk. Now it’s unlikely that Gronk will be shutdown completely, but if he can neutralized, fellow safety Earl Thomas can assist Richard Sherman in covering the shifty and speedy Edelman. With that said, Brandon LaFell, Danny Amendola and Tim Wright could see a great deal of action if Seattle is indeed able to thwart the other two.

LaFell has emerged as one of Brady’s go-to targets this season. He’s a large man that can make big plays on the outside. Amendola has been sneaky effective. He posted two touchdowns against Baltimore in the divisional round. Wright is legitimate red zone threat that could go unaccounted for with a slew of weapons drawing attention away from him. He caught six touchdowns this season and most of them occurred when opposing defenses overlooked his presence on the field.

4. New England’s offensive tackles vs. Seattle’s pass rushers

For the Patriots, trench play will determine the effectiveness of their offense. They’re at their best when LeGarrette Blount is balancing things out on the ground, but giving Brady time to pass and progress through his reads will be essential.

Nate Solder and Sebestian Vollmer will need to hold their own on the outside of the line. Seattle’s defensive ends, Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, are a relentless pass rushing duo. Linebackers Bobby Wagner and Bruce Irvin can get after the quarterback and Pete Carroll likes to send them off the edge a lot.

Making Brady throw before he sets himself is Seattle’s best chance of slowing the Patriots. Solder and Vollmer have played nicely all season. They’ll once again be heavily relied upon to stand up to one of the game’s most stout defensive fronts.

5. Bill Belichick vs. Pete Carroll

Both Belichick and Carroll are arguably the two best coaches in football, but they’re styles couldn’t be anymore different. Belichick is stern and means nothing but business. Carroll is quite vocal and animated.

Carroll once roamed the New England sidelines before being ousted in favor of Belichick back in 2000. He’ll not only have his team fired up and ready roll, but Carroll will also be determined to defeat his former employer on the game’s biggest stage.

Belichick has already cemented his legacy as one of the all-time greats. A Super Bowl win would give him his fourth Lombardi Trophy in 14 years. It’ll be interesting to see if Belichick uses the current deflategate controversy as a rallying cry. His teams have been at their best over the years when they use an “us against the world” mentality.

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