Predictions: New England Patriots Will Top Seattle in Super Bowl

Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will kick off the Super Bowl this Sunday in Glendale, Arizona.

A victory would give the Patriots their fourth championship under the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era of football in Foxboro. If Seattle wins, it’ll mark their second title in as many seasons.

With that said, and kickoff just one day away, it’s time to predict the big game. Here’s how the staff at Chowder and Champions see the 49th Super Bowl playing out.

Jason Haskins’ prediction

With all the attention that has been paid to conspiracies around the Patriots, this team is going to come out fired up and angry. I can see the game going one of two ways. One, the Patriots will rout the Seahawks and make this the second “ho-hum” Super Bowl in a row. Two, the Patriots win a hard hitting game by simply outplaying the Seahawks.

I’m going with the second one. The Patriots defense, underrated all year, will contain Russell Wilson and finish the job the Packers couldn’t.

Tom Brady tosses a couple of touchdowns and a late trick play/special teams touchdown seals the game for the Patriots.

Final Score: New England 24, Seattle 13

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Matthew Rewinski’s prediction

“So it begins…the great battle of our time.”

(It’s not often that a Lord of the Rings line works in this situation, so enjoy it.)

The 2011 Patriots made it all the way to the Super Bowl as the kid in Street Fighter that’s figured out M.Bison’s flying electric tackle whatever-you-call-it move – between 2-tight-end sets featuring Rob Gronkowski and he-who-shall-not-be-named, the league had no answers for New England’s scorched-earth offense and duct-tape-and-popsicle-sticks defense until the Patriots hit a familiar brick wall in the New York Giants. That’s all there is to say about that, because therapy is expensive.

Take a deep breath. We’re back.

Seattle’s players have said it, analysts have said it, everyone knows it – the Seahawks’ defense is not complicated. They’re just damn good at it, and that’s why they’re here. Well, technically, they’re here because of that and clock management by Mike McCarthy in the NFC Championship that would make a Madden player projectile vomit, but we digress. Seattle’s blueprint cover-3 (1 deep safety, 2 deep corners) and press coverage with 1 deep safety is as set in stone as Thanksgiving dinner, and they dare you to throw your best against it. In this case, though, the Patriots don’t live and die by the deep ball, which is where the majority of Seattle’s highlight-reel picks come from. If New England expects to stick with their mid-range pass game, like the crossing routes, slants, wheel routes, and those kinds of plays, getting off the line and away from Seattle’s jamming coverage will be key for New England’s (relatively) undersized receivers.

Defense is where Seattle should play right into New England’s hands, and why most Pats fans seem more cocky than concerned. Look at the stud receivers the Patriots have blanked this year. Then try to think of one receiver on the Seahawks that’s half as dangerous, without using your iPhone. You have from now until I finish making a double-decker sandwich to come up with an answer. Of course, Marshawn Lynch will do Marshawn Lynch things, but don’t be surprised to see the Patriots go with a “contain” strategy on defense to keep the gashing sprints that Lynch and quarterback Russell Wilson are capable of, possibly with a spy. Faster rushers like Chandler Jones and Akeem Ayers absolutely can’t get pancaked by offensive linemen, or Lynch will feast.

That said: not worried about it. This Patriots team is better than everyone at in-game and halftime adjustments, and they have the personnel this time to execute them. They’re healthy. They’re hungry. And they’re more than likely pissed off after all the mudslinging since last time they took the field.

Time to let the big dogs eat.

Final Score: New England 24, Seattle 17

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Frank O’Laughlin’s prediction

The Patriots will be more motivated than ever when the take the field on Sunday against the Seahawks. After being the subject of a zillion ridiculous accusations regarding deflated footballs, being labeled cheaters and interrogated like murder suspects, Bill Belichick’s squad will be foaming at the mouth when the ball is finally placed to be snapped. After all, the Patriots thrive off of hate and plenty of it was directed their way in recent days.

I envision Tom Brady and the offense getting off to a fast start. Sure the Seattle secondary possess enough talent to stifle New England’s top targets, but Brady’s numerous options can’t all be accounted for. Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman will get their fair share of targets though, look for Brandan LaFell, Danny Amendola and Shane Vereen to play big roles.

If the pass isn’t working then there’s always LeGarrette Blount. Blount is a big-game runner and plays up to physical teams. If he can break loose, the Seahawks will be in for nightmare. It all starts up front and whether Bryan Stork will be good to play. If Stork is a go, the Patriots offensive front should successfully hold it’s own in the trenches.

Marshawn Lynch is the man on Seattle’s offense. He needs to be contained. The Patriots cannot afford to let him dictate the game with gashing gains. I see them stacking the box with either an extra defensive back, maybe Patrick Chung, or an additional linebacker. They can afford to do so because of Seattle’s lacking receiving corps. New England’s secondary will dominate them, making Russell Wilson’s job very difficult, thus allowing the Patriots to key in on Lynch.

This is the game the Patriots prove to the world that they are indeed the NFL’s toughest team, not the Seahawks. Motivated by “deflategate” and playing with a massive chip on their shoulder, the Patriots will lay an unforgettable beating on their opponent.

Final Score: New England 34, Seattle 17

Willy’s prediction

I’m going to employ some reverse psychology, Seahawks 24, Patriots 19, but Patriots will really win.

Final Score: New England 24, Seattle 19

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