2015 Super Bowl XLIX Picks and Predictions – New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks Expert Betting Preview

2015 Super Bowl XLIX Picks and Predictions – New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks Expert Betting Preview: The last team to win back-to-back Super Bowl was the New England Patriots. As those same Patriots, still led by head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, try to extend their dynasty with a fourth Super Bowl win in six tries since 2002, they will face a Seattle Seahawks franchise trying to begin a dynast of its own. The Seahawks are the defending champs, and with a punishing defense and quarterback that seems to make all the big throws in Russell Wilson, they certainly have the groundwork in place to become the NFL’s next dynasty. Both teams were the No. 1 seeds in their respective conferences this year, making Super Bowl XLIX a battle of true juggernauts.

NFC Championship Game: Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks

Seattle’s road to the Super Bowl was far from smooth. Following a surprise trade of receiver Percy Harvin, the Seahawks were sitting at 3-3 with an offense that looked out of sync. However, rediscovered its power running game, and Marshawn Lynch and company ended up leading the NFL in rushing. Meanwhile, the defense slowly regained its elite form, finishing first against the pas and third against the run. The Seahawks went on an 11-1 run to close the regular season, and after cruising past Carolina in the divisional round, a miracle comeback against Green Bay sent Seattle back to the Super Bowl.

New England’s path to the Super Bowl has been equally as rocky, albeit for different reasons. The Patriots were 2-2 after getting pummeled 41-14 by Kansas City. Well, Brady and company went 12-2 the rest of the way with tight end Rob Gronkowski returning to form and the team’s power running game resurfacing. When all was said and done, New England finished the regular season with the fourth-best scoring offense. Granted, they needed to come from behind to get past Baltimore in the divisional round of the playoffs, but the Patriots trounced Indianapolis in the AFC title game, albeit with deflated footballs.

The Seahawks Win If:

For the Seahawks to win back-to-back championships, they have to neutralize Gronkowski. When the Patriots’ offense was struggling in the first few weeks, it is no coincidence that Gronkowski was playing limited snaps as he worked his way back from knee surgery. The rest of New England’s weapons in the passing game are average at best, and if Gronkowski is taken out of the picture, the Patriots are going to have trouble scoring. On the offensive side of the ball, establishing their rushing attack has to be the top priority. When Lynch is rolling, Wilson is able to make plays with his legs and have opportunities to connect on big plays down the field.

The Patriots Win If:

While Brady has been the centerpiece of New England’s dynasty, establishing a steady ground game will be crucial in this matchup. Brady likes a clean pocket, and if the Seahawks don’t have to honor the run, they are going to pressure Brady relentlessly and make throwing into the league’s top-rated secondary that much more difficult. Defensively, New England has to make Wilson carry the offense. While he is for sure cool under pressure, the fact remains that Seattle’s offense is much better when Wilson is playing off the run game and not throwing 30-plus times.

The Bottom Line:

It isn’t much of a stretch to say that Gronkowski is the most important player in this matchup. As he goes, so goes the New England offense. With that in mind, the fact that Seattle has the athletes at linebacker and at the safety spots to at least slow down Gronkowski can’t be overlooked. Meanwhile, the rest of New England’s receivers simply aren’t talented enough to beat Seattle’s corners one-on-one. Granted, the Patriots are no slouches defensively, but there is a reason Wilson has never lost to an opposing quarterback that has a Super Bowl win. His versatility allows him to make big plays and makes him a matchup nightmare for defenses, and he has proven that no stage is too big for him. Don’t expect a rout like last year, but the Seahawks will still emerge with the win.

Prediction: Seattle Seahawks (+1) Cover the Spread

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