Super Bowl 2015: Winner, Final Box Score Predictions for Patriots vs. Seahawks

The longest week of the year is over, but the wait for Super Bowl XLIX remains far from complete.

Although the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks don't top the NFL in likability, the league's two best teams will settle the score on Sunday in what should be a heated contest. The millennium's top club stands in the way of stopping Seattle's quest to assume that mantle.   

This matchup doesn't forebode a shootout, but several stars will take the field to establish NFL supremacy between each No. 1 seed. Let's forecast some of those players' final outputs during football's finale. 

Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

When: Sunday, Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. ET

TV: NBC

Live Stream: NBC Live Extra

Odds (via Odds Shark on Tuesday, January 27 at 4 p.m. ET)

• Spread: Patriots (-1)
• Over/Under: 47.5

Prediction: Patriots 24, Seahawks 20 

Patriots

Player	Projections
Tom Brady, QB	28-44, 245 YDs, 2 TDs, 1 INT
LeGarrette Blount, RB	18 Rush, 75 YDs, 1 TD
Julian Edelman, WR	11 REC., 85 YDs, 1 TD
Brandon LaFell, WR	4 REC, 30 YDs
Rob Gronkowski, TE	5 REC., 70 YDs, 1 TD
Vince Wilfork, DT	4 Tackles
Jamie Collins, LB	8 Tackles, 1 For Loss, 1 PD
Dont'a Hightower, LB	6 Tackles, 1 Sack
Darrelle Revis, CB	5 TAR, 2 REC. 25 YDs, 1 INT

Seattle again opposes a future Hall of Fame quarterback with the Lombardi Trophy at stake. A year removed from stifling Peyton Manning to 5.71 yards per attempt with two interceptions, the Legion of Boom's top-rated passing defense gets Tom Brady.

The Big Lead's Jason McIntyre pointed out some similarities in the matchups. Last year, the Seahawks forced Manning to settle for short strikes that inflicted limited damage. Brady went 12 of 48 on passes over 20 yards down field during the season, and Seattle ranks No. 4 in Football Outsiders' DVOA on short passes.

Yet the three-time champion is rolling on all cylinders. Since throwing one touchdown in each of four shaky September games, he has tossed 35 through his last 14 games. The toughest passing defense he faced, however, preceded that stretch. 

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Against the Kansas City Chiefs, who allowed fewer passing yards than every team besides Seattle, Brady finished with 159 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions during Week 4's Monday Night Football clash. The effort led many analysts to stick a fork in New England's season. 

Then again, he crushed Buffalo's No. 3 defense for 361 yards and four scores during a Week 6 meeting. Neither extreme is a responsible projection for the Super Bowl, so anticipate a modest effort littered with short passes.

That bodes well for Julian Edelman, Brady's go-to possession receiver. After tallying 92 receptions during the season, the wide receiver has added 17 catches through two postseason slates.

Brady has looked his way at least 10 times in each of the past six games, resulting in 50 grabs for 538 yards. It's easy to see why the 28-year-old wideout is so smitten with the quarterback, as noted by the team's Twitter page.

Look for another outing with double-digit targets his way, even if they don't result in significant yardage. The Pats will need Rob Gronkowski to make the big plays through the air. 

Seattle starting nickelback Jeremy Lane isn't concerned about covering him, making headlines for his bold remarks to reporters.

"I actually don't think he's that good," Lane said. "He's OK. He does have a big body. But from what I've seen on tape, he doesn't like you putting your hands on him. So if we put our hands on him and shake him up a little bit, he won't catch that many balls."

Right... He obviously is that good, leading all tight ends with 1,124 receiving yards this season alongside a dozen touchdowns. To make matters worse, if Seattle's swarming defense has any weakness, it's shielding opposing tight ends. The team sports a No. 18 DVOA against the position, which could prove a major problem against Gronkowski.   

Lane must rue those remarks for the Patriots to break their 11-year title drought. 

Seahawks

Player	Projections
Russell Wilson, QB	17-of-25, 205 Pass YDs, 50 Rush YDs, 1 TD
Marshawn Lynch, RB	24 Rush, 110 YDs, 1 TD
Doug Baldwin, WR	6 REC., 55 YDs
Jermaine Kearse, WR	2 REC. 40 YDs
Luke Willson, TE	4 REC., 60 YDs, 1 TD
Michael Bennett, DE	3 Tackles, 1 Sack
Bobby Wagner, LB	9 Tackles, 2 For Loss
Richard Sherman, CB	4 Targets, 2 REC., 20 YDs
Earl Thomas, S	6 Tackles, 1 For Loss, 1 PD
Kam Chancellor, S	7 Tackles, 1 INT

Starting with the obvious, Russell Wilson will not throw four interceptions again. He had previously endured four multi-interception games during his three-year career, only once exceeding two. 

After dominating the Carolina Panthers with his arm, he again stayed in the pocket against the Green Bay Packers, this time yielding disastrous results. Head coach Pete Carroll got his quarterback moving again during their second-half rally, so expect more activity from the mobile Wilson on Sunday.

New England is solid on both fronts, ranked No. 12 in DVOA against the pass and No. 14 versus the run. No team assembled more rushing yards than Seattle during the season, so it shouldn't divert from its roots now.

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Marshawn Lynch fueled the NFC Championship Game comeback with 183 total yards. As pointed out by Forbes' Vincent Frank, the tough running back would not go down. 

After watching the Pats lock down Andrew Luck, the Seahawks will lean heavily on their star rusher. Unlike last year, when he compiled just 39 rushing yards during the Super Bowl, they need a big game from Beast Mode.

Once again, the tight end will also play a pivotal role on this side of the field. New England ranks last in DVOA against the position, and Luke Willson has brandished big-play potential with 250 yards and three scores over his last four outings.

During a dreadful offensive outing for the usually prolific Indianapolis Colts offense, Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen combined for seven of their 12 catches. In the 45-7 AFC Championship Game annihilation, New England limited Indianapolis' wideouts to two receptions.

Before saving the day with the game-winning overtime touchdown, Jermaine Kearse caused two of Wilson's four interceptions, and the other two were on throws directed his way. Despite scoring in each of his last four postseason bouts, he's not positioned for a strong game, especially if lined up against Darrelle Revis.

Seattle's secondary is never a concern, but both Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman played the NFC Championship Game battered. While the star safety battled a shoulder ailment, the shutdown corner essentially played the second half with one arm.

If the team is to be believed, the extra week off has helped both studs recover to full strength.

Most eyes will be on their health, but Kam Chancellor will prove the Legion of Boom's X-factor. The unit's overlooked safety has collected 375 tackles over the past four seasons, providing muscle for the more agile Thomas.

Sherman appreciates his imposing presence down field.

Bleacher Report's Matt Bowen anticipates Chancellor getting tasked with containing Gronkowski. If so, that's an epic showdown worth watching, as the winner could sway the final outcome while establishing a potent MVP contender.