Patriots vs. Seahawks: Early Super Bowl Preview for New England

Despite Bill Belichick stating that the New England Patriots are "on to Seattle" after hoisting the AFC Championship trophy, their team plane will eventually land in Glendale, Arizona. Defeating the Indianapolis Colts in convincing fashion, 45-7, Tom Brady and Belichick will head to their sixth Super Bowl together.

Waiting for them in Arizona will be the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks. After pulling a victory out of their hat against the Green Bay Packers, 28-22, Pete Carroll's charges will be looking to repeat as Super Bowl champions for the first time in a decade.

Here are five storylines to watch as the big game slowly approaches.

Homecomings

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Brandon Browner is going to see a lot of microphones in the next two weeks. He spent last season as a member of the Seahawks, although he wasn't available for the Super Bowl. He'll see the field this time around.

Rob Gronkowski is also making a homecoming of sorts. Gronkowski spent his college days as a member of the Arizona Wildcats. He never was able to reach his true potential there due to injuries, but he'll be ready to leave his mark on February 1.

On a more somber note, the Patriots themselves return to the scene of their last two Super Bowl losses. They'll look to flip the script this time around and emerge victorious.

Injuries

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While Julian Edelman took some shots against the Indianapolis Colts, the gritty Patriots receiver looked to be moving OK during his postgame press conference.

The lone Patriot who may not be ready for the Super Bowl is Bryan Stork, who missed the AFC Championship Game. In his stead, Ryan Wendell and Josh Kline performed incredibly well. Kline's name wasn't called all night, which means an offensive lineman is doing his job.

The situation on Seattle's side of the field is a little more uncertain. Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman—two of the best defensive backs in the league—both suffered injuries to their arms during the game. Both finished the game and will likely not miss any time, but it remains to be seen whether Thomas will be able to hit with reckless abandon and if Sherman will be able to be as physical at the line of scrimmage.

Quarterbacks

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Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck—the two best young quarterbacks in the league—both had off games trying to reach the Super Bowl. Wilson, however, was able to make enough plays down the stretch—with the help of an onside kick—to reach his second championship game in as many years.

Brady will be playing his third Super Bowl in Arizona and sixth overall. While playoff experience may be a bit overrated, it is hard to argue that Brady's knowledge of what lies ahead won't provide a calming influence on his team.

New England hasn't played the Seahawks since the 2012 season; look for defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to have something special in store for Wilson.

Coaches

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Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll—the man whom he replaced as coach of the New England Patriots —will face off against each other as head coaches for just the third time in their storied careers. The series is tied 1-1, with Belichick's lone win coming as a member of the Cleveland Browns against Carroll's New York Jets. 

The Seahawks and Carroll famously dispatched the Patriots 24-23 in 2012, the game that introduced Richard Sherman to the world. The Patriots were firmly in control of the game, but turnovers and heroics from Wilson—sound familiar Green Bay Packers?—turned the tables late.

Look for Belichick to stress playing for the full 60 minutes this time around.

Cornerbacks

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Although Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. may deserve a mention, Darrelle Revis and Sherman are the two best cover corners in the game. The NFL world will be treated to watching both of them work at the highest level come February 1.

Sherman lines up on the defensive left side almost exclusively. All three of New England's receivers are playing well right now but expect to see Danny Amendola across from him a lot. Amendola is quick enough to get away from the more physical Sherman, and that leaves Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell with more favorable matchups. 

Expect Revis to track Doug Baldwin around the field, as Jermaine Kearse will likely receive the same treatment that T.Y. Hilton was afforded—help over the top. If those two players are removed from the game, Brandon Browner on a tight end will be Wilson's next read. That bodes well for New England.