Super Bowl 2015: Updated Odds, Preview, Prediction for Patriots vs. Seahawks

Whenever a team is defending the Lombardi Trophy, every opponent gives his best shot to topple the NFL's champion. The Seattle Seahawks have dealt with that all season long and had one last dramatic hurdle to clear before returning to play in Super Bowl XLIX.

While the New England Patriots' toughest test came in the divisional round, Green Bay pushed Seattle to the limit in an overtime NFC title game for the ages.

Their diverse paths through the postseason have culminated in the two regular-season conference champions ultimately taking care of business to meet in the grand finale.

On the strength of a 45-7 win over Indianapolis, New England is installed as the current two-point favorite, per OddsShark.com. That will only fuel the fire for those Seahawks who seem to play with a scalding chip on their shoulders and hair alight.

February 1 will be a game not soon forgotten in NFL lore, so the next phase of this writeup offers an analytical preview and prediction on how these magnificent NFL playoffs conclude.

Super Bowl XLIX Preview, Prediction

The main storylines are rather well established at this point. Patriots legends Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are seeking their fourth Super Bowl ring and will have to go through the best defense in recent memory to get it done. 

Brady and his counterpart Russell Wilson are quite similar in that both were written off in the draft, fell past every team multiple times and are now raging success stories.

ESPN Stats & Info highlights how close the start of Wilson's career bears resemblance to that of Brady's:

The way Wilson managed to bounce back from four interceptions and help will the Seahawks to victory this last Sunday was a Tim Tebow-esque phenomenon. It just went to show how complete, deep and together Seattle is as a team.

Based on how dominant Seattle has been in closing out games, perhaps nothing should come as a surprise:

ESPN's Steve Levy mentions how the Patriots have been just as stingy when it matters most:

Before Seattle even hits the field, though, oddsmakers consider the Seahawks to be down by two points. When the ball is kicked on Super Bowl Sunday, it could very well be a different story.

New England has been a model of consistency and the closest to a dynasty the NFL has seen amid so much parity. This is the Seahawks' chance to win back-to-back titles for the first time since the Patriots did it nearly a decade ago and establish themselves in the dynastic conversation.

And what a chance this is for outgoing Seattle coach Pete Carroll to match wits with the brusque Belichick and exact a certain degree of vengeance.

TSN's Rod Smith has an interesting anecdote:

Carroll allows his players to be outspoken and be themselves, which has translated to a lot of winning in a far different fashion than the mum "Patriot Way" Belichick prefers.

Belichick alluded to the difference in a Monday conference call, via Patriots.com's Andy Hart:

"

I think Pete's a great football coach. His record speaks for itself. I've always had a lot of respect for Pete. He believes what he believes in. I think that they kind of have their way of doing things, but it works very well and Pete’s consistent, he's got a consistent message. I think he's coached pretty much the same type of – he has the same type of style and similar type of coaching personality and scheme and just kind of the whole thing for many years now.

"

This clash of philosophies nevertheless achieves the same goal that proves so elusive for the majority of the league: optimum team unity.

The Patriots boss feeds his players humble pie and is indiscriminate with regard to cutting any star loose. He implores his team to strictly adhere to the system and produces transcendent results.

A far more upbeat and jovial atmosphere defines Carroll's flair. It fosters an environment that encourages constant competition but where everyone on the roster is believed in. All hands are on deck, as Carroll gets everyone to buy in, maximizing the potential of the unheralded and undrafted just as Belichick does.

These tacticians and the extremely smart players they have at their disposal should make Super Bowl XLIX one for the ages.

The plays Wilson makes with his feet and the consistent greatness Marshawn Lynch puts forth from Seattle's backfield will make it tough on the Patriots' vulnerable front seven, which isn't quite as good as the Seahawks.

That superiority lies mostly in the standout play of linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright, who boast versatility and all-around skills only New England's Jamie Collins can match.

Both secondaries should be able to limit big plays in the passing game, so Wilson's running ability will be the X-factor that pushes the Seahawks into immortality as rare repeat Super Bowl winners.

Prediction: Seahawks 20, Patriots 17