Super Bowl 2015: Bold Predictions for Seahawks vs. Patriots

For the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, the Super Bowl isn't uncharted territory. The Patriots are looking to return to the glory they reached a decade ago, and the Seahawks are looking to defend their title and be the first team to win back-to-back titles since, well, the Patriots.

The Super Bowl is shaping up to be an incredible matchup, which calls for three predictions for Super Bowl XLIX.

Tom Brady will throw at Richard Sherman

Despite being the leader of the Legion of Boom and one of the most dangerous corners in the NFL (although CBS Sports have Sherman at No. 75 based on this past season), Richard Sherman will not scare Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. 

However, Brady and Sherman have a deeper relationship, at least from a spectator's perspective. 

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

One of the biggest moments of the 2012 NFL season was when the Seahawks came from behind to beat the Patriots in the regular season, but Sherman's comments after the game are remembered more than the game itself.

According to ESPN.com's Terry Blount, however, Sherman claims that Brady is an excellent trash-talker and started the verbal battle in 2012: "He was pretty much saying we were nobodies. And we should come up to him after they got the win. He said stuff like that throughout the game. So we should just take that pretty well? Sure, can I get your autograph, too?"

Like most great players, one of the things that makes Brady great is his fearlessness. His ability to stick to his game plan and never turn away from a challenge has made him one of the greatest QBs of all time.

While Brady may respect Sherman's ability, he won't be shy throwing it to his side of the field. In fact, it's almost guaranteed that he will challenge Sherman. 

In their first game against each other since 2012, the anticipation for a battle between Brady and Sherman is at an all-time high.

Marshawn Lynch will struggle against the Patriots defense

As one of the most controversial and talented running backs in the NFL, Marshawn Lynch often paints a bull's-eye on his back. Coaches tend to center their game plans on him and do whatever is necessary to prevent him from decimating their defenses.

However, Lynch has defied the odds consistently and continues to succeed each season. 

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

This past regular season, Lynch averaged 4.7 yards and had 1,306 rushing yards in total, culminating in 13 touchdowns. Lynch was the primary reason why the Seahawks led the NFL in rushing yards per game. 

Despite success, it hasn't been an easy road for Lynch, and he can guarantee the Super Bowl will not be any easier.

Lynch will face the league's ninth-ranked rushing defense, and Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia already has his mind on him and the rest of the Seahawks rushing attack, as he told reporters: "Seattle has a number of different runs that they execute as an offense that would be one of their packages that they use. They execute it at a very high level. It’s extremely dangerous; they do it from a number of different looks."

Lynch will have to deal with extensive preparation by Patricia and his players. Defensive lineman Vince Wilfork, linebacker Dont'a Hightower and the rest of the Patriots defense will be looking to stop Lynch and his antics. 

Elise Amendola/Associated Press/Associated Press

It will be tough for Lynch. Breaking 100 yards rushing against a prepared Patriots defense will take a monumental effort. If he does, it should be the deciding factor of the game.

LeGarrette Blount will repeat AFC Championship performance

While Brady is one of the greatest of all time, he can't do it all on his own, especially against a team like the Seahawks.

I previously discussed how Brady and the Patriots can face adversity, and that if Brady is on the field with the Patriots, they will always have a shot at winning: 

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Brady took control on offense early and had to throw all game to create a way for the Patriots to pull out a victory. He almost seemed comfortable, and that may be the key to the Patriots' success.

Being down the whole game obviously caused the Patriots to throw more, but the lack of any production by running backs Brandon Bolden, Shane Vereen and LeGarrette Blount caused the Patriots to fully rely on Brady to lead them.

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While valid, the AFC Championship told a drastically different story. The combination of a dominant offensive line and an excellent showing from LeGarrette Blount created a rhythm for Brady and the offense that led to 45 points.

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Blount, who had three touchdowns and 185 yards on the ground, will need to continue to perform against the Seahawks. The Patriots are at their best when they can distract a defense from Brady and cause a disruption on the ground.

A successful rushing attack is crucial for Brady to open up a tough Seahawks defense. 

Super Bowl XLIX's result will primarily depend on offensive performance. Both sides have excellent defenses and playmakers, like the Patriots' Darrelle Revis and the Seahawks' Kam Chancellor, among others. It will be a matter of which team can break a possible defensive stalemate.

Whoever strikes first, the side that wins the most battles at various offensive fronts will win the game. The outcome of the Brady-Sherman battle, Lynch's matchup against Wilfork or Hightower and the success of Blount and the Patriots' run game will decide if New England become champions once again.

Final score prediction: Patriots 21-13 Seahawks

All stats were found at ESPN.com unless otherwise stated.

Evan Reier is a first-year journalism major at the University of Alabama and a member of Bleacher Report's APSM program. Follow Evan on Twitter at @evanreier.