Patriots vs. Seahawks: Date, Game Time and TV Coverage for Super Bowl 2015
The globe is on the cusp of one of the most important Super Bowl showdowns in a decade or more.
It sure doesn't feel that way, though.
The focus surrounding the event does not center on a potential passing-of-the-torch moment at quarterback, nor a legendary coaching showdown. Instead, the chatter is all about what running back Marshawn Lynch will say, if he will taunt and the PSI levels of footballs.
TOP NEWS
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Colts Release Kenny Moore
Projecting Every NFL Team's Starting Lineup 🔮
Rookie WRs Who Will Outplay Their Draft Value 📈
It is time to bring things back to basics. There is a game to be played, after all.
Super Bowl Info and Odds
| Sunday, Feb. 1 | New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks | 6:30 p.m. | NBC | NE -1 | 47.5 | 27-24 SEA |
*Betting info via Odds Shark as of Sunday, Jan. 25, at 10 p.m. ET.
Matchups to Watch
Seattle Defense vs. LeGarrette Blount
The attention goes to Lynch, for better or worse.
While one of the league's most dominant backs, the spotlight does much to overshadow LeGarrette Blount, who is every bit as violent and effective between the tackles when used in a consistent manner.
Blount usually receives the gritty work. When the Patriots encountered the Detroit Lions, owners of the league's top run defense, he ran for 78 yards and two scores.
In the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts, he received a season-high 30 carries and turned the usage into 148 yards and three scores.
As ESPN's Mike Reiss points out, there is a certain fluidity to the 6'0", 250-pound back's game that makes him nearly unstoppable:
Blount poses a major problem for Seattle. While safety Earl Thomas and the Seahawks are a dominant defense, it is important to note that the unit does tend to struggle against bigger backs.
Green Bay running back Eddie Lacy ran for 73 yards on 21 carries against the unit recently. Carolina ball-carrier Jonathan Stewart found room for 70 yards on just 13 carries.
If Blount can find similar success, the Patriots will be able to control the game. If there is a back who can match the physicality of Seattle's defense, it's him.
Darrelle Revis, Others vs. Doug Baldwin
Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin does not come with gaudy numbers. He is Seattle's No. 1 wideout but only by way of 66 catches for 825 yards and three touchdowns.
The thing is, Baldwin may be the game-breaking presence the Seahawks need in order to pull away from the Patriots.
Sooner or later, quarterback Russell Wilson will need to throw the ball. It is likely Baldwin, his most reliable target, will be the intended receiver, especially based on his track record in big games, per CBS Sports' Jason A. Churchill:
The offense centers around Lynch, but Baldwin did reel in a couple of critical catches in overtime during the NFC Championship Game.
It is difficult to know how the Patriots will deploy defenders such as Darrelle Revis. Regardless, Baldwin is sure to be the focal point when the Seahawks take to the air.
As far as chess matches go, Baldwin is a rather large piece of the puzzle.
Pete Carroll vs. Bill Belichick
Speaking of chess matches, it seems underrated what a war of the minds the globe has on its hands when head coaches Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick come together for a showdown.
Belichick, of course, is one of the game's legendary coaches whose accomplishments even this season are impressive. Random breakout games by tight end Tim Wright, running back Jonas Gray and others are not dumb luck but strokes of tactical genius.
Carroll led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl last season and was brave enough to ship away weapons such as Percy Harvin. Brilliant drafting and strategic deployment make him one of the league's best.
The experience at hand is historic, as Pro Football on ESPN illustrates:
For Carroll's part, he is not buying any chatter that the Patriots will struggle in the big game because of Deflategate distractions, per ESPN.com's Terry Blount: "I think it's common when you feel like you're under attack it draws you closer. I would suspect those guys will rally together. We understand it's a distraction they don't want, but I'm sure they're handling it in the best way possible. That's all you can do right now."
In a meeting of the minds such as this, the game will come down to which coach deploys his personnel smarter, as well as which one takes the risks at the proper time.
Carroll's right. Expect both men to be at their best—there's legacy and a Lombardi Trophy on the line, after all.
Stats courtesy of NFL.com. Advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
