Super Bowl 49: Patriots vs. Seahawks Schedule, Final Box-Score Predictions
It may only be fantasy football players who really study the box scores every week in the NFL, but Sunday's box score will go a long way toward determining the ultimate Super Bowl winner.
After all, which running game controls the clock with more yards and first downs will help set the tempo for the game, how many yards Rob Gronkowski tallies against the Legion of Boom will give an indication as to how the New England Patriots handle the Seattle Seahawks defense, and which defense forces the most turnovers will highlight the game-changing plays.
With that in mind, here is a look at the essential information for the Super Bowl, including some predictions for the final box-score tallies for the critical players.
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Matchup: New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks
Date: Sunday, Feb. 1
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Live Stream: NBCSports.com
Spread: Patriots -1 (via Odds Shark, as of Saturday at 2 p.m. ET)
Box-Score Predictions:
| Completion Percentage | 61 | 67 |
| Passing Yards | 189 | 174 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 1 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 1 |
| Rushing Yards | 63 | 7 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 1 | 0 |
| Rushes | 26 | 17 |
| Rushing Yards | 112 | 53 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 2 | 1 |
| Receiving Yards | 32 | 10 |
| Touchdown Catches | 0 | 0 |
| Catches | 8 | 9 | 4 | 3 |
| Receiving Yards | 84 | 78 | 65 | 38 |
| Touchdown Catches | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Sacks | 3 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 0 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 1 | 1 |
Who Will Win the Battle of the Rushing Attacks?
The rushing attack is important in almost every game, but it will take on even more importance Sunday with so many superstars on both sides of the ball. The best way to keep the opponent's key players from going off is by keeping them on the sidelines, and the way to do that is through the running game and clock control.
The Seahawks were third in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game and second in yards allowed per carry and will look to limit New England’s effectiveness on the ground.
That means dealing with LeGarrette Blount, who tallied 281 rushing yards in five regular-season games for the Patriots and torched the Indianapolis Colts for 148 yards and three touchdowns. He has inserted life into what was a mediocre ground attack in New England and is a physical load to deal with between the tackles.
Something will have to give because Seattle has not allowed more than 73 rushing yards to a single opponent since Jamaal Charles racked up 159 back in mid-November.
However, that’s a bit misleading because the Seahawks allowed 132 team rushing yards to the Carolina Panthers and 135 team rushing yards to the Green Bay Packers in their two playoff games. The Seahawks gave up more than 100 rushing yards in each of their four losses this year and have been beaten before on the ground.
Still, that is only four losses, and superstars like DeMarco Murray and Charles were responsible for much of that.
While the Patriots will pick up some yards on the ground if they commit themselves to the running game, the Seahawks defense was still third in the league against the run for a reason. The defense is physical and athletic and will at least keep Blount and the New England attack in check, even if there are some yardage chunks in the middle of the game.
On the other side, Seattle was the league’s top rushing offense and should have the advantage over a New England defense that was ninth in the league against the run.
Marshawn Lynch is fresh off 157 rushing yards against the Green Bay Packers and finished with 1,306 rushing yards and 13 touchdown runs on the season. Quarterback Russell Wilson was also critical in the rushing attack and racked up 849 yards and six touchdowns on the ground this season.
Wilson and Lynch use the read-option to freeze linemen and force the linebackers to commit to one player or the other, which opens up lanes for both dangerous ball-carriers. It is incredibly difficult to tackle Lynch when he hits those holes, as Pro Football Focus noted:
Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower echoed those sentiments, via Chris Mason of the Boston Herald:
"(Lynch brings) a little bit of everything. He’s aggressive. He’s strong. He’s got great vision, great balance, good feet. He has everything that you’d want in a back. His feet never stop moving, no matter what he’s doing. Whether it’s picking up blocks in protection, or getting out on a screen pass or a check-down, he’s always looking to make that big play.
"
New England may have finished in the top 10 against the run this season, but it also allowed an average of 158 rushing yards in each of its four losses. Seattle is better than any of those teams the Patriots lost to when it comes to running the ball, and Lynch and Wilson will control the game on the ground.
That will help keep Brady and Gronkowski on the sidelines and also get the Seahawks a second consecutive Lombardi Trophy.
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