Super Bowl 2015: NFL Spin Zone Staff Predictions
Opinions are like…Super Bowl predictions. Everyone has one.
Well, plenty of people do. And the staff here at NFL Spin Zone takes some time to chime in on who will walk away with a victory in Super Bowl XLIX.
A total of 17 writers have chimed in with their selections, 13 choosing the Patriots and four picking the Seahawks.
January 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the second half in the NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Soriano: Seahawks 20, Patriots 17
This looks like a slugfest to me, since both of these teams are built on fantastic secondaries, and both of these defensive backfields lived up to their respective reputations by shutting down Andrew Luck and Aaron Rodgers in the divisional round. Despite the fact that the New England Patriots pass-catchers are better than the guys the Seattle Seahawks will have running routes, the Seahawks are better equipped to win this game due to the running game. Just as he was in the NFC Championship game against Green Bay, Marshawn Lynch will be the difference in this one, as he’s consistently been a top three running back who makes defenders look silly.
I have the Seahawks winning , but it’s hard to feel confident about a game that could easily come down to a few bounces here and there, which is exactly how several games in the playoffs (Packers-Seahawks, Packers-Cowboys, Lions-Cowboys to name three) have transpired. I don’t anticipate anything resembling last year’s blowout, because the Patriots defense is much better than the Denver Broncos unit last season, and the Patriots’ quick-strike passing attack will be at least a bit harder for the “Legion of Boom” to stop.
Michael Dunlap: Patriots 28, Seahawks 17
Both of these teams have been-there, done-that, but the way they’ve moved through these playoffs have created some doubt in my mind. The Seahawks looked absolutely terrible for three and a half quarters in the NFC Championship game and needed a miracle to make it to the Super Bowl. The Patriots dominated — regardless of the ball’s PSI — and have the better quarterback, coach and the big x-factor in Rob Gronkowski. Brady will find Gronk over and over, wreaking havoc with Seattle’s defensive schemes, rendering them just average.
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