Super Bowl 2015: NFL Spin Zone Staff Predictions
Dec 14, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) after catching the ball to score a touchdown during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won 41-13. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Disdier: Patriots 24, Seahawks 19
The Seahawks are a great team, but I think the Patriots will ultimately win their fourth Super Bowl and deflate Seattle’s dreams of repeating. If the plan is to have Kam Chancellor neutralize Gronk, then Tom Brady will find another way to move the ball down field. Furthermore, Gronkowski is healthy, which is something he wasn’t in the Patriots’ last Super Bowl against the Giants. To be fair, Seattle hasn’t looked good in recent weeks. They’ve beaten some teams, one good team and one subpar, but the Patriots have looked far and away like the better team. I expect the Patriots to play with an “us against the world” sized chip on their shoulder, and they should win this game.
Aryan von Eicken: Patriots 19, Seahawks 17
This game will be a defensive battle between two great teams. During the Bill Belichick era, every Super Bowl the Patriots have played in has been a nail-biter and I don’t this one will be any different. The Seahawks will shut down the Patriots running game, forcing Tom Brady to make plays. Seattle will also have a lot of success against Gronk. On the other side, the Patriots defense will keep Marshawn Lynch under 100 yards and will keep Russell Wilson inside the pocket for most of the game. In the end, I think kicker Stephen Gostkowski is going to be key. He is going to kick two 50-plus yard field goals and also hit two others and will win the Patriots this game (with Stephen Gostkowski the MVP).
Andrew Long: Patriots 28, Seahawks 24
I believe that the Patriots will edge out the Seahawks for the Lombardi trophy. For that to happen, Bill Belichick will have to create an effective game plan to neutralize Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle run-game. If that happens, then the pressure falls onto the New England offense. Can Tom Brady do what Peyton Manning couldn’t and successfully move the ball against the Legion of Boom? I think that he can.
Keegan Matheson: Patriots 27, Seahawks 24
If only by a hair, I favor the Patriots to halt the Seattle Seahawks run at a repeat. The Seahawks showed their vulnerability for 55 minutes in the NFC Championship, and I trust Bill Belichick and the Pats to learn from that. While the Seattle defense is the immovable object in Super Bowl XLIX, they’ve been cracked open by strong tight end play in 2014 and will have to deal with the NFL’s best on Sunday. Brady and Belichick have already added another controversy, now it’s time to add another ring.
Curtis Marcaccio: Seahawks 34, Patriots 21
With Seattle coming off a thrilling overtime win against the Packers, Richard Sherman and The Legion of Boom will look to shut down the high powered offense of the New England Patriots. Ultimately, Seattle will be too much to handle, as Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson will torch the Pats defense early and often. If Seattle can get pressure on Brady, the Patriots offense will be in for a long night. Seattle should have no issues at all in this game.
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