Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowl XLIX Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) -- Here we are, the final game of the season for all the marbles.
The Patriots and Seahawks will battle for NFL supremacy on Sunday night in Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots look to win their fourth Super Bowl in franchise history, while the Seahawks look to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since New England accomplished the feat in 2003-04.
It should be an incredible game filled with incredible matchups, as two of the best defenses in the league try to keep two of the best offenses from finding the end zone.
Here are Super Bowl predictions from the 98.5 The Sports Hub, WBZ-TV and WBZ NewsRadio 1030 sports teams:
Scott Zolak, 98.5 The Sports Hub
I look at this game to shape up like a rock fight, much like the game against Baltimore in the divisional round.
This one will come down to how much Josh McDaniels can maneuver and keep the tempo going on offense against Pete Carroll's defense. I think the Patriots will score late to seal it, but it will be a closer game than the score indicates.
Patriots 31, Seahawks 20
Andy Gresh, 98.5 The Sports Hub
I'm going Patriots in this one in a rock 'em, sock 'em robots game. I think the Patriots, instead of scoring a touchdown to win it, I think they're going to have to hold on and it will be the defense on the field when they win the game. It's were the Revis signing pays off and all that money is justified.
Patriots 28, Seahawks 27
Steve Burton, WBZ-TV Sports
Patriots 31, Seahawks 24
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
I am hoping for a classic matchup on Sunday. I look at the Seahawks as a much, much better version of the New York Jets -- a team that gave the Patriots fits all season. Seattle has a talented running back in Marshawn Lynch and a versatile QB in Russell Wilson. On defense, they will pond you like no other team.
However, I think the Patriots are a team on a mission, driven by their head coach and quarterback. I think Brady will find a way to win this game and the Patriots defense will have a big second half!
Patriots 27, Seahawks 23
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV Sports
Here's the deal: I have a strong dislike for the Seahawks, so I'm trying to make sure those feelings do not cloud my reasoning.
Seattle is great and should be the favorites in this game as defending champs who made it back to the big stage. They bring all the swag and why not? It's hard to get back to a Super Bowl, and you must have attitude to pull it off.
The biggest thing Seattle has going for them is not their defense, but Marshawn Lynch. He is truly the best runner in this game, getting physical every time he touches the ball and aggressive on every down. The Seahawks physicality on offense is what scares me the most. Tight end Luke Willson is strong and Russell Wilson is the best I've seen at the read option. Stopping Wilson when he scrambles will be New England's toughest job on Sunday.
But the Pats defense will have a chip on their shoulder. All week, the questions have been about that Seahawks D. New England's defense has received very little love over the last two weeks.
Offensively, the Patriots should be fine. I've seen Kam Chancellor matched up 1-on-1 with Jason Witten and Antonio Gates, and both times he's been destroyed. If they try to match him up on Gronk 1-on-1, expect a similar outcome.
The Pats offense should be able to make plays and do their thing. Richard Sherman will be forced to defend smaller players across the middle of the field; the Pats do more in-cuts than fly routes and that should help them in the passing game.
I liked the Pats in this game two weeks ago and I still like them today. They are healthy and playing championship caliber football.
Patriots 30, Seahawks 17.
Adam Kaufman, WBZ NewsRadio 1030/98.5 The Sports Hub
This one, for me, is a real head vs. heart debate.
If I had to write this prediction following the conference championship round, I'd have probably picked the Seahawks to win Sunday. They have the best defense in the NFL - one of the best in history - and we all remember what they did to the Broncos in last year's Super Bowl.
On paper and with regard to personnel, nothing has changed in the last nearly two weeks - unless you're banking on the slimmest of possibilities Richard Sherman actually skips the game because his girlfriend goes into labor. Won't happen; don't get your hopes up.
The only thing that's changed is Deflategate, the controversy that won't go away after dozens of prominent people in the NFL community condemned the Patriots for cheating. I don't believe they did after the impassioned speeches from Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick. Even before they spoke, I was far from convinced. And Roger Goodell doesn't have a damn thing on 'em.
What I am convinced of is this: Tom Brady and the Pats are pissed. His integrity, and that of the coach and organization, have been called into question by everyone from people with known agendas against New England to the QB's idol, Joe Montana. That's gotta hurt.
The Patriots will be motivated beyond imagination to win Sunday. I'm taking the Pats. Call me crazy (and you will), but I think they'll win convincingly, too.
Patriots 27, Seahawks 16
Tune in to Super Bowl XLIX on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the New England Patriots. It's the only place to hear Bob Socci & Scott Zolak's local call of the game
