Super Bowl XLIX: Offense or defense?

Probably the most asked question for Super Bowl XLIX this Sunday is whether or not the New England Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady can muster any offense against the vaunted Seattle Seahawk defense. Everyone knows the Seahawks once again have the top defense in terms of yardage allowed per game. Everyone also knows what Seattle did to one of the best offenses of all time in last year’s championship game. However, what may be an even more important question that needs to be answered is if the Seahawk offense can move the football against a Patriot defense that held the Indianapolis Colts to only seven points last week in the AFC championship.
When considering the 2014 NFL season statistics, it would be an obvious conclusion that Seattle has the edge on New England. The Seahawks held opponents to 267 yards of offense per game in 2014 and only allowed 16 points per game. The Patriots were the number 11 team in the league averaging 366 yards of total offense per game and scored 29 points per game.
On the flip side, the New England defense allowed 344 yards per game and gave up 20 points per game to their opponents. The Seahawk offense averaged 375 yards of total offense per game while scoring 25 points per game. This matchup of the Seattle offense versus the New England defense may wind up being a big factor in the outcome of the game.
One question to ponder before the Super Bowl kicks off, which team will show up in the navy, green and grey uniforms of the Seattle Seahawks? Will it be the dominating team of last year’s championship? Or will it be the shaky, off kilter team that came within an eyelash of losing to the Green Bay Packers in this year’s NFC championship. They say that repeating as Super Bowl champions is one of the hardest accomplishments in the world of sports. A sure bet for the 49th version of the NFL championship is that each team will be prepared, as both Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll will have their teams ready to play.
The game itself has some very intriguing storylines. Seattle is looking to be the first back to back Super Bowl Champions since New England won back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005. Seahawk quarterback Russell Wilson is trying to become the first quarterback to go two for two in Super Bowl wins as a starter. Tom Brady is seeking his fourth Super Bowl win, tying Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana for the most wins by a starting quarterback. Finally, the Patriots are also hoping to win their fourth NFL championship in eight appearances.
Keys to the Game
1. New England must find a running game against the Seattle defense. In order for the Patriot passing game to be successful, New England must be balanced and find some type of run game against the Seahawks.
2. Seattle has to put pressure on Brady. Last week against the Packers, a hobbled Aaron Rogers had all day to find receivers down the field. Seattle must get to Brady and come up with more than one sack.
3. New England needs to contain the Seahawk run game. The Patriots cannot let Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson control the football on the ground. If Seattle can own the line of scrimmage and run wild, game over for New England.
4. Scoring in the red zone. Each team must put up points once they have reached the red zone. Preferably those points need to be of the touchdown variety.
5. Own the turnover margin. Whichever teams wins the turnover margin will more than likely walk away with the Lombardi Trophy.