NFL: The New England Patriots Will Beat the Seattle Seahawks in 2015 Super Bowl If They Do These 5 Things
It won't be easy.
These are after all the defending Super Bowl champions. The Seahawks and their elite defense look to win a second consecutive Super Bowl, but Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are trying to win their first title since the 2004-05 season.
Here are five things the Patriots do to win the Super Bowl:
1. Protect Brady
If the Seahawks get to Brady throughout the game on a consistent basis, this game will be a blowout, like we saw last year against the Denver Broncos. Brady isn't a very mobile quarterback, so it's extremely critical that his offensive line, running backs and tight ends protect and give him time. The New York Giants won their last two Super Bowls, against the Patriots, mostly because they were able to get to Brady. Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman have to be available in short yardage gains as well when Brady is under pressure.
2. Establish the Run
LeGarrette Blount has to play great and provide a balanced attack for the Patriots to even have a chance. Blount is an inconsistent back who rarely puts together back to back great games. The last time Blount had two consecutive 100-yard games was 2011 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If the Patriots become a one dimensional team and abandon the run game, it will create a lot of problems and turnovers. The Seahawks "Legion of Boom" defense has allowed more than 130 rushing yards the last two games, to the Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers.
3. Get Gronk Involved Early and Often
The last time we saw Robert Gronkowski in the Super Bowl was 2012 against the Giants. In that game Gronkowski had just two catches for 26 yards, while playing with a high ankle sprain. Now Gronkowski is back and ready to go. This year he was the Patriots leading receiver with 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns, and you can bet Kam Chancellor will be guarding him. The Patriots have to get the ball to Gronkowski early in the game and let him do what he does best: score touchdowns and get yards after the catch.
4. Play Shutdown Pass Defense
Darrelle Revis was once considered the best cornerback in the NFL by a wide margin, and he finally gets the chance to showcase his talents on the big stage. Opposite from him will be Brandon Browner, who played the last three seasons with the Seahawks. The Patriots pass defense certainly isn't the "Legion of Boom" led by Richard Sherman, but they have to shut down Doug Baldwin and tight end Jermaine Kearse. Baldwin and Kearse are productive players, but they're not elite receivers. If the Patriots have trouble stopping Russell Wilson's passing game, it will create huge problems all game long.
5. Contain Marshawn Lynch
It's almost impossible to completely stop Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch, but the Patriots have to be able to contain the Seahawks running back. No other running back in the league breaks more tackles or plays more aggressive than Lynch does. Ask the Green Bay Packers, who gave up 157 rushing yards to Lynch in the NFC Championship game. If the Patriots are unable to restrain Lynch, it will have a detrimental effect on their time of possession. The Seahawks had the No. 1 rushing offense in the NFL this season.
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