Malika Andrews |
Get out the seven-layer dip and fire up your grill: Super Bowl Sunday is here.
This year is a battle of “old school” vs “new school,” as Super Bowl veteran Tom Brady and the New England Patriots take on hot-handed Russell Wilson and the defending champions, the Seattle Seahawks.
Already, fans love to hate this Super Bowl.
I hate Seattle because I am a 49ers fan, and I haven’t forgiven the Seahawks for beating us in the 2013 NFC championship. Seattle is cocky. Yet with allegations flying about the Patriots deflating the balls, people hate them for being cheaters.
Why watch, then? Because I want to see the team I hate more get beaten.
Seattle has proven to be resilient and a dominant second-half team. Down by as many as 16 against Green Bay in the 2014 NFC Championship, the Seahawks managed to rally and win 28-22 in overtime despite four interceptions thrown by Wilson.
The Patriots are coming off of a powerhouse 45-7 steamroll over the Colts. As Brady and head coach Bill Belichick search for their fourth ring in their sixth Super Bowl appearance, their biggest strength is their offense. Brady is a master of his craft.
The Seahawks cannot be underestimated, however. Why, you may ask? Two words: Marshawn Lynch. The 5’11 215 lb running back is an animal, with the potential to literally carry a team on his own, as exemplified by his 24-yard touchdown carry in the game against Green Bay.
In contrast to the Pats, Seattle will call upon their dominant defense. They have the top-rated defense in the NFL this year. Seattle has allowed an average of 282 yards per game whereas every other team has allowed an average of 350 yards. These numbers border on legendary.
As potent as the Patriot’s offense is, they will be met by Seattle’s authoritative defense. It will boil down to the Pat’s defense and their ability to stop Lynch.
It’ll be a close game, but I have a feeling this title will be landing with Seattle. As for me, I will be next to the chips in my Jerry Rice jersey, loving hating on the Seahawks, and rooting for Katy Perry.
Malika Andrews is the sports editor for The Beacon. She can be reached at andrewsm17@up.edu or on Twitter @malika_andrews
