Stats vs Facts, Seahawks vs Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX
Posted by Jonathan Nardone, Twitter Handle: @JNardone87
Think about it. Back in 2012, every team in the National Football League had the opportunity to draft Russell Wilson, some teams even had two chances. After wading through the rough spots to be drafted in the third round, Wilson has placed his Seahawks in position to attempt to become back to back Super Bowl champions. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is in that same boat. Not getting drafted until the sixth round, Brady has shown his maturity over the years by leading the Patriots to their sixth Super Bowl since 2002.
Could Russell Wilson be turning into one of the greatest clutch quarterbacks in the league? It’s very possible. After shrugging off four interceptions to lead the Seahawks to three touchdowns late in the fourth quarter and overtime against the Green Bay Packers, it’s a fair question to ask. The Seahawks are the first team to make back-to-back Super Bowls since Tom Brady and his Patriots did it back in 2004 and 2005. These two great quarterbacks have only faced each other one other time. It was back in Wilson’s rookie season in 2012, Wilson hit Sidney Rice on a 46-yard touchdown pass with 1:18 left to play as the Seahawks rallied for 14 points in the final 7:31 of the game to beat the Patriots 24-23.
Russell Wilson has put together three amazing seasons to kick start his career. Over the past few seasons, Wilson has produced six playoff wins to just one loss giving him a .857 winning percentage. Through three seasons, Wilson has compiled a record of 10-0 against former Super Bowl winning quarterbacks and looks to extend his streak to 11. With the Seahawks focusing on the ground and pound, Wilson isn’t expected to air the ball out quite as much as traditional pocket passer Tom Brady should. Wilson has thrown for 1,305 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions in those seven playoff games.
Look for Marshawn Lynch to get multiple flags for inappropriate behavior. Expected to see the bulk of the work, Lynch could be asked to keep the ball early and often to keep the Patriots offense on the sideline. Over the past two weeks, the Patriots have faced off against 47 rushing attempts which they have allowed opposing backs to record 4.6 yards per carry. That has led to 219 total rushing yards with teams averaging over 109.5 yards per game but just 1 rushing touchdown in those two games. Wilson’s top target Doug Baldwin is expected to be shadowed by cornerback Darrelle Revis who has really stepped his game up over the past few weeks and is playing like that top caliber shut down corner he’s known to be. The Patriots allowed Joe Flacco to post 292 yards and 4 touchdowns but stopped Andrew Luck to just 126 yards and 2 interceptions. With 4 interceptions in the last two games, the Patriots defenders have become ball hogs and could make it difficult for Wilson through the air.
Tom Brady won each of his first three Super Bowl appearances back in 2002, 2004 and 2005 but since then lost his last two most recent trips in 2007 and 2012. Brady has compiled some incredible stats in his 20 career playoff wins which are the most by a quarterback in league history. He boasts a .714 winning percentage which is the highest of all quarterbacks with at least 20 career playoff starts. Airing the ball out time after time and being successful doing so, he has produced 7,017 passing yards which has lead to 49 touchdowns and just 24 interceptions in those 20 playoff wins.
Over the past two weeks the Seahawks have been stout against opposing quarterbacks. They have not allowed more than 250 yards through the air, limiting both Cam Newton and Aaron Rodgers to just three passing touchdowns combined while allowing an average of just 19.5 points per game in that span. The Seahawks have allowed back to back rushers to eclipse the 70-plus yard mark while allowing teams to rush for 130-plus yards in back to back weeks. Opposing running backs are averaging 4.3 yards per carry against the Seahawks, none have not found the end zone yet but with Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount rushing for 143 yards and 3 touchdowns last week, it may be hard to keep that big back out of the end zone if the Patriots get in close to the goal line. With Richard Sherman dealing with an elbow injury, it could be something the Patriots take advantage of. They may line-up physical tight end Rob Gronkowski outside more to use his size and ability to out-muscle a somewhat limited Sherman. Sherman has allowed just 1 touchdown this postseason and has been able to record 2 interceptions in the past 2 weeks as quarterbacks have tried to test him down the field. Creating pressure could be a issue for the Seahawks as they have only been able to record 3 sacks over the past two weeks. With Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Shane Vereen running a ton of quick slants and underneath routes, Brady doesn’t give opposing defenses the time to get after the passer.
As Russell Wilson attempts to lead his Seahawks to their first back-to-back world championship, Tom Brady is attempting to steer his Patriots to their record breaking sixth Super Bowl win. Either way it goes, this game should be one for the books.
Posted by HARRYtheHAT
Just a outstanding write-up by Jonathan Nardone, Twitter Handle: @JNardone87
