Seahawks score in overtime to clinch Super Bowl spot. (Courtesy of NFL.com)
Tom Brady celebrates his 6th Super Bowl appearance. (Courtesy of NFL.com)
By: Tashvir Narine
It was a tale of two cities when the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks clinched their respective spots for Super Bowl XLIX on February 1, 2015. Seattle came back to steal overtime victory from the Green Bay Packers before New England ran through the Indianapolis Colts on Conference Final Sunday, January 18.
This year???s final is to be played in Glendale, Arizona and will place the two number one seeds from the AFC and NFC conferences. Extra emphasis will be placed on the matchup between New England???s multi-talented offensive attack versus Seattle???s Legion of Boom defense.?? Both teams finished the regular season with 12-4 records and enjoyed first round playoff byes.
In the first game of the day, the Seattle Seahawks fell behind 16-0 at halftime and quarterback Russell Wilson did not look strong with multiple turnovers. The second half however was quite the exciting finish. Seattle???s first score came from a fake field goal which led to a touchdown pass. And with almost four minutes to go, the Seahawks trailed Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers 19-7. Russell Wilson ran the ball in for a touchdown and Seattle attempted the onside kick. And in the play that eventually determined the outcome of the game, Green Bay tight end Brandon Bostick could not handle the onside kick and Seattle with Marshawn Lynch, marched right back into the endzone to go ahead. The Packers forced overtime with a field goal but Seattle won the toss and elected to receive the ball. Momentum was with the Seahawks and the league???s loudest stadium erupted when Russell Wilson went over the top to Jermaine Kearse for a walkoff overtime touchdown. This is the second consecutive year that Seattle has made it to the Super Bowl and the defending champs would surely be looking to repeat against the Patriots.
Tom Brady and company had an easier time of it dominating the Indianapolis Colts from the beginning whistle until the end. Indianapolis dropped the first New England punt which gave Brady a short field and lead to the first LeGarrette Blount score. The Patriots??? stifling defense, combined with the Colts??? young and indecisive offense made the game very one-sided thereafter. Indianapolis, like they struggled before, had no answer for Blount and the New England running game. This Super Bowl will be the sixth appearance for head coach Bill Belichick and Brady, and the two are going for their fourth championship.
The Seahawks will be the favourites to repeat as champions but this New England team will be their toughest matchup this season. It is the day that all American Football fans look forward to each year and this year will be a must see.
Who do you want to win?
