At the beginning of the season, 32 teams were looking for one goal – Super Bowl XLIX. Out of those teams, only two are left: the AFC Champion New England Patriots and the NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks. Today, they will meet in University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona to play for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Super Bowl XLIX: New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks
Coverage:
New England Patriots: Pats Pulpit
Seattle Seahawks: Field Gulls
Television: NBC
Online streaming: NBC.com
Statistical Comparison:
New England Patriots | 6:30 PM ET (NBC) | Seattle Seahawks | ||
12-4 (1st AFC East, #1 seed) | University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale AZ | 12-4 (1st NFC West, #1 seed) | ||
Head Coach: Bill Belichick | Statistical Comparison | Head Coach: Pete Carroll | ||
4th (29.2/gm) | Points Offense | 10th (24.6/gm) | ||
8th (19.6/gm) | Points Defense | 1st (15.9/gm) | ||
1st (9.7/gm) | Point Differential | 2nd (8.8/gm) | ||
2nd (+12) | Turnover Differential | 4th (+9) |
Common Opponents:
New England Patriots | Opponent | Seattle Seahawks |
W (16-9) | Oakland Raiders | W (30-24) |
L (14-41) | Kansas City Chiefs | L (20-24) |
W (43-21) | Denver Broncos | W (26-20 OT) |
L (21-26) | Green Bay Packers | W (36-16, 28-22 OT) |
W (23-14) | San Diego Chargers | L (21-30) |
Road to the Playoffs:
The Patriots, after winning their division, reached Super Bowl XLIX as the number one seed in the American Football Conference. The team beat the visiting Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough in the Divisional Round (35-31) before securing the franchise's eighth conference title one week later against the Indianapolis Colts (45-7). Today, New England is looking for its fourth Super Bowl title.
The Seahawks on the other hand, are looking for their second title after winning the Super Bowl last year. Similar to the Patriots, Seattle reached the Super Bowl as division champion and the number one seed in its conference. In the postseason, the team hosted the Carolina Panthers (31-17), before beating the Green Bay Packers (28-22 in overtime) for the right to travel to Glendale.
Final Injury Reports:
Here's your final Super Bowl injury report. Revis added, but only for rest. Kam Chancellor (knee) added for Sea pic.twitter.com/bnMTtnCybg
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) January 30, 2015
Note: The Patriots have upgraded center Bryan Stork to "probable" on Saturday (for analysis click here).
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Today, the best two teams in the NFL meet on the sport's biggest stage.
Mission IV is almost complete. Go Patriots!