Super Bowl XLIX Prediction

Seattle Seahawks over New England Patriots (Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET, NBC): Unlike last year, when the Seahawks dominated the Broncos from the opening kickoff, I expect this Super Bowl to be a great one.

Both teams are very evenly matched and I personally am looking forward to seeing Tom Brady take on the Legion of Boom (LOB). This game has it all though, the two best cornerbacks in the league in Richard Sherman and Darrelle Revis. Arguably the best quarterback of all-time in Tom Brady and one of the best young quarterbacks in Russell Wilson. One of the most peculiar players in the history of the league in Marshawn Lynch. And two of the best head coaches in the NFL, Bill Belichick, who's going for his fourth Lombardi Trophy, and Pete Carroll, who already has one Lombardi Trophy and two National Championships under his belt.

It would not surprise me at all if this game comes down to the fourth quarter or perhaps the first overtime in Super Bowl history. I almost took the Patriots here, because Brady and Belichick are so good in big games, but as much as I like watching a high scoring offense, I love watching a smothering defense. If the Seahawks, who had the best defense in the NFL for the third straight season, win a second straight Super Bowl, they will go down as arguably the best defense in the history of the league.

Think about it, Seattle will have beaten two of, if not the two best quarterbacks to every step on the field -- Peyton Manning and Tom Brady -- in back-to-back seasons on the biggest stage in football. That's something the '70's Steelers, '85 Bears, '00 Ravens and '02 Buccaneers can't say and many regard them as some of the league's greatest defenses.

As good as the Seahawks are on defense, I think the difference in this game will be the Seattle rushing attack and that starts with "Beast Mode," Marshawn Lynch. If Seattle is to win the Super Bowl they have to give Lynch the ball early and often. In the Patriots four losses this season, they gave up an average of 158-yards/game. And it just so happens that Seattle lead the league in rushing this season.

If Seattle gives the ball to Lynch and sprinkles in some read-option plays with Russell Wilson, I think the Seahawks defense will stop Tom Brady just enough for Seattle to clinch their second straight Super Bowl victory. Seahawks 27, Patriots 22.

Playoffs: 6-4
Overall: 188-77-1