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To: Bender2; Perdogg; piytar; 4everontheRight; ABG(anybody but Gore); Absolutely Nobama; ...
Here's my take from my annual Fearless Predictions rollout:

Summary: This Super Bowl is the kind of matchup you want to see with the two top-ranked teams in the NFL against each other and a top offense (NE) against a top defense (Seattle). The whole game should be enjoyable to watch. The most skilled matchup will be when NE has the ball. But Seattle’s offense and NE’s defense are both better than average so that also will be a fun matchup to watch. Both teams tend to come on late in the game and can score quickly. The Pats scored 21 points in the last two quarters against a tough #6 Panthers’ defense. The Seahawks scored 15 points within two minutes in the fourth quarter against GB. It could come down to things like turnovers, penalties (Seattle has a problem with this), and special teams (Seattle’s special teams were the reason they scored 15 points inside of two minutes). Over the last three seasons and postseasons, Seattle and NE are tied for the NFL’s best turnover ratio at plus 51. Below are some more run/pass, offense/defense details if you’re interested. Just don’t take my seat when I go for more pizza.

NE: NE’s #4 offense has struggled with top defenses and Seattle is the #1 defense in the NFL. In the regular season, NE lost to KC (#2 defense in the NFL) and lost one and won one against the Bills (#4 defense). In the playoffs, they had a near miss against the Panthers (#6 defense), against whom they had to score 21 points in the last two quarters to win. 21 points in two quarters against a #6-ranked defense is pretty amazing. Well, NE, who has shown they can score quickly against good defenses, will have to play at the top of their game to score enough points against Seattle’s tough defense. NE’s #8 defense has done well in the playoffs against the top passing teams of the Colts and the Broncos. Seattle is not a top passing team, so NE should do well against Seattle’s pass. NE’s run defense is stronger than their run defense but Seattle running game is one of the best in the NFL. On defense, the key to NE’s success will be stopping Seattle’s running game.

Seahawks: Seattle’s #10 offense could be neutralized by NE’s #8 defense. But Seattle has shown it can score quickly - it scored 15 points in less than two minutes against GB’s #13 defense, but it was a fairly miraculous series of events, a TD from a fake field goal try and a successful onside kick, helped. Outside of that, Seattle’s best chance on offense is their top running game. Seattle’s #1 defense will be challenged by NE’s #4 offense which can also score quickly. Seattle must stop helping the opposing team with all their penalties. Seattle will have to watch their turnovers. Although Seattle is tops in turnover ratio over the last three seasons, they were minus three against GB.

Projected winner: NE but it should be close. I think NE’s defense will stop Seattle enough for NE’s offense to blitz Seattle one too many times.

77 posted on 01/29/2015 5:16:05 PM PST by PapaNew (The grace of God & freedom always win the debate in the forum of ideas over unjust law & government)
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To: PapaNew
That's a fair analysis.

The thing that worries me, as a 'Hawks fan, is the 3 tight end set, the "magic 3"....

78 posted on 01/29/2015 5:23:16 PM PST by Lexinom
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To: PapaNew; big'ol_freeper; shove_it; TrueKnightGalahad; Larry Lucido; Diplomat; RockinRight; ...
Re: Projected winner: NE but it should be close. I think NE’s defense will stop Seattle enough for NE’s offense to blitz Seattle one too many times.

Gadzooks, Papa-- Not only do you agree with... us four Super Heroes--

ESPN's Experts are for the Pats 11 to 4.

And even if the Seahags pull off a win today... they still lost at home to my Boys!

84 posted on 02/01/2015 7:43:52 AM PST by Bender2 ("I've got a twisted sense of humor, and everything amuses me." RAH Beyond this Horizon)
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