[Colofornian]

From the article:
...we've all missed an actual rules revolution going on in Seattle that, with one more win on Sunday in Arizona, could fundamentally change the NFL -- forever. Over the past three years the Seahawks have done something no one in the white-socks-and-black-shoes, stuck-in-the-1950s NFL ever dreamed possible, or legal. Since 2012 Seattle has been at the top of the NFL in wins (tied with 36), Super Bowl appearances and ... penalties. ...Through 18 games, the Seahawks not only have been called for a league-high 144 penalties (according to NFLpenalties.com) their opponents have only been flagged just 80 times. Yes, you read that correctly. The Seahawks have been called for almost twice as many penalties as their opponents.

The Seahawks know the refs aren't going to throw a penalty every play. So just cheat every play and take your eight or nine penalties per game! (By comparison, Seattle's opponents this season averaged just over 4 per game).

I've been pushing for the Pats to be held accountable for DeflateGate, but week in, week out, BOTH teams are high in the "cheating" categories -- the Pats just seem to add more off-the-field "extracurricular activity."

See Deflate-gate triggers stat spat as analysts attempt to solve why Patriots don't fumble for latest statistical anomaly of the Pats since 2007.

Per Mike Sando of ESPN's broadcast segment that accompanies the above article -- but is NOT part of the article:

Seahawks: #1 in unnecessary roughness not only for 2014, but for past three seasons (35)...compared to 18 for the Patriots.

On the other hand...

Patriots: 1st in offensive pass interference

Patriots: 6th in defensive pass interference in 2014

Seahawks: 15th in defensive pass interference

Patriots: 3rd in defensive holding

Seahawks: 5th in defensive holding

So, except for the unnecessary roughness dimension of Seahawks' play, the Pats are actually worse (at least in 2014) for defensive holding and dpi!

Bottom line, this IS the Cheaters' Bowl. (And both teams "qualified" to be here!)

[Tula Git]

And this is the maximum opportunity for the Seahicks, the Superbowl. Refs are loathed to call penalties in this game. They want to let the players play.

Target rich opportunity for the Hicks.

[tallyhoe]

Well Waa Waa Waa

[G Larry]

WRONG!

If the penalties are called and consequences imposed, then those are the rules, fairly applied.

“Cheating” would be doing the crime, but not the time (or in this case, yardage.)

[discostu]

This is the ultimate proof of why the “cheater” obsession spawned by the deflated balls is so stupid. Rules violations are a basic part of sports, it’s built into the fabric of the games, and the structure is such that breaking the rules is often the smart play. It’s not cheating, it’s accepting the potential punishment as worth the risk. Sports is all about risk and reward, you take actions (prescribed and proscribed by the rule book) knowing that it could go well or it could go poorly. And remember the “punishment” for under inflated balls is they switch them and/ or fix them. Exactly what happened.

The only thing that’s actually interesting about Seattle leading the league in penalties and going to the SB is usually the team that leads in penalties is sloppy and poorly coached. This is clearly not the case in Seattle. If other teams figure this out the NFL will join the NHL and NBA that truly understand the idea of a good penalty to take.

[Chad_the_Impaler]

... but Seattle has the fewest (zero) roughing the passer: Roughing

[Drango]

GO SEAHAWKS.

[Steve_Seattle]

Equating penalties with “cheating” is kind of a stretch. A lot of penalties - illegal motion, offside, delay of game, too many men on the field, illegal formation, etc. - are the result of timing errors, lack of concentration, or simple confusion, not deliberate efforts to obtain some sort of illegal advantage.

[MHGinTN]

I intend to watch the game, but certainly not out of any, zero, nada, no respect for either coach.

[jimt]

Sounds to me like sour grapes from f’n losers. “Mommy, that nasty boy is cheating by following the rules.”

Want some cheese with that whine ?

[BillT]

Pure speculation on why so many penalties.
I think that they play very aggressively causing penalties.

This is not cheating......

[BenLurkin]

Tush.

The Pittsburgh Steelers built five Championships on offensive holding.

[al_c]

Yep … Bill Belicheat vs. Cheat Carrol.

[frithguild]

Penalties worked for the 1970’s Raiders

[Carry me back]

The mighty seahawks were out played most of the game by GB on their field. They arent a dynasty.

[combat_boots]

Hey!

Bring and throw Cheetos at them. Especially when they enter and leave the field.

Cheetos for cheaters

[Moonman62]

Back when the University of Miami was a dominant team, they made a lot of penalties. Management got angry about it and demanded that coaches reduce the penalties. They did, and they no longer dominate, or win very much.

(I remember one time they had a nearly 50 yard extra point attempt (it was good), because of penalties. Those were the days.)