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2015 Super Bowl Predictions: 6 Players That Will Impact Matchup

Betting on Super Bowl 49

Super Bowl 49 is a week away and the analysis of the matchup is ramping up in a typically furious way. Whether you like the Pats of the Hawks, there are obvious key players to each side’s success.

NFL Super Bowl XLIX

Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots
When: Sunday, February 1, 6:30 PM ET
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale
Broadcast: FOX
Patriots NFL Betting Odds: -1 -110 -118
Seahawks NFL Betting Odds: +1 -110 -102
NFL Over/Under Betting Odds: 48
Matchup | Preview

Keeping in mind that New England and Seattle are two of the most balanced teams we have seen in quite some time there are obvious keys to victory for both.

Let’s take a look at six crucial players in this game – starting from the obvious and ending with a few sleeper X-factors.

1. Tom Brady

Brady is the most important player in this game – period! The Patriots are the less talented team in this game in almost every aspect.

It is unlikely that LeGarrettte Blount and the Pats running game will be as effective as they have down the stretch – Seattle could reasonably shut them down.

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That leaves Tom Terrific as the man! Against one of the scariest secondaries in the game, his play WILL determine whether or not New England is able to hang with Seattle.

2. Russell Wilson

Wilson is a game-changer. When he decided to crank it up in the second half against Green Bay, this offense looked virtually unstoppable.

He is a threat to run and to throw – Wilson is a matchup nightmare for opposing teams.

It’s not all about his play making ability however – his brain may be the biggest factor. If he is able to take what the Pats will inevitably give him, there will be some holes to exploit.

3. Marshawn Lynch

When the Seahawks are going right, Lynch is a factor and he seems to be peeking at just the right time.

He had 157 rushing yards on just 25 carries against Green Bay – as dominant a performance as he’s had all season long. He had more than 1,000 yards and 10 TDs for the fourth consecutive season and led the NFL in TDs with 17 – as consistently good a back as there was in the NFL this year.

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He eats up chunks of yards, he punishes the opposition and maybe most importantly he will be able to keep Tom Brady off the field – if all goes well! He will get at least 20 touches in this game – because of that he has to be one of the most important guys in this game.

4. Rob Gronkowski

After having injury-plagued campaigns in 2012 and 2013, Gronk returned to Pro Bowl form with 82 catches and 12 TDs during the regular season. He has more receiving touchdowns during his first five seasons than any tight end in NFL history (55).

Gronk is the biggest weapon that the Pats have and gets to go up against a Seattle team that has had issues with Tight Ends all season long.

It’s true that the Colts did a good job in minimizing the effectiveness of Gronk last week and the Pats still rolled, but the rest of the Indianapolis defense allowed LeGarrette Blount to run wild.

Seattle’s defense is insane – there is no chance the Pats running game duplicates what they did in the AFC Final. That leaves Gronkowski to come up huge!

And now for a couple of lesser-known guys…

5. Byron Maxwell

When the Seahawks were struggling earlier in the year, Maxwell was injured. He solidifies the secondary and ALWAYS sees more balls thrown his way than Seattle’s other cornerback Richard Sherman.

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Something tells me he is tasked with shadowing Rob Gronkowski a bit in this game as the Seahawks try to emulate what the Colts did by playing a cornerback on Gronk. Maxwell will see a ton of action on Super Bowl Sunday and could be the difference between winning or losing for this club.

Remember – it was Seattle’s linebackers that have had issues with Tight Ends so far this year!

6. Jamie Collins

Patriots linebacker will be tasked with playing strong run defense, to spy on Russell Wilson and to make sure that emerging Seattle Tight End Luke Wilson can’t come up with a game-changing play.

He is as versatile a player as the Pats have on defense – he can get out in coverage and he can get to the quarterback.

Athleticism is the key to slowing down the Seattle offense – Collins is about as athletic as they come at the linebacker position.

Check out our Updated Super Bowl XLIX Odds.

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By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.