The one key X-factor on Superbowl Sunday?

I feel that the X-factor is going to be how Brady deals with the short pass being taken away from him. I think Seattle is going to give up the sidelines and deep third in favor of closing off the middle to take away Brady's bread and butter. Last year, we saw how Kam Chancellor single-handedly closed down the crossing routes with a big crushing hit over the middle. Look for them to try something similar.

Turnovers are the X Factor, the 2 best in the league in TO differential.

Halifax_Pats_Fan said:

I think C. Jones is gonna have a good game. Seems to me he was having trouble getting to a spot but a more mobile qb is gonna be flushed out of the pocket a little more.

He will be rested...we need him to play a great game...

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Jones isn't going to have a "good game" by the standards of the average uneducated fan. I expect him to be in contain a lot, essentially a controlled rush where he will just "wall" in Wilson and stay in a position where he can easily disengage and squeeze the cutback lane if necessary, if he sees the read option.

A key factor will be penalties ! The seahawks and patriots are among the top 5 teams in penalties called against them.

The O-Line on O and the young linebackers on D. I expect Lynch to get through the front line and Hightower and Collins must be able to meet that head on. The O-Line must hold up of course.

Patriot Missile said:

I would say the run defense against Lynch and Wilson will be the true X factor. If that is effective I trust in our secondary to take care of business.

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I would have Collins spy Wilson almost exclusively which keeps him at bay and in the pocket negates him running on the short distances on 3rd and 3 and so on. Play man to man there receivers do not scare me Wilson the tight end is good and will need to covered by Hightower slash Ayers and Chung. Over all I think we play man stack the box force Marshawn to go beast mode on our Backers and dline.
I like our chances.
Mccourty can roam the field and take away all the deep crap.
Should switch it up and blitz Wilson the Packers had a very effective game plan they foolishly went away from it.
We wont stop when we see blood.

I think the x factor might be how enraged this Patriots team is over the latest manufactured excuse by the opposition for losing. I would love to see a vicious defense come out on the field with a chip on their shoulder. I would love to see the '07 'fu' offense take the field in the Super Bowl.

Give 'em hell, boys.

PP2 said:

Jones isn't going to have a "good game" by the standards of the average uneducated fan. I expect him to be in contain a lot, essentially a controlled rush where he will just "wall" in Wilson and stay in a position where he can easily disengage and squeeze the cutback lane if necessary, if he sees the read option.

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definitely agree. They will make Wilson beat them with his arm, not his feet.

PP2 said:

I feel that the X-factor is going to be how Brady deals with the short pass being taken away from him. I think Seattle is going to give up the sidelines and deep third in favor of closing off the middle to take away Brady's bread and butter. Last year, we saw how Kam Chancellor single-handedly closed down the crossing routes with a big crushing hit over the middle. Look for them to try something similar.

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Interesting, I thought Seattle was succeptible to the crossing patterns and short passes but I admittedly don't know them very well. I really don't think the Pats will try to run the ball that much. I just think they would rather put the ball in TB12's hands and live and die with that, unless they have a decent lead. If they're behind I would guess we'll see the hurry up.

I think the "X FACTOR" will be how effectivelySherman and Thomas can perform with their injuries.

Special Teams. I was not impressed with Seattle's ST's play this Sunday. It's going to be a VERY close low scoring game. A big return or forced fumble may be the difference maker.

The Pats offensive line will play better than everyone expects.

The X factor imho will be Ninko. I love a lot of his game but he lacks pure athleticism and his open field tackling will be tested when Wilson scrambles. Nink CAN pressure him though. If Nink has a game similar to the one he had against the Colts, the Seahawks offense will be held in check.

Another potential X factor is McCourty. Pick off one of those deep balls.

I feel like we can take advantage of Seattle's penalty tendencies. 2nd or 3rd and short and try to draw them offside.

The "ALPHA - GO!" could be switched up

The Gronk will be the Xfactor. Him alone can win us the game if there is any weakness in Seattle's D is against Tight Ends and we have arguably one of the Greatest of All time at that position

ArchAngel007 said:

The Gronk will be the Xfactor. Him alone can win us the game if there is any weakness in Seattle's D is against Tight Ends and we have arguably one of the Greatest of All time at that position

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I agree that Gronk is the key and that he is one of the greatest of all time.

I don't agree that TEs are necessarily a great weakness for the Seattle D. They shutdown Jimmy Graham in a couple games last year and also Julius Thomas. They have also been effective against Vernon Davis over the years, although he is a different kind of TE. We have played Carolina four times in the last three seasons and have, I think, contained Greg Olsen. Jason Witten and Zach Ertz caught two passes each against us this season.

Antonio Gates and Philip Rivers killed us with seven completions for almost 100 yards in their brilliant win against us early in the season. We have all the respect in the world for those two players.

Gronk is a tougher matchup than Jimmy Graham, Vernon Davis, Julius Thomas, Greg Olsen, Zach Ertz and Jason Witten.

One of the greatest QBs in NFL history throwing to one of the greatest TEs in NFL history, with plays designed by one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, should be the biggest worry for the Seahawks defense in the Super Bowl.

I am curious to hear what PatFans think the two most significant things Belichick will try to exploit with his offense against the Seahawk defense, and the two things his defense will try to stop against the Seahawk offense.

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Toughness, physical and mental. You know they're going to bring that, especially after what they pulled off on Sunday. Pats have to more than match it.

For me...i think it's Jamie Collins. On wilson..coverage ect...he is the key IMO