10 Predictions Re: Pats vs Seahawks

If at first you don't succeed!

#1 Brady will be named the SB MVP. This also implies a Patriots win. I think it will be a close game and honestly if not for the injuries to Sherman and Thomas I think I might not have picked them but if they are not 100% that is a huge issue that can not be over stated. To put it into the context i think it deserves... imagine Gronk/Revis coming in with injuries like those and ask yourself how you would feel.

#2 The Patriots will pass no less than 40 times. This is not to say they will not run because they will but people thinking the Pats plan to run/pass 50/50 this game are wrong. The Pats strength is clearly the pass and you stick with it. Though i think maybe 40 passes 30 runs or so is possible.

#3 Lynch will not get 100 yards rushing. Lynch is a beast of a player but he is containable if a team commits to it and the Patriots will. They will stack the line and play contain and dare the Seahawks to beat them with Wilson passing. Lynch will get his all purpose yards over 100 probably but I think Seattle is going to find it harder to run then they would like.

#4 There will be no more than 3 total ints in this game. Both QBs realize with their Ds punting is probably better than taking a risk to get a 1st down.

#5 The Patriots running game will stall at times. The Patriots running game always seems to get talked up after they play the colts. It is okay but not great. They will get some yards but I don't think they will make swiss cheese of a very fast and talented D. I expect between 100-120 yards on 30 runs. It will be good though in short yardage situations.

#6 The Patriots will go for at least two 4th and 1's and make them. BB and Brady know that you need to play to win and take risk to beat a team like Seattle. This could be a QB sneak or a run but it will happen and the Pats know (unlike GB) playing not to lose against a team like this will get you beat. Also they have the confidence to do it due to past success.

#7 No player will have 100 yards this game (unless you count all purpose yards). This is perhaps my boldest prediction of this game. Both Os will be force by the opposing Ds to spread the ball around cause top options will be covered more than not. This means Blount/Lynch do not run for 100. Edelman/Gronk/Lefall/Kearse/Baldwin do not catch 100.

#8 Take the over... barely. The line is about 44.5 Points this game. I think it will be close but i see a 47-48 point game. Something like 27-21 which will be seen as high scoring but it will be more a part of teams knowing they need 7 and taking risk to get it and that paying off for both teams. Gimmicks and trick plays could be responsible for 14 points this game for both teams even though not many drive will be successful I expect teams to cash in when they are.

#9 Seattle will be up at some point in this game. Even though i think the Pats will win I can not see us front running the entire time even if it is tight. I would not be surprised if they are down after the first half. However the Pats are the best 2nd half team in the NFL and I think if it is close (which i think it will be) the Pats will pull it out.

#10 STs will likely be the difference. One aspect of this game not talked about is STs. The Pats are arguably the best STs team in the NFL. Seattle is around average. This will give the Patriots the razors edge i think. The extra few yards gained on returns. That long kick Gostkowski can nail. Maybe even a block. (EDIT) Seattle showed something against Carolina (Kam jumping over guys to try to block a kick and succeeding but it being called back 2 times). BB will be ready for that though I am sure and that is why I doubt it will work on us.

So lets see how many i get right. I don't mind missing 9 as long as i hit #1 : )

I would only disagree with

#3 - I do think he will get 100, it will be in that range into much more or less

#9 - I think if the pats get up by 7 or 10 they will either hold a lead or go no worse than a tie.

Personally I hope all this crap this week pisses them off and they come out smoking and take apart Seattle.

Imagine...just imagine...a Patriots blowout SuperBowl win...nothing coming down to the last minute...

I am now actually getting nervous about the game (like I should) instead of just being angry about hategate.
Never thought I would be relieved to be nervous [emoji1]!

Also, the key point in this game is going to be turnovers. If we don't turn the ball over we will win. Brady has got to avoid throwing that pre-halftime interception that inevitably leads to points for the opponent.

BobDigital said:

#10 STs will likely be the difference. One aspect of this game not talked about is STs. The Pats are arguably the best STs team in the NFL. Seattle is around average. This will give the Patriots the razors edge i think. The extra few yards gained on returns. That long kick Gostkowski can nail. Maybe even a block. Seattle showed something against GB (Cam jumping over guys to try to block a kick and succeeding but it being called back 2 times). BB will be ready for that though I am sure and that is why I doubt it will work on us.

Click to expand...

Kam (not Cam) attempted to block the Panthers kicker.

01. The Patriots win.
02. I don't care about anything else.

SammyBlueCat said:

Kam (not Cam) attempted to block the Panthers kicker.

Click to expand...

Oh excuse me. That is what i meant to say. Fixed. Good catch.

If the Patriots find themselves in a situation where they have an insurmountable lead (ALA the AFCCG), they will keep the starters in an keep ripping it. At least I hope so.

Gonna be an epic slug fest and that's all I really know. Can't see us running away with it by any means. I see both teams playing very conservatively until forced to do otherwise. I agree we will be pass-heavy and if Sherman, Thomas and co. can pick off Brady a couple of times, they have a good chance to win.

102 Pat said:

Imagine...just imagine...a Patriots blowout SuperBowl win...nothing coming down to the last minute...

Click to expand...

Mind blown

The Barnwell article on ESPN lends credence to a lot of your points. I think Brady throws a LOT, this secondary can be passed on but keep it in the slot area, lots of hitches and crossing routes, basically do exactly what Brady's best at which is read the defense and find the mismatch or open guy quickly.

Defensively I'm very interested in the game plan, I said it before the madness of this week started but I think Hightower and Collins are gonna be MASSIVELY important in this game, guys who weren't playing in these teams' last matchup. Getting some pressure up the middle, spying Wilson, slowing Lynch down...it's gonna be those two who dominate if the Pats defense is able to limit the Hawks offense.

As it pertains to this weeks madness, I think the Pats benefit early with an absolutely jacked up effort, but I think it'll also cost them with an over pursuit/late hit/unnecessary roughness type play that burns them. End of the day though I think this week is a net positive from a game perspective.

This game is all about the running game. I think the Pats stack the box, take away the run and play man to man on the receivers. You brought in Browner and Revis to be man to man guys. Stop Lynch and make Wilson beat you by passing the ball. Wilson can have great games but can also put up stinkers.

If Lynch gets 100 yards I think the Pats lose. If Wilson runs for 50+ yards, I think the Pats lose.

I think if lynch gets a 100 yards we are still ok, if he gets 150 that's a problem.

On a side note, I re-watched some of last year SuperBowl and man, Denver just sucked. They looked like they wanted no part of that game. Seattle hit them and that was that.

Then, it hit me. John Elway built a team just like his team of the early 90's. This Denver team is just the same as his old Denver teams that would make it to the big game and crap the bed.

1. Gronk drills Shermit out of the club.

I just don't see how Wilson moving the ball through the air on us.

11: Patriots come into game pi$$ed and kick *** and take names

Watching the Pro Bowl worries me. The grass looks really slick, short similar to the Chiefs game when all of our guys were falling/sliding. SEA plays there and may have an advantage but hopefully we wear the right cleats!