Thoughts on Last Year's Super Bowl?

[brdmaverick]

Let's take a break from deflating footballs and discuss last year's Super Bowl.......

Just rewatched last year's Super Bowl last night. When the game was gonig on live clearly I was loving every minute of it as Hawks completely destroyed Manning and the Broncos. Last night obviously I was watching with a different perspective on things.


The first thing that stood out was the Hawks impressive TACKLING. Manning often went to the underneath routes and players were getting blasted as soon as they caught the ball. Hopefully the HAWKS are not as impressive in this department this year becuase running after the catch is something that has been a BIG component of the Pats offense.

Of course, having Gronk leaves me a bit more optimisitc about our chances of opening up the Hawks defense. Yes, I know, the Broncos had Julius Thomas but c'mon, we have GRONK! Gronk will be that much more important if half of the secondary is dinged up.

Another thing was the ferocity in which the defense attacked the ball (whether it be while a player was running or after a completion). Ball security has come into question recently since the ball has hit the ground a few times in this playoff run. Guys like Amendola and Edelman will need to pay extra attention to ball security.


Seattle really did put on an impressive performance last year as they pounded the Broncos in all three phases of the game.

How would you say Seattle's team during last year's Super Bowl compares to the one they will be fielding this year? Better or worse?

 

[SalemPats]

The Hawks D-Line is more fast than physical. Brady is a lot more patient than Manning and steps up in the pocket a lot better. If they can't get a push from the inside on us (which i don't think they will) Brady will have time to go through his progressions and we should be able to put up 30 on them.

 

[brdmaverick]

The Hawks D-Line is more fast than physical. Brady is a lot more patient than Manning and steps up in the pocket a lot better. If they can't get a push from the inside on us (which i don't think they will) Brady will have time to go through his progressions and we should be able to put up 30 on them.

Good call, and this year more than others I feel that Brady has shown incredible pocket awareness. He slides to the left (or right) or steps up as necessary. Unlike others, we haven't seen any Brady phantom sacks this year either (sacks in which he ducks while bracing for a hit that is not coming). So good point by you.

 

[sb1]

The thing that impresses me about the Seahawks defense is not just they are fast but they're fast AND they really go after that football. Pats ballcarriers better watch out for the strip.

The Broncos offense never had a chance.

 

[Oswlek]

How would you say Seattle's team during last year's Super Bowl compares to the one they will be fielding this year? Better or worse?

DL is a good deal worse. The starters are a little lighter, but more importantly, they don't have nearly the depth they had last year so you can wear them down over the course of the game. On the flip side, they are very good at penetrating and NE has often struggled against overly quick defenses even when they have the size advantage. The Giants are an example of this.

The back seven is pretty much the same, though more beat up than they were last year.

Offensively, they don't have the receivers they had last year, but their run offense is outstanding, even better than last year, particularly on the line. Wilson has developed and helps make up for the reduction of receiving weapons.

I'd say that NE is getting an advantage by facing a reduced defense, but they match up better against the 2013 offense. Seattle's offense is much better than people think, it's just that rushing isn't as flashy as passing. Thankfully, there isn't a guy that demands doubles, so it is possible that they can play most of the game with one deep and single coverage, freeing up an extra defender for the box.

 

[blackglass3]

My biggest fear is getting blown out in this game, Bronco style. But I jsut think it was one of those days where everything went exactly right for Seattle, sort of like us in this past weeks game. Will that happen again in the Super Bowl for Seattle? Hopefully Brady will be able to corral in the first hike from shotgun.

 

[Oswlek]

My biggest fear is getting blown out in this game, Bronco style.

You shouldn't be. Denver was a weak team with an overrated defense and receivers who didn't like to get hit. They also had a harder time against NE and SD than they should have considering the talent advantage.

This Patriot team is much more battle tested, both physically and mentally. They might lose, but it won't be a blowout.

 

[The Brandon Five]

I think Seattle misses Harvin in the kicking game and as a deep threat/swiss-army knife. I think they also miss Rice.

I would compare the challenge of stopping their offense to the challenge of stopping GB with Eddie Lacy and Aaron Rogers but without Jordy Nelson or Randall Cobb. I think if that was the case when we played them we win that game in Lambeau.

On the DL, the loss of Clemons, Mebane and Bryant brings the level of talent down significantly. On top of that they lost Hill in Week 17. They are a little thin there now.

I still can't figure out how GB managed to blow that game.

 

[The Brandon Five]

My biggest fear is getting blown out in this game, Bronco style. But I jsut think it was one of those days where everything went exactly right for Seattle, sort of like us in this past weeks game. Will that happen again in the Super Bowl for Seattle? Hopefully Brady will be able to corral in the first hike from shotgun.

Not a chance that the Pats lay down like that. It was an embarrassment to have them represent the AFC and fail to show up.

 

[Sciz]

Last year, the Seahawks had Mebane and Bryant but didn't need them. This year, they don't have them and I hope the Patriots can take advantage of that.

 

[SVN]

http://mmqb.si.com/2015/01/21/nfl-n...-super-bowl-49-preview-andy-benoit-deep-dive/

Seahawks might employ the same blueprint. Take away the middle and force brady to go out.

 

[BadMoFo]

I hope we don't, but I think we may give up on the running game early to take advantaged of Seattle having two of its top defenders a bit dinged up. They'll have a tougher time going up against Gronk and three receivers who fight for extra yardage.

I would like to get the running game going, but Blount is a bruiser who seems to take his time to find the hole. Seattle defensive line are small, but they can penetrate and cause problems in the backfield. If we had a back more like Ridley playing, I think we would be more effective. Maybe, it's Gray's turn to play hero.

 

[Oswlek]

I hope we don't, but I think we may give up on the running game early to take advantaged of Seattle having two of its top defenders a bit dinged up

Considering the injuries, running would take just as much advantage as passing.

 

[A man named Brady]

The broncos offense imploded with turnovers. 2 picks(one for a td), a turnover on downs, safety.

I don't see us doing that