If you like the Patriots:
(30) - Offensively: New England averaging 30 pts per game, 1st in the league. They spread the ball around as they have four players with at least 50 catches this season (Gronk, Shane Vareen, Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell) and 8 different players who have caught a TD pass.
But one of their most impressive stats is how well they make adjustments and how quickly it happens. The Patriots were 8th in the NFL in first quarter points scored. But in the 2nd quarter they really hit their stride…as they led the NFL in points scored in the 2nd quarter of games.
(3) – The Patriots are facing the number 1 rushing offense in football in Seattle. The good news is that the Patriots are 2-0 when they’ve faced teams with a top 5 rushing attack. The bad news is that both wins were against the Jets, who rushed for 334 yards in those two games. The Patriots total margin of victory was 3 points.
(16) – If the Patriots protect Tom Brady, they have a great chance to win. The Patriots have been simply brilliant when they can protect Tom Brady. In their 14 victories this season including the playoffs, the Patriots have only given up 16 sacks of Brady. If he stays clean, they have a great chance to win on Sunday. In the Patriots 4 losses, they gave up 8 sacks.
Ponder that, 16 sacks in 14 wins. 8 sacks in 4 losses.
If you like the Seahawks:
(59) – Seattle’s blueprint hasn’t changed. They want to hold the ball and defend as few of plays as possible despite their great defense. Seattle’s defense faced the fewest plays this year, offenses had the ball for just 59 plays on average. They were 7th in time of possession and 8th in 3rd down defense.
Look at it this way, the Patriots defended 65 plays on average, by the time you reach the Super Bowl the Seahawks defense has played about a game and a half less than the Patriots defense.
(4) Seattle is middle of the road when it comes to scoring by quarter in 2014. It’s not until the 4th quarter when they take advantage of wearing you down. Seattle scored the 4th most amount of points in the 4th quarter this season.
(10) – Russell Wilson takes down all premiere quarterbacks. Wilson is looking to improve on one of the most unique numbers in the NFL. In these premiere matchups, when Wilson has faced a quarterback who has won a Super Bowl…he is 10-0.
(3-0 vs Aaron Rodgers)
(2-0 vs Drew Brees)
(2-0 vs Peyton Manning)
(2-0 vs Eli Manning)
(1-0 vs Tom Brady)
In 7 of those 10 games, Wilson has had a higher QB rating than the opposing quarterback.