Super Bowl XLIX: Run The Ball!
Super Bowl XLIX was played on February 1, 2015, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The New England Patriots, champions of the AFC, faced off against the Seattle Seahawks, champions of the NFC.
The Patriots had a solid regular season, finishing with a record of 12-4. They won their division and then defeated the Baltimore Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts in the infamous "Deflategate" AFC Championship Game to advance to the Super Bowl. Quarterback Tom Brady led the team's offense, completing 374 passes for 4,109 yards and 33 touchdowns, and the defense had great players such as Vince Wilfork, Jamie Collins, and the great Darelle Revis that were coached by defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
The Seahawks also had a successful regular season, finishing with a record of 12-4. They won their division and then defeated the Carolina Panthers and the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game to advance to Super Bowl XLIX. Quarterback Russell Wilson led the team's offense, completing 285 passes for 3,475 yards and 20 touchdowns. The defense was once again the team's strength, led by safety Earl Thomas, who recorded 4 interceptions that season.
Super Bowl XLIX
The Seahawks were down 28-24 with 2 and a goal when Russell Wilson was picked off by Malcolm Butler in the final 30 seconds of Super Bowl XLIX. The play call has since been heavily criticized due to having one of the best goalline running backs in Marshawn Lynch on the field. Tom Brady, who threw for 328 yards and 4 touchdowns, was named the Super Bowl MVP after his outstanding performance. The win marked the Patriots' fourth Super Bowl victory in franchise history, placing the Belichick/Brady Patriots in the same conversation as the Montana-led 49ers, and the 1970s Steelers as the greatest dynasties ever.