-Mark (@HAWKSFN)
After two weeks that never seemed like they would end, we are now at the Day Before The Day Before (copyright Mike Williams). No more talk about Deflategate. No more talk about how Marshawn won’t talk. No more pro athletes hocking their wares on radio row. The only thing between us and the Super Bowl will be the insufferable 12-hour pregame show that will start in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
I’ve been thoroughly impressed by the showing the 12th Man has put on display this week on the national media shows. They can’t take a camera shot that doesn’t include a Seahawk jersey or hat. I even saw a “Bring Back Our Sonics” sign on ESPN earlier today. I was thinking back the other day to how that compared to the game in Detroit 9 years back and there’s just no comparison. The national following of this team has just exploded. Granted, when a third of the population of the state of Washington either owns or has access to property in Arizona it is kind of a built in advantage, but still. And it is this exponential growth and ability to travel that has pushed Super Bowl tickets to the most expensive in history. That stock in Amazon or Microsoft must be doing really well since you can’t get in the building for less than $9,000 right now. Never did I think you’d have to have a credit check and two references to get into the stadium that the Cardinals call home.
If you’ve been glued to the hype surrounding this game, you’ve most likely come away very nervous about the Seahawks chances to repeat and start the conversation that begins with the word “dynasty”. So, allow your friends here at Hawk Strong to alleviate those fears. You’ve heard all the national talking heads bore you to tears with things like yards per attempt, yards per catch, yada yada yada. Well, you’re not getting that here. The following most definitely would qualify as lies, damn lies, and statistics.
• This Super Bowl pits yet again the league’s best offense against the league’s best defense. The team with the best defense has won 7 of the last 8 Super Bowls.
• Teams that score 40+ points in a postseason game are 4-23 against the spread the following game. New England scored 45 against the Colts 2 weeks ago.
• Vegas wants the Seahawks to win the game. $3 out of every $4 bet on the game is coming in on the Pats. As we all know, Vegas very often gets what it wants.
• Teams that run an interception back for a touchdown are 12-0 in the Super Bowl. Paging Legion of Boom…Legion of Boom your presence is requested in the Patriot end zone.
• The game may very well be over at the coin flip. Combined, when they win the toss, the Patriots and Seahawks are 18-2. When losing the toss, they’re a combined 10-6.
• Along those lines, when the Seahawks won the toss and deferred this season, they were a perfect 6-0. I think Pete Carroll has definitely learned the lesson that Mike Holmgren never did. Always defer, particularly with a defense like this.
• The Patriots have lost their last 2 Super Bowls, both to the Giants. The Giants had a very stout defense in those games, and they weren’t even in the same class as this Seahawks defense.
• Tom Brady has not won a Super Bowl since he’s been involved with Gisele Bundchen. Only when Bridget Moynahan was in the picture was he able to win a title.
• I’m on a current 1-0 streak when I watch Super Bowls the Seahawks are involved with at my friend Dave’s house and I cook an 11+ pound brisket. My destination on Sunday? Yep, Dave’s house. On the menu? 11.27 pound hunk of cow chest.
• Finally, Russell Wilson is 10-0 in his career when playing against a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. I haven’t been able to tell from the coverage this week, but I’m pretty sure Tom Brady’s won a Super Bowl.
After reading that, I’m not sure you even need to watch the game. I’d go save a prime spot for the parade on Wednesday. Ok, you could probably still get a decent spot if you went down after the game on Sunday night. Plus, you wouldn’t want to miss out on the tears that’ll be shed for the Patriots when you flip over to ESPN. Go Hawks!!
Seahawks 31, Patriots 13
