Super Bowl XLIX: 4 storylines to get excited about for Phoenix
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The lineup for Super Bowl XLIX is set after the defending-champion Seattle Seahawks came from 16 points down to knock out the Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots walloped the Indianapolis Colts.
There’s two weeks to wait before the greatest show on earth kicks off, but that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of talking points to get NFL fans worked up into a frenzy in anticipation of a clash that has potential to be one of the most memorable in Super Bowl history.
Here’s four just to get you started:
Will Tom Brady secure his status as the greatest of all time?
Peyton Manning, Brady’s long-standing rival to the “best quarterback ever” throne faced this exact same challenge 12 months ago and was thoroughly embarrassed by the Seahawks.
Brady will make a record sixth Super Bowl appearance in Arizona and will surely solidify his standing as the greatest that ever lived should he navigate a safe path past the Seahawks’ vaunted defense.
Has the NFL ever seen a better defensive unit?
During the regular season, the Seahawks became the first side since 1971 to be crowned the highest scoring defense for three straight campaigns, yet some argue there have been better units before them.
If they win consecutive Championships by shutting down two of the best quarterbacks to have ever played the game, then there can surely be little discussion left.
A chance at the perfect sign off for Patriots pair
New England’s trip to Super Bowl XLIX will tie the NFL record held by the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers for most appearances by a franchise with eight.
Six of those have come with Bill Belichick as head coach and Brady under centre, but with the pair now 62 and 37 years of age respectively there aren’t many opportunities of glory left.
Should the Patriots win it all on February 1, don’t be surprised if one or both call time on their careers while at the top of the game.
“U Mad Bro”
Richard Sherman, the Seahawks’ trash-talking CB that is today the face of Seattle’s defense, was effectively born the last time these two sides met.
After a game the Patriots and Brady threw away, Sherman ensured he went to see the quarterback to let him know about it, then continued the talking on Twitter with the now famous line.
Listen to his version of events in the below interview:
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