The New England Patriots, who have been dominant in the latter portion of the season, are set to take on the defending champions the Seattle Seahawks.  These two teams had very different performances in their respected AFC and NFC championship games.  The Seahawks played the Green Bay Packers and were dominated on both sides of the ball until the fourth quarter.  The Packers were up at the half 16-0 because they were able to capitalize on the terrible play of Russell Wilson early in the game.  Wilson started off the game one of nine passing with a grand total of twelve yards and three interceptions.  However they came out in the second half looking like a different team.  Marshawn Lynch carried the team on his back with 157 rushing yards and a touchdown.  The Seahawks capitalized on an onside kick and came back to win with a game winning touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse.  The Patriots, unlike the Seahawks, were dominant in their 45-7 route of the Indianapolis Colts.  The Patriots clicked on every aspect of the game.  Even the run game was clicking which is something the Patriots are not known for.  LeGarrette Blount scored fourteen of the forty-five points and picked up a multitude of first downs.

There are many factors that are going to help decide the outcome of this game.  The biggest factor being the run game.  Seattle’s defense has been the best in the league for two straight years and with the return of middle linebacker Bobby Wagner in the latter part of the season has made their run defense a force to be reckoned with.  The secondary of Seattle, A.K.A “The Legion of Boom”, is going to disrupt the passing game of Tom Brady.  This means that LeGarrette Blount is going to need to have a monstrous game.  The Patriots are going to have to try and contain Marshawn Lynch, a feat that is nearly impossible.  Also, the offensive line, which struggled last week against the Packers’ pass rush, is going to need to give Russell Wilson more time in the pocket to scramble and make plays.
The X factor in this game is going to be if the Patriots can get over the “DeflateGate” scandal.  There have been talks of suspension and loss of draft picks due to this situation and the Patriots are going to need to put it out of their mind and focus on the game.  Honestly, I’m just hoping for a better game than last years Superbowl.