At the beginning of the season, every team has a goal. Getting to the big game, a championship and being the best team in the league are all desires for the 32 teams in the National Football League. To get to the top, you have to get past a grueling 16 game schedule followed by an extremely difficult slate of playoff matches. Last season the Seattle Seahawks defied the odds and won the coveted Super Bowl. The Seahawks won through their stellar defense and secondary, nicknamed “Legion of Boom” and an effective offense led by Russell Wilson. This team showed what it took to get to the big stage and actually succeed. But with every new year new challenges await each team, whether it be injuries or suspensions or even off-the-field issues.

As the season went on we saw surprises ranging from DeMarco Murray’s quest for 2,000 rushing yards to the outbreak year of Odell Beckham Jr. who amassed 1,305 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in only 12 games. This season had its ups and downs and the true contenders were separated from the rest of the pack. And after it was all said and done,  the playoffs began with 12 teams all in the hunt for the Lombardi trophy. Every team had a shot and this was the time of year where the superstars of the NFL come to prove their talent. Could the Seahawks repeat? Could this finally be Dallas’ year to win a playoff game? Do the Carolina Panthers even deserve to be in the playoffs? Will this be Peyton Manning’s last season? These were all questions that I pondered as the playoffs ensued and most were answered.

But like all playoff seasons, each round concludes and a clash of the titans ensues on Super Bowl Sunday. This year Seattle will meet the New England Patriots to defend their title in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, Feb. 1. Both the AFC and NFC championship games were decided this past weekend with the Seahawks rallying to beat the Green Bay Packers in overtime, 28-22. The Patriots on the other hand blew out the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC title game, 45-7. These two juggernauts meet with legacies being added on to and a new dynasty possibly being born. It’s Tom Brady vs. Russell Wilson. The LOB vs. Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and the rest of the versatile Patriots. One can only hope this game is better than last year.

I believe that this game will come down to the play of both quarterbacks. Both have been on this stage before with Brady searching for his fourth ring and 21st playoff win and Wilson looking for his second ring. Brady is used to the big stage and is arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. While other storylines lie in the Seahawks defense, star running back Marshawn Lynch or even other Patriots playmakers, the quarterbacks will need to make plays. I would trust both of these talented football players, I think Brady will be more efficient and win his fourth ring with a score of:

New England 31, Seattle 28

I personally cannot wait for this game and I think Super Bowl 49 will be quite a spectacle.