Nail-Biting Finish To Super Bowl XLIX
Connor Strange
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Super Bowl XLIX was everything that last year’s slaughter of the Denver Broncos wasn’t; it was packed with hard hits, big plays and it never seemed like an entirely one-sided game. By the end of it all, the New England Patriots triumphed over the Seattle Seahawks with a slim lead of 28-24.
The first quarter didn’t see a touchdown scored nor a field goal kicked for its duration, but the Patriots definitely looked to be the better team in that fifteen minute stretch. Their offense focused on a quick passing game which gave Seattle’s linemen very little time to pressure Patriots quarterback Tom Brady or for the Legion of Boom to tightly cover the receivers. Going the other way, the New England defense played a tight man defense which halted any passing play from quarterback Russell Wilson, and stopped up running back Marshawn Lynch as well as any team could (still allowing several yards every play, which is a given with Lynch).
The second quarter was a different story, and a lot more evenly played. While New England put the first points on the board with a touchdown pass from Brady to Brandon LaFell, Seattle answered as Lynch drove it into the end zone. Both teams continued to score one more touchdown pass each before the half - New England’s to the towering tight end Rob Gronkowski and Seattle’s to wide receiver Chris Matthews, who had a surprisingly large role in keeping the Seahawks in the game.
At halftime, Katy Perry was joined by Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott in her performance, complete with a ride on a mechanical tiger and two hysterically uncoordinated dancing sharks. Altogether, it was just another halftime show serving as nothing more than a distraction from the game.
The third quarter was the Seahawks’ time to shine as they put up ten unanswered points. For many Patriots fans, it seemed like their team was losing its steam while the opposition was only getting bolder. The continual stream of short passes from Brady lost much of its effectiveness, and their previously indomitable man defense started to wane with Wilson and Lynch’s onslaught.
At the onset of the final 15 minute stretch, it seemed as though Seattle had a back-to-back Super Bowl lined up for them as long as they could utilize their notorious Legion of Boom to stop Brady’s passing game. Despite facing the nation’s best secondary, Brady and his receivers connected time and again to place two more touchdowns on the scoreboard. 28-24 was the score on Seattle’s last drive, and their determination led them to the red zone after a mind-blowing reception by wide receiver Jermaine Kearse. Most viewers acquainted with pro football surely thought it was over then; Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch holds the title for the best short-yardage running back in the league, it was second and goal and the Seahawks still had a timeout. Shockingly, the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator chose to pass the ball under those conditions, and New England’s rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler saved the game with an astounding interception. Afterward, he stated that he had had a vision that he would do something important in the game. Without a doubt, that vision came true, making the New England Patriots the Super Bowl XLIX champions.
Depressing commercials and run-of-the-mill halftime shows aside, Super Bowl XLIX was easily the most entertaining NFL championship in years. Those last few minutes were hectic enough for any football fan (with the exception of some Seattle supporters) to be content - and antsy for the next season to roll around
