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I would’ve felt more that way in 2011 after they beat a Ravens team that was better than this year’s version. Seattle is the best team the Patriots have played all season and pose a number of problems that have been weaknesses for New England this year. 

Do they also have some areas that play into the Patriots strengths? Sure. And at least on paper, they don’t have the pass rush depth that the Giants had to take advantage of the Patriots’ line.

I think there’s something to be said for the Giants getting a look at the Patriots in both regular seasons before their Super Bowl matchups, playing them tough both times. Seattle doesn’t have that kind of familiarity, and for a team that isn’t big on disguise on defense, that could hurt them when seeing the pace and variation that New England can run their offense with.

The Pats will need their best game of the season to win this one, just like Seattle will need their best. I expect both teams to play clean games, with no more than one turnover each.

That sums it up. Say what you will about the Patriots, but the amount of fight in them is unequalled. I never thought we’d lose either of those two Super Bowls, but especially SB46, because a win would’ve just been so poetic.

Now, I realize nothing is assured, even if the Patriots are due to play a Super Bowl where they make the clutch plays and get the clutch bounces. Both of the last two they played tight for most of the game. Nothing is assured, but I am proud of this team and how they’ve had to weather incredible controversy once again.

A win Sunday would be a beautiful thing but it will certainly not come easy. All I know is that the Patriots will fight down to the final whistle. Will it be enough? We’ll see.

Good question. I feel like I know the Patriots’ weaknesses pretty well so if I’m the Seahawks I’m really wanting to attack them with our running game, especially by getting the Pats into nickel defense. The Patriots don’t make a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage, which means the Seahawks should try to just grind it out on the ground, even if it’s just with gains of 4 yards a pop. 

The Pats won’t give up long runs, but I’d make them prove they can force third-and-longs. If the Pats don’t win against the run on early downs, they’ll see a lot of third-and-makeables, and that’s when Russell Wilson can have the most options at his disposal.

As for the other side of the ball, I’d attack the middle of the Patriots line with our pass rushers, and I’d also use Cover-3 and allow the underneath passes, then destroy the receivers after they make the catch. Gronk certainly has to be jammed at the line at every chance, but I’d be careful matching up with him when he splits out wide.

What would worry me most would be if Blount gets rolling up the middle of our defense, or if Brady is in sync with LaFell on Maxwell. Those are things that the Seahawks can’t afford.