@Macedon
Don't take Seattle too lightly and say they're not as good as last year because that's not really true when you look at the scope of the league as a whole:
By the numbers:
While that might be a bit true for their offense (considering they were the 26th rank passing offense last year, and 30th this year, they improved on their running game to be the best rushing attack this year (though that might also be an affect of a couple RB's either not playing or not playing as good as last year...looking at Peterson and McCoy). On top of that, their defense is still the best (actually improved from last year in scoring from 2nd to 1st) and their rushing defense also improved from 7th to 2nd.
Overall though their point differential has decreased, mostly because of their offense. Across the league defensive performance was a bit down, but regardless the Seahawks still are the best of the group. The only team with a better point differential is the Patriots.
So essentially when it comes to points, you're taking the #3 offense (Patriots) against the #1 defense (Seahawks) and the #10 offense (Seahawks) against the #8 defense (Patriots).
Strengths and weaknesses?
Obviously the strengths of the Seahawks is their defense. They can stop the pass and they can stop the run. And they don't need an incredible pass rush to do it. Their secondary is no fluke and no joke. Sherman is avoided like the plague now by quarterbacks, and when he isn't he makes them pay. Brady already knows this. I don't like the guys mouth on the field (but off the field he is really a great person and an intelligent person), but he performs and stands out above all the rest right now. He is physical, fast, and extremely aware and reacts quickly. The rest of the secondary consists of excellent players. Chancellor can cover but he is a ferocious hitter. Thomas is a bit the opposite, can cover and is a good hitter. They are the best safety tandem in the league. Then you have Byron Maxwell who is really good in his own right. He isn't the shutdown guy that Sherman is, but he is still really good. Honestly, this secondary reminds of one of the biggest, if not the biggest reasons, why the Patriots were able to win at least 2 of the 3 Super Bowls they won...when they had Ty Law and Rodney Harrison. Didn't need a tremendous offense, just one that could get the job done and they had that and the Seahawks have that. As for their offense, it's the Wilson-Lynch combo. If Lynch isn't breaking runs, Wilson will look to pass more and tuck and run he can to open up the running game. Once that happens, it is almost impossible to stop Beastmode.
The Patriots strength? Tom Brady. He is the man, one of the best of all time. Bellichik and him are probably the greatest coach-QB combo ever (though Lombardi-Starr, Landry-Staubach, Walsh-Montana all have their own say in the matter, but either weren't together as long or didn't have to play through as many playoff games to win a championship). He has got a solid receiving core that has come together and knows how to catch a pass. They aren't the shiniest group out there but of the two teams they have the better receivers, not including the tight ends. They don't run the ball as well, but they don't really need to and when they do they do it enough to keep the defense honest in the passing game. Pretty much the opposite of the Seahawks offense. Defensive the Patriots are pretty stout against the run but will give up the pass plays, they are average at best.
Each team can play into the others strength and weaknesses here. Though when it comes to a balanced team that can attack you in the most ways, I'll take the Seahawks and I don't say that easily knowing Bellichik and his tendency to mix up the play calling and make adjustments as good or better than anyone in the league.
» Wed Jan 21, 2015 9:53 am 
