This is the one day of the year where sitting in front of the tube 10 straight hours isn't frowned upon.
Last year's Super Bowl XLVIII between the Seattle Seahawks (14-4) and Denver Broncos was the most watched television program in U.S. History, drawing over 111 million viewers. That was with Seattle's relatively unknown Russell Wilson behind center. This year he faces Tom Brady and the ubiquitously reviled New England Patriots (14-4); a team that, despite the recidivistic pushback they've received for "deflategate," still has Vegas oddsmakers on their side.
For Brady, it's a chance to outshine the game's legends yet again. A chance to go out on top without having to retire anytime soon. He already sports three championship rings, a record-setting 20 postseason wins, and soon will have the distinction of being the only quarterback to start six Super Bowls. With a victory Sunday, Brady becomes just the third quarterback ever to win four titles, joining Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw. It's the icing to the cake of a hall of fame career.
Wilson's on a similar road to Brady's, vying to become the youngest quarterback to win two Super Bowls, only Wilson couldn't do it alone. Brady can make a Pro Bowler out an Arena League castoff. Can the Seahawks succeed if Pete Carroll's run-heavy game plan falls apart?
When: Sunday, February 1, 2015
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
Pregame Show: Beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET, Bob Costas, Dan Patrick, Al Michaels, Chris Collinsworth, Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison, Michele Tafoya all contribute. In addition, Savannah Guthrie interview President Barack Obama.
Kick-off: 6:30 p.m. ET
Live Stream: "Super Stream Sunday" on NBC Sports Live Extra
TV: NBC
What to Watch For:
Marshawn Lynch vs. the Patriots' defensive line - Love him or hate hit, Marshawn Lynch is the backbone of Seattle's offense. He led the league in rushing touchdowns and ranked fourth with 1,306 running yards despite only having five 100-plus-yard run games during the regular season.
"Beast Mode" saved his best performance for last dismantling Green Bay's d-line for 157 yards on 25 carries. His 24-yard score with 44 second left in regulation gave the Seahawks their only lead up to that point.
Then again, the Packers aren't known for their defensive prowess. They handed Lynch and Dallas' DeMarco Murray -arguable the NFL's two best tailbacks - a combined 280 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 5.6 yards per carry this postseason.
Like Green Bay, the Patriots have stopgaps for Lynch. This is a squad that allowed 191 rush yards to Miami on opening day; the Jets - yes, those Jets - rumbled to 218 in a Week 7 meeting in Foxborough, and nearly did it again with 116 yards on the ground in Week 16.
Offensively, New England is a juggernaut. They'll have to be if Lynch runs wild on their mediocre run defense.
Brady vs. Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas - Since arriving in Arizona, Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas have downplay each player's respective arm injury suffered in the NFC championship. Of course they would. Brady could smell blood in the water if they said otherwise.
The tandem is the focal point in a defense that yielded just 185.6 total yards per game. NFL MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers managed just 171 passing yards two weeks ago and didn't so much as whiff Seattle's red zone in the second half. The outspoken Sherman has already called Brady out, saying he hopes the quarterback tests his injured elbow. Thomas compared his own shoulder injury to that of getting a bloody lip.
Brady's flourished against top-tier secondaries. He notched 317 passing yards at San Diego, 361 vs. Buffalo, 349 vs. Detroit, and 333 against a Denver defense that allowed a league-low six yards per reception.
For a hall of fame quarterback - one possibly competing in his final Super Bowl - whatever the Seahawks dish won't be anything new to Brady. He's made a career out of wasting premier cornerbacks.
Prediction - Save his last second heroics, Wilson buckled under pressure against Green Bay. That was with a healthy defense and Seattle's 12th man on his side. New England won't be as forgiving. Patriots 27-17