Heat Waved Staff: Super Bowl Predictions
On February 1, the AFC-Champion New England Patriots will square-off with the NFC-Champion Seattle Seahawks in Glendale, Ariz. for Super Bowl XLIX.
The Heat Waved staff came together for some Super Bowl predictions where we each chose which team will win “The Big Game”, who the MVP will be, and also the X-Factor that will help effect the game’s outcome. Here are our staff’s predictions for the Super Bowl…
Charlie Sides:
Winner: New England Patriots
MVP: LeGarrette Blount
X-Factor: Tom Brady
Jan 18, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs the ball against Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman (50) during the fourth quarter in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Gabe Encinas:
Winner: New England Patriots
MVP: Tom Brady
X-Factor: Rob Gronkowski
Dec 14, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won 41-13. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Guillermo Salcido:
Winner: New England Patriots
MVP: Tom Brady
X-Factor: Julian Edelman
Jan 18, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (right) holds up the Lamar Hunt Trophy as he is interviewed after the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Jackson Manchego:
Winner: (Much to my dismay) Seattle Seahawks
MVP: Russell Wilson
X-Factor: Marshawn Lynch
January 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the second half in the NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Brendan Kennealy:
Winner: Seattle Seahawks
MVP: Marshawn Lynch (Go Golden Bears!)
X-Factor: Bobby Wagner
January 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) runs the ball ahead of Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Julius Peppers (56) and defensive end Mike Daniels (76) during the second half in the NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Tony DeLorenzi:
Winner: New England Patriots
MVP: Tom Brady
X-Factor: Bill Belichick
Jan 18, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick celebrates with the Lamar Kraft Trophy while being interviewed by CBS announcer Jim Nantz after the New England Patriots beat the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Bonneville:
Winner: New England Patriots
MVP: Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr.
X-Factor: Patriots O-Line vs. Seahawks Front-Seven
Jan 18, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates after a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the third quarter in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Johnny Soto:
Winner: Seahawks
MVP: Marshawn Lynch
X-Factor: Doug Baldwin
January 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) catches a touchdown pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Richard Duflo:
Winner: Patriots (even with regulation balls)
MVP: Tom Brady
X-Factor: Kam Chancellor (He can definitely make play or two that can swing the game in Seattle’s favor)
Nov 23, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) congratulates running back LeGarrette Blount (29) on his touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Lions 34-9. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports