XLIX is coming

I am picking the Patriots for the Super Bowl, but not confidently. I give them a 55% chance of winning. For years New England’s defense lived off its (and Belichick’s) reputation. But with the additions of Revis (despite somewhat of a decline in his skills) and Browner their secondary has taken a major step forward. I’m still suspect of their pass rush and Seattle’s defense is better, but the Pats defense is better than it has been in many years. Plus they have the smarter coach and better QB. That said I am worried – the Seahawks aren’t going to get blown out, but I could see a scenario where the Patriots would be.

It is also true that Seattle isn’t unbeatable, if the Packers hadn’t turtled coming down the stretch then we’d be looking at a repeat of Super Bowl XXXI.

I would also like to take a moment to point out that the Patriots were already known cheaters – and knowingly and intentionally messed with the footballs. They are all just lying now. And don’t say it doesn’t matter, they have been doing this for a long time and in tight games giving Brady a better grip on the ball could make the difference in a W. But I would also point to the fact that Pete Carroll came to the Seahawks running away from the NCAA coming down with sanctions on his USC program and plenty of his Seattle players have been dinged for steroids.