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Super Bowl XLIX is on tap two weeks from yesterday. Super Bowl 49 is set to be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on February 1, 2015. The kickoff time is at 6:30 p.m. (ET) while NBC will televise the game.
Now that the AFC and NFC Championship games are over, we know it will be the Seattle Seahawks playing the New England Patriots.
The Seahawks had an incredible comeback against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game. One of the best games I've ever seen with Seattle somehow scoring 21 straight points late in the game to force it to overtime and then win it there. There were just over two minutes left and the Packers had a 19-7 lead. Think of how unlikely it is that the Seahawks would win that game.
The Patriots incredible run continued with by demolishing the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game, 45-7. They survived two 14-point deficits the week before against the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional round. New England has consistently been the best team in the NFL this season. They deserve a spot in the Super Bowl.
The Seahawks were early 2.5-point favorites and that has dropped to a pick'em in some spots or a 1-point Seattle favorite in others. Both of these teams are capable of winning so I'm glad I'm not the one responsible for setting the odds on this game. I'm hoping it will be a close one.
The Seahawks are going for their second consecutive Super Bowl while Tom Brady is looking to tie an NFL record with his fourth Super Bowl win as a starting quarterback. He's already been to five Super Bowls, with this being his sixth.
The last time the Patriots played a Super Bowl at the University of Phoenix Stadium was in 2008 when, as a 12.5-point favorite, they were upset by the New York Giants, 17-14.
My early pick for this game will be the Patriots. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are obviously great but the Patriots defense has been playing very well lately. They're a smart group.
Super Bowl 2015 schedule
Date: February 1, 2015
Game time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Location: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
TV Channel: NBC
Online streaming: NFL.com