The Super Bowl is set and not many are surprised that the No. 1 seeds are matched up for Feb. 1, although it sure didn’t seem like the Seattle Seahawks were going to make it after Russell Wilson tossed four interceptions in what was probably his worst game as a pro (until overtime, that is).  Aaron Rogers and his Green Bay Packers should have won the game, no doubt, but that is why they play the games on the field and why many times human error dictates the outcome.  Rogers deserves to be playing in his second Super Bowl, but multiple errors cost them the game.  I don’t think they would fare as well if they played again, because I do think the Seahawks are the best team again this year, but anybody can be beaten on a given day.

Wilson’s poor performance most likely won’t be repeated in their matchup with the New England Patriots, so I think the usually stifling defense will be back and will give Brady trouble, even if Josh McDaniels comes up with a unique game plan.  And speaking of poor performances, Andrew Luck wasn’t able to rise to the occasion for his Indianapolis Colts.  Tom Brady played well and set a record for all-time playoff wins, as did his coach Bill Belichick.  Brady also passes John Elway for most Super Bowl appearances with six, but unless something unforeseen happens out there in the dry air of Arizona, Brady won’t be adding another Lombardi Trophy to his list long list of accomplishments, in my opinion.

These playoffs have been entertaining overall and have left the two best teams still standing.  The controversies that have plagued these playoffs were awesome for conspiracy theorists. There was the “pass interference” non-call between the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. Then, we had the Dez Bryant “drop” that was sweet justice for everyone that hates the Cowboys.  Finally, “Deflategate” is now dogging the Patriots and has their haters howling mad since, according to them, their success has only come from cheating.  It does happen to be a great motivating tool for the Patriots.  Belichick can now build the “us against the world” campaign, while Seattle head coach Pete Carroll has the weaker hand with “proving that we are a dynasty” by repeating at champions, which hasn’t happened since, interestingly, Brady and the Patriots.

I believe the Seahawks will win again for the same reason that they won last season.  The Denver Broncos depended too much on Peyton Manning and the Patriots depend too much on Tom Brady.  Seattle turned up the heat a couple notches all over the field in last year’s contest and I would guess that Carroll might find some additional motivation than I mentioned earlier to turn up the heat once again, this time on Brady and his receivers.  The Seahawks are once again the best “team.”  They have three solid legs for a balanced approach.  The defense is the league’s best and most intimidating.  The running game is as good as anybody else’s and the passing/play-action/movement round and out of the pocket/running of Russell Wilson gives defenses too much to defend.

The Patriots’ controversy is actually great business for the NFL because it elevates the water-cooler talk, brings even more viewers to America’s biggest yearly event and makes even idle fans get more rabid than Seattle’s 12^th man.  Betting experts say it is a one-point game in favor of the Patriots at this writing.  Regardless of the winner, let’s all hope the game comes down to a dramatic final moment, something Brady is all too familiar with in this game.  In fact, each of his games (three wins and two losses) have been a three-point differential, except the most recent four-point loss to the New York Giants, 21-17.  This should be a good one.