Storylines to Follow for Super Bowl XLIX

After the hype, this is what really matters come Sunday.

Patriots, Seahawks to Kick Off Sunday Night - After two weeks of hype, it all comes down to this. Super Bowl XLIX between the New England Patriots (14-4) and Seattle Seahawks (14-4) will kick off from the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., live on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. EST. Will Tom Brady collect his fourth Super Bowl ring or will Russell Wilson and the ’Hawks win back-to-back championships? We’ll find out in just over 72 hours. Before the opening kick, let's ponder some of the crucial storylines to follow for the big game. (Photos from Left: Otto Gruele jr./Getty Images, Elsa/Getty Images)

1 / 9

Patriots, Seahawks to Kick Off Sunday Night - After two weeks of hype, it all comes down to this. Super Bowl XLIX between the New England Patriots (14-4) and Seattle Seahawks (14-4) will kick off from the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., live on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. EST. Will Tom Brady collect his fourth Super Bowl ring or will Russell Wilson and the ’Hawks win back-to-back championships? We’ll find out in just over 72 hours. Before the opening kick, let's ponder some of the crucial storylines to follow for the big game. (Photos from Left: Otto Gruele jr./Getty Images, Elsa/Getty Images)

Can Tom Brady Figure Out the Seahawks' Secondary? - Aside from a 13-yard touchdown pass, the Seattle Seahawks’ secondary bottled up Aaron Rodgers’s explosiveness during the NFC title game. The Seahawks stifled Rodgers, arguably the best quarterback in the game, into 19-of-34 passing for 178 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions (one recorded by Richard Sherman). But the older, more experienced Tom Brady represents a veteran QB who has truly seen it all. And Brady has never been one to back down from a shutdown corner. The question is will even he be able to figure out and beat the Seahawks' secondary?(Photos from Left: Jim Rogash/Getty Images, Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

2 / 9

Can Tom Brady Figure Out the Seahawks' Secondary? - Aside from a 13-yard touchdown pass, the Seattle Seahawks’ secondary bottled up Aaron Rodgers’s explosiveness during the NFC title game. The Seahawks stifled Rodgers, arguably the best quarterback in the game, into 19-of-34 passing for 178 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions (one recorded by Richard Sherman). But the older, more experienced Tom Brady represents a veteran QB who has truly seen it all. And Brady has never been one to back down from a shutdown corner. The question is will even he be able to figure out and beat the Seahawks' secondary?(Photos from Left: Jim Rogash/Getty Images, Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Can Vince Wilfork and the Pats' D-Line Tame Beast Mode? - Marshawn Lynch is hands-down the NFL’s most violent, aggressive running back, one who seems to enjoy contact on every carry. The reckless abandonment that he runs with is why they call him “Beast Mode.” But to run roughshod over the New England Patriots, Lynch will have to get past all 6-feet-2-inches and 325 pounds of Vince Wilfork, arguably the NFL’s best run stuffer. What will happen when the two physical forces collide? (Photos from Left: Jim Rogash/Getty Images, Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

3 / 9

Can Vince Wilfork and the Pats' D-Line Tame Beast Mode? - Marshawn Lynch is hands-down the NFL’s most violent, aggressive running back, one who seems to enjoy contact on every carry. The reckless abandonment that he runs with is why they call him “Beast Mode.” But to run roughshod over the New England Patriots, Lynch will have to get past all 6-feet-2-inches and 325 pounds of Vince Wilfork, arguably the NFL’s best run stuffer. What will happen when the two physical forces collide? (Photos from Left: Jim Rogash/Getty Images, Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Can LeGarrette Blount Get Beastly Again? - The Seattle Seahawks will certainly look to assert their running game by grounding and pounding with Marshawn Lynch. However, the New England Patriots have a physical running back of their own in LeGarrette Blount, who did rush for 148 yards and three touchdowns in a rout of the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC title game. Blount’s ability to eat up the clock and pile up yards against the Seahawks’ defensive line will be key.  (Photo: Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

4 / 9

Can LeGarrette Blount Get Beastly Again? - The Seattle Seahawks will certainly look to assert their running game by grounding and pounding with Marshawn Lynch. However, the New England Patriots have a physical running back of their own in LeGarrette Blount, who did rush for 148 yards and three touchdowns in a rout of the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC title game. Blount’s ability to eat up the clock and pile up yards against the Seahawks’ defensive line will be key.  (Photo: Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Best Corner in Football: Darrelle Revis or Richard Sherman? - Cornerback supremacy will be on the line Sunday when Richard Sherman and Darrelle Revis take the field. Over the past several years, Revis proved to be the NFL's best cornerback, now Sherman has arguably taken that throne. One key play, when it counts most in the Super Bowl, may spell the difference...at least when it comes to bragging rights over the offseason. Who will produce that game-changing play — Revis or Sherman?(Photos from Left: Jim Rogash/Getty Images, Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

5 / 9

Best Corner in Football: Darrelle Revis or Richard Sherman? - Cornerback supremacy will be on the line Sunday when Richard Sherman and Darrelle Revis take the field. Over the past several years, Revis proved to be the NFL's best cornerback, now Sherman has arguably taken that throne. One key play, when it counts most in the Super Bowl, may spell the difference...at least when it comes to bragging rights over the offseason. Who will produce that game-changing play — Revis or Sherman?(Photos from Left: Jim Rogash/Getty Images, Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
Which Receiving Core Has the Edge? - Steve Smith was able to catch Darrelle Revis slipping for a touchdown grab during the AFC divisional playoff game. Can Seattle Seahawks wideout Doug Baldwin accomplish the same? How will the Seahawks secondary even begin to deal with Rob Gronkowski? There's no doubting a player like Kam Chancellor's physicality, but is it enough to rattle Gronk, who has been too fast for most linebackers and too physical for most defensive backs? (Photos from Left: Christian Petersen/Getty Images,  Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

6 / 9

Which Receiving Core Has the Edge? - Steve Smith was able to catch Darrelle Revis slipping for a touchdown grab during the AFC divisional playoff game. Can Seattle Seahawks wideout Doug Baldwin accomplish the same? How will the Seahawks secondary even begin to deal with Rob Gronkowski? There's no doubting a player like Kam Chancellor's physicality, but is it enough to rattle Gronk, who has been too fast for most linebackers and too physical for most defensive backs? (Photos from Left: Christian Petersen/Getty Images,  Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Russell Wilson Scrambling, Buying Time - Russell Wilson's ability to scramble in the pocket, buy time and improvise has been as big a part of the Seattle Seahawks' offensive success. It's his ability to dance out of the pocket that has helped the Seahawks defeat Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks like Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and most recently Aaron Rodgers. Will Russ be able to evade the Pats' D to add Tom Brady on his list?(Photo: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

7 / 9

Russell Wilson Scrambling, Buying Time - Russell Wilson's ability to scramble in the pocket, buy time and improvise has been as big a part of the Seattle Seahawks' offensive success. It's his ability to dance out of the pocket that has helped the Seahawks defeat Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks like Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and most recently Aaron Rodgers. Will Russ be able to evade the Pats' D to add Tom Brady on his list?(Photo: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Will Patriots Be Affected by 'Deflate Gate?' - Just because the "Deflate Gate" scandal took away from some of the hype of Super Bowl XLIX doesn't mean it has to affect the New England Patriots' focus. You've got to think that Bill Belichick and Tom Brady were able to rally their troops behind them in preparation for this Sunday. Will the media coverage of "Deflate Gate" affect the Pats? Either it will or the Seattle Seahawks will be the team feeling deflated Sunday night.(Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

8 / 9

Will Patriots Be Affected by 'Deflate Gate?' - Just because the "Deflate Gate" scandal took away from some of the hype of Super Bowl XLIX doesn't mean it has to affect the New England Patriots' focus. You've got to think that Bill Belichick and Tom Brady were able to rally their troops behind them in preparation for this Sunday. Will the media coverage of "Deflate Gate" affect the Pats? Either it will or the Seattle Seahawks will be the team feeling deflated Sunday night.(Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Can Carroll Outwit Belichick? - Super Bowls aren't just relegated to the players on the field. One coaching decision or strategy could be the major difference in hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy on Sunday night. Entering the big game, Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll already called some gutsy plays — like kick holder Jon Ryan's touchdown pass on a fake field goal in the NFC title game. Bill Belichick has found the end zone on more than one occasion audibling an offensive-line formation change and an eligible lineman as a receiver. What will give between Carroll and Belichick on Sunday?(Photos from Left: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images, Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

9 / 9

Can Carroll Outwit Belichick? - Super Bowls aren't just relegated to the players on the field. One coaching decision or strategy could be the major difference in hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy on Sunday night. Entering the big game, Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll already called some gutsy plays — like kick holder Jon Ryan's touchdown pass on a fake field goal in the NFC title game. Bill Belichick has found the end zone on more than one occasion audibling an offensive-line formation change and an eligible lineman as a receiver. What will give between Carroll and Belichick on Sunday?(Photos from Left: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images, Jim Rogash/Getty Images)