Super Bowl XLIX lives up to the hype: Patriots win miracle, 28-24

Inactive Patriots - Jonas Gary, Brian Tyms, Josh Boyce, Zach Moore and Joe Vellano

Lots of questions, but New England has their prayers answered winning Super Bowl XLIX, 28-24.

The Seattle Seahawks took over at their own 20 yard line trailing by four points. A first down pass from Russell Wilson to Marshawn Lynch gained 31 yards into New England territory at the 49. A third down pass to Ricardo Lockett got Seattle a first down at the New England 38. A deflected pass by CB Malcolm Butler ended up in the lap of Jermaine Kearse at the five. After a run by Marshawn Lynch moved the ball to the one yard line, a Russell Wilson pass was intercepted by New England CB Malcolm Butler at the goal line. Following a celebration penalty by the Patriots, the Seahawks jumped offsides moving the ball to the six. Tom Brady ran out the clock with a kneel down. A 15 yard instigator penalty by Bruce Irvin of the Seahawks resulted in an ejection.

In the biggest drive of the year, the Patriots got a first down on two Shane Vereen receptions. A pass to Julian Edelman moved the ball into Seattle territory at the 42. After a penalty to Julian Edelman moved the Patriots back to their own 48, a Tom Brady pass to Rob Gronskowski gained 20 yards. A second down pass to Gronkowski moved the ball to the 20. An eight yard run by Shane Vereen moved the ball to the 12. A six yard pass to Brandon Lafell put the ball on the Seattle six. A three yard run by LeGarrette Blount on first down brought New England closer. A three yard TD pass to Julian Edelman from Tom Brady put the Patriots ahead, 28-24 with two minutes two seconds to play.

With seven minutes 55 seconds to play, Seattle took over at their own 20 yard line. On a third and five, a Russell Wilson pass fell incomplete. New England took over at their own 36 yard line following the Seattle punt.

A sack by LB Bruce Irvin put the Patriots in a hole at second and 18. A great third down catch by Julian Edelman gained 21 yards. Another third down completion to Edelman moved the ball to the Seattle five. After an incompletion, a Tom Brady five yard TD pass to Danny Amendola inched New England closer at 24-21.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, LeGarrette Blount was stuffed in the backfield for a loss forcing a punt. A sack by LB Rob Ninkovich on third down forced a Seattle punt that was returned by Julian Edelman to the New England 33 with just over 12 minutes to play.

To start the third quarter, two runs by Marshawn Lynch moved the ball from the 20 yard line to the Seattle 38. A Russell Wilson pass to WR Chris Matthews covered 45 yards. The Seahawks drive stalled at the New England 10 yard line. The Seahawks settled for a 27 yard field goal by K Steven Hauschka for a 17-14 lead.

After one New England first down, Tom Brady was intercepted by LB Bobby Wagner on a pass intended for Rob Gronkowski. The Seahawks needed only six plays to up the lead to 24-14. An easy Russell Wilson toss to an uncovered WR Doug Baldwin gave the Seahawks a 10 point lead with just over four minutes remaining in the third quarter. A celebration penalty on Doug Baldwin gave New England decent field position at the 35 following the kickoff.

A quick three and out by the Patriots forced them to punt. The Seahawks took over at their own 20 yard line. A 25 yard pass from Russell Wilson to Ricardo Lockette moved the ball to the Seahawks' 45. A dropped pass on third down to Jermaine Kearse forced a Seattle punt. The Patriots faced a third and 1 as the third quarter ended with Seattle in front, 24-14.

The roof was open as New England received the opening kickoff. QB Tom Brady threw straight completions for a first down. Following a punt by the Patriots, the Seahawks went three and out when RB Marshawn Lynch was stopped short on third and two.

The second Patriots' drive started at their own 33. New England moved into Seattle territory on two first downs. RB LaGarrette Blount picked up a key first on third and two at the Seahawks' 24. On a third and six from the Seattle 10, a Tom Brady floater was intercepted by CB Jeremy Lane at the goal line and returned to the Seahawks' 14 yard line. The first quarter ended in a scoreless tie. The Patriots had the ball for 19 plays to six for Seattle.

After a Seattle first down early in the second quarter, the drive stalled and New England took over at their own 36. A big play on third and nine from the Seahawks 36 was a 25 yard completion from Tom Brady to WR Julian Edelamn. After a short run by LeGarrette Blount, Tom Brady threw an 11 yard TD pass to WR Brandon Lafell. The extra point was good by K Stephen Gotkowski. The Patriots led 7-0.

New England S Logan Ryan broke up a third down pass intended for WR Jermaine Kearse. It was three and out for the Seahawks. Seattle had only 22 yards in total offense with eight minutes remaining in the second quarter. QB Russell Wilson had yet to complete a pass.

With five minutes 20 seconds remaining before halftime, Russell Wilson completed his first pass to Jermaine Kearse for a first down. A second completion to WR Chris Matthews moved the ball to the New England 11. Three plays later, it was a three yard TD run by RB Marshawn Lynch to tie the score at seven.

The Patriots took over at the 20 yard line with two minutes 16 seconds before halftime. An 11 yard pass to Danny Amendola stopped the clock at the two minute warning. A key offsides penalty gave New England a first down in Seattle territory. Two completions to Shane Vereen moved the ball to the Seahawks' 22. A Tom Brady to TE Rob Gronkowski pass of 22 yards went for a TD with 31 seconds remaining. New England led 14-7.

The Seahawks used only five plays covering 80 yards to tie the score. An 11 yard TD pass from Russell Wilson to Chris Matthews completed the drive. Runs of 19 yards by Robert Turbin and 17 yards by Russell Wilson moved the Seahawks close to midfield. A 23 yard completion to WR Ricardo Lockette took the ball to the New England 21. A 10 yard face mask penalty on CB Kyle Arrington put the Seahawks in range at the Patriots' 11.

Tom Brady was 20 for 27 passing for 177 yards and two TD's with one costly interception. Russell Wilson was only four of seven for 84 yards, but his team went to locker room at halftime even with the Patriots.





Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.

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