Quiet Lynch can make loud noise on field for Seahawks

Breaking down Super Bowl XLIX today at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

MOST DANGEROUS PLAYER

Marshawn Lynch, Seattle

How ironic. The guy who spent his entire week in Phoenix not talking about the game has an opportunity to make its biggest impact. Good for him that it’s with his feet and not his mouth. There are few better zone run teams than Seattle and few better backs at executing it than Lynch. His clothing apparel says it all. He’s a beast. No one reads the zone play better, and the Patriots can leak with the best of them when defending the run. Baltimore also had solid success with a similar scheme against New England in the divisional round of the playoffs. This just in: Justin Forsett is no Beast Mode. But he probably talks to reporters more.

MOST INTRIGUING MATCHUP

Most believe it is Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor against Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. But how can any such engagement not include a quarterback? Tom Brady needs to produce in a big way for New England to win, which means he needs to take advantage of an Earl Thomas who isn’t 100 percent. Thomas is in the mold of great safeties of the past, a player who, while not physically imposing, has exceptional speed and anticipation. He’s also nursing a bum shoulder, meaning Brady might be able to pick on him a bit and hope New England receivers can create space.

MOST UNDERVALUED WEAPON

Shane Vereen, New England

It’s critical Brady plays well. It might be more important the Patriots get major contributions out of their backs, given New England is the only team that didn’t have a running back with at least 130 carries this season. LaGarrette Blount was his own version of a beast in the AFC Championship Game (148 yards rushing, three touchdowns), but Vereen has the pass-catching skill to test a Seattle defense that has hardly been stout against such players. Vereen is dangerous in space and could emerge a key offensive option for the Patriots as Seattle’s defense focuses on Gronkowski and wide receiver Julian Edelman.

LEGACIES AT STAKE

Brady will become the second player to appear in six Super Bowls, and a victory would give him a fourth title. He has cemented a Hall of Fame career — no quarterback in history has a higher winning percentage — and it’s now all about how high he can climb on the list of all-time greats in the eyes of others. On the other side, Seattle’s defense tries to prove the Legion of Boom is more Legend of Boom, and making the difference in a second consecutive Super Bowl victory would place the unit in the same conversation as the Bears of 1985 and the Steelers of 1974 and the Ravens of 2000.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Richard Sherman, Seattle

Assuming the stork doesn’t arrive early and Sherman is faced with a huge decision — play the game or attend the birth of his son — we should know early how much New England intends on challenging the outspoken but incredibly gifted cornerback. How often will the Patriots line up Edelman opposite Sherman? How much could the game be impacted by the sort of crossing routes Edelman is proficient at running and Sherman is at times ineffective covering?

RUN, RUSSELL, RUN

The unknown is always the most difficult challenge for any defense. Russell Wilson is the youngest quarterback in history to start two Super Bowls, and his ability to make plays outside the pocket with his feet could overcome any mistakes he encounters throwing against the likes of Darrelle Revis. The Patriots have been fantastic against the pass during the playoffs and can game-plan for Wilson in this way, but it’s not as easy to prepare for those moments when things break down and he gets into space.

TEAM WITH BIGGER BALLS

Well, that’s obvious.

Seattle never has been accused of deflating any of its.

But the Seahawks did pull off a terrific fake field goal and critical onside kick that allowed it to beat Green Bay in the NFC Championship Game. The Patriots are obviously not above their own amount of trickery, beginning with unique alignments that Baltimore coaches swore were illegal. “We’re very much in tune with it,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. “It has just been part of the preparation, so it’s not a big deal to us now.”

WHICH IS MORE SPECIAL?

Score one for the punter.

The special teams of Seattle own a decided edge behind the leg of Jon Ryan and also offer more speed from those covering kicks than New England, even though the Patriots have defended things quite well in this area.

They also have a returner in Edelman who could turn his team’s fortunes in seconds.

In a game many expect to be low scoring and perhaps decided on the final drive, special teams could mean everything to which side hoists a silver trophy at night’s end.

THE SIMPLICITY OF IT ALL

The No. 1 offense (New England) vs. the No. 1 defense (Seattle).

And it’s not all that complicated.

It probably took both coaching staffs about 10 minutes of watching film to devise a game plan. That’s how straightforward both are in how they succeed. The Seahawks basically play either man or cover-3 defense and dare the offense to be better than them. They don’t mix coverages. They have no secrets. They just usually prove to be faster and more physical and more explosive than those trying to score against them. The Patriots are one of the league’s best teams behind Brady at controlling the pace of a game, whether they choose to huddle or go hurry-up. But they haven’t run the ball well consistently, which means Brady has to be even better at spreading his throws around and remaining patient against a defense that just doesn’t allow big plays. Brady can be a master at discovering a mismatch early and continually exploiting it. He might need a few today.

COACHING ... WHO YOU GOT?

Much like the point spread and what most believe will transpire on the field, this is too close to call. Bill Belichick can become the second coach to win four Super Bowls, and Carroll will try to become the seventh to win one in consecutive seasons. No team plays harder from the opening kickoff to a game’s final play than Seattle, a sense of urgency and effort that portrays Carroll’s image. He also has the internal desire to beat the team that fired him as coach in 1999. Belichick will always tow the line between competitive gamesmanship and questionable tactics, adding another level of scheming to the matchup.

AND THE WINNER IS ...

The closer we got to last year’s Super Bowl, the more public sentiment shifted to Denver’s side. This has the same tone to it. Doesn’t 49 seem like it could play out much as 48 did? Seattle is fortunate for its return trip, having been outplayed by the Packers in the NFC Championship Game. But now that the Seahawks are here, it’s difficult to believe their defense won’t again back up all their talk by forcing a team that struggles to run the ball into enough mistakes elsewhere to secure victory.

Seattle 28, New England 20

Las Vegas Review-Journal sports columnist Ed Graney can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4618. He can be heard from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on “Gridlock,” ESPN 1100 and 100.9 FM. Follow him on Twitter: @edgraney.